Returns and inventory inaccuracies were once common at Boggis-Johnson Electric Co., Milwaukee. Customers even asked personnel to manually double-check stock levels when they called to place orders. “They knew that if we were down to a few pieces, our system was probably off, said Mary-Kay Savignac, assistant operations manager at the full-line electrical distributor to the OEM, construction and industrial markets.
After implementing Prophet 21's CommerceCenter enterprise software solution for distributors, Boggis-Johnson increased inventory accuracy by 90 percent and cut the number of people processing returns by 80 percent.
“I don't think customers have asked us to run to the warehouse to check on something since we went live on CommerceCenter,” said Savignac.
Prophet 21's CommerceCenter, a Windows-based SQL Server solution, improves inventory accuracy by allowing Boggis-Johnson to perform periodic automated cycle counts, while giving users the ability to check stock levels in real time. Plus, the SQL Server and unparalleled connectivity help ensure information flows through the company — from loading dock to warehouse to sales desk.
CommerceCenter also automates lot-billing processes. Boggis-Johnson bills most of its customers for items in lots, rather than individually. “The majority of our business comes through large contracts instead of day-to-day negotiations,” Savignac said.
Before moving to Commerce Center, Savignac manually tracked customer contracts and billed items in lots. “It was very labor-intensive. I tracked who I billed for what with a pencil and paper,” she said.
Headquartered in Yardley, Pa., Prophet 21 has provided enterprise software solutions since 1967. For more information, visit www.p21.com.
Got an Item for Bulletin Board?
It's easy to have your company included in the pages of Electrical Wholesaling's Bulletin Board. It's as simple as submitting a description and photographs.
Some of the subjects covered in Bulletin Board include:
- Charitable Events/Donations
- Product Promotions
- Contests
- Distributor Support/Training
- Ground Breakings
- Industry Awards/Recognitions
Send pertinent information to Sarah Tobaben Dolash, Managing Editor, 9800 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66212. Or you may e-mail information to [email protected]. All electronic photos should be in “jpg,” “tif” or “eps” format at no less than 300 dots per inch. Questions? Call (913) 967-1796.