General Business Consultants, Inc.                                        

MAKING "SYSTEMS"-USE  and OPERATIONS  MORE-PROFITABLE  

For Distributors, WHOLESALERS, Manufacturers  847 256-1410

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System Selection, Contract Negotiation, and Installation

    A large distributor of paper, packaging and janitorial/sanitary supplies wanted to get a new ERP computer system that supported such functions as integrated FAXing, e-Commerce, and warehouse management. But, the principals didn't know what features  to look for and which systems to examine. We helped them get the most cost-effective system for their specific needs. We sent them a checklist of potential features applicable to that industry; discussed their answers to the checklist; created a needs-definition; researched available systems and identified possible suitable ones; sent vendors the needs-definition and evaluated vendors responses; conducted scripted demos; modified the selected  vendor's contract by adding specific performance guarantees, and negotiated it; monitored installation. 

    We did the same for a small distributor of paper, packaging and janitorial/ sanitary supplies.

    A two-plant contract metal stamper was examining three MRP systems, but didn't know how to select the most cost-effective one or how they were going to install the system -- none of the managers had the knowledge or time to do it. We thoroughly evaluated the candidates, and made the recommendation based on cost and intangible yet critical factors. And we amended and negotiated the contract with the system vendor. Then we actively participated in the installation: organizing installation teams; examining procedures and controls, and defining changes needed to accommodate the system; monitoring software modifications; determining the configuration for a shop floor data collection system; developing a plan to implement JIT principles.

    The president of a 25+ location distributor of plumbing, A/C and electrical supplies wanted to replace the old, batch-processing system, but didn't know whether to get one computer for the entire company, or one computer at each location. We conducted a feasibility/justification study, and recommended the arrangement to use. Then we sent them a checklist of potential features applicable to their industry; discussed their answers to the checklist; created a needs-definition; researched available systems and identified possible suitable ones; sent vendors the needs-definition and evaluated vendors responses; conducted scripted demos; modified the selected  vendor's contract and negotiated it; monitored installation.

    A multi-location Mexican distributor of paper and converter of paper into retail packs wanted to replace its ERP system, but wasn't sure if there was anything in Mexico that would meet their needs. We conducted a study that identified several potentially suitable systems.

   A multi-location distributor of wood and engineered materials wanted to interface a 3rd-party WMS to its ERP, but was concerned that an interface  would violate its contract. We studied the contract, and provided guidance on the propriety of the interface (which was made).