General distributors | News

bisTrack 2: the next generation

Progressive Solutions' bisTrack 2 software now features no less than 300 enhancements.

Among the new standard enhancements, the Smart View function lets users tailor standard views themselves to make them more relevant to their role. For example, a sales representative might only be interested in seeing just his or her customers.

The 'Dashboard' is what managers and business owners say is their favourite feature of the system as it gives a snapshot view of how the business is performing.

Now, a new Dashboard Designer has been incorporated which means managers can set up their own dashboard to show whatever key performance indicators they want.

bisTrack also now links seamlessly with GPS embedded into individual vehicles so a sales team can pinpoint the actual location of a vehicle carrying a customer's order and advise accurate delivery times.

bisTrack integrates chip and pin handling for credit cards, too. It works by piggy backing on the existing network and eliminates the need for the dedicated phone lines required by PDQ machines.

Progressive Solutions' general manager, Robert Collins, acknowledges that some suppliers, particularly buying societies were offering financial incentives to merchants able to place orders through EDI and that its purpose should be to take costs out of your business.

Another optional module is Web Track, which can be used either as an online trading device or simply as an area where account customers can check prices or the status of their account.

A show of hands at the recent bisTrack 2 series of launch events for existing users and prospects indicated that around two-thirds of merchants attending had websites, but only 5% offered customers the facility to trade online.

According to Arthur Duffy, Progressive's sales director, merchants not offering an online trading service are missing out as Progressive's customers already doing so report the increased turnover is "surpassing expectations".

The bisTrack Mobile module enables representatives or remote workers to make decisions off-site, as it gives them access to real time bisTrack data through smart phones.

Data Warehouse is a module which collects data from every transaction performed in bisTrack for in-depth reporting and business analysis. The data is stored on a separate server to isolate the reporting function and prevent any impact on operational performance.

Speaking at the bisTrack 2 launch events, Arthur Duffy said that although software is just a tool, if used with the right mindset, it can help merchants tackle important business challenges such as maximising stock value, optimising yard and warehouse operations, streamlining order fulfilment and providing the insight for profitable growth.

Progressive Solutions was founded in Canada in 1989 to create software for the forest products industry.The UK division, based in Runcorn, Cheshire, was established in 2002 and has become a leading supplier of modern Windows-based software to building industry suppliers.In addition to builders' and timber merchants, the company's customer base has expanded to include electrical wholesalers, steel stockholders, horticultural suppliers and engineering distributors.

© 2008, reproduced courtesy of Builders' Merchants News.