Eclipse Tip: MapQuest, Google Maps

Activant Eclipse allows you to pull up a shipping address in MapQuest, Google Maps, etc. right from the sales order. In this short video overview, Tony King will show you how.

GET MORE free Eclipse help …

Six Ways to Make RF More Successful

The benefits of shifting from a traditional, paper warehouse to a wireless, RF (radio frequency) warehouse are rarely disputed. It can substantially improve your receiving and picking efficiencies, reduce inventory shrinkage and increase customer satisfaction.

For example, when we helped C&L Supply convert to RF, it increased their correct up-rate by 90% for one large customer. The operations manager remarked, “We can walk straight to the location to find product and know that it’s there. The time that our warehouse people spend looking for items is drastically improved.” (You can read more of their story here.)

Another customer, Dulles Electric, told us “The ability to track orders, accurately meet customer demands, and control carrying cost is critical. Eclipse RF helps us do this.”

Yet, some distributors still avoid the conversion to RF, or put it off. Certainly, finances come into play; but, the return is usually quick and apparent. As such, we think that fear of change, as well as uncertainty about the “how,” plays a large role.

Having implemented RF for over 30 distributors, Zerion has perfected a rapid implementation strategy that, quite simply, works. If you’re thinking about transitioning to a paperless warehouse, here are six ways you can be more successful.

1. Do it all, do it once. Doing an RF installation one process at a time (such as first converting to RF Receiving and then at a later date converting to RF picking) doesn’t give you the full bang for your buck. To get the best ROI, you need to implement picking, receiving and cycle counting at the same time. When you spread it out, you’re losing value, and wasting time and resources on multiple implementation efforts.
2. Be open to change. Yes, RF is a big change, especially for people who have been used to doing the same thing for a long time. But, that doesn’t mean you should try to keep your old processes in place, particularly with receiving. Change is what’s going to bring about improvements, new efficiencies and cost savings. Again, C&L is a great model for adjusting to change. When an experienced implementation team effectively leads change efforts, it can make a big difference in your warehouse staff.
3. Be firm. If one or two (or more) members of your team are still resistant to change, it can be toxic to the rest of the organization. Don’t be afraid to tell them that they need to get on board, or you’ll find someone that will. And, don’t let negativity de-rail you. Keep focused on the project goals and surge ahead.
4. Think big picture. RF will improve consistency and efficiency, but it does so on a macro level. You can’t expect that each individual worker will do his or her job faster.
5. Be prepared. An RF project has a lot of moving parts and tasks that need to be completed. While a qualified consultant and project manager will lead you through this with ease, you need to be prepared to do your part. For example, don’t depend on Receiving to build UPCs and locations at go live. This is work you’ll need to do in advance of the implementation.
6. Maximize resources. Once RF is implemented, you may find that the workload needs some re-distributing. Receiving may now need one employee instead of two, or new processes may require different job responsibilities. Seize the opportunity to get your team situated in the way that is most effective for the organization.

If you decide to pursue RF, let us know. We’d love the opportunity to share with you how we can help. (Be sure to check out our deal of the month on an RF audit, too.) With the addition of Daron Brown to our team, we have even more RF gurus to go around. Good luck!

FREE Users Group Training!

Live in the Midwest and need some training on purchasing or inventory control? Well, the Eclipse Users Group is offering some, for free! On June 15, the UFO is providing a no-cost, in-person Purchasing Workshop, and an Inventory Control/Surplus Workshop on June 16 near Chicago, Illinois. These full-day classes are recommended for purchasing managers, buyers and inventory managers. Zerion’s Rick Canida will be the instructor.

There are also virtual, fee-based classes available in June, including auto pricing update, spooler upload, sales budgeting, month-end, and a roundtable on Eterm to Solar. To learn more or to sign up for any of these classes, visit eclipseuser.com.

Atlas, Ideal and Marks, Oh My!

We have three new clients that we’re proud to welcome to the Zerion family. Atlas Supply, a plumbing supplier in St. Louis, is benefiting from purchasing and sales training. Ideal Supply, a PVF distributor in New York and New Jersey, is now part of our EZ Support program. And, we’re providing a crash course in Activant Eclipse for a new team member at Marks Supply, a plumbing and HVAC supplier in Canada.

We’re thankful to have each of you on board!

News: D&D and OneSource, Microsoft and Skype

Acquisitions continue to dominate the distribution news-scape. Industrial Supply Magazine’s cover story this month covers a friend of Zerion (D&D Tool and Supply in Vista, California) who recently became part of OneSource Distributors. Some big acquisitions in the IT space also made headlines this month, with Microsoft set to takeover the hugely successful Skype service.

If you’re thinking of selling, here’s another article to help you figure out the right time.

FIND OUT MORE of the who’s who and what’s what of software, IT and distribution …

Eclipse Veteran Joins Zerion Team

Zerion has a new consultant among its ranks; and, while he may be new to us, he’s no rookie to Eclipse or distribution! We’re pleased to welcome Daron Brown and his fourteen years of Activant Eclipse experience to our team.

Daron is an Indiana native that comes to us from a plumbing and HVAC distributor in his home state. He’s an all-around Eclipse expert who spent the last decade or so working his way through many roles at a wholesaler including: inside and outside sales, RF warehousing, purchasing and inventory control, and pricing. Daron’s expertise will be put to good use as he travels the country servicing customers that need a Zerion consultant on-site for consulting and training. He’ll specialize in RF, purchasing, pricing, velocity pricing, UET codes, and much more.  He’ll also provide remote service to many of our customers enrolled in our monthly Eclipse support program called EZ Support.

Daron says he’s excited about this opportunity to learn even more about Eclipse; and, he’s looking forward to helping distributors become more profitable and efficient. Daron and his wife of eight years, Becky, have two young children. Welcome, Daron!