Latest updates and insights from Kerridge Commercial Systems

Having an efficient warehouse layout (alongside a fully integrated warehouse management system) could be the difference between processing your customers’ orders quickly or not.

Tony Pey, Head of Sales Engineering at Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS), explains how using multi-channel ecommerce software that is fully integrated with your ERP system delivers a more satisfying experience for your customers and makes life easier for your staff.

Recruiting in the automotive aftermarket trade can be tough. With a large number of people choosing to go to university, attracting top talent in your trade can also be a big challenge. That’s why we have put together a list of five automotive aftermarket recruitment tips to help you attract the best possible candidates.

When working in an environment with large machinery, pallets and racking, warehouse safety should be considered a priority. According to a HSE survey, the estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions is £14.3 billion.

Technology is constantly evolving and this is certainly the case in warehouses. Not only are companies moving from paper based systems to warehouse management software (according to recent research), they are also looking to get the edge on their competitors by taking advantage of the latest innovative warehouse technologies. We list 5 of the latest technology trends that are currently being used in warehouses.

Recruiting in the builders merchants’ trade can be tough. With a large number of people choosing to go to university, attracting top talent in your trade is a big challenge. That’s why we have put together a list of five builders merchants’ recruitment tips to help you attract the best possible candidates.

Whatever industry you're in, offering an excellent customer service is crucial to your success. In a previous blog, we outlined the top omni-channel customer service experience and in this one, with the help of Provide Support we detail the essential customer services skills that you should master.

With one report suggesting that the ERP software market is expected to be worth £27 billion by 2020 and Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) predicting a doubling in cloud-based ERP investments by the end of 2016, now is the time for your business to invest in a fully integrated solution. Need convincing? Here are 5 advantages of using an ERP system.

EDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange and refers to the transferring of business data electronically from one source to another in a standard format. Some of the common documents that can be transferred via EDI software include purchase orders, invoices and advance ship notices.

Managing your warehouse in a cost effective and efficient way is one of the key components of a successful business.

That’s why our most recent version of K8, K8 Babbage, is our most comprehensive and reliable release to date. As with our other modules, our warehouse management software, can assist you in achieving effective warehouse management.

We’re excited to see the changes that have been happening in warehouse management over recent years. Research into the future of the warehouses shows that warehouse IT and operations professionals no longer view the warehouse as just a cost centre, in which operational focus is on reducing inefficiencies and inaccuracies in order picking.

If you are considering investing in sales order processing software, you are not alone. Research shows that 87% of organisations have problems with manual sales order processing and 77% say manual processing is holding back company growth. Part of this is because, say 53% of businesses, they receive orders in paper form, through the mail.

Warehouse management is challenging enough: optimising stock levels, managing the physical space and tracking orders and deliveries. However, when growing companies add additional warehouses, those challenges are multiplied.

Warehouse management is the control of the day-to-day operations of a warehouse, such as the shipping, receiving, put-away and picking of goods.

Having control over your stock is all about balance: having sufficient goods available that any item can be supplied without delay, without tying up too much money in stock. Sounds simple, but whether you're a wholesaler, distributor, merchant or retailer, carrying hundreds, thousands or millions of products, the importance of stock control can't be overstated.

CRM is the strategy by which you manage your firm’s relationships with customers and prospects. In industries where goods are becoming increasingly commoditised, one of the main ways that wholesalers, distributors, merchants and retailers can differentiate is through customer service.

What is BI in the Distributive Trades?

BI stands for Business Intelligence, which is an umbrella term for the tools and systems that enable a company to gather, store, access and analyse corporate data, so as to make better decisions and improve performance.

There is growing evidence that companies that focus on improving their supply chain performance achieve much better financial and operational results than their competitors. The companies that came top for optimising their supply chain in a 2013 Price Waterhouse Coopers survey perform 70% better, on average, than the companies at the bottom. They:

Companies in the distributive trades have seen growth in recent years. Modern tools and techniques have to potential to drive competitive advantage by transforming the warehouse from a cost centre to a growth centre. However, many businesses still employ legacy manual and paper-based warehousing processes, and have yet to take the first steps towards such a transformation.

Margins are tight in the distributive trades, so it is crucial to examine all your systems and processes to gain cost efficiencies and to sell as profitably as you can. However, in many companies, there is waste associated with back-office sales processes. So how do you know if your systems are as efficient and effective as possible? Find out how to sell profitably below.

Despite its importance to the distributive trades, and its potential to support strategic growth, the warehouse is the part of the business that is most likely to have legacy manual and paper based processes. A 2014 study shows that 35% of prospective buyers of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) are still using manual methods. This can be time consuming and create inefficiencies, and it may also be risky; human error can lead to mistakes in picking, shipping, or replenishment, which can result in failed deliveries, payment disputes and, ultimately, unhappy customers.

Online trading: the fastest growing retail market in Europe

According to the Centre for Retail Research, ecommerce is the fastest growing retail market in Europe, with overall online sales expected to grow by over 18% during 2015. These figures don’t come as a great surprise. The way that we all shop has changed dramatically over the last decade and this is now impacting on all areas of our lives, at home and within our work places.

Fill in the missing links of your supply chain with K8

Supply chain management is an integral part of any successful distributive trade organisation. It covers everything from ordering materials, creation of goods, and their delivery. An effective supply chain management solution can improve your customer service, reduce labour and overhead costs, and minimise shipping delays.

We have created an infographic on the integrated business solutions that we supply for the distributive trades. This illustrates the importance of the process of sourcing effectively, stocking efficiently, selling profitably and servicing competitively.

Successful expansion demands total control over all your business streams and the flexibility to develop additional routes to market. Will new branches provide the promised service, your supply chain cope with new product lines, or an innovative sales channel justify the investment?