NORFOLK, VA
Notable deficiencies in vendor support is well-known problem in distribution software
After his company outgrew their old business management software, Kevin Biltz of Kemp Electric Supply Co. embarked on a search for a replacement. Biltz knew he needed more — and better — information from his internal systems. He was wary of older systems acquired over time by legacy vendors such as Epicor, Sage and Infor. Exorbitant costs, unreasonable time to implement and notable deficiencies in vendor support were well-known problems in the distribution software marketplace.
Kemp Electric wanted to find an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software which could be implemented quickly and cost-effectively but, most importantly, could reliably meet the intricate and unique needs of the electrical wholesale distribution industry.
As part of his research to replace his existing systems, Biltz looked to the Member Services Program offered by his industry marketing group, IMARK — and found an innovative company called xTuple which offered an open source ERP with a special focus on industrial distribution. He then piloted the free PostBooks version of xTuple ERP to ensure it met his needs. The flexibility and ease of customization inherent with open source technology was immediately apparent, and he quickly came to a decision. Kemp Electric purchased a commercial xTuple PostBooks license with the Wholesale Distribution add-on package (xWD).
“We needed a more reliable, powerful and flexible ERP system that would allow us to take full advantage of what modern technology can provide,” said Biltz. “An added benefit was that xTuple is an IMARK Member Service Provider and has worked closely with IMARK to build out functionality for its electrical distributor members."
With xTuple ERP, Kemp Electric is able to service customers better, faster and easier — with immediate, direct sales access to more products through real-time integration with the Trade Service electronic catalog.
Automatic order-processing and invoicing via email allows Kemp Electric to keep customers informed with immediate sales order acknowledgements and to push out invoices immediately, ultimately receiving payments more quickly, improving cash flow. Quoting and billing time at Kemp has been cut in half, the net result of these improvements.
Another crucial requirement, according to Biltz, was for the system to have fully integrated corporate relationship management (CRM). In the world of distribution, relationships with vendors are often as important as customer relationships — and xTuple’s fully-integrated CRM uses the same powerful tools for both.
“With xTuple, we gained important features needed to move our business to the next level,” said Biltz. “The quality of support that xTuple provides is superb! This is true for both user and developer-level support. The xTuple staff is responsive, quick and effective in solving problems and very receptive to input and ideas coming from their customers. The overall system is a pleasure to work with!!”
From selection to implementation, Kemp Electric was running their business with xTuple ERP within 90 days. Benefits for Kemp Electric Supply Co. include: Quick implementation of software from selection stage to “go live”; quoting and billing time cut in half; improved cash flow with automatic order-processing and invoicing; features designed to meet the unique needs of the distribution industry; enhanced vendor and customer relations with fully integrated CRM and email; improved productivity with easy-to-customize, open source system, including superior support at the user- and the developer-level; and better positioned for growth with scalable solution.
xTuple understands how to solve inherent operational issues within the Electrical Distribution marketplace.
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Notable deficiencies in vendor support is well-known problem in distribution software: | http://ow.ly/lnAWJ via @xTuple #ERP
About Kemp Electric Supply
Founded in 1938 to serve the needs of Western Ohio between the cities of Cincinnati and Dayton, the Kemp Electric Supply team is dedicated to providing wholesale electrical supplies and equipment materials to local customers. Earning the trust of customers and suppliers alike has been the cornerstone of Kemp Electric's success, realized by honoring commitments with high quality goods and services.
About xTuple, the world’s #1 open source ERP
Award-winning xTuple, makers of the world’s leading suite of open source accounting, Corporate Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), is supply chain management software for growing businesses to control their operations and profitability. xTuple integrates all critical functional areas in one modular system: sales, financials and operations — including customer and supplier management, inventory control, manufacturing and distribution — the powerful tools to Grow Your World®.
As a commercial open source company, xTuple works with a global community of tens of thousands of professional users. xTuple gives customers the ability to tailor solutions with multi-platform support for Windows, Mac, Linux and mobile as well as flexible licensing and pricing options. Connect with the company at www.xTuple.com, and join the innovation conversation with the open source community at www.xTuple.org.