Case Studies Selector


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Summary
Name :
Wairua Paints
Business :
Distributor of high performance paint
Reps :
3
Comms :
Cradle
Financials :
MYOB / Aurora One
Device
Symbol SPT-1800
Business Situation
Wairau paints required a system that would allow their three van salespeople to improve their efficiency and lift customer satisfaction. They also required a stock taking solution for their mobile vans and their retail store.
Solution
The van salespeople use SalesLink software on Symbol SPT 1800’s utilising HP 450 printers in their vans. At base a Symbol SPT 1800 utilising bar code scanning and StockLink Mobile software links to Aurora accounting software.
Return on Investment
For StockLink Mobile we estimate an 8 month payback. For SalesLink Mobile, it’s too early to call – their implementation was in December 2004 – Wairau have already identified tangible benefits in reducing paper, reducing errors and saving time both on the road and in the office
Introduction

Wairau Paint Centre Limited are a retail and trade business formed in 1993. They are High Performance Coating Suppliers to the Automotive, Marine, Industrial, Wood Finish and Decorative painting industries.

Company Background
They supply over 3,000 stock lines to over 300 customers, covering abrasives, adhesives, painters equipment and supplies, panel beaters supplies and spray painting equipment. Wairau Paint Centre have three fully stocked vans on the road as well as a retail store. They carry out monthly van stock takes as well as twice yearly retail stock takes. In addition to purchasing SalesLink Mobile for their three van salespeople, Wairau also purchased one StockLink Mobile solution.

Business Operation

StockLink Mobile software running on a Symbol SPT–1800 (which has a built in bar code scanner) connects via StockLink Host Software to Wairau Paint’s Aurora Accounting Software.
Wairau Paint’s I.T. Manager, David Stedman was positive on the implementation of both SalesLink Mobile and StockLink Mobile. “there was nothing major ….it went bloody easy. I was quite impressed. There’s been minimal investment and we’re seeing a number of improvements already. Our office person has had a whole day a week freed up.

 Stock accuracy, pricing and discounting are all areas we’ve improved on. Just before Christmas we had a power cut for a whole day – we would have lost thousands of dollars in sales in the shop – however we used the handhelds (Symbols) and used the HP printers so we were able to keep selling and provide customers a printout of what they’d purchased."


David Stedman said that the van stocktakes took 3 hrs each – they now take half an hour. The retail store previously took a full day – it now takes half a day. If we assumed a labour cost of $15 per hour, Wairau is saving 100 hours per year on stock takes – or at $15 per hour, that’s $1,500 annually.

For their Investment in StockLink Mobile, Wairau Paint Centre will achieve a payback in 8 months – a return on investment of 133%.

Pam Crispin a working Director of Wairau Paints said that the implementation of SalesLink Mobile amd StockLink Mobile had been really positive for their business.One of the key features was the seamless interface with their accounting software - Aurora One. "It's saved me over 25 hours per week - I've got my weekends back." She said.


Testimonial
"It's saved me over 25 hours per week - I've got my weekends back."
Pam Crispin - Director.