Barlow & Sons (Hermitage) Ltd, choose K8 SBE

Barlow & Sons is a traditional, family run business supplying a range of timber materials. They started trading in 1867 in Shute Hill, Hermitage, Berkshire and continues today, both here, and in a second branch in Oxford, (Blenheim Palace Sawmills).

Changing Software Systems

It was becoming increasingly clear the current IT system was failing to support the needs of the business. As Peter explains, “We had outgrown our system and had got to the stage where we could not move the business further forward without a new solution”. Peter continues, “The system we had, held minimal customer information and we were constantly in danger of system overload and downtime due to system crashes, losing valuable data. We needed to become; more efficient, faster, and more productive. We therefore clearly needed to evaluate the situation”. With this in mind, Peter asked his accountants to look into other potential IT suppliers.

K8 SBE – The right choice

Six systems were evaluated before Peter short-listed three potential partners, where further detailed reviews were conducted. Peter explained, “From the three short-listed suppliers, *Kerridge Commercial Systems stood out. They seemed to understand our business requirements and listened to the issues at hand. Ultimately they offered the best resolution. Our questions were answered straight away. *Kerridge Commercial Systems showed empathy and understanding and really fitted in with our way of working”. K8 SBE has been specifically designed to meet the needs of small to medium sized businesses. It was, therefore, a particularly good fit for Barlow’s twobranch, twelve employee operation. This is now running a ten user K8 SBE integrated system license. Optional features and future upgrades are available to enhance the system as and when Barlow & Sons need them. Peter explains, “Choosing K8 SBE was definitely a good business move. Customer service is paramount to us. K8 enables us to spend more time reviewing our business requirements and processes, to concentrate on how we can improve our business to the benefit of our Customers”. Peter added, “the training was all set up and completed by our staff with no major problems and under the budgeted time agreed. Any queries were resolved quickly, creating confidence within the team”

K8 SBE - the immediate benefits to Barlows

K8 SBE allows both branches to see, and order, from each sites’ available stock, with the option of delivering to the ordering branch, or directly to the customer. Peter has been very impressed with the K8 SBE trading system - “it’s brilliant, being able to have instant access to information is worth so much to us. For example, generating suggested purchase orders automatically has saved us so much time. The stock control module is very efficient. Interbranch trading has made a big difference to both branches saving time and increasing customer service levels, whilst maintaining optimal stock levels”. Another early benefit was derived from the various pricing options available in K8 SBE. Barlows immediately employed the flexible customer pricing module. Peter explains, “Our previous discount system could only be fixed at one figure across the board. K8 SBE can be altered for different product ranges, to meet with our customers specific needs, this has had a positive effect on our margins”. The OMR (Order Margin Review) feature, within K8 SBE, shows held orders awaiting price or margin approval before being released for invoicing. Getting this right before invoicing ensures correct prices are used, protects margins and avoids costly mistakes and the production of credit notes to correct errors. Peter explains, “The OMR module works very well. This picks up on zero or below margin costs immediately, again increasing our margins overall”. Peter continues, “The system’s ability to accept the import of supplier’s price lists has saved a significant amount of time. Price increase dates can be entered, conveniently, ahead of time, but only take effect on the due date”. Peter added, “The on-line support has been fantastic too. The process *Kerridge Commercial Systems has in place for call logging and prioritising calls has meant we have never been left waiting or wanting”.

The future

*Kerridge Commercial Systems advised Barlows to implement K8 SBE as simply as possible, allowing staff to ease into the new IT environment with as little disruption as possible. *Kerridge Commercial Systems will help Barlows monitor the use of features and functionality to reflect future business demands and get the most from K8 SBE.

Now that staff at Barlows are up and running on the SBE system, Peter is looking to implement an e-commerce strategy, taking the business to a new level. Peter explains, “It’s important to keep up with customer demand, and on-line sales is an important route to market today”.

Kerridge Commercial Systems

Kerridge Commercial Systems’ K8 SBE (K8 Small Business Edition) has been specifically designed to meet the needs of small to medium sized businesses. K8 SBE is Kerridge Commercial Systems' software solution for distributors, wholesalers, merchants and retailers, and is the culmination of over 30 years experience. K8 SBE can help you enhance business agility, streamline activities and create an efficient working environment, so you can focus on your core business priorities.

• reduce costs
• increase margins
• greater control
• maximise productivity
• improve efficiency
• increase revenues