Avoid errors in back-to-back deliveries and boost your service efficiency When it comes to stock management, accuracy and efficiency are key. Without accurate and efficient stock management, it’s impossible for a merchant business to deliver excellent customer service and have an up to date, real picture of what stock is on hand. Managing the logistics of a busy stock yard is never an easy task; and when you’re managing multiple sites and different types of delivery, it only adds to the complexity. It's too easy for parts of orders to be overlooked or delayed thanks to inefficient systems and processes. That’s why we’ve built in lots of alerts, reminders and clear measures of where stock is and where it needs to go. These are just a few of the KPIs that UT400 has to offer; there are over 110 in total. But each one adds value in its own way. Spotlight feature: B2B Ready to Despatch As you’ll know, deliveries fundamentally fall into three broad areas: - Supply from stock already on hand in your yard or warehouse - Direct to site, taking your own depot out of the delivery equation and letting your supplier deliver direct to your client - Back to back, where your supplier delivers to you and you despatch to the customer Traditionally though, ERP systems have struggled with back to back deliveries. Often it’s not 100% of an order that’s due to go out, and you need to process multiple onward or into-stock elements. In many cases, ERP systems will process a B2B delivery as automatically despatched – which is fine when it does genuinely go straight back out, but all too often the delivery is split, and it’s just too easy to miss a customer order. You sit there happily with the system telling you the order has gone out, while the customer is wondering where their order is. This is exactly the kind of issues that UT400 is designed to remedy. It’s super-simple to input the intended destinations as the order is placed, so the system will flag up exactly what is due to go out to a customer when. It sounds obvious, but most systems aren’t set up to handle this function, and certainly not set up to do it as simply as UT400. The system will: - Record goods-in and update stock records accordingly, taking into account what is already on order to go elsewhere, avoiding double-selling; - Alert you when an order is sitting in the yard waiting to go out - Prompt you in advance that a customer order is due to be despatched - Enable faster turnaround of B2B orders however complex they might be, with fewer administrative processes to complete - Communicate to the customer when goods are en route Simple input at Purchase Order stage When you raise the PO, you simply select the order type, allowing you to allocate which elements of the order are for B2B as opposed to into stock. When that delivery arrives and is scanned into the system, all the relevant stock levels will be updated, and you’ll be alerted to the fact that the B2B portion of the order is ready to go out. Orders upcoming or fulfilled are flagged in green, while imminent or overdue orders are highlighted in red, making them almost impossible to miss. Automated Digital Communications Tracking Once it has been despatched, electronic delivery notes, PoDs and invoices can all be sent automatically. Everything is recorded in the system meaning nothing can get lost on the way or forgotten to input. It’s a nice prompt, allowing peace of mind for your sales, stock management and logistics teams, but is also a valuable tool in providing fast, efficient service with great communication, all of which will help your customers feel completely satisfied with the service you’ve provided. And all from one little KPI. Imagine the power of all 110…

At Ten-25 we’re very proud of our heritage. For well over 35 years we have been owned and run by the same people, with the same family values and focus on customer service, and that’s not going to change. But one of the reasons we’ve been able to stay at the forefront of the industry is thanks to our ability to embrace change, and to keep moving forward. In 2018 we are very excited about the upcoming launch of our new system, UT400 Merchant Business System and Apps, a new generation of software designed to enhance sales, purchasing and stock management at businesses of all sizes. And with that drive for a new, modern approach, we are also proud to unveil our new company and system logos. We wanted a logo which alluded to our roots in the Timber and Builders’ Merchant trades, but one that was updated and embodies the sleek, straightforward, flexible power of our software. We hope you’ll agree that our new logo does all those things. Over the coming months we will be updating all our branding and collateral with our new logo. So when you see it, don’t worry – the team behind Ten-25 is the same driven, customer-focused team you’ve worked with all along. Technology stands still for no-one however, and therefore, neither will we. Here’s to a very bright 2018 and beyond.

Our customers are the most important part of what we do – they are our “why.” We love getting out to talk to them about how business is going, and we’re immensely proud of their hard work and commercial acumen. We recently caught up with long-term client Tim Payne, Managing Director at South Coast Building Supplies. We even recorded a little video of some of that conversation – just click play! Rapid expansion requires agile system capability Founded in 2008, SCBS has expanded significantly in its lifetime and now operates from four main sites: Andover, Bournemouth and two in Southampton. It offers over 3000 product lines to both trade and public customers, from timber and insulation to landscaping, drainage and plastics materials. There are many factors playing important roles in the success of SCBS, and as with any business, it is the co-ordinated interaction of all these factors which lies at the heard of its continued growth. From staff commitment to supplier reliability, customer service to accurate accounting, no cog in the wheel can afford to let the side down. We all know the world of business is relentlessly fast paced. “We can’t afford to waste time,” Tim comments. “Anything that saves time is an advantage; for example, the business software we use is robust, without much downtime. Consistent functionality across the different modules means that once you know how to perform one task, you can do anything else as well – raise a PO, prepare a despatch note, keep track of stock. That means it’s easy for any staff member to pick it up if someone is off sick, and also means new staff can get to grips with it quickly.” Having access to up to date accurate information at all times makes quick decision-making much easier, and better informed. Information is everything One area Tim says has made a huge difference to the running of the business in recent years has been the increased sophistication of analysis and reporting. “We’ve recently added an advanced reporting module to our system; Afinitis. It’s far easier and quicker to find the information you need using the system than it could ever be doing it yourself. It saves a lot of time and is really accessible.” It helps Tim run the business on a daily basis and makes many processes far simpler. “You can standardise reports easily and quickly and you know it’s always accurate and reliable,” he said. “You can cut the information any way you need it too, so it has made producing the monthly management report so much easier, with more meaningful analysis that helps to guide us in making better business decisions.” Tim states that reporting and analysis have definitely made SCBS more profitable; tiny differences here and there, being able to quickly identify profitable business relationships, and nip less profitable scenarios in the bud, all add up to significantly better results. “After discussing possibilities with Ten-25, we’ve recently added a new function which helps us to add restrictions to certain products, which has had a really positive impact on our profit margins. Being able to easily see where the money is coming from – and going – is helping us to do better business on a day to day basis.” Using the advanced business intelligence software has had a dramatic impact on SCBS, both in terms of efficiency and actual commercial performance. Tim says, “You can standardise reports easily and quickly and you know it’s always accurate and reliable, and it can cut the information any way you need it. It has made producing the monthly management report so much easier, with more meaningful analysis that helps to guide us in making better business decisions. Congratulations to Tim and the whole team at SCBS – keep up the good work! And remember, we’re with you every step of the way.

Last Friday (29th September 2017) some of the Ten-25 team had the pleasure of a jaunt to London to attend the 21st annual TTJ awards, celebrating the best and brightest in the timber trade – and what a day we had. Firstly, congratulations to the whole TTJ team, who pulled off a fantastic event without a hitch (well, if there were any hitches, we certainly didn’t notice them!) That’s particularly impressive since this year was the biggest turnout on record, with around 450 attendees. Guest speaker Steph McGovern did a cracking job of entertaining the crowd and reading out the nominations and winners in each category, the venue looked brilliant and the food was outstanding. To all the nominees and winners, we also extend our heartfelt congratulations. It’s always a fantastic experience to sit in a room with so many hardworking and inspiring people, all working their socks off to make the timber trade the success it continues to be. It was also encouraging to see some new categories introduced this year, such as the Structural Timber Supplier of the Year Award, in association with the Structural Timber Association, signifying the ongoing innovation, evolution and diversification of the industry. You can read more about the event and the winners on the TTJ website: https://www.ttjonline.com/news/timber-industry-celebrates-at-ttj-awards-2017-5938704 As TTJ editor Stephen Powney says, “Rewarding people and companies when they’re doing good things is fundamentally a good thing to do. Whether it’s for training achievement, providing exemplary service or pushing the boundaries on the latest engineered timber structures, giving praise can have a really positive impact.” We couldn’t agree more – so again, to all the nominees and winners, and to all the other hardworking companies out there in the thriving timber industry and overcoming all the challenges that that involves, we congratulate you. We’re already looking forward to next year…. #awards #timberindustry #timbertrade #TTJ

Can you spare us a few minutes of your time to share your opinions of our software and service? We promise you, it’s in your best interests! As all our customers know, we don’t stand still for long here at Ten-25. We are always working to improve our products and services so that you, our customers, feel the benefits. We are currently working on some very exciting product developments which we think could really revolutionise our software. To make sure that we build everything in the best way for our customers, we are asking for your help – we need your opinions! We have written a quick survey – just 10 questions – and we would love to get your answers. Just click here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/259J5ZM Senior Managers – a few extra questions If you’re a senior manager, we’d also be really grateful if you could complete this survey too – it’s only 4 questions but it will really help to guide our product development and service provisions. Just follow this link to participate: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FT5CFV8 And just to say thanks…. As a little thank you for taking part, everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a draw to win a £50 Amazon voucher. The deadline is Friday 15th September 2017 – so get your survey-answering skates on and get those answers in!

What is the value of the data you get from your software system? Well, that all depends on how you choose to use it. At Ten-25 we’re fascinated by how much you can learn from just one piece of information. Imagine, for example, having clear visibility of your key trading periods. We don’t mean seasons, months, weeks or even days, though of course you can see those too –  but we mean hours. Say for example, you see that 70% of your daily transactions are happening between 8-11am, with a heavy weighting towards Wednesday – Friday each week. All well and good. Nice to know. But actually, it’s a lot more than that – how you apply that information can really make a difference. Save more money. Make more money. There are two major areas to work on here: firstly, you can look at maximising the sales within those key trading periods, making sure you have sufficient stock and staff on hand to cope with demand, and potentially saving a lot of money at other times by streamlining systems to avoid unnecessary waste. You can look to gain incremental sales by digging deeper to find out why trading drops at other times of day. It’s really important to consider why the situation exists, whatever data you’re studying. In this instance, we’d wonder why so many sales were being concentrated into this period of the day; was it an arbitrary trend, a natural tendency within the industry or area? Or could it potentially suggest other factors: Were sales linked to email offers or new stock announcements? What was stopping people from ordering in the afternoons? Was there an issue with the website? Was stock availability an issue in the afternoons, following busy mornings? Were enough staff members on hand to help customers? Was it because the café next door is only open until 11? Could you run an offer at specific times of day or on certain days of the week to encourage people to visit at other times? Is it worth conducting additional research with your customers to understand their needs better? There are always a lot of different factors to take into account, from whether your website is performing adequately at all times of day to whether you need more or fewer staff to cope with customer demand at different times of day, to managing stock more efficiently to avoid waste. All these questions – and many more – can be looked at to reveal potential cost savings as well as opportunities for incremental sales. Limitless possibilities – with a helping hand Of course, trading times are just one piece of information. The sophistication of the trading analysis available with Merchanter allows you to understand virtually any area of trading, stock management, customer habits and finance. You can cross reference information, pull out what you need, and be confident that the information you have is always accurate and up to date. And you can then automate reports to keep track of any changes you make so you can easily see what difference your actions have made. It’s just one small example of how valuable trading analysis is when you stop and think about the implications each piece of information throws up. Need to get more valuable information about your business? We’re happy to help – get in touch to talk through your requirements.

We’ve all been there – still in the office at 10pm, trying to make those trading figures add up, or getting the laptop out again after dinner to finish the accounts. Running a business is no easy job, and we do what it takes to get it all done. But what if what it takes was a bit less time-consuming? How would you like to get those evenings back again? Merchanter is an advanced trading software system that’s easy to use, covers all the areas of your business, and which has been designed specifically for your industry. It makes buying and selling faster and more efficient, and lets you accurately monitor stock levels across multiple sites and in multiple formats. Basically, it makes it easier for you to run your business better. Every function of your business is seamlessly linked together, so every PO, invoice, order, delivery, customer address change and stock fluctuation will be accounted for. You can automate reports, set up alerts for just about anything, from stock shortfalls to late payments, and send out invoices at the touch of a button. It accounts for milling and processing, multiple currencies, differentiated product packs and much more, meaning that it’s easier for you to know exactly what stock you have where, and in what format. Less wastage, less time, more profit. It really is that simple. Once you’re up and running with Merchanter, you’ll wonder how you managed without it for so long. So the real question is – what are you going to do with those reclaimed evenings?

How much time – and money – gets wasted in your business each month resolving invoicing queries? When you’re in the business of trading multiple products, it can add up to thousands of pounds of both time and unbillable materials in the course of a year. Keeping on top of every delivery note while your product lines are transported all over the country, or even the world, is no easy task. But it’s just got a whole lot easier. Introducing the quietly impressive new electronic document scanning software module from UniTrade360. It’s a simple little tool with complex capabilities. It is compatible with most models of scanner, and allows documents such as delivery notes to be added to the system automatically for instant access. Inspired by our own customers We had customers telling us how much time was wasted on invoicing and delivery queries. In one business, it was taking two staff members up to two hours a day each, every day, resolving these issues. That’s 20 hours a week. Over 1000 hours a year. Multiply that by the average salary or hourly rate, and you start to see why this technology can save you far more than its cost. We always listen to what our customers are saying. That’s why we’ve developed this software – because we know you need it. The benefits are clear, and it’s already helping several customers to streamline processes and eliminate waste. Integrated information As with everything in UniTrade360, the document scanner module integrates seamlessly with the rest of the system. You scan your POD and it’s saved to the system as a PDF file, easily accessible, instantly, by anyone with the right login details. That means you know straight away when something has been delivered, and you have the information at your fingertips when someone starts quibbling over an invoice. You can print it, export it, email it, paste it into a report – whatever you need it for, it’s right there. And with TaskCentre you can even automate that process, so the system could auto-send all PODs for a particular client, without you having to lift a finger. Additional functions We don’t like to do things by halves, so we’ve developed an even more advanced option for electronic document scanning as well. Which version suits you best will depend on your business, but we’re pretty proud of these additions. The advanced option allows you to scan any kind of paperwork; invoices, purchase orders, test certificates, design documents and more, whatever you need, and then extract the data from it digitally. The software digitises the data, extracting it from the scanned document and integrating it wherever it’s needed in the system So, for example, you scan a PO; the system will read the client name, address, dates, amounts, products and values, and will integrate that data into the rest of the system, from stock management to financials to customer profitability reporting. You can add notes by customer, supplier or order, which links to the PDFs. And again, you can auto-email documents, or batches of documents, to customers or suppliers too. Pretty neat. To find out more about the document scanning software module, contact us today. #deliveryinformation #documentscanning #integratedsystem #tradingsoftware

Selecting a new software system for your business is no easy task. Here we take a look at the major considerations you should be aware of before choosing a new system First off, what is an ERP system, and why might I need one? ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning, and an ERP system is the software that allows businesses to perform everyday business functions, like buying, selling, stock management, customer relationship management, financial management and so on. They can be used by businesses of all sizes, and can have an enormous impact on efficiency, process and profitability. Merchant businesses, wholesalers, stockists and importers usually have fairly complex business management requirements that can be made easier, faster and more accurate using a good ERP system. Using one system for everything has many advantages – it ensures that all the different areas of the business are linked up, meaning you have a better idea of what’s happening where. That in turn lets you provide better service to customers, manage availability and ensure your workforce is deployed in the way it is needed. So chances are, your business could benefit from using an ERP system – but it’s absolutely vital to choose one that suits your business. ERP solutions are not cheap and they will affect everyone in your business, so it’s incredibly important to consider every aspect before making your decision. You may well already have an ERP system in place, and be quite happy with it. But we would encourage everyone (yes, even our customers!) to be aware of the other options available so you don’t miss out on technological advances that could be of benefit to you and your business. ERP systems are not something that get changed often – usually you’d stick with it for 5+ years before changing – but it doesn’t hurt to know what’s happening in the wider world, and make sure you have every tool you need to do better business. How do I know what system will be best for my business? It’s never easy choosing a new system. ERP systems are not cheap, so it’s a big decision, and there will always be an element of disruption to your business while it is implemented. But the benefits of getting the right system are massive, so it’s a worthwhile investment. Keep your ear to the ground You may not currently need an ERP system, or you may be quite happy with the one you have in place. But we always recommend that you keep an eye on what’s happening in the market. If you have used a particular system for a long time, you may not realise how many great new features and functions are available, so you could be missing out on big time savings and operational advantages. Of course, you may already have the best system around, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure that’s the case. Technology moves fast. If your system can’t do it – talk to your supplier No two ways about it: changing ERP systems is expensive and time-consuming. So we would always recommend talking to your existing provider if you are unhappy, or want to add new functionality. They may be able to add features to your existing system that solve your problem. Just bear in mind that sometimes, it’s better to rip off the plaster and go for a whole new system than to continually tinker with something that, ultimately, doesn’t meet your needs. Can I still use my existing accounts package? That will depend on which ERP system you choose. Many systems have their own accounts package built in, while others have a more flexible, modular approach, so you can choose to integrate with your existing package if you prefer. Ask the service provider about this up front as it will save a lot of hassle later on, and manage expectation on both sides! The 10 steps to choosing a new ERP system Without further ado, here is our 10 step guide to choosing a new ERP system for your business. 1. Work out what you actually need and review your processes While it might be tempting to leap in and find a solution, you need to spend a bit of time identifying the problem. Think about the pain points in your business. What do you wish you had more time for? What are the areas you don’t have information readily available on? What are the real strengths and opportunities? Where do you end up spending most of your time – and where would you like to spend it instead? Having a comprehensive strategy for where you’re going and what you want to achieve will make it much easier for you to select a system that can help you get there. Whether you’re undergoing digital transformation and need to lay the foundations for eCommerce, want to be able to see more easily where you could be working more efficiently or profitably, or simply need to free up time and resource, the right ERP system can help with all of it, so it really is worth taking the time to consider your destination and objectives. 2. Ask around There is no better way of finding a new system than asking your peers and connections for a recommendation. Asking people who work in businesses similar to yours will usually mean the recommendations are relevant and therefore valuable. But do bear in mind that the best known is not always the best for YOU, so it will still depend on your criteria. Asking around should also involve searching Google (other search engines are available!) Try to be specific about these searches. Running a search for “ERP system” will return exactly that, but they won’t necessarily be specific to your industry. So perhaps a search for “best ERP system for timber merchants” would be a more relevant way to approach it. And another hint – check the organic results, not just the paid ones – big budgets for advertising don’t always equal the best service, so make sure you dig a little deeper into those results. 3. Make sure the system does what YOU need it to There are many, many ERP systems out there and chances are, several of them can perform the basic functions you need them to. But it’s really important to select the one that suits your industry, and your individual business, best. For example, some of the best known ERP systems (SAP and the like) may be powerful, comprehensive options. But they aren’t necessarily geared to your industry. Find a system that caters to your industry – timber merchant ERP, builders’ merchant ERP, steel stock ERP, plumbing supplies ERP – whatever that industry is, choosing a system designed to cater for it is likely to save you a whole heap of work trying to customise a generic system. An industry specific merchant ERP system should enable you to work with the metrics, product types, delivery methods and split payment requirements common to merchant businesses. You should be able to, quickly and easily, switch between packs and units, lengths and weights, currencies and locations. You should be able to perform functions which are very specific to your industry easily. Check whether the providers work with other businesses like yours – and not just the same industry, but the same sort of size too. Service is a big part of choosing an ERP provider so make sure they are geared up to give you the level of service you want; for an achievable price. An added word of caution; don’t assume that a new system will have the same features as your current system, or that it is as easy to use. If you have been attracted to a particular system because of a specific, standout feature, just make sure that the rest of the system does what you need it to as well. It’s all too easy to be lured to a new system by a few snazzy features, assuming that the basic functionality will match what you already had, but that isn’t always the case. However good the standout features, the day-to-day functions are probably the most important thing to be confident about. 4. Look at the whole cost – not just the up-front offers ERP systems are expensive, but a great system should be able to not only pay for itself in terms of efficiencies and rate of sales, but actually increase profitability, reduce waste and improve workforce productivity. There are a number of different cost elements involves with ERP systems and it’s really worth looking at the ongoing cost of a system – not just the up front price. You need to know exactly what is included; does the price include onboarding, training and implementation? How many users does it cover? Does someone who works in the yard on stock control cost the same as the Managing Director? Is there an additional service charge? Do you get unlimited helpdesk access as part of the price? Will you need specific hardware to run the system? These are all really important questions to consider when looking at the lifetime cost of your ERP system. 5. Consider your workforce and their everyday experience ERP systems have traditionally been complex systems, which take a long time to master and are not always particularly enjoyable to use. These days, technology has moved on significantly and you should demand far more from your ERP system. It really does pay to choose a system which is easy to use. Not only will staff be able to get to grips with it faster, meaning less disruption during the implementation phase, but it will also improve their day-to-day experience. A system which is easy to use will get used more often by more people. Therefore more information will be added minute-by-minute, meaning the accuracy of the system improves, it is more current, and the quality of information is better. Better information, more readily available, means easier and better decision-making throughout the business, with measurable, quantifiable results. 6. Get as much experience of a system as you can before making your choice Not all ERP systems can be trialled prior to purchase, but if there is an option for a demo, make sure you take it! ERP providers will always promise systems are straightforward and user-friendly, but if you need a degree in computer science to figure out how to upload an order or email an invoice, it’s probably better to know that before you’ve forked out a bundle for it! Again, ask around, read the reviews and case studies and get as familiar as you can with a system. Many ERP providers will be more than happy to put you in touch with an existing user so you can get a first hand account of how it works day to day. 7. Check the system can meet your future needs, not just your current ones Technology moves fast, and so does business. Having a system in place that meets your needs today doesn’t necessarily mean it will still be meeting those needs in five years’ time. While ERP systems are not something people tend to change often, it’s always worth looking around every few years to make sure you are still getting a competitive service, product and price. A good ERP system should be able to help you deliver your long term business objectives as well as optimise day-to-day processes, including sustainability, employee engagement and growth strategies. Digital transformation is a hot topic and more and more merchants are switching their strategies to include online. Taking on a new system that will be able to grow with your business and expand to meet those needs is important – anything you can do to reduce the need and frequency of changing systems will pay dividends in the long run! Remember, ERP systems should cover all the core elements of your business operations but that doesn’t mean you have to use (or pay for!) everything. If you trade materials but don’t have a stockholding, you can still benefit from an ERP system – but there might be a deal to be done on the price. Similarly, if you are planning to expand, you will need to take on more users as you go, so check that you can pay flexibly to take on individual people doing specific roles, rather than block-buying user groups or having to pay the top rate for a user who might only need the transport function. It's also worth considering accessibility, especially given the events of 2020. Can the system be easily accessed remotely and allow flexible working? Your system should be able to help you deliver your services and business objectives and play an active role in making every day easier for every member of your team. 8. Make sure you get along with the ERP provider This is more important that you might think. Your ERP system is a critical part of your business, so it’s important to work with people who share your vision and who you will be happy to work with. You are likely to be working with them for some time, so make sure you can see yourself having a good relationship. Are they responsive and flexible? Do they seek bespoke solutions, or try to simply channel you into a pre-existing route? You need to know you can have frank conversations, be heard and respected, and get the level of service you want. You don’t want to be “just another customer” – so choose a supplier who you click with, who understands how to help you succeed, and who works with other merchants on a similar scale to yours. Chances are you’ll be speaking with your ERP provider team fairly often, so it really does make a difference if they’re on your wavelength and are able to listen and react to what you are saying. Responsive, diligent service is worth a lot – so it pays to get to know the people behind the product. It’s also worth considering whether you will be a “big” customer to your ERP provider. If they’re not used to dealing with businesses of your size, it’s worth making very sure they have the capacity to adequately service your operation. Conversely, if you are a small merchant just starting out, you want to know you’ll get just the same level of service as a much bigger organisation, so ask the awkward questions - and think the answers through carefully! It can also be quite telling how long a provider has been in business, and whether they have a good understanding of your industry, or just the software. It's best to choose a provider with plenty of experience on both sides, to match practicality and functionality with the best technology. 9. What’s the ongoing service package? It would be great to think that you could just buy a system and be done with it. But we all know things are never quite that simple. Technology is brilliant, but if issues come up you need to know you’re covered and can get help fast. Check what level of helpdesk service is included in your package, as well as training. Many providers offer a certain amount of training up front, but it should be possible to get more in-depth coaching later on too, once you’ve got to grips with the basics, or to support new starters. Some providers include service in the price of the product, while others charge separately, either annually or ad hoc, so make sure you know what level of service guarantee you have. 10. Shop around Obviously we’d love you to just sign up for Merchanter straight away, but actually you need to be sure you have the right system for YOU . So take all the points above into consideration, take your time, and shop around. You need to be confident you’ve got the system that suits you, your staff and your business the best. An ERP system can have a huge impact on every aspect of your business so it really does pay to look around and weigh up all your options. So to sum up… Ultimately, it will come down to what you need your ERP system to do and how well it performs those functions. You can afford to be picky – this is a big decision and one that has an impact on everyone in your organisation, so demand more! Choose a system that will be easy to work with every day, that your staff will enjoy using, and which will be able to evolve with the needs of your business. The very best systems enable modular expansion so you can seamlessly add functionality and users as needed, and will make information easier to access, analytics more meaningful and useful, and processes more efficient and profitable. All that, and with friendly, professional service thrown in. Easy, right? If you would like to try the free, online demo system of Merchanter for yourself, or have a guided demo, just leave your details here and we’ll be in touch.

Ever dedicated to the quest of making our customers’ lives easier, we’re delighted to unveil our new iOS app for iPhone / Apple users. This nifty little app integrates with the rest of the system letting you seamlessly piece together your stock reporting data. It’s specifically designed by us to help you with your shop or yard operations and offers: Product check, where you can just scan an item to access all the information about it. Replenishment to help with purchasing, allowing you to scan or manually enter details to build up a list of what you need to buy and then automatically raise purchase orders against preferred suppliers on the main system. Goods receipt which as the name suggests lets you scan stock as it arrives so it is automatically added to your stock system data. Stocktaking, arguably the most useful application, taking an awful lot of the hassle out of those stock takes we all know and love. It’s incredibly usable, clear and clean, with no faffing about, using the best of your Apple device. We’re also offering flexible pricing so you can test it out for a month, or get even better rates by subscribing over a few months or more at a time. Once you start using it we’re sure you’ll find the benefits really pretty impressive, speeding up cumbersome processes and simplifying stock control. (Oh, and in case you’re wondering: yes. The android version is in the works and will be released as soon as possible.)

Back in September, we were delighted to sponsor the annual TTJ awards ceremony. We’ve been supplying Timber Merchant systems since 1981 so we’re a pretty well-known face in those parts, and it seemed only fitting that we helped to support such an important industry event. We supplied some blank USB sticks for all the guests to take home – we can’t speak for everyone but we always find those little beauties incredibly useful, so we thought we’d share the love. The awards event also coincided with us launching our specialist Timber Merchant Systems website, so again the timing was spot on. The event was a great success and we were thrilled to see so many familiar faces in the running for the awards. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, especially to one of our own clients Hoppings, who won Best Website – keep up the fantastic work!

Our MD Ian Oldrey has been considering the pros and cons of a desk-free work life… Do you remember the first Dot Com bubble? Alongside tales of ridiculous investments into online projects that were never likely to make a return, was a general feeling that this new internet thing was going to replace *everything*. We wouldn’t need to venture outside as all our work, rest and play could be done on a website. Well of course over time that has settled into a digital age where the activities best done online are done there and more traditional ways have stood the test of time. I was reminded of this when we started to look at mobile computing. Since the mass adoption of the personal computer in the 1980s, we have worked at a desk with a computer to get the most from the data available for our businesses. Not many of us have desks that don’t have a desktop or laptop buzzing away. But do we work at a desk because that is where our computer is, or is something else keeping us there? Tablets and smartphones are starting to give us all the information, and most of the usability, of our PCs in a device which is connected online, has a working battery life and can work around us, rather than us having to go to it. So as I sit at my desk writing this article I have to wonder why I feel obliged to work here, rather than choosing a more interesting location. Yesterday the temperature rose into the mid 30s, and sitting at my desk I realised I could be answering the same calls and emails, working on the same spreadsheets, and accessing my UniTrade 360 system from under the shaded branches of a tree in the park. But I didn’t get up and head out, instead feeling a nagging sense that if I wasn’t at my desk I wasn’t properly working. Maybe the time has come to break free from our desks, to find new, useful, inspiring locations to work from? Where you have a business with a yard, warehouse or shop might there be more value from being out with the action, over staying in a back office? Even if you need a sales team working as a group together, could desks be switched for sofas or picnic tables, now we can hold all the information needed in one hand? Mobile computing is certainly changing the retail experience. Buying something from an Apple store is a revolutionary, if slightly disconcerting experience – walk in, pick up the headphones you want, purchase them through the Apple Store App on your phone and walk out with them. I am not advocating a Builders’ Merchant where customers just wander in and walk off with whatever they want, but mobile computing could open ways of working that make sitting at a desk as outdated as sending a fax. Every new advance in technology looks like it might change everything we do, and eventually settles into its natural place in the world. As mobile computing in business starts to work for us, let’s let it guide us to some new ways of working, and be open to new perspectives and ideas, and not just shoehorn it into the way we have always worked.