SoftEngine's Newsletter - January 2005
Introduction

SoftEngine News is dedicated to keeping you up to date with the latest information regarding extended ERP solutions.

In this month’s news, you'll find resources and tips to help you take advantage of SoftEngine’s products and services, including what’s new in 2005. You'll also find helpful case studies, trends and tips on getting more out of your business solution investment.

The Importance of Automating Data Collection

ERP and data integrity

The integrity of the information entered into an ERP system predicates its success. For effective strategic decisions to be made you must utilize accurate data. SoftEngine has identified this issue as one of the most important factors to be considered by management in 2005.

A visit to most warehouses or factory floors will often reveal workers collecting data on clip boards, shop tickets or a variety of other paper-based methods. The information is then transferred to the ERP system at a computer terminal. This inefficient process is prevalent throughout the supply chain and includes tasks such as inventory management, shipping, receiving, picking and work-in-process transactions. SoftEngine believes it is crucial for executives to review these processes that are often conducted by hourly laborers, including assemblers, clerks and operators.

Recent studies show that manual data collection tends to result in one error for every 300 keystrokes. In a warehouse that processes 10,000 order lines each day with an average of 10 key-strokes per line, that’s 333 data errors everyday, or 17,000 data errors each year. All of these errors go straight into the ERP system. And straight into the hands of strategic decision makers.

To automated data collection, wholesale distributors should consider implementing mobile devices that allow for more streamlined data collection. Implementing this equipment can simplify input and minimize the process of data entry. A strategy should be put in place to purchase the best data collection products that will seamlessly integrate with the BuroWare ERP system. A good operational process plan should also be implemented so that efficiencies in data collection are introduced. This plan should include metrics to measure data accuracy so companies get the most out of their ERP systems.
In this Issue:
Productivity Tips for 2005

Get the most out of your SoftEngine investment in 2005

Getting back to the basics

Just as your did when you implemented BuroWare, go back and identify current critical business objectives that could be addressed by efficiently through your technology investment. Ask yourself what is limiting your company's ability to become more profitable? How can you harness the power of BuroWare to help you achieve your corporate or departmental goals in 2005? 

Utilize all the SoftEngine modules

Unlike other ERP systems SoftEngine offers an End-to-End solution. A way to derive additional value is to implement the modules and capabilities that you have not utilized yet. "Almost all wholesale distributors have ERP components that they are not using," says Percy Conejo, SoftEngine Project Manager. “It is important for companies to go back to the components they failed to implement the first time around and determine how they can leverage this technology to streamline operations and increase profits,” he continued.
Case Study - Effective CRM Implementation Strategy

Effectively implementing BuroWare CRM

A Los Angeles based Wholesale Distributor had previously implemented a CRM system which had failed miserably.The SoftEngine implementation team was faced with a great deal of skepticism prior to implementing the new BuroWare CRM application.

While it is one thing to have a leading edge CRM platform it is another thing to get people to take advantage of its features and functionality. In fact the biggest obstacles to CRM success are consistently reported as non-technical, namely change management, internal politics, and uncoordinated departmental processes.

To resolve these challenges the internal project team and the SoftEngine implementation team created a plan for end-user acceptance. First end-users, mangers and key vendors were interviewed to determine their needs. With BuroWare’s intuitive and flexible interface, prototype screens were built on-the-fly so that the workflow could be tested by each group prior to implementation. By including end-users in the system design the technology closely matched end-user needs. This meant that there were no suprises when the system went live.

Next SoftEngine identified cultural change as vitally important to achieving CRM strategic objectives. A strategy was implemented to work closely with top management. This was so successful that management mandated time to attend training and actually attended key sessions themselves. After the training each employee was set a performance goal that included using the new CRM system.

After just 2 months customer satisfaction has improved 40%. Managers have the right tools to gain visibility into their sales forces' activities and pipelines. Finally sales representatives and sales managers now have solutions that make their lives easier and more productive.

Tips for a Successful ERP Implementation

  • Get end-users involved in designing and customizing the system
  • Get management buy in
  • Make sure that end user are well trained
  • Get everyone on board early and fast with “quick wins”
  • Make sure that the new CRM system is made part of the performance goals for the end-users for the first 6 months after implementation
Discounted Block Hours

A better way to purchase labor hours

SoftEngine offers a cheaper way to purchase labor hours through it's ‘Discounted Hours Program’. By taking advantage of  this program, technical support and product customization hours may be purchased in blocks at a deeply discounted rate. The greater the number of hours purchased the greater the discount.

If you are interested in further information regarding this program, please contact the SoftEngine Sales Department at (818) 704-7000.
BuroWare Tips and Tricks

Effective tips from the BuroWare masters

The following are a few BuroWare suggestions from our support department that could make you more productive.

<Ctrl + Shift +D> Allows you could open the Account  Database from anywhere in the system
<Ctrl + Shift +N> Allows you to send an email from anywhere in the system
<Ctrl + F12> Allows to pop up a calculator in the item entry section of the transaction.

 
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