How to achieve effective a ut o mat i o n

EIUILDING a better business sysIJtem starts with and ends with the specific stated purpose. A business solution, not a technology solution, should be your ultimate goal. Define fint your most critical business needs and objectives; then seek the appropriate technology that meets those requirements and serves your company besL

Lumber and building material suppliers, like most businesses today, continue to automate more and more of their administrative, processing, service and manufacturing functions. The presumed and usual benefits of technology are apparenr greater productivity, accuracy and management information and conEol.

It's hard to fault the benefits of most new oomputer systems or other high tech equipment. You usually see immediate results and benefits, even with the most basic models.

But the speed and ease of use almost any system brings you does not necessarily mean you are getting the maximum benefits or capabilities from automation, especially an information system. A technology decision is rarely clear cut or absolute. But if you state and focus on business objectives, your system selection will address those issues as well as increase speed and capabilities.

What is the most important step you can take to define and find the right computer system for your business?

Start with a clear, overall objective. Keep in mind the old adage: Can't see the forest for the trees. In other words, first look for and establish a general pr€rnise or goal. Then nll in all the specifics (parts, components and methods). Basically, determine a realistic "mission" statement(s) that will be your first, and the foremost reason for new technoloSy. For example, the system must help your company: O Increase profits or sales.

RilxiliiJuT"'[.,"i*,.,0

O Improve or expand customer service.

O Add new capbility or function.

O Increase productivity or efficiency.

O Provide bener management control or data.

O Support and allow for future growth or new businesses.

Now you have defined the general mission or purpose. Next list the various operations or functions that will be affected to bning about the business solution. For instance, if your goal is better customer service, your evaluation may need to include the quote and order pr@ess, inventory picking and shipping.

Story at a Glance Ways to achieve business

solutions with technology how to focus on obiective, develop a goal and fill in specifics ... a check list to help you evaluate a system.

The mission is your blueprint to follow through the entire system planning, design and implementation procedure. In meeting the basic business goal, you also still gain the expected benefits we talked about at the beginning: the inherent improvements in speed and processing ftom automating and streamlining individual processes and functions addressing the general business solution.

Of course, this is only the beginning of a new or upgrade system project But you are better prepared for all the detailed planning and design tasks - evaluation and analysis of required time schedules, manpower, estimated project costs, impact studies, retraining, and, finally, your dternatives for financing, computer inte- gration, hardware, software and support specifications.

Remember to look at the forest fhst and then worry about the trees. If you make this the first step in the planning phase, you'll find the technology solution that is synonymous with your business solution and accomplish your "mission" and much mofe.

What's New In Technology?

First, let's qualify the definition of a trend. I refer here to trends in methods or systems (rather than individual products) that have general pupose or application value, a growing user base and universal appeal.

Downsizing and networking have dominated business technology for several years. Both remain at the forefront because corporate America will continue to downsize and restructure, necessitating revamping or replacement of corporate information systems (CIS) to new requirements.

Downsizing companies will downsize or replace mainframe systems. Midrange processors, such as IBM AS/400 F models, have MIPS ratings comparable to smaller mainframes at less than balf the cost. The price/performance ratio of bigh end midrange systems will increase its use for offloading applications as well as system replacements.

Networking is again the prevailing trend. Businesses will link and integrate more of their corporate infomtation resources to speed data flow and accessibility. The network will become the information center. integrating voice and data systems and processes, from mainframe to PC to fax to voice mail.

Connectivity, compatibility and portability will be critical issues. Without these, future hardware and software choices and flexibility to integrate and incorporate new technologies are reshicted.

- Hal Barlow, REALApplbations