Storage Planning & Sales (SPS)
Since 1978, SPS has evolved from a distribution company
providing storage products to local businesses to a fully fledged
supplier and installer of commercial storage products and turnkey
office interior solutions. The company manages its client base from
its Belfast office, which includes customers from all over Ireland,
the UK and further afield.
First steps
Users of Access Dimensions since 1997, SPS has seen rapid growth
and change since implementing its business system. Initially
brought in to replace the cumbersome manual method of bookkeeping
with a computerised accounting system, Dimensions provided the
visibility SPS needed to deliver its core storage portfolio such as
shelving, racking, mezzanine floors and lockers.
Moving on
In 1993, a new division was added to the company portfolio - SPS
Catalogue. Featuring a wide range of popular storage products such
as steps, signs and pallet trucks, Dimensions continued to support
the company's growing range. Powerful sub-analysis for example
enables any item to be classified according to SPS' preferred
terminology, making it easy to deliver on a constant stream of
orders.
A new chapter
Ten years later, and SPS saw the most significant change in its
history. In 2003, Ron Hogg joined the business, bringing his 35
years' expertise of commercial interior design to form a new
division, SPS Interiors. In 2006, he was joined by fellow Director
Colin Reid. Together, they bought SPS from its current owner and
worked to take the business forward.
"This is where I came in" says Alan. "If this new venture was to
be a success, not just in terms of its traditional distribution
function, but as experts in the end-to-end process of design,
supply and fit-out, then we needed to be confident that the
business system was producing the level of management information
that was required." Alan then set about reviewing the Access
Dimensions system.
"What has impressed me, more than any other system I've
experienced, is Dimensions' reliability. The system hasn't crashed
once in over two years!" Alan Braiden
Company Accountant
Stock check
The first area to pass scrutiny was stock control, which Alan
says "works very well." Fully integrated to the core ledgers, the
system allows a smooth end-to-end process from initial order
through to pick, pack and assembly. Orders placed within the
storage division are easily tracked using Dimensions' SOP
functionality and upon installation, delivery notes are fed through
for invoicing and ultimately credit control. All this takes place
with no duplication of data - and minimum effort. "Obviously
getting the right products to the customer is key, both in terms of
service and our profit margins," Alan comments. "Some of our
product lines involve complex component builds, but Dimensions is
clear and easy to use, so the guys in the warehouse can be
confident when they pick the goods for assembly and prepare for
final installation on the customer's premises."
Reporting & visibility
"From an accountant's viewpoint, I can always get the
information I need," Alan continues. "I can be completely confident
that our management accounts will be ready before the monthly
meeting and the quality of information enables us to make good
decisions in all areas of the business. For example, most of our
stock is delivered in bulk from the UK with the corresponding
transport costs. Getting it wrong could severely impact upon our
margin, but we've all the information we need in order to optimise
our stock and order at the right time."
What's more, good reporting ensures that
orders aren't held up while suppliers wait to be paid. Alan can see
all invoices that are outstanding and automates payment to
suppliers by BACS transmission - a secure method preferred by
suppliers.
Support and stability
Alan is also keen to praise the support he has received from Access
Ireland.
"The team has looked after me well and the telephone support is
particularly good. I find it a comfort knowing that there's an
expert at the end of the phone to talk me through any problems I
have." From a user point of view, Dimensions gets the thumbs
up too. "What has impressed me, more than any other system I've
experienced, is Dimensions' reliability. The system hasn't crashed
once in over two years!"
Moving on
Having established a loyal customer base and installed projects
for prestigious names such as Grant Thornton, BMW and John Sisk
Ltd, what next for this ambitious company? Alan's keen to keep
pushing Dimensions' capabilities and has already scheduled in an
upgrade to include Access CRM. "Our client base consists of
cutting- edge businesses who want the very best in storage and
interior design. With more targeted marketing, we can keep them
up-to-date with the very latest products and drive interest in the
most relevant areas within our product range. With CRM, we'll have a
much better understanding not only of our existing customers' needs
but of our prospects too."
Key benefits
- Stability - Dimensions' SQL platform has ensured system hasn't
crashed once in over two years
- Flexibility - cost-effective report writing enables visibility
into specific areas of the business
- Security - user privileges are easy to define by user and by
role
- Flexibility -modular system enables functionality to be added
as needs evolve, e.g. CRM
- Ease of use - an intuitive look and feel enables a
cost-effective 'train the trainer' approach in all areas of the
business
- Better supplier
management - visibility of debtors and creditors, coupled with
automated BACS payment, ensures key suppliers are paid within
terms
- Cost effective delivery - reports draw information from open
orders, purchase orders, stock, etc, enabling stock optimisation
and cost-effective decisions on bulk ordering
Inevitably the time comes when the business software that you rely on no longer measures up. Whether external market forces, business growth or lack of functionality drive the change, this guide will help you make the strategic decision about what to do next.
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