LBm software report WhatS New in 2003

(OnfWnnE companies serving the lumber and buildr.f ing material industry have begun unveiling a host of new and updated products.

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New iNet e-Invoices allows point-of-sale systems to automatically email a copy of each invoice to customers. Seconds after completing a transaction, the customer's bookkeeper automatically gets a copy of the invoice.

Chonne Linx

Channelinx's new elinx release, Version 3.79, contains approximately 170 enhancements throughout the e-commerce platform and specific expanded functionality to its OCI Punchout and Sourcing modules.

In addition, Content Manager Version | .9 adds over | 50 new features, including performance improvements in the Submit, Distribute and Publish processes.

Cognicase

ScoopSoft Version 7.0 features an improved order entry screen, directly from the whiteboard, to view available-forsale inventory. Users are able to configure their own order entry screen by choosing which fields they will have to fill in order to complete the sales order. This helps sales personnel quickly create sales orders, therefore reducing available inventory from the whiteboard in seconds.

New features also include two-way match (or reverse billing) for freight invoices. For selected carriers, the system can generate an accounts payable directly at time of shipping, based on pre-negotiated rates (as opposed to creating the usual accounts payable accrual).

Accounting department users will also be able to electronically reconcile checks by downloading a check file from any bank.

Computer fl ssociates Inc.

CAI has released its interface program to the Andersen Windows Intelligent Quote (IQ) system. The program allows Andersen dealers and distributors to generate an Andersen product quote on IQ, then submit the quote.

CAI's new Ponderosa Building Materials software system captures the information and brings it forward into a quote or sales order. Part numbers, pricing, description and other information are polled from IQ.

Once the Andersen IQ quote is in the CAI system, individual lines can be changed, selling discounts applied and load factors calculated. Also other products can be added providing a single quote for all lumber and millwork items needed for the job.

When the job is sold, the entire quote or any portion of it can be turned into an order without re-entry. Non-stock items can be converted into the Purchase Order system or the order can be classified with CIA's new Crossdock

Module. Crossdock orders can be combined for van shipment and the van number tracked through the CAI software. Products may also be selected individually for the crossdock order so the dealer or distributor can "pick and choose" what products can come from stock versus those shipped from Andersen. When the van is received, another program sorts the receiver by Andersen parl number, reducing the effort to match shipping and ordering documents.

In addition to Andersen Windows, interfaces have been developed for Caradco, Vetter, Windsor Windows and 20/20 for Kitchens. Others are in the works.

Dmsi

Through advanced features in Inventory and Attribute Viewer screens, DMSi's Agility software Version 2.3.4 enables wholesalers and treaters to quickly access on-hand lumber to help create custom orders.

For example, users can search inventory records based on attributes, items, size, description, product group and supplier. Even with minimum information, it's easy to find accurate inventory information on products immediately in a point-and-click Windows environment.

"Our customers want accurate information on inventory while their customer is on the phone and ready to place an order," said Monte Jensen, DMSi software lumber industry sales representative. "The latest version of Agility provides the tools to easily locate items through attributes, item characteristics, ordering status, view groups of inventory items and their quantities for one or more branches, and dynamic features allow Agility users to select items and add them to orders instantly."

One exciting trend sees users running Agility graphical software features like this on wireless Tablet PCs when they're out in the yard. The potential uses in a business for this type of device are significant-imagine sales personnel, with a dealer, at a customer job site, quoting material and converting it to an order on the spot in real-time. A Tablet PC stylus can offer excellent touch-screen, handwriting and voice recognition capabilities.

Enterprise Computer SUstems

Best known for its POS systems and productivity tools, Enterprise's latest development is its estimating service. The service frees dealers from adding a dedicated estimator as well as purchasing the software and hardware to generate automated takeoffs. So far, 80 dealers have signed on. Enterprise currently has five full-time estimators on staff and is looking to add one more. Since custom databases are set up for most customers, any of the estimators can work with any customer. "We are doing a full range of takeoffs-from small residential house plans to large commercial projects and everything in between," said Dan Kukol, general manager of estimating services. "Most customers send us the more difficult plans that would be very time consuming for them to estimate."

Enterprise provides professional takeoffs with a quick turn around and gives dealers the ability to review the takeoff from their own point-of-sale system. Enterprise dials into customers' POS systems and deposits the material list for the dealer to review and price, eliminating the need to key lists back into the system.

Takeoffs can also be received by fax, e-mail plan file or export file. Customers choose the time frame in which they need the takeoff back. There is an option to use a generic database or to have a custom database created with specific item numbers, phases, assemblies, and delivery loads.

Enterprise also markets the service to dealers using its Professional Estimating module, to assist when an estimator is overwhelmed with requests, on vacation, or out sick.

llxTrend Technologg, Inc.

A fast, simple way to connect to disconnected vendors, eBuy Center is an automated procurement solutions that reduces the time, cost and errors associated with manual processing of POs. Unlike other solutions, vendors do not need to be hooked up via EDI, and the user does not need to run a specific proprietary back-office system.

Progressiue Solutions Inc.

Lumber Track Version 7 began shipping this spring and has already been sold to numerous companies wanting to streamline their operations. The software integrates everything from procurement to sales to inventory management and reporting. It is now quicker to install and configure, operates even faster than before, and has added functionality to enhance sales, shipping and reporting.

MacBeath Hardwood is the first firm to operate Lumber Track's Point-of-Sale functionality. The California-based hardwood manufacturer, distributor and retailer uses the system to better track and handle inventory management and determine the cost of goods sold, helping to ensure adequate margins. Lumber Track also allows MacBeath to standardize business practices at all locations and integrate their retail sales into their overall inventory management.

New tag printing and data collection products allow companies to tag inventory at receiving or production and track it throughout their operation. Tag Track is a standalone, rugged printing station for printing product identification tags, including bar codes. Hand-held data collection devices running Progressive Solutions software for inventory counts, load tallies and end tallies help track and tally

HAND-HELD product in receiving, warehouses and mills.

Order Track, a new e-commerce add-on product, allows wholesalers' customers to check the status of their orders online with standard Internet browsers. It can be plugged into an existing Web site or set up as secure space on the Order Track server.

Seljar InternationaI Inc.

Easier than ever to use, Seljax 3D Decks Version 8.0 lets new users with little lumber experience design and accurately estimate decks in minutes.

Advanced features include pools, hot tubs, angled decking, herringbone decking, angled beams, custom railing systems, multiple foundation types (piles, pier forms, bell forms, default post in ground height), ramps, bridges, skirting, benches, vertical or horizontal joists, decking cut list, and a lengths table for decking.

lllorldUiew, ttd.

WorldView, a division of DMSi, is increasingly focusing on Web-based document management. The concept is that documents like business reports, invoices, statements, delivery tickets, contracts, etc. can be centrally stored electronically for fast, easy access from any PC. It's said to be more cost-effective than traditional file cabinets, offering significant time savings and new abilities to share information.

Fifteen companies in the industry currently use WorldView document management.

llforld lUide lUood lleturork, ttd.

A new supplier-managed inventory (SMD program simplifies the entire inventory management and order replenishment cycle.

Matching available to promise inventory with customer replenishment needs by location and product, W3Net SMI sends automated reorder alerts to the supplier that include suggested replenishment orders. From that point a supplier can create a final order by accepting or modifying the suggested order based upon practical sales considerations such as weather or transportation issues.

Replenishment levels can be driven both by simple minimum/maximum inventory levels or more sophisticated demand forecasting formulas.

The company offers a full suite of Web-based tools to facilitate the entire business process between buyers and sellers via its W3Net Com-merce Platform and W3Net Docu-ment Exchange Platform, as well as business process consulting and custom software development.