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"Providing ERP solutions to the wholesale distribution industry since 1978, VAI understands distribution and what it takes to succeed. As outlined in the chart below, VAI’s Enterprise for Distribution offers numerous solutions to help you manage your supply chain, enterprise resources, and customer relationships more efficiently and effectively.
"
Source: VAI
Case Study: Johnson Plastics
Distribution Software is also known as :
Warehouse Distribution Software,
Distribution Business Software,
Distribution Software Solution,
Product Distribution Software,
Distribution Software,
Integrated Distribution Software,
Inventory Distribution Software,
Distribution ERP Software,
Managing Distribution Industry with Adapted Software,
S2K Enterprise for Distribution,
Distribution Software Service,
Distribution Software Solutions,
Enterprise Distribution,
Managing Distribution Industry.
VAI Leaves a Lasting Impression with Reputable Engraving Supplier
Date Published: July 1, 2009
Situation
Summary
One of the world's largest suppliers of engraving materials, Johnson
Plastics, was looking for a way to stay ahead of the competition. In order to
leave a lasting impression on customers, executives at Johnson knew that
fulfilling its promise of next-day shipping had to be priority number one.
However, operating on an outdated Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) system was preventing the company from making good on its
word. As Johnson continued to grow, it turned to VAI for the software and
information technology (IT) support needed to
integrate the company's entire multi-warehouse operation.
Customer Profile
Founded in 1970, Johnson Plastics, a family-owned company, distributes
plastic engraving materials, sign supplies and products for personalization
throughout the U.S. and to over 40 countries worldwide. Today, the business owns
and operates eight warehouse facilities in Arizona, California, Georgia,
Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas. Johnson serves over 20,000
customers in the engravable signs and sublimation industry, including hotels,
construction and government and many small local sign shops.
Problem
Context
Johnson was operating on an outdated ERP system that no longer fit its
growing business needs. With a burgeoning customer base, the company required a
software vendor that could easily implement its products and merge each of the
Johnson warehouse facilities into one seamless operation, visible on a single
computer screen.
Before VAI, communication between Johnson's numerous warehouse operations was
complicated, which created slow order response times, causing disruptions in
customer service. Because Johnson stocks product in various warehouse
facilities, often times, the distributor must coordinate shipping for the entire
order from separate warehouses-a complex and cumbersome process without the
right software solution.
Objectives
Excellent customer service is what sets Johnson apart from its biggest
competitors. As such, the ability to deliver products quickly and correctly was
among the company's chief concern in purchasing a new system. Johnson needed a
way for staff, no matter which warehouse facility they were based out of, to
easily locate and track product, and get it shipped to customers on time. A
software product with this capability is what initially attracted Johnson to
VAI.
Finding the Right Partner
After a year of research to pinpoint exactly what it was looking for in a
potential software vendor, Johnson found everything it needed-and more-with VAI
and its powerful product, S2K Enterprise for Distribution. Johnson needed the
highest level of customer service available and the right tools to help manage
its supply chain, enterprise resources and customer relationships. Since Johnson
preferred a software vendor that could also serve as an outsourced IT department
and respond quickly to any technical needs that might occur, VAI was the perfect
choice, given that the company came equipped and ready to meet those
requirements.
Solution
Process
VAI's experienced staff goes to great lengths to completely understand the
right blend of tools and software applications needed to get every client up and
running-and Johnson was no different.
Enterprise software implementations-since they touch every aspect of a
business-can be a challenging and time-consuming process, but VAI worked closely
with Johnson to ensure a successful transition from its old system to S2K, which
was installed for the company in 2003. During the implementation, VAI worked
systematically with the Johnson staff and executives to integrate themselves
into every aspect of the conversion.
Using the Solution to Solve the Problem
S2K was able to meet Johnson's precise warehousing needs, and it corrected
the distributor's biggest source of inaccuracy-locating products in the
warehouse and shipping them in a timely manner, which has enabled Johnson to
maintain the highest level of customer service and satisfaction. S2K also
provided Johnson with support and integration for all of the company's software
applications including its Web site, credit card, fax and email server. In
addition, S2K worked easily with UPS WorldShip™, the system that Johnson uses to
ship orders-automatically recording shipping prices and weight, sending the
information automatically to UPS, and adjusting Johnson's records in one fluid
process.
Evaluation
Results and Benefits
As already noted, the most significant benefit for Johnson is the ability to
fulfill a single order from multiple warehouse locations, an immense task made
easier after the addition of VAI's S2K Enterprise for Distribution. Since S2K
provides an integrated user interface, the customer service department is able
to ship orders from disparate warehouses and adjust stock levels
automatically and in real-time-with 100 percent accuracy. Viewing the entire
business operation on a single computer screen drastically reduces order
fulfillment delays that were a common problem with the company's old system.
That said, the order entry module required significant customization because
of the way Johnson runs its business-stocking and shipping merchandise from
multiple warehouses-the company needed a higher level of visibility. Notably,
many of these order entry features now come standard in the S2K for Distribution
package.
Additionally, almost 10 percent of the call center workload has been
redistributed to the Johnson Plastics Storefront where customers can enter
orders, track shipments and review account status by simply accessing a portal
on the Johnson Plastics' Web site.
Rich VanHelden, Project Manager, VAI, said, "Johnson Plastics needed a major
expansion of timely information to run its entire operation, and VAI helped them
get there. With S2K, Johnson is better able to serve its customers, which has
always been the company's top priority. In addition, the advanced reporting
options available with S2K have equipped Johnson with the knowledge to address
any business concerns that crop up-now or in the future."
Customer Quote
Ron Caucutt, Business Analyst, Johnson Plastics, stated, "We've doubled our
sales since implementing VAI's S2K. Not only have we added another location, but
we are also shipping 40 to 50 percent more orders with the same amount of
people, while continuing to increase our customer service levels. The VAI team
has access to numerous resources and their response time is exceptional. I was
very impressed with how well VAI handled our implementation."
For More Information
For more information about VAI's products and services, call 1.800.824.7776
or email sales@vai.net. To access information using the World Wide Web, go to
www.vai.net.
Solution Overview
"We've doubled our sales since implementing VAI's S2K. Not only
have we added another location, but we are also shipping 40 to 50 percent more
orders with the same amount of people, while continuing to increase our customer
service levels. The VAI team has access to numerous resources and their response
time is exceptional. I was very impressed with how well VAI handled our
implementation."
Ron Caucutt
Business Analyst Johnson Plastics
Customer Profile
Johnson Plastics is one of the world's largest suppliers of engraving
materials and operates eight warehouse locations throughout the U.S.
Objectives
Johnson needed a powerful solution that could provide a high level of
visibility for its entire operation. The business also needed better access to
real-time and reliable financial information.
Solution
• S2K Enterprise for Distribution
Benefits
The most significant benefit for Johnson is the ability to fulfill a single
order from multiple warehouse locations, both a monumental and slow task before
the addition of VAI's S2K Enterprise for Distribution.