LBm software report New for 2002

(OnrwnnE companies serving 9the lumber and building material industry have begun unveiling a host of new and updated products.

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The new Triad Price Watch program allows Triad Eagle system users to more closely manage profit margins using price information provided by Random Lengths.

Random Lengths weekly pricing information can be directly integrated into dealers' systems, saving substantial time updating constantly fluctuating lumber costs. Previously, dealers had to manually enter price information into their software system.

To identify specific lumber products, Random Lengths uses what theY call tags. Triad Price Watch automatically adds these tags into inventory and cross-references them to the dealer's specific item numbering scheme.

Computer flssociates

sent for off-site production, such as priming and prefinishing. Full reporting captures time and material comparing actual to standards. Complete labor tracking records individual time and performance against standards as well.

The module is fully integrated into the Windows N/T Network Building Materials operating system.

Distribution lllonagement Sgstems, Inc.

A new Web-based document storage and retrieval services, DMSi Document Storage, offers building

The system works by leveraging behind-the-scenes document management software with the Internet to retrieve electronic files stored at a secure, expertly maintained off-site data center. Technology allows distributors to organize files, find documents and cross-reference customer data faster than by conventional paper shuffling. To use it, distributors pay a fixed monthly rate and are set up with the necessary equipment to transform hardcopy files into electronic copies and the ability to link stored electronic reports and forms.

Interprise Computer Sgstems

Based on the foundation of the Dataline8000 product, the new

Windows-based ECS Pro erful IBM plish multiple tasks si

Because it's built on a Microso tH;Fiherltion orders. Batch ! processing will cre-

A new Production Module creates a production order from a sales order and ate a production order committing raw material which would produce a variety of finished goods. The finished goods are defined and received through the module.

The program contains work center processing that tracks labor, overhead and costs. Provisions are made to track scrap and byproduct material and includes a subsystem to track material

Cproduct distributors a way to efficiently manage files within their organization by automatically storing electronic reports and converting paper forms to fast-access electronic pages.

Benefits include: linking for greater control of valuable documents, faster file access for improved customer service, frees up costly office space, and saves personnel costs.

ODBC-compliant database, users can access all point-of-sale data while seamlessly integrating with other ODBC-compliant software programs, such as Access, Excel, Word, Lotus, and Crystal Reports.

And, transitioning to ECS Pro can be less expensive than upgrading existing hardware.

tumbermens Softuare, Inc.

The company plans to unveil a Windows version of its forest products system during 2002. The advantages of Internet communications will be incorporated into this version.

The Lumbermen's Transload application will be offered first. The applications Office Wholesale, Physical Inventory and Export will follow.

llxTrend Technologg, Inc.

The new bizlinx eCatalog allows dealers and distributors to offer product information 24 hours a day to customers all over the globe. Using bizlinx eSales Center as a Web portal, the catalog offers rich content, while improving the product search functionality of eSales.

Customers can save virtual shopping carts based on past purchase history or create item favorite folders. Or, they can answer a series of product questions to receive a list of suggested purchases.

Access to certain products can also be restricted to authorized customers.

Unlimited links from the catalog records to images, specification documents, MSDS sheets, and Web page references are permitted.

Pro-Com Integrated Softuare

The newest version of WoodPro 2000 has moved to the Microsoft SQL Server platform for increased power and scalability. It interfaces directly with other Microsoft products, including Excel, Word, and e-mail packages such as Outlook. Order confirmations, invoices and bills of lading can be faxed or e-mailed directly from one's desktop.

The software offers the ease-of-use of Windows products in a system that deals with the special requirements of lumber transactions and remanufacturing costing. It handles everything fg-ot inventory management, sales lully integrated back h other a data collection and reporting on procurement, inventory, and load or end tallies.

Progressive Solutions' three comprehensive software products for inventory management. transaction processing and logistics planningFiber Track, Mill Track and Lumber Track-can now be combined with extensive data collection. reporting and accounting capabilities to control business functions from log yard to warehouse.

Scoopsoft Corp.

The updated Scoopsoft Management System version 6.0 now enables owners and executives to access a user-friendly, "dashboard" view of all mill activity from their office PC. The system immediately alerts executives when a key performance indicator (inventory levels, sawmill output, grade recovery, selling prices vs. market prices, etc.) fails to meet its pre-set objective, and provides drill down capabilities to pinpoint the exact location and cause for the failure.

The new features enable mill owners to improve their business profitability by: detecting and pro-actively managing minor setbacks before they escalate into costly production or inventory problems; reacting quickly to a change in market conditions, or assessing the bottom-line impact of a sales or production decision before it is fully implemented.

Seljax International Inc.

At its core Seljax Estimating & 3D Design is an estimating program, built by estimators to produce quick, accurate, professional estimates. Its added value is as a sales tool. turning a customer's descriotions of his dream deck into a full 3D picture in five minutes. icks of the mouse and a minute has 3D pictures of les and a list.

POS system, but utilizes the Internet and e-mail to drastically reduce the time spent learning software and money spent acquiring digitizers.

Quote Monster allows sales staff or contractors to do initial take-offs from anywhere, at anytime, without installing additional software on their PCs.

By accessing the system through a dealer's own Web site or Spruce's server, salespeople or contractors answer basic questions about the plan, in their language, linear and square feet. The program automatically generates a materials list using inventory SKUs, and sends it to the yard in the body of an e-mail. Once the sales staff reviews the estimates, they can easily import them into any POS system in order to generate and store a formal quote.

Once the quote has been stored, the contractor can access it at any time via the Internet. He can add items, modify quantities and place the order automatically through Customer Access software 24/7 . The sales staff can then review the order for accuracy and accept it back into the POS systemwithout ever having to key in the order.

Contractors and salespeople can view and print account statements and invoices at any time as well.

Uensvss Commerciat SUstems

New products for the building materials industry include:

. ProQuotes - The Windows-based estimating software allows users to view inventory information in various ways, create professional quotes, in detailed or summary layouts, and view quotes prior to printing. It reportedly creates quotes quickly, keeps an organized record of quotes, and holds profit level information at the click of a button.

Human Resource its edata warehousi

Expanded offered with the re a stand-alone printi ed to creatins and includine barcodes. In and interfaces the to gn tool

The Windows-based software records and tracks important information about comm ity, and int tures.