IN DEPTH: Technology

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Mobility Needs Grow

Providing better service to customers means meeting them where they want, which requires mobility, both in the yard and at the jobsite. “Dealers are realizing that ‘warehouse management’ really means managing wherever products are stored in the yard,” Computer Associates’ Sullivan says. “Their open yard is just a warehouse without walls with the mobility that can be offered today.”

That means one person, even one unfamiliar with every SKU, can store products or load orders by scanning barcodes. “That improves customer service, and it protects margins, as customers get the right product—and the one they paid for.” It also can improve efficiency during cycle counts and spot checks. “There is less disruption to business, less shrinkage and a much faster discovery of issues,” he notes. “Dealers are always more aware of inventory levels and can have confidence that they’re accurate. There’s tremendous potential in many ways throughout their business for managing their yard and warehouse with greater proficiency.”

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The efficiency provided by mobility extends to the customer’s jobsite, Epicor’s Rigby says. “Mobile technology at the jobsite is seeing a huge growth as we move toward an always connected society. Salespeople can create quick orders while on the jobsite or enter notes into the CRM system from any tablet or mobile device.”

It also aids quote follow-up, he adds. “Quote follow-up in our industry is often terrible. It’s common for sales people to simply turn the page in their notebook and forget their active quotes. Our systems can help remind salespeople of those quotes when they first look at their device.”

“Mobility” means different things to different people, ECi’s Harkness notes. “To some, mobility means functionality on existing internal devices such as RF guns, while others define mobility as the ability to have access to information on certain data points happening in real time while they are outside the four walls of their yard.”

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Adds Spruce’s Maiuri, “Our focus over the last few years has been very much on expanding our customers’ versatility through the use of mobile technology with smartphone and tablet tools designed specifically to give them options both inside and outside their business.”

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