Success Stories

Activant Trading Partner Connect Helps Distributor Streamline Manufacturer/Supplier Relationships and Improve Service Levels

Tom Washington, vice president and treasurer of Muenz/Engineered Sales Company, knew that there had to be a better way to complete transactions with his manufacturers and suppliers.

For years, the routine was the same every month. He would sort through stacks of mail to find manufacturers' invoices and pay those bills right away to ensure that his company received its terms and discounts. Only after that task was complete, would he bill customers for the goods they had received weeks before.

After years of operating in this manner, Washington finally found a better way to do business: Activant Trading Partner Connect. Trading Partner Connect, an Internet trading network, streamlines the commerce process between distributors, manufacturers/suppliers, and end-users, thereby increasing sales and improving customer service while reducing operating costs.

Washington contends that the Internet trading network has provided all of these benefits for his New Jersey-based industrial supply company - plus many more. "Trading Partner Connect cuts my paperwork drastically," he says. "I don't have to sit here and wait for the bills to come in by mail. They come the day I place my order. That means I can invoice my customers more quickly for direct ship orders - and, in many cases - get my money faster."

Trading Partner Connect links a distributor's enterprise software solution directly to his manufacturer/supplier's back-end system, resulting in enhanced communications. For instance, a distributor can enter an order in his system, and it goes directly into his manufacturer's system - then, the distributor automatically receives expected ship dates and invoices. Additionally, item codes are rationalized through Trading Partner Connect, enabling each member of the network to use his own part numbers when conducting transactions.

Purchasing Processes Perfected

Thanks to Trading Partner Connect, Washington can complete all of his company's purchasing requirements with its two major vendors - 3M and Carboloy electronically. "It's so much quicker and so much easier," he contends. "And, these days, you have to do as much as you can in as little time as possible."

Additionally, since information flows right from Muenz's enterprise software solution into those of 3M, Carboloy, and other manufacturers/suppliers, re-keying and ordering errors are eliminated, decreasing the time, effort, and cost involved in correcting mistakes.

Best of all, he reiterates, he knows that he pays his manufacturers and suppliers in a timely manner, ensuring that he is always entitled to discounts. "My discounts are dependent on paying my bills within a certain time frame. I don't have to sit around to make sure I'm getting my bills on time to pay them early. They come in immediately."

Improved Service Levels

Trading Partner Connect has also helped Muenz representatives better help their customers. "We've definitely been able to improve service levels," Washington says. "When we're on the phone with a customer, and don't have something in stock, we can see what our suppliers - and our trading partners - have immediately. And, we know how much it's going to cost us." This helps keep customers on the phone - and helps service representatives make sales.

Washington sees Trading Partner Connect as the future of manufacturer-distributor, as well as distributor-distributor relationships. "All I do is hit a few buttons on my computer, and I have all the information I need to help myself and my customers. It's a great tool."

For more information on Activant's enterprise software solutions, please fill out our Web Contact Form.

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