Effective IT solutions are required to remain profitable and competitive in the hardware and building supply industry, especially in the current economic climate, says IQ Retail.
Chris Steyn, a director at Stellenbosch-based IQ Retail, explains that finding the right IT system requires careful planning. “Firstly, you have to draw up a needs analysis to make sure you are getting what you want and not what someone is trying to sell you. A system that would give you a 95% fit right now might only give you a 40% fit in two years' time, when you open that second, third or fourth branch.”
He adds that an integrated system should be considered, as it will cut the time and cost of transferring data from one system to another. “You might need to look at integrating point-of-sale, inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable, custom ordering, ledger, and everything in between.
“Your reporting is now simplified due to the fact that all data comes from a central database and is available to the user immediately and accurately,” says Steyn.
Steyn says that over and above marketing campaigns, having the right attitude can increase sales. He explains that if a sales department has all the information instantly available, the sales team will have the confidence to sell.
“Do they have the clients' information, client sales history, stock item details, stock item history, purchase prices available on the same screen or by the push of a single button, or are they jumping from screen to screen to get the information?”
Lastly, Steyn adds that an IT system will help a business save, optimise stock holding and prevent losses.
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