Talkingbackrrr electronically

p ORGET the post ofllce. Never J. mind personal messengers or Federal Express. Even fax machines may seem out of date. Soon lumber and building material retailers may be communicating with their customers, brokers, mills, suppliers and each other over their computers.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDl) systems ofler a standard link for computer-to-computer exchanges of business data. A large number of vendors and more and more dealers are discovering the paperwork-free benefits provided by EDl.

Tindell's Inc., Knoxville, Tn., is currently installing a state-of-the-art program with a number of communication capabilities. Tindell's has dealt with its current computer company since 1982, periodically upgrading the system over the years to keep its three stores and truss shop at the leading edge of technology. The company has grown to sales last year of $14.2 million.

Its latest software package, WGS from Dataline, has a wide variety of functions: word processingl document productionl window capabilities, permitting multiple images on the screen simultaneouslyl time management, scheduling appointments and providing a desktop

Electronic Trade Show

Long before most building material retailers ever heard the term "EDI," co-op Central Builders Supplies Co. installed its A-Line communication system, the medium for its annual electronic buying show.

Most of the more than 500 members of the Sturgis, Mi., based buying group are hooked up to A-Line, receiving instant access to cBS headquarters, other dealers and other A-Line computers within their own companies.

And each year the system carries a late summer trade show in which dealers can sign up for new products and take advantage of special bargains.

This year's August 9-10 fourth annual show received the best response yet, up to 260/o more orders placed than last year.

A special feature this year was a further refining of the ordering process. The A-Line system is such that it can be continually upgraded without expensive additions. "lf you just keep adding components, it gets more and more cumbersomeo" explains CBS director of communications Cheryl Bolles. "And this way, dealers have the same access they had before to our mainframe."

Although A-Line offers a 24-hour hotline of communication, retailers can only order products over the computer once a year, during the electronic show. CBS is analyzing this show's results to see if it is yet feasible to incorporate electronic ordering on a daily basis.

CBS is constantly innovating to keep it one step ahead.

calendar: spread sheet generation; inventory budgeting, and electronic mail.

Electronic mail allows stores to send personal messages to each other over the computer lines. A signal alerts the receiving, computer that mail has arrived. Spread sheets and other information can also be sent via the system.

Yet it will be some time before Tindell's is able to utilize all of the technology now at its fingertips. "We're up to our elbows in alligators with everything else," says vice president of purchasing & sales Gene McKinney. "ln the course of doing business, you can get into something like this only so fast." lt takes time not only to train the staff, but also to integrate the new capabilities.

In its first month with the new software, Tindell's explored calendar, spread sheet and some communication functions. The Oak Ridge, Tn., store is already relying on the system to handle a huge new contract, furnishing building materials to a manufacturer of top secret government projects. The three-year contract with two one-year options will bring in about $2 million a year.

Story at a Glance

Electronic Data Interchange pro vides computer-to-computer communication between suppliers, retailers and customers

Tennessee retailer uses new system to exchange daily business data with accounts.

"Any heavy industry that uses a lot of materials, hardware, tools or whatever needs to be working on a just-in-time delivery system," explains McKinney. "They can't keep all that inventory on hand. They must be in league with someone who can guarantee they'll have exactly what they need when they need it."

The constant stream of quote requests, price lists, orders, invoices and billings requires the high degree of organization supplied by the new software. Tindell's and. in turn. their customers are instantly updated with news of new products and indexed catalogs.

The result: quicker, more accurate, less expensive communication.