Vision

Sound financial disciplines and increased productivity

Business efficiency and tight financial control are industry watchwords which feature-rich ECI systems are able to support. By automating administrative procedures, time is saved and errors are reduced. The single input of a sales order enables systems to generate delivery notes and invoices, and place purchase orders on suppliers. They also manage backorders, stock allocation and ledger postings as well as offering a wealth of management information.

Such labour saving leads to increased productivity and minimised fixed costs. With better cash flow, improved credit control and reduced stock holding, dealers are able to operate within tighter margins whilst continuing to make good profits.

Focused marketing to meet the challenge

ECI systems provide a wealth of detailed management information. From this dealers can analyse customer buying profiles and adapt their trading relationships accordingly, to create a more customer-oriented service. This can increase turnover and improve profit margins. Sophisticated tools and techniques available within the systems can then be used to expand market share through direct marketing. Employing such methods as Telesales gives dealers the flexibility and the power to exploit to maximum advantage their knowledge and presence in the local market.

Sophisticated pricing schemes and contract management

An extremely important aspect of fighting direct mail and superstore competition is the implementation of sophisticated differential pricing schemes tailored on a customer by customer basis. The burgeoning array of standard tools and options that are currently available on ECI systems offer even smaller dealers the power to compete. Of major significance are the range of contract management facilities, which enable the dealer to offer contract analysis and procurement cost monitoring that so many large organisations now demand.

Advanced communication options

Price and range of services may be major considerations for customers but they also want convenience, reliability and efficiency. This means ease of ordering, a wide range of products, prompt delivery and error-free administration. These requirements depend on the dealer keeping tight control over a complex communication chain from supplier to consumer.