On the right track

Progressive Solutions' bisTrack software is helping timber merchants and importers realise significant benefits in their businesses.

Microsoft Windows-based ‘bisTrack’, developed by Progressive Solutions, is a highly versatile business management system which offers far reaching functionality to all types and sizes of timber companies. Now with more than 50 user companies in the UK, the software has delivered specific commercial benefits to each of the three users described below, as well as the speed and accuracy enjoyed by bisTrack users throughout the UK and beyond.

Timber importer Robert Blumsom has seen margin increase since implementing bisTrackFor example, C Blumsom Ltd, one of the largest timber importers in London, is enjoying a 2% rise in margin since the implementation of bisTrack software earlier this year. BisTrack manages sales order processing and stock control as well as purchasing – including importing, transport and works orders for manufacturing. The most important benefit however, according to managing director, Robert Blumsom, is the improved margin control. He believes the 2% increase is down to bisTrack keeping staff aware of cost prices and alerting them if they’re selling below the required margin. He explains, “Staff could have worked margins out before, but now they have the figures right in front of them and so they’re much more aware of the profit they are making.” Robert believes this has led to greater responsibility for earning the best possible margin by staff and at the same time has improved accuracy throughout the sales department.

Howarth Timber (Importers) installed bisTrack earlier this year at its 75-acre site on the southern banks of the river Humber, where over 340,000m² of timber arrives each year. Howarth’s project leader, Wayne Abrams, said, “An immediate benefit was increased efficiency – and therefore time saving – across every department. The reporting capabilities of bisTrack are impressive and really help the sales department answer day to day enquiries from customers accurately and immediately. It gives them instant access to information about purchasing volumes and when timber is due to come in. They can also check up on what goods are being processed but not available yet. A typical order might be for say, 40 packs of machined goods, and they can instantly check up on milling schedules. Another big change for us was to get our purchasing computerised. Now we have a lot more information at our finger tips from a whole raft of new reports bisTrack give us – which we used to have to put together manually.”

Timber tallies are fully supported throughout the software, as is the ability to handle timber in packs which was especially important to Howarths. Also important was the ability of bisTrack to handle timber being further processed, since such large volumes are involved. Works orders and production schedules are in place to handle these volumes, and tables behind the scenes automatically increase the value of the product dependent on the processes involved. bisTrack at work on Victoria Sawmill's trade counter

At Victoria Sawmills, a two-branch Devon timber merchant, bisTrack has reduced debtor days by 50% – as well as giving them far greater control over their business. The software initially impressed Victoria’s team by its potential for integration with other business software – and the fact it had been developed by a company that obviously understood the complexities of buying and selling timber.

Following implementation, the staff had no difficulty getting used to the new system. “It’s user friendly and intuitive”, said manager, Martyn Hill, “and when we did encounter any problems, we just called the PSI support team, they were always there and they always answered our problems.”

Key benefits since bisTrack was installed include the instant reporting the company wanted. Using the old system, a stock valuation report took nearly two hours to produce. With bisTrack the same report can be produced in four minutes. The report can then be manipulated, negative stocks pulled out for example, and be presented in any way Mr Hill wants. Sage Line 50 was integrated with bisTrack from the start and is automatically synchronised with the software.

The team has found that cashing up and other daily routines can be completed much faster than before, credit control is easier and the reduction of debtor days from 70 to 45 has been a real tangible benefit to the business. “This has happened simply because the information is right there in front of us all the time,” explained Mr Hill.

Progressive Solutions holds regular seminars around the country where bisTrack is demonstrated to anyone considering new software for their business. For details of dates and venues, please call Progressive Solutions on 01928 592200.

© 2006. Kindly reproduced courtesy of Timber Trades Journal.

Testimonials

  • "It was obvious the company was being held back by the limitations of the old system."

    Operations Director, CF Anderson

  • "Performance across the system is continuously enhanced too. Since our last release, finding products is now significantly faster ...by up to 30%."

    Gary Brookshaw, Product Director, Progressive Solutions

  • "We chose bisTrack because we needed to move on to the next generation of software."

    Stephen Fairbairn, MD, Henry Alty

  • "The people at Progressive Solutions are likeable, straight-talking individuals who have a commitment to continuously develop and push the software forward."

    Joe Tipper, Walter Tippers Ltd

  • "We spent a long time evaluating several systems and I'm confident that bisTrack is the best available."

    Andrew Laver, Arnold Laver Timberworld

  • "We have a responsibility to the environment. That’s why we’re trying to lower our carbon footprint. We introduced e-commerce, cut down on paper receipts & are introducing electronic billing for customers."

    Director, building materials supplier

  • "It was obvious the company was being held back by the limitations of the old system."

    Operations Director, CF Anderson

  • "bisTrack is an excellent piece of software and getting better. Their approach to meeting our needs is excellent. eBusiness is not going to be big for another 12 months but PSI are there already, which means we’re ahead. They're very open to ideas and keep getting better at turnaround."

    Adam Myers, Beesley & Fildes

  • "bisTrack is an excellent piece of software and getting better. Their approach to meeting our needs is excellent. eBusiness is not going to be big for another 12 months but PSI are there already, which means we’re ahead. They're very open to ideas and keep getting better at turnaround."

    Adam Myers, Beesley & Fildes

  • "One reason we chose Progressive was because their team was so approachable. It wasn’t just because the software was better. We really felt we could work with them.”

    Director, Ridgeons

  • "We helped ourselves by getting bisTrack on board quickly and painlessly while business was slow, so we won't have disruption as we start to implement a very aggressive three year strategic plan."

    Neil Fuller, Managing Director, Alsford Timber

  • "We improved net margin by 3% within 6 weeks of going live on bisTrack."

    Payne Timber

  • "I can export information into Excel by right-clicking and manipulate it to my heart's content."

  • “There are other systems of course, but none have had the development time that’s behind bisTrack. I can’t believe there’s a better system out there. I’m convinced there’s nothing that can deliver better what we need.”

    Peter Buttle, md, Buttle plc

  • “There are other systems of course, but none have had the development time that’s behind bisTrack. I can’t believe there’s a better system out there. I’m convinced there’s nothing that can deliver better what we need.”

    Peter Buttle, md, Buttle plc

  • "The people at Progressive Solutions are likeable, straight-talking individuals who have a commitment to continuously develop and push the software forward."

    Joe Tipper, Walter Tippers Ltd

  • "The time was right for a change of software at Alsford's and we selected bisTrack from a shortlist of three. The key criteria was 'business fit'. We wanted a Microsoft Windows, intuitive solution which would best serve our claim to be 'The Timber Experts' in all our 20 branches."

    Neil Fuller, MD, Alsford Timber

  • "We have a responsibility to the environment. That’s why we’re trying to lower our carbon footprint. We introduced e-commerce, cut down on paper receipts & are introducing electronic billing for customers."

    Director, building materials supplier

  • "One reason we chose Progressive was because their team was so approachable. It wasn’t just because the software was better. We really felt we could work with them.”

    Director, Ridgeons

  • "One reason we chose Progressive was because their team was so approachable. It wasn’t just because the software was better. We really felt we could work with them.”

    Director, Ridgeons

  • "Once we started building up information we could trust, we started seeing real benefits. If stock accuracy was the main benefit, then quality of management information was next."

    Peter Kerr, FD, Palmer Timber

  • "Our staff have margin figures right in front of them now, so they're much more aware of the profit they are making."

    Robert Blumsom, Blumsom Fine Timber

  • “A member of our buying group told us about bisTrack, although we looked at four or five other software packages. Key factors in the eventual selection of bisTrack were its SQL platform and our confidence in the people we dealt with.”

    Gordon Rothwell, James Hargreaves (Plumbers Merch)

  • "We looked at several systems, but most of them were using the same out-of-date technology as the system we were replacing!"

    Rodney Scoles, Director, T Brewer & Co

  • "Implementation was achieved with absolutely no disruption to day-to-day trading. It was a joy! I'm working proactively with the system and having bisTrack doing much of our admin for us."

    Scott Anderson, FD, Woodbridge Timber

  • "The time was right for a change of software at Alsford's and we selected bisTrack from a shortlist of three. The key criteria was 'business fit'. We wanted a Microsoft Windows, intuitive solution which would best serve our claim to be 'The Timber Experts' in all our 20 branches."

    Neil Fuller, MD, Alsford Timber

  • "I can drop-down and drill into any business information easily, which enables me to analyse a situation very quickly. It gives me complete control."

    Mark Congdon, Financial Director, Noyeks Newmans

  • "Stock counting is one of the best facilities in bisTrack ever. Stock counting across multiple locations is effortless with multiple entries of the same product. Entering a count is even easier. Counting 10,000 lines used to take two of us 4 days. This time it was 8 hours."

  • "The time was right for a change of software at Alsford's and we selected bisTrack from a shortlist of three. The key criteria was 'business fit'. We wanted a Microsoft Windows, intuitive solution which would best serve our claim to be 'The Timber Experts' in all our 20 branches."

    Neil Fuller, MD, Alsford Timber

  • What will YOU do with your week off?

    "With the time saved we've carried out branch refurbishments and I've taken my first holiday!"

    John Cavanagh, MD, Cavanagh Timber

  • "It's a very nicely laid out system with easy to follow structural menus and taskpads which, even if I haven't used a particular function before, I find relatively simple to complete."

    Chris Pratt, Pratts Timber and Builders Merchants Ltd

  • "I can drop-down and drill into any business information easily, which enables me to analyse a situation very quickly. It gives me complete control."

    Mark Congdon, Financial Director, Noyeks Newmans

  • "If we hadn't changed to bisTrack we simply couldn't have grown like this."

    Nigel Williams, Chairman, Premier Forest Products

  • "Inventory accuracy is higher because everyone is more focused and our staff can see the benefit of getting it right."

    Ian Murchie, Operations Director, Howie Forest Products

  • "The time was right for a change of software at Alsford's and we selected bisTrack from a shortlist of three. The key criteria was 'business fit'. We wanted a Microsoft Windows, intuitive solution which would best serve our claim to be 'The Timber Experts' in all our 20 branches."

    Neil Fuller, MD, Alsford Timber

  • "Inventory accuracy is higher because everyone is more focused and our staff can see the benefit of getting it right."

    Ian Murchie, Operations Director, Howie Forest Products

  • "The people at Progressive Solutions are likeable, straight-talking individuals who have a commitment to continuously develop and push the software forward."

    Joe Tipper, Walter Tippers Ltd

  • "There’s no doubt that bisTrack is a good tool. We’ve a fantastic record for growth and we’re getting a lot out of bisTrack now, particularly over the control of our business."

    Mike MacLellan, MD, GPH Builders Merchant

  • "Good customer service is easier to achieve with good IT to back up our staff. bisTrack gives provides an efficient system for dealing with customers. Good management tools enable us to concentrate our efforts in the right direction."

    David Dunmow, Group FD, James Latham plc

  • "We chose bisTrack because we needed to move on to the next generation of software."

    Stephen Fairbairn, MD, Henry Alty

  • “A member of our buying group told us about bisTrack, although we looked at four or five other software packages. Key factors in the eventual selection of bisTrack were its SQL platform and our confidence in the people we dealt with.”

    Gordon Rothwell, James Hargreaves (Plumbers Merch)

  • "We looked at several systems, but most of them were using the same out-of-date technology as the system we were replacing!"

    Rodney Scoles, Director, T Brewer & Co

  • "We helped ourselves by getting bisTrack on board quickly and painlessly while business was slow, so we won't have disruption as we start to implement a very aggressive three year strategic plan."

    Neil Fuller, Managing Director, Alsford Timber

  • "Our relationship with PSI has been transformed this year. This is due almost entirely to having an Account Manager as a single point of contact, who knows our system and our business."

    Eric Jones, IT Manager, Alsford Timber

  • "bisTrack is an excellent piece of software and getting better. Their approach to meeting our needs is excellent. eBusiness is not going to be big for another 12 months but PSI are there already, which means we’re ahead. They're very open to ideas and keep getting better at turnaround."

    Adam Myers, Beesley & Fildes

  • "We improved net margin by 3% within 6 weeks of going live on bisTrack."

    Payne Timber

  • "Stock counting is one of the best facilities in bisTrack ever. Stock counting across multiple locations is effortless with multiple entries of the same product. Entering a count is even easier. Counting 10,000 lines used to take two of us 4 days. This time it was 8 hours."

  • “Hargeaves are ideally placed to take advantage of the offer – whilst we plan to continue using e-Xact to update our product file we also want much better control over special product sales and purchases."

    Gordon Rothwell, James Hargreaves MD

  • "I was working with 2.7 in our test environment and looking at all the work you have done. Just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate all you do to make this a great technology partnership."

    Brian King, Lumber USA

  • "We were drowning in paper and, as a business turning over £2.2 million, the time had come for us to invest in business management software."

    David Biddle, MD, Huntingdon Timber & Roofing

  • "Good customer service is easier to achieve with good IT to back up our staff. bisTrack gives provides an efficient system for dealing with customers. Good management tools enable us to concentrate our efforts in the right direction."

    David Dunmow, Group FD, James Latham plc

  • "It was obvious the company was being held back by the limitations of the old system."

    Operations Director, CF Anderson

  • "Once we started building up information we could trust, we started seeing real benefits. If stock accuracy was the main benefit, then quality of management information was next."

    Peter Kerr, FD, Palmer Timber

  • "Implementation was achieved with absolutely no disruption to day-to-day trading. It was a joy! I'm working proactively with the system and having bisTrack doing much of our admin for us."

    Scott Anderson, FD, Woodbridge Timber

  • What will YOU do with your week off?

    "With the time saved we've carried out branch refurbishments and I've taken my first holiday!"

    John Cavanagh, MD, Cavanagh Timber

  • "With bisTrack we now have real-time information on our profitability, which allows us to continually optimise and make decisions on our business plan."

    Stuart Hall, General Manager, Lawcris Panel Products

  • "Inventory accuracy is higher because everyone is more focused and our staff can see the benefit of getting it right."

    Ian Murchie, Operations Director, Howie Forest Products

  • "One reason we chose Progressive was because their team was so approachable. It wasn’t just because the software was better. We really felt we could work with them.”

    Director, Ridgeons

  • "It's a very nicely laid out system with easy to follow structural menus and taskpads which, even if I haven't used a particular function before, I find relatively simple to complete."

    Chris Pratt, Pratts Timber and Builders Merchants Ltd

  • "With bisTrack we now have real-time information on our profitability, which allows us to continually optimise and make decisions on our business plan."

    Stuart Hall, General Manager, Lawcris Panel Products

  • "We looked at several systems, but most of them were using the same out-of-date technology as the system we were replacing!"

    Rodney Scoles, Director, T Brewer & Co

  • "bisTrack was a big investment for us but it's the best change we've ever made. We've grown so much over the last four or five years, we simply couldn't have carried on using a manual system."

    Gerwyn Thomas, partner, TL Thomas (builders' merchant)

  • "We spent a long time evaluating several systems and I'm confident that bisTrack is the best available."

    Andrew Laver, Arnold Laver Timberworld

  • "Our staff have margin figures right in front of them now, so they're much more aware of the profit they are making."

    Robert Blumsom, Blumsom Fine Timber

  • "Our relationship with PSI has been transformed this year. This is due almost entirely to having an Account Manager as a single point of contact, who knows our system and our business."

    Eric Jones, IT Manager, Alsford Timber

  • "Stock counting is one of the best facilities in bisTrack ever. Stock counting across multiple locations is effortless with multiple entries of the same product. Entering a count is even easier. Counting 10,000 lines used to take two of us 4 days. This time it was 8 hours."

  • "We have a responsibility to the environment. That’s why we’re trying to lower our carbon footprint. We introduced e-commerce, cut down on paper receipts & are introducing electronic billing for customers."

    Director, building materials supplier

  • "I can drop-down and drill into any business information easily, which enables me to analyse a situation very quickly. It gives me complete control."

    Mark Congdon, Financial Director, Noyeks Newmans

  • "We saw benefits straight away, particularly with the time we saved on monthly stock takes and sourcing information for management reports."

    Nigel Williams, Chairman, Premier Forest Products

  • "We saw benefits straight away, particularly with the time we saved on monthly stock takes and sourcing information for management reports."

    Nigel Williams, Chairman, Premier Forest Products

  • “Hargeaves are ideally placed to take advantage of the offer – whilst we plan to continue using e-Xact to update our product file we also want much better control over special product sales and purchases."

    Gordon Rothwell, James Hargreaves MD

  • "We were drowning in paper and, as a business turning over £2.2 million, the time had come for us to invest in business management software."

    David Biddle, MD, Huntingdon Timber & Roofing

  • "I can export information into Excel by right-clicking and manipulate it to my heart's content."

  • "I was working with 2.7 in our test environment and looking at all the work you have done. Just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate all you do to make this a great technology partnership."

    Brian King, Lumber USA

  • "Our computer system impacts on every aspect of the business. Buying, selling, importing, transport planning, as well as accounts. If you install the wrong software, without the right level of performance or functionality, it will cause significant problems throughout your business."

  • "There’s no doubt that bisTrack is a good tool. We’ve a fantastic record for growth and we’re getting a lot out of bisTrack now, particularly over the control of our business."

    Mike MacLellan, MD, GPH Builders Merchant

  • "We chose bisTrack because we needed to move on to the next generation of software."

    Stephen Fairbairn, MD, Henry Alty

  • "We improved net margin by 3% within 6 weeks of going live on bisTrack."

    Payne Timber

  • "If we hadn't changed to bisTrack we simply couldn't have grown like this."

    Nigel Williams, Chairman, Premier Forest Products

  • What will YOU do with your week off?

    "With the time saved we've carried out branch refurbishments and I've taken my first holiday!"

    John Cavanagh, MD, Cavanagh Timber

  • "Our computer system impacts on every aspect of the business. Buying, selling, importing, transport planning, as well as accounts. If you install the wrong software, without the right level of performance or functionality, it will cause significant problems throughout your business."

  • "Stock counting is one of the best facilities in bisTrack ever. Stock counting across multiple locations is effortless with multiple entries of the same product. Entering a count is even easier. Counting 10,000 lines used to take two of us 4 days. This time it was 8 hours."

  • "Good customer service is easier to achieve with good IT to back up our staff. bisTrack gives provides an efficient system for dealing with customers. Good management tools enable us to concentrate our efforts in the right direction."

    David Dunmow, Group FD, James Latham plc

  • "Our real differential is not in software features, it's in our relationships with customers. How we work with them and how we can make an effective difference. You need the staff and the expertise to be able to do that."

    Arthur Duffy, managing director, Progressive Solutions

  • "bisTrack was a big investment for us but it's the best change we've ever made. We've grown so much over the last four or five years, we simply couldn't have carried on using a manual system."

    Gerwyn Thomas, partner, TL Thomas (builders' merchant)

  • "The people at Progressive Solutions are likeable, straight-talking individuals who have a commitment to continuously develop and push the software forward."

    Joe Tipper, Walter Tippers Ltd

  • "The great thing is we can always export information to Excel and produce any report we need — such as aged debt by sales rep, or a bespoke exposure report, which assesses potential credit risk & protects us."

    Damien Cosgrove, Credit Control Mgr, Noyeks Newmans

  • "Our relationship with PSI has been transformed this year. This is due almost entirely to having an Account Manager as a single point of contact, who knows our system and our business."

    Eric Jones, IT Manager, Alsford Timber

  • "Performance across the system is continuously enhanced too. Since our last release, finding products is now significantly faster ...by up to 30%."

    Gary Brookshaw, Product Director, Progressive Solutions

  • "To stand out from the crowd, you need great customer service. Really great customer service."

    Progressive Solutions' guest blog, Builders Merchants Journal

  • What will YOU do with your week off?

    "With the time saved we've carried out branch refurbishments and I've taken my first holiday!"

    John Cavanagh, MD, Cavanagh Timber

  • "I'm convinced there's no other system that can deliver better what we need. Apart from its Windows architecture and its powerful functionality, it now has ten years of development behind it."

    Peter Buttle, Buttle plc

bistrack Customer Portal | Progressive Solutions UK

Newsletter