Leading Plumbing and HVAC distributor gains intelligence to realign their inventory that supports their reputation for high in-stock availability.
TCLogic, a leading provider of inventory intelligence and optimization solutions, announced today that Northeastern Supply, a leader in Plumbing and HVAC distribution, has chosen to implement TCLogic’s ROI+ inventory intelligence and optimization solution, setting the stage for improving their inventory investment return, while maintaining their high service levels.
Northeastern Supply has a dominant presence in the Mid-Atlantic distributing HVAC, plumbing and hardware materials through a network of 31 branches. They maintain an expansive inventory to support a reputation for high in-stock availability and are one of the largest privately-held distributors in the country for their industry.
When Northeastern began searching for a software tool, they looked for a company that would help realign their inventory throughout their network while helping them maintain their critically high service levels. According to Tony Goncalves, Director of Supply Chain for Northeastern, “during our search, it became clear that TCLogic understood how inventory impacts business results. They took the time to understand how we run our business.”
The financial impact of having excess inventory during a recession cannot be understated. “The right combination of inventory can free up available cash, reduce expenses and help businesses be more successful,” indicated Tom Uhrig, president, TCLogic. “Inventory intelligence provides insights that enable companies we work with see reductions in inventory of 10-30%, and increase or maintain their service level above 98% with a return of investment within 6-12 months.”
As a software solution, ROI+ is designed to enhance and supplement existing ERP applications, providing a comprehensive set of tools that build business intelligence and create strategies to improve the performance of inventory, helping businesses make more informed decisions about their inventory and purchasing practices.
During implementation, Northeastern soon discovered these benefits beyond realigning their network. “We were immediately able to make significant reductions to our surplus inventory by redeploying inventory through our network. We used to make decisions based on distribution folklore with little or no data,” comments Goncalves. “That has now all changed; I now have a tool to measure, analyze, and create inventory stocking strategies and support those decisions with inventory intelligence I didn’t have before.”
About TCLogic
Since 1997, TCLogic has helped manufacturers and distributors solve their inventory dilemmas and achieve bottom line results. TCLogic’s solution, ROI+, bridges the gap between corporate strategy and execution. It directly impacts a company’s balance sheet by reducing inventory carrying costs while meeting or exceeding a targeted customer service level. Please visit www.tclogic.com for additional information.
Showing posts with label forecasting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forecasting. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
TCLogic Named a Top 100 Logistics IT Software Provider for 2008
Leading provider of inventory optimization solutions selected by Inbound Logistics Magazine for its annual review of software vendors.
TCLogic, a leading provider of inventory optimization solutions, announced today that it has been named by Inbound Logistics Magazine as a Top 100 Logistics IT Provider for 2008. TCLogic is listed among other best-of-breed and end-to-end solution providers for the supply chain technology market.
“The editorial staff worked long and hard to select 100 technology solution leaders from the 300+ candidate pool,” stated Felecia Stratton, Editor of Inbound Logistics. This is the first year that TCLogic has received this prestigious award.
“This recognition is further testament to the value we provide for our clients,” Tom Uhrig, president of TCLogic. “Especially in a down economy, companies are eager to identify and implement cost reduction opportunities. One of the best opportunities for reducing costs is through the reduction of inventory. We help companies gain a greater return on this valuable asset by providing intelligence about the performance of their inventory. With this intelligence, companies can make smarter decisions about where to invest their inventory dollars that facilitate the reduction of inventory while maintaining critically high service levels.”
TCLogic delivers web-based software solutions for inventory optimization and planning. TCLogic addresses the unique challenge of inventory management in distribution-intensive operations that enable clients to achieve the optimal balance between service level commitments and inventory levels.
About TCLogic
Since 1997, TCLogic has helped manufacturers and distributors solve their inventory dilemmas and achieve bottom line results. TCLogic’s solution, ROI+, bridges the gap between corporate strategy and execution. It directly impacts a company’s balance sheet by reducing inventory carrying costs while meeting or exceeding a targeted customer service level. Please visit www.tclogic.com for additional information.
TCLogic, a leading provider of inventory optimization solutions, announced today that it has been named by Inbound Logistics Magazine as a Top 100 Logistics IT Provider for 2008. TCLogic is listed among other best-of-breed and end-to-end solution providers for the supply chain technology market.
“The editorial staff worked long and hard to select 100 technology solution leaders from the 300+ candidate pool,” stated Felecia Stratton, Editor of Inbound Logistics. This is the first year that TCLogic has received this prestigious award.
“This recognition is further testament to the value we provide for our clients,” Tom Uhrig, president of TCLogic. “Especially in a down economy, companies are eager to identify and implement cost reduction opportunities. One of the best opportunities for reducing costs is through the reduction of inventory. We help companies gain a greater return on this valuable asset by providing intelligence about the performance of their inventory. With this intelligence, companies can make smarter decisions about where to invest their inventory dollars that facilitate the reduction of inventory while maintaining critically high service levels.”
TCLogic delivers web-based software solutions for inventory optimization and planning. TCLogic addresses the unique challenge of inventory management in distribution-intensive operations that enable clients to achieve the optimal balance between service level commitments and inventory levels.
About TCLogic
Since 1997, TCLogic has helped manufacturers and distributors solve their inventory dilemmas and achieve bottom line results. TCLogic’s solution, ROI+, bridges the gap between corporate strategy and execution. It directly impacts a company’s balance sheet by reducing inventory carrying costs while meeting or exceeding a targeted customer service level. Please visit www.tclogic.com for additional information.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Nationwide Distributor Selects TCLogic for Improved Inventory Management and Optimization
TCLogic, a leading provider of inventory optimization solutions, announced today that a nationwide distributor has chosen to implement TCLogic’s ROI+ inventory optimization and management solution, setting the stage for reducing their inventory, while maintaining their current high service levels.
The distributor has an extensive nationwide network that distributes product through modern facilities across the country. They maintain a large inventory investment and are one of the largest distributors in the country for their sector.
When the distributor began searching for a software tool, they looked for a company that would help reduce their inventory while also helping them maintain their already critically high customer service levels. According to the distributor’s project manager, they were most impressed with TCLogic and their staffs’ ability to push through the clutter to get to the heart of their business and work within the current business processes.
As a software solution, ROI+ is designed to enhance and supplement existing ERP applications, providing a comprehensive set of tools that analyze and create strategies to improve the monitoring and reporting functions of current inventory software, helping businesses make more informed and successful decisions about their inventory and purchasing practices.
The cost of doing business continues to increase; having the right stock, at the right time, in the right place and quantity is key to the success of a company’s business and their customers business. “The right combination can free up available cash, reduce expenses and help businesses be more successful,” indicated Tom Uhrig, president, TCLogic. “ROI+ is an ideal solution for companies that have unique and varied distribution networks. Many companies we work with see reductions of inventory by 10-30%, and increase or maintain their service levels to 98.5%+; all with a return of investment in 6-12 months.”
With four distribution centers currently utilizing ROI+, the distributor has plans to broaden implementation to their remaining distribution centers in the Midwest, California, Mexico and Puerto Rico. One of the main concerns for the distributor in implementing an inventory optimization solution was if they didn’t get it right the first time, their staff wouldn’t use the new system. But those concerns were completely put to rest as they worked with TCLogic and their staff during the implementation.
The distributor’s primary goal in implementing ROI+ inventory optimization was increasing inventory turns, but they soon discovered a secondary benefit after implementation. They found that with ROI+, their sales teams and material managers became more in sync with their company inventory needs, providing their sales team with less administrative work and more time to focus on sales.
TCLogic’s customer-centric approach worked well with the distributor, helping to customize the solution to fit the distributors individual needs and requirements. In addition, TCLogic’s staff has been on hand to quickly respond to questions and or issues relating to the software, and how it works with the distributor’s current business practices and rules.
About TCLogic
TCLogic, headquartered in Indianapolis, is a leading provider of solutions for inventory optimization and planning. TCLogic enables distribution intensive clients to achieve an optimal balance between customer service commitments and inventory levels. Since 1997, TCLogic has helped manufacturers and distributors throughout the country solve their inventory dilemmas and achieve bottom line results. For more information, visit www.tclogic.com or call 800.945.4877.
The distributor has an extensive nationwide network that distributes product through modern facilities across the country. They maintain a large inventory investment and are one of the largest distributors in the country for their sector.
When the distributor began searching for a software tool, they looked for a company that would help reduce their inventory while also helping them maintain their already critically high customer service levels. According to the distributor’s project manager, they were most impressed with TCLogic and their staffs’ ability to push through the clutter to get to the heart of their business and work within the current business processes.
As a software solution, ROI+ is designed to enhance and supplement existing ERP applications, providing a comprehensive set of tools that analyze and create strategies to improve the monitoring and reporting functions of current inventory software, helping businesses make more informed and successful decisions about their inventory and purchasing practices.
The cost of doing business continues to increase; having the right stock, at the right time, in the right place and quantity is key to the success of a company’s business and their customers business. “The right combination can free up available cash, reduce expenses and help businesses be more successful,” indicated Tom Uhrig, president, TCLogic. “ROI+ is an ideal solution for companies that have unique and varied distribution networks. Many companies we work with see reductions of inventory by 10-30%, and increase or maintain their service levels to 98.5%+; all with a return of investment in 6-12 months.”
With four distribution centers currently utilizing ROI+, the distributor has plans to broaden implementation to their remaining distribution centers in the Midwest, California, Mexico and Puerto Rico. One of the main concerns for the distributor in implementing an inventory optimization solution was if they didn’t get it right the first time, their staff wouldn’t use the new system. But those concerns were completely put to rest as they worked with TCLogic and their staff during the implementation.
The distributor’s primary goal in implementing ROI+ inventory optimization was increasing inventory turns, but they soon discovered a secondary benefit after implementation. They found that with ROI+, their sales teams and material managers became more in sync with their company inventory needs, providing their sales team with less administrative work and more time to focus on sales.
TCLogic’s customer-centric approach worked well with the distributor, helping to customize the solution to fit the distributors individual needs and requirements. In addition, TCLogic’s staff has been on hand to quickly respond to questions and or issues relating to the software, and how it works with the distributor’s current business practices and rules.
About TCLogic
TCLogic, headquartered in Indianapolis, is a leading provider of solutions for inventory optimization and planning. TCLogic enables distribution intensive clients to achieve an optimal balance between customer service commitments and inventory levels. Since 1997, TCLogic has helped manufacturers and distributors throughout the country solve their inventory dilemmas and achieve bottom line results. For more information, visit www.tclogic.com or call 800.945.4877.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
TCLogic featured in American Fastener Journal
Leading provider of inventory optimization discusses ‘Riding the Waves of Overseas Sourcing’.
TCLogic, a leading provider of inventory optimization solutions, was featured recently in the American Fastener Journal discussing the ‘ups and downs’ of overseas sourcing and how companies can ‘ride these waves’ for improved inventory management and optimization, ultimately coming out on top.
According to the article sourcing products from overseas suppliers can reduce costs. “More companies including those in the fastener industry are turning this direction to lower the costs of goods, reduce the amount of working capital needed to run the business, or simply find an available supplier for their products.”
“There are significant advantages to sourcing material from overseas,” the article explains. “And the rewards of overseas sourcing naturally come with risks. As companies begin navigating the waters of overseas sourcing, they can be successful by knowing what to expect and how to best manage those risks. Risks that include longer and more varied lead times, increased purchasing, changes in customer service levels, variable shipping components, and more.”
So how does a company that is sourcing overseas take into account the increase in variability on factors, including lead-times, higher volumes and stocking strategies, while improving their performance?
Thomas Uhrig, president of TCLogic, an inventory optimization software provider based in Indianapolis, sees the need for companies to improve their inventory management. “As companies deal with increased volumes of overseas products, they must do a better job of managing the rest of their inventory or potentially risk running out of warehouse space or, even worse, draining their lines of credit,” said Uhrig.
“Inventory optimization can be a very effective solution to come up with the right mix,” added Uhrig. “Companies utilizing inventory optimization software solutions are far more capable of maintaining higher service levels for their customers, but doing so without overstocking their locations. And they are much more able to work through the longer and varied lead times and increased volume that comes with sourcing overseas. The results they can see are better business results, especially in markets where their peers are struggling to compete.”
To view the entire article, visit the American Fastener Journal.
About TCLogic
TCLogic, headquartered in Indianapolis, is a leading provider of solutions for inventory optimization and planning. TCLogic enables distribution intensive clients to achieve an optimal balance between customer service commitments and inventory levels. Since 1997, TCLogic has helped manufacturers and distributors throughout the country solve their inventory dilemmas and achieve bottom line results. For more information visit TCLogic or call 800.945.4877.
TCLogic, a leading provider of inventory optimization solutions, was featured recently in the American Fastener Journal discussing the ‘ups and downs’ of overseas sourcing and how companies can ‘ride these waves’ for improved inventory management and optimization, ultimately coming out on top.
According to the article sourcing products from overseas suppliers can reduce costs. “More companies including those in the fastener industry are turning this direction to lower the costs of goods, reduce the amount of working capital needed to run the business, or simply find an available supplier for their products.”
“There are significant advantages to sourcing material from overseas,” the article explains. “And the rewards of overseas sourcing naturally come with risks. As companies begin navigating the waters of overseas sourcing, they can be successful by knowing what to expect and how to best manage those risks. Risks that include longer and more varied lead times, increased purchasing, changes in customer service levels, variable shipping components, and more.”
So how does a company that is sourcing overseas take into account the increase in variability on factors, including lead-times, higher volumes and stocking strategies, while improving their performance?
Thomas Uhrig, president of TCLogic, an inventory optimization software provider based in Indianapolis, sees the need for companies to improve their inventory management. “As companies deal with increased volumes of overseas products, they must do a better job of managing the rest of their inventory or potentially risk running out of warehouse space or, even worse, draining their lines of credit,” said Uhrig.
“Inventory optimization can be a very effective solution to come up with the right mix,” added Uhrig. “Companies utilizing inventory optimization software solutions are far more capable of maintaining higher service levels for their customers, but doing so without overstocking their locations. And they are much more able to work through the longer and varied lead times and increased volume that comes with sourcing overseas. The results they can see are better business results, especially in markets where their peers are struggling to compete.”
To view the entire article, visit the American Fastener Journal.
About TCLogic
TCLogic, headquartered in Indianapolis, is a leading provider of solutions for inventory optimization and planning. TCLogic enables distribution intensive clients to achieve an optimal balance between customer service commitments and inventory levels. Since 1997, TCLogic has helped manufacturers and distributors throughout the country solve their inventory dilemmas and achieve bottom line results. For more information visit TCLogic or call 800.945.4877.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
W.W. Williams Company augments their ERP and identifies savings of 26% in just 6 weeks
WW Williams Company is a distributor for Detroit Diesel Corporation and Allison Transmission. The Company offers the most advanced and innovative diesel engines and automatic transmissions in the market today and operates twenty-five full service customer support centers in eight states.
When you are serving corporate customers in the fast-moving transportation industry, you have to be fast-moving yourself. This is even more true when your business is supplying parts and repair services to corporate vehicles that must get back in service as quickly as possible. In this business environment, time is critical and customer satisfaction is directly linked to how fast you can perform. And when performance depends upon having the correct parts, you need to be certain your internal systems are up to the task. That’s why W.W. Williams wanted to augment their existing ERP system with improved inventory management and optimization.
Filling in the Holes in ERP
Although W.W. Williams has implemented an ERP solution that they are pleased with, there are some key business elements and performance metrics that are missing. In particular, their ERP system tells them when to order but does not satisfactorily set parameters such as safety stock, order points, and line points. Furthermore, they were concerned that they were most likely overstocking fast-moving items.
With this in mind, W.W. Williams decided to implement an inventory optimization solution. With more than $10 million in inventory spread throughout 17 different locations in seven states, finding a tool to help their busy staff was important. “We do not have many Buyers on our staff”, states Wally Williams, Operations Analyst at W.W. Williams. “Many of our Parts Managers act as Buyers, and they do not have a lot of time. That’s why we chose an inventory optimization solution; provides our people with good analytical capabilities.”
Minimal IT Involvement
Because the inventory optimization solution is web-based, it requires only minimal involvement from W.W. Williams IT department. With only a small and very busy IT staff, implementation would have been delayed many months. But with help from TCLogic, data integration and process integration took only three weeks worth of effort spread over one and a half months.
Starting with a Few Selected Items
To begin implementation, W.W. Williams chose three of their mid-west locations. Although there are over 54,000 SKUs in these three locations, only 2,700 items were selected to be optimized. These 2,700 items represented almost one million dollars in On-Hand costs.
The results have been impressive. Within six weeks, a reduction in On-Hand costs from $938,000 to $695,000 was identified, resulting in a $243,000 savings. Inventory turns were projected to increase almost three fold, from 3.5 to 9.
Developing Business Rules and ‘What-if’ Scenarios
One of the great features of inventory optimization is the ability to develop special business rules that can be used to better reflect the company’s business processes. In W.W. Williams case, this included the capability of building special rules to handle engine ‘cores’, where a ‘core’ consists of two cost factors – a cost for the engine block itself and costs for ‘non-core’ items. Demand history in the ERP solution is based on ‘non-core’ items, but the new solution optimizes based upon both costs. Views were also configured within the solution to show all ‘frozen items’ and the reasons they are frozen (‘frozen items’ is a special feature within the ERP system).
W.W. Williams especially likes the ability to perform ‘what-if’ scenarios before they export data back into their ERP system. “In this way, we can see the result that different business assumptions will have on our inventory without impacting our ERP system”, comments Williams. “That’s important because $1 items are just as critical as $500 items. If we’re out of a $1 item, it can hold up a service repair and cost us the same amount of time as a $500 item.”
Improving Service Levels and Establishing Metrics
One of the key parameters that W.W. Williams will be using to establish inventory levels is the targeted service level to their customers. With inventory optimization, they are now certain that they are maintaining the minimal inventory levels to achieve their targeted service levels.
The Company will also utilize inventory optimization to help establish key metrics for monitoring performance. They are beginning to track forecast accuracy, something their current ERP system does not do. They will also institute metrics on item availability and plan on using ROI+ to monitor vendor performance over time.
To inquire more about inventory optimization, please contact TCLogic
When you are serving corporate customers in the fast-moving transportation industry, you have to be fast-moving yourself. This is even more true when your business is supplying parts and repair services to corporate vehicles that must get back in service as quickly as possible. In this business environment, time is critical and customer satisfaction is directly linked to how fast you can perform. And when performance depends upon having the correct parts, you need to be certain your internal systems are up to the task. That’s why W.W. Williams wanted to augment their existing ERP system with improved inventory management and optimization.
Filling in the Holes in ERP
Although W.W. Williams has implemented an ERP solution that they are pleased with, there are some key business elements and performance metrics that are missing. In particular, their ERP system tells them when to order but does not satisfactorily set parameters such as safety stock, order points, and line points. Furthermore, they were concerned that they were most likely overstocking fast-moving items.
With this in mind, W.W. Williams decided to implement an inventory optimization solution. With more than $10 million in inventory spread throughout 17 different locations in seven states, finding a tool to help their busy staff was important. “We do not have many Buyers on our staff”, states Wally Williams, Operations Analyst at W.W. Williams. “Many of our Parts Managers act as Buyers, and they do not have a lot of time. That’s why we chose an inventory optimization solution; provides our people with good analytical capabilities.”
Minimal IT Involvement
Because the inventory optimization solution is web-based, it requires only minimal involvement from W.W. Williams IT department. With only a small and very busy IT staff, implementation would have been delayed many months. But with help from TCLogic, data integration and process integration took only three weeks worth of effort spread over one and a half months.
Starting with a Few Selected Items
To begin implementation, W.W. Williams chose three of their mid-west locations. Although there are over 54,000 SKUs in these three locations, only 2,700 items were selected to be optimized. These 2,700 items represented almost one million dollars in On-Hand costs.
The results have been impressive. Within six weeks, a reduction in On-Hand costs from $938,000 to $695,000 was identified, resulting in a $243,000 savings. Inventory turns were projected to increase almost three fold, from 3.5 to 9.
Developing Business Rules and ‘What-if’ Scenarios
One of the great features of inventory optimization is the ability to develop special business rules that can be used to better reflect the company’s business processes. In W.W. Williams case, this included the capability of building special rules to handle engine ‘cores’, where a ‘core’ consists of two cost factors – a cost for the engine block itself and costs for ‘non-core’ items. Demand history in the ERP solution is based on ‘non-core’ items, but the new solution optimizes based upon both costs. Views were also configured within the solution to show all ‘frozen items’ and the reasons they are frozen (‘frozen items’ is a special feature within the ERP system).
W.W. Williams especially likes the ability to perform ‘what-if’ scenarios before they export data back into their ERP system. “In this way, we can see the result that different business assumptions will have on our inventory without impacting our ERP system”, comments Williams. “That’s important because $1 items are just as critical as $500 items. If we’re out of a $1 item, it can hold up a service repair and cost us the same amount of time as a $500 item.”
Improving Service Levels and Establishing Metrics
One of the key parameters that W.W. Williams will be using to establish inventory levels is the targeted service level to their customers. With inventory optimization, they are now certain that they are maintaining the minimal inventory levels to achieve their targeted service levels.
The Company will also utilize inventory optimization to help establish key metrics for monitoring performance. They are beginning to track forecast accuracy, something their current ERP system does not do. They will also institute metrics on item availability and plan on using ROI+ to monitor vendor performance over time.
To inquire more about inventory optimization, please contact TCLogic
WANT TO SURPRISE YOUR CUSTOMERS WITH UNBELIEVABLE SERVICE?
Knowing what to stock, when, and how much in order to meet customer requirements is difficult to determine with a large population of SKU's. Adding the variability of demand, supplier lead times, financial constraints, business objectives, vendor requirements, etc, across thousands of SKU's, creates a nightmare for inventory planning. So how do best-in-class organizations effectively manage one of their largest assets and provide high service levels? The answer can be provided through inventory optimization. This online educational breifing will introduce how incorporating inventory optimization can provide inventory intelligence that reduces the investment in inventory while achieving best-in-class service levels.
Click here to send an email to receive the link for this pre-recorded breifing.
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