Choosing the right solution
Ray Escamilla, leader of enterprise applications at Red River Lumber, was faced with the challenge of getting multiple operations under a single ERP system. With lumber yards, a door manufacturer, a design center, garage door repair service, and a truss manufacturer under one owner, the Red River Lumber team knew they needed a partner who understood their complex and unique needs.
After evaluating several options, Red River Lumber chose Agility ERP with DMSi. The alignment of culture and vision between the two companies influenced their decision.
Escamilla said of DMSi, “We felt their values, and the way they conducted business aligned closely to our own principles. So we said, these are the people we want to invest in the future with.”
Step-by-step
The implementation process was a collaborative effort between DMSi and members of the Red River team. “It was a learning experience, and the DMSi team took us step by step on setting up the system…Ginger Brown (Red River Lumber Administration and Inventory) and I had a team of four that we added from different disciplines and jobs for a wider perspective. That became the weekly training session for all of us.”
The DMSi team got to work evaluating Red River Lumber’s business processes and configuring Agility to fit their needs. “[DMSi] came up with unique solutions allowing Agility to help us achieve the way we wanted to manage our business.”
The preparation phase included weekly training sessions with DMSi, detailed documentation, and recorded webinars, all tailored to ensure Red River was fully equipped for the transition. “Cort Silliman (DMSi Implementations Manager) had a class for several job functions in both the front and back of the house positions and then provided the video,” said Escamilla. “So that was a really useful training tool, allowing me to send videos to everyone, which we currently use with some of our new hires.”
As training went on, Escamilla said he became more confident in his Agility knowledge when he attended DMSi’s customer conference, PartnerConnect. “I feel it really boosted my confidence in what I knew about the system… so [DMSi] did a good job in preparing me.”
A team effort
The go-live day was a pivotal moment for Ray and his team. Five DMSi team members were stationed at multiple branches, ready to provide solutions to any questions that arose.
“Skyler Meints and I were at our admin conference room, and we were kind of a control center there. Becca Friesen was out in the field helping with one of our branches, and Justin Peterson and Sean Huck were at one of our remote branches. Ashley Meints was able to help us with the label printers, other add-on programs, and core knowledge of the Agility … So we’re really thankful for the resources DMSi put towards our launch.”
When there were speed bumps on the go-live day, Escamilla said DMSi was ready with solutions. “The DMSi team was cool the whole time, they had a plan for any situation that arose.”
“The overall feeling was exciting,” Escamilla says, “It really was a great experience.”
Becca Friesen, DMSi Implementation Analyst, shares the sentiment. “It was fun to get to be on site with them … It was great to see all the different ways they were using Agility and to see the implementation from so many different angles.”
Outstanding results
The immediate impact of Agility on Red River Lumber’s operations was improved inventory tracking, consistent processes across all branches, and enhanced customer satisfaction. “Everything was a move up for us … everything was an improvement,” says Escamilla. “I know Agility’s stability and the performance of the system has made our business better.”
Post-live support from DMSi continues to be a cornerstone of Red River’s success. The DMSi team is readily available to answer any questions and provide ongoing assistance. Escamilla says, “The team continued our weekly meetings after go-live and they helped us refine the system, so we could get the most out of Agility and get us on the right path.”
Escamilla says of Agility Customer Support, “You start building relationships with these great people one call at a time.” Escamilla says, “They are really good at what they do… As time goes by, I have to call less and less for help.”
Cort Silliman, DMSi Manager of Implementations, says, “Their personnel are great. They always had the perspective that this is a long-term relationship, and we are happy to have them on board with DMSi.”
Ready for the future
Looking ahead, Red River is well-positioned for future growth and innovation. The company plans to introduce new features like Agility Mobile P.O.D. and e-commerce to further enhance operations.
Escamilla recalls, “Our CEO said, ‘With any launch you can expect obstacles, but this launch was really smooth’ … And I contribute that to the system and the DMSi team helping us.”
Red River Lumber’s experience with Agility and DMSi is a testament to the power of choosing the right partner and system for complex business needs. Thanks to Ray’s leadership and the collaborative approach with DMSi, Red River Lumber has transformed its operations and is set on a path of sustained success.