What is an ERP System?
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) refers to a type of software that organisations use to manage day-to-day business activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, risk management and compliance, and supply chain operations. A complete ERP suite also includes enterprise performance management, software that helps plan, budget, predict, and report on an organisation’s financial results.
ERP systems tie together a multitude of business processes and enable the flow of data between them. By collecting an organisation’s shared transactional data from multiple sources, ERP systems eliminate data duplication and provide data integrity. ERP systems are critical for managing thousands of businesses of all sizes and in all industries. To these companies, ERP is as indispensable as the electricity that keeps the lights on.
How can these solutions manage organisations day-to-day business activities? These systems are complete, integrated platforms, either on-premises or in the cloud, managing all aspects of a production-based or distribution business. The systems support all aspects of financial management, human resources, supply chain management, and manufacturing with your core accounting function.
ERP systems will also provide transparency into your complete business process by tracking all aspects of production, logistics, and financials. These integrated systems act as a business’s central hub for end-to-end workflow and data, allowing a variety of departments to access.
B2B eCommerce & business support with Monsoon Consulting
In light of all the recent challenges faced, industries are looking for ways to reduce costs, whilst still maximising sales revenue and customer engagement. Monsoon Consulting have launched a new B2B eCommerce platform solution specifically designed for the hardware industry.
The hardware industry is in the process of turning ever more to digital and eCommerce channels in order to sustain and maintain existing business. As the industry progresses, the challenge now is to capitalise on the digital transformation in order to manage the new and future economic winds of adversity.
Monsoon Consulting have over 20 years’ experience and a HQ in Ireland. They have continued to help many companies in the hardware & construction industry navigate the eCommerce world to make sense of the new digital economy and ensure all businesses are making the most of all available technologies (eCommerce, Product, Payment, Marketing Automation) – both for their internal operational efficiencies and customer service engagements. Having successfully worked with Woodies, Topline, Heat Merchants, Tubs & Tiles as well as other key brands including Sysco, Uniphar, CMS Distribution and the Central Bank of Ireland, Monsoon has a wide array of solutions to help all organisations.
With their “Apex’’ Software, they offer a go to market ready eCommerce software solution, specifically tailored for the Hardware & Construction industry. This provides key value for companies with pre-built, industry relevant out of the box features & functionalities. It then helps transform their operations to a fully fledged, multi-channel B2B eCommerce proposition with a market leading competitive edge.
Apex comes with “Trade-ready” mobile optimised and fast creative themes with a wealth of B2B features including; requisition lists, self-service, customer segmentation, client notifications, enhanced security and user admin permissions.
Coupled with the technological and flexible solution for businesses is its speed to market. Apex’s goal is to accelerate the project launch and aim to get your business online within three months. Added to this are the flexible and attractive costs options to help with the initial investment.
Monsoon Consulting (www.monsoonconsulting.com) are Ireland’s only Adobe Gold Solution Partner, focusing on delivering best in class B2B and B2C eCommerce solutions. For more information on their Enterprise Magento Acceleration product, “Apex” or to organise a demonstration, please visit www.monsoonconsulting.com/apex.
For more information on how Monsoon Consulting can help your business online, please get in touch with alastair.brodie@monsoonconsulting.com or call +353 (0)1 4750066.
The ‘One-Off’ Challenge
In business, customer service is key and sometimes these customers require products that are not part of the standard product range.
The choice is to:
(a) Tell the customer that it is not a product we sell, thus encouraging them to go elsewhere
(b) Source the product for the customer which encourages loyalty but creates overheads for sales, goods inwards and administration teams.
CORETech, one of the leading providers to Hardware and Agri Retailers and Distributors in Ireland, have solutions in place which will efficiently combine the sales and purchase process for one off purchases.
By capturing the information at the time of enquiry, the CORESpecials® seamlessly creates Purchase Requisitions or Orders, manages goods inwards and customer despatch or collection all from one screen. Specials stock can be monitored and managed to ensure that it gets to the customer without undue delay or confusion.
The overhead for individual product creation and administration for special orders is eliminated.
Wallaces Homevalue Hardware in Wellington Bridge, Wexford – a CORETech Partner for over 15 years – recently bolted this functionality into their EPOS configuration. Head of Purchasing, Maryanne Quigley, says “My initial scepticism didn’t last long as CORESpecials® has become a function that we find hugely beneficial. Its clarity has allowed us save time when tracking customers special orders and has made our process for specials so much more efficient and accurate … for both us and our customers.”
CORETech continually innovate and extend their solution offerings. With 40 years experience in understanding business challenges and collaborating with their customer partners they have continued to be at the forefront of Hardware and Agri Retail trading. If you are facing challenges in your business that can be resolved with innovative and user-friendly solutions, please contact CORETech for a free consultation.
For more information, visit www.coretechnology.ie, or email to info@coretechnology.ie or call (025) 41400.
Kerridge Commercial Systems demonstrated its latest innovative products to delegates at its Konnect Ireland event
In May, Kerridge Commercial Systems, a global provider of ERP solutions, welcomed over 85 delegates to its Konnect Ireland customer conference. Held at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin, the event was attended by companies from the Distributive Trades, Automotive and Rental markets and demonstrated the enthusiasm users of its software have for learning and updating themselves on current versions and options in the KCS software portfolio.
Conference delegates, including companies that were new to the software as well as those who have been using it for years, were invited to discover how the latest technology can help improve business performance, from mobile apps and cloud computing to the latest developments and product road maps.
“With over 620 customers in Ireland across our core markets, it’s really great to be able to share what we have been working on for the last few years, what products and innovations are coming down the line and importantly what direction we are going in. It is so important to be able to share this with our customers and Konnect is the perfect platform to do this” explained James Mitchell, UK & Ireland Managing Director.
The keynote presentation by James Mitchell, highlighted the acceleration of digital transformation as key to improving performance and customer service and to creating sustainable working practices. ERP Workflow has traditionally been controlled by paper. With the introduction of its mobile apps reducing internal waste of paper and customer paper trails, KCS are providing its customers with the tools to take the technology to the job, not the job to the technology.
Delegates on the day were introduced to KCS Partners, Jason Bradshaw from Phocas Business Intelligence, who demonstrated how to make the existing data in each of the KCS’ ERP system’s easy to access, understand and act on with Phocas, which allows users to turn insights into real intelligence. And Lewis Elliot from Paymentsense who explained the benefits of integrating cards payments directly into K8 and Autopart.
RNH Solutions rebrands to MAM Software
Following its recent acquisition by Kerridge Commercial Systems, RNH Solutions will rebrand to MAM Software. The move brings its hardware automotive operations in Ireland and the UK under one unified brand to more accurately reflect its position as a leading provider of business management software solutions for the automotive aftermarket.
Renowned for its innovative and flexible approach, MAM Software provides dedicated product groups for Ireland and the UK aftermarkets. It focuses on improving the efficiency and profitability of companies with complex supply chains via the use of specialised software and services.
The new brand identity, which will be rolled out over the coming weeks and months, brings RNH in line with the distinctive style of the wider KCS group. MAM’s logo includes KCS’ magenta diamond design; the four lines at the centre represent the cornerstones of the Kerridge Commercial Systems brand – sourcing, stocking, selling and servicing.
These cornerstones are what it strives to do to assist its customer base to be excellent in, ensuring it gives them competitive advantage.
The rebrand will also include a new website which will communicate the business benefits of MAM’s solutions and encapsulate its total offering, including many business applications.
“This is an exciting time for our business in Ireland, and with continued investment in the company we aim to capitalise on our successes and build a platform for future growth. The new identity for RNH will act as a catalyst for further progress towards our strategic vision,”said James Mitchell, Managing Director UK & Ireland. “Unifying under a common brand reaffirms how integral the team and product portfolio are to the future of a business we are proud to be part of. “KCS acquired RNH Solutions in November 2021.
Intact in UK expansion with acquisition of Southampton software business
Intact, the Dundalk and Hemel Hempstead based provider of software and technology solutions to the merchant and distribution sector, has acquired a UK-based software house, Blue Rock Systems. The Southampton business has been reselling, implementing and supporting Intact ERP systems (enterprise resource planning) for over 16 years.
The announcement was made recently by Intact CEO, Justin Lawless, who said that the move will strengthen Intact’s market share across the target verticals in which it operates and will bolster the company’s talent pool to support ambitious growth plans for Ireland, the UK and global markets.
“The acquisition of Blue Rock Systems is part of Intact’s strategy to become the leading provider of ERP and business software solutions in the merchant and distribution sector. This important development adds to our strong customer base and involves a team of highly skilled individuals, with deep software industry expertise, who will enhance customer service and support our growth plans.”
Intact’s historic profits facilitated the self-funded multi-million-pound aquisition, without the requirement for outside investment. Blue Rock Systems’ full team has been retained as part of the acquisition deal, which will see Intact employee numbers increase from 200 to 243 staff across Ireland and the UK. The UK company recorded robust revenue and profit growth in recent years, aligned with excellent customer and employee retention rates, Justin Lawless adds.
“Blue Rock Systems grew revenue 30% last year, returning double digit profit growth. Its 43 staff and senior management are all vastly experienced in the software industry and, working collaboratively as part of Intact, will add immense value to our product and service offering.”
The UK software business was formed in March 2005 by Managing Director, George Troullis, Sales Director, Glen Jewell, and Lance Norton, the company Commercial Director. George Troullis will oversee the business incorporation, complementing the Intact senior leadership team. This will facilitate collaborative integration of the company’s people, processes, systems and cultures, ensuring a seamless transition to Intact for more than 150 customers of BRS UK.
Blue Rock Systems already implement and support Intact developed systems across a network of UK trade customers. They have also successfully developed complementary products including e-Commerce, POD scanning and on-line auctioning, to expand the solution on offer. The company specialises in the same target verticals as Intact, primarily merchants and distribution.
In February this year, Intact invested in a new, expanded state-of-the-art UK headquarters in Hemel Hempstead, in the Greater London area. Blue Rock is Intact’s second software business acquisition in England. In 2016 the software company acquired Ramtac, another of its UK VAR partners, (value added resellers), which has facilitated market expansion.
Intact’s annual turnover, currently in the region of €17 million, has grown over 500% in the last ten years, with more than 60% growth anticipated in the coming year. The desire to expand the world-class team at Intact, by strengthening it with an influx of high-performing people, was a key driver for the acquisition, CEO, Justin Lawless said.
Grant Thornton, the Dublin-based professional services firm, and legal firm, Flint Bishop, advised on the Blue Rock Systems deal and strategy.
