Streamline Your Business Supply Dealership With Horizon

As a business supplies dealer, we know you face unique challenges. These challenges often require a tailored approach when it comes to enterprise resource planning (ERP). ECI's Red Falcon and DDMSPLUS are both industry-specific ERP solutions, designed to address the problem head-on, providing a comprehensive platform to streamline operations, boost growth, and remain competitive.

Streamlined operations and enhanced efficiency

Red Falcon and DDMSPLUS consolidate all your critical business processes – inventory management, order processing, customer relationship management (CRM), and financials – into a single, integrated system. This removes the need for multiple, disconnected software solutions, reducing data silos, redundant data entry, and errors. With real-time data easily available and automated workflows, your team can focus on what matters most – providing good customer service and growing the business.

Your business might struggle with fragmented data and inefficient processes without an industry-specific ERP and this is probably leading to:

• Wasted time: Manual data entry and repetitive tasks waste your valuable time.
• Errors and inconsistencies: Disconnected systems increase the risk of errors and inconsistencies.
• Poor decision-making: Lack of real-time data hinders informed decision-making.
• Missed opportunities: Inability to quickly adapt to market changes creates missed chances for growth.

The pain of limited visibility

Red Falcon and DDMSPLUS provide real-time insights into every aspect of your business. Gain a clear view of order fulfilment, sales performance, customer trends, and finance. This big-picture visibility allows you to make data-driven decisions, pin down how to use resources and identify areas for improvement.

Operating without an industry-specific ERP often means limited visibility across your business. This lack of insight can snowball into:

• Poor inventory management: Stockouts and overstock situations can impact cash flow and customer satisfaction.
• Ineffective marketing and sales strategies: Inability to identify customer trends hinder targeted marketing and sales efforts.
• Reactive decision-making: Limited data makes it difficult to address market changes for the future.

Mastering manual workflows

Red Falcon and DDMSPLUS automate repetitive tasks like order processing, reporting, and receivables/payables management. This frees up your team to focus on more strategy-based tasks, reduces the risk of errors, and ultimately lowers your operational costs.

Relying on manual processes can lead to:

• Reduced productivity: Employees spend excessive time on repetitive tasks, hindering overall efficiency.
• Increased errors: Manual data entry leaves room for errors, poor accuracy, and decision-making.
• Higher staffing costs: Manual processes require more resource, driving up staffing costs.

Software solutions for superior results

Unlike generic ERPs, Red Falcon and DDMSPLUS are built specifically for the needs of business supplies dealers. Benefit from features tailored to your industry, including:

• B2B ecommerce platforms: Tailored for the specific needs of business-to-business moves, such as EvolutionX and ECinteractivePLUS, ensuring seamless integration and operation.
• Last-mile delivery: JumpTrack optimises last-mile delivery, enhancing delivery accuracy and customer satisfaction.
• Eprocurement punchout: Simplify buying to land bigger accounts, making it easier for large clients to purchase from you.
• Business intelligence: Utilise visual dashboards to get a clear view of your business's health.
• Pricing tools: Tailored pricing tool that creates custom pricing graphs to maximise your profit margins.
• Supplier integrations: Streamline your supply chain with seamless connections to major suppliers and manufacturers.
• Inventory management tools: Maximise your stock levels, minimise stockouts, and reduce carrying costs.
• Payment processing: NET1's advanced solutions simplify and secure your payment transactions, ensuring faster settlements and enhanced financial control.
• Best practices built-in: Use industry best practices to improve efficiency and profitability.

The pain of generic ERP systems

Generic ERP systems often require extensive customisation to fit the unique needs of business supply dealers. This has the potential to result in:

• High implementation costs: Customisation projects can be expensive and time-consuming.
• Ongoing maintenance challenges: Maintaining customised systems requires ongoing IT resources.
• Feature gaps: Generic solutions may lack functionalities critical to your industry.

Exceptional customer service through integrated CRM

Red Falcon and DDMSPLUS include robust CRM capabilities to manage customer interactions effectively. Access comprehensive customer data to personalise service, respond to inquiries promptly, and build stronger relationships. This focus on customer satisfaction translates to increased customer loyalty and repeat business.

Without an integrated CRM system, managing customer interactions can be difficult. This could lead to:

• Slow response times: Difficulty accessing customer information leads to delayed responses and decreased customer satisfaction.
• Missed opportunities: Inability to identify upsell and cross-sell opportunities can result in lost revenue.
• Negative customer reviews: Poor customer service can damage your reputation and drive customers away.

Scalable solutions to support your growth

As your business expands, your ERP needs to grow with you. Red Falcon and DDMSPLUS are cloud-based, scalable solutions that adapt easily to your changing needs. Add users, locations, or new product lines as you expand your operations, ensuring your ERP remains valuable for years.

A non-scalable ERP can quickly become a bottleneck to your growth. This might result in:

• Disruption and downtime: Implementing a new ERP system to accommodate growth can be disruptive and time-consuming.
• Increased costs: Replacing or heavily customising a non-scalable ERP can be expensive.
• Lost opportunities: Inability to adapt your ERP to new product lines or locations can hinder your ability to capitalise on growth opportunities.

Cost savings and return on investment (ROI)

Implementing Red Falcon or DDMSPLUS can lead to significant cost savings for your dealership. These ERPs help streamline operations and reduce overhead costs by automating manual processes, reducing errors, improving efficiency, and optimising inventory management. Additionally, improved decision-making and data-driven insights can increase sales and margins, providing a strong return on investment.

Relying on outdated or generic ERP systems often results in:

• Higher operational costs: Inefficiencies and manual labour associated with outdated systems can erode profit margins.
• Missed growth opportunities: The inability to gain valuable insights from data hinders your ability to identify and capitalise on cost-saving measures.
• Reduced profitability: Outdated systems can limit your ability to compete effectively in the marketplace.

Expert support and ongoing training

Red Falcon and DDMSPLUS are backed by a dedicated team of industry experts who understand the unique challenges of business supply distribution. This team provides ongoing support, troubleshooting assistance, and resources to ensure you maximise the value of your ERP investment.

With generic ERP systems, you might not have access to support staff familiar with the complexities of your industry, causing:

• Frustration and delays: Generic support may not effectively address your needs, leading to frustration and delays in resolving issues.
• Limited training options: Lack of industry-specific training resources can hinder your team's ability to optimise the ERP system.
• Reduced system utilisation: Difficulty using the ERP to its full potential can limit the overall value you receive.

Future-proof your business

Red Falcon and DDMSPLUS are cloud-based solutions that leverage the latest technologies to ensure your business stays competitive and secure. Regular updates deliver new features and functionality, while cloud technology provides enhanced security, accessibility, and disaster recovery capabilities.

Relying on outdated ERP systems can leave your business vulnerable to:

• Security threats: Outdated systems may be more susceptible to cyberattacks and data breaches.
• Data loss: Lack of robust disaster recovery plans can lead to data loss in unforeseen circumstances.
• Inefficiencies and disruptions: Outdated technology can hinder your ability to adapt to evolving industry trends and customer demands.

Conclusion

Choosing the right ERP is a critical decision that can significantly impact your success. ECI's Red Falcon and DDMSPLUS are designed specifically for business supplies dealers, offering a comprehensive suite of features and functionalities tailored to your industry-specific needs. Investing in one of these industry-specific ERPs allows you to streamline operations, boost efficiency, gain real-time visibility, scale growth, deliver exceptional customer service, and future-proof your business for long-term success.