Pro dealers Kelly-Fradet Lumber, serving professional contractors across Connecticut and Massachusetts, had a very specific challenge: Customers sometimes wanted an exact copy of a custom item ordered months or even years ago.
Custom items are a key part of their business, many of which have hundreds of configurable options. To further complicate things, Kelly-Fradet’s customers frequently do business at different branches. They may place the original order at one branch, but then reorder it at a different location.
To improve their service across their locations, Kelly-Fradet decided to implement the Agility ERP system.
“We made the move to DMSi several years ago after experiencing serious growing pains with our previous software,” says Dan Sullivan, Kelly-Fradet’s General Manager.
From sales and accounting to purchasing, Agility handles every aspect of Kelly-Fradet’s operation.
“Agility integrates all our information into a very efficient system,” says Sullivan. “With just a few clicks, you have everything you need to handle inventory management and fulfillment quickly and accurately.”
Agility streamlines custom orders from entry to fulfillment. From the customizable Point of Sale screen, Kelly-Fradet’s team can easily search a customer’s order history across branches to find a specific custom item. The sales rep can then add the item to the current sales order with a few clicks.
“Finding customer information is infinitely easier,” says Rick Barrows, outside sales rep. “Even if a customer isn’t sure about a previous order, we can look up their past orders and re-create the item.”
Interfacing with Anderson Windows
Another way Agility streamlines the custom item order process is through interfaces with vendors such as Andersen Windows. Once the sales rep creates the original order, Agility pushes details to the interface and submits the order to Andersen. There’s no need for the rep to re-key the order themselves. This not only saves time; it also dramatically reduces the risk of error.
“The Andersen IQ windows interface lets our staff quickly and accurately complete non-stock quotes and orders from their POS computers,” says Ron Reid, manager for Kelly-Fradet’s East Longmeadow branch. “We can quickly get our customers satisfied and back in the field working,”
When it comes to order fulfillment, Agility turns Kelly-Fradet’s multi-branch setup into an asset. Customers can place an order in any of Kelly-Fradet’s branches. The shipping department can then assign it to ship from the location or stocking branch closest to the customer’s job site. If the materials aren’t currently in stock at the desired shipping location, Agility ensures the product is available at the correct branch by the scheduled delivery date.
“Agility saves so much time and research,” says Sullivan. “There is no more guessing. The data that Agility provides allows quicker and better decisions regarding inventory, payables, receivables, and purchasing. Every day, I’m able to accomplish much more and do so more accurately. DMSi has been a key factor in our company’s growth and success.”