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“Our top priority was the seamless integration of product
configuration with the order entry database and programs.
Frontier’s PowerBids application uses a single database to set
up and maintain product and pricing tables.”
Clay Chianese
Director of Information Systems
B.F. Rich
B.F. Rich has manufactured top-quality vinyl window and patio
door systems since 1957, catering largely to the new home and
light commercial construction markets. Its headquarters and
state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is located in Newark,
Delaware. The company employs more than 250 people.
The Need
Constantly changing product pricing made keeping dealer price
book information current a challenge and customer service
representatives were constantly inundated with calls asking for
updated information.
In addition, incoming orders were hand written. Order entry
personnel had to decipher and then re-write orders – risking
transposition errors that could cause delays and problems in
order processing and configuration.
B.F. Rich knew it needed to streamline how it disseminated
information to dealers. It also wanted to consolidate data into
one system that would mesh seamlessly with the existing
Friedman ERP (enterprise resource planning) system and be
easy to update. B.F. Rich also was looking to reduce the overload
of dealer calls to customer service for product and pricing
information, and so the system also needed to be accessible
and easy for the dealers to use.
The Solution
B.F. Rich had been using Friedman’s system in its manufacturing
facilities since the late 1990s. When the selection committee
realized Friedman now offered the dealer ordering system
PowerBids, it was a natural choice.
Clay Chianese, director of information systems for B.F. Rich
says, “PowerBids is designed to expedite the sales order
process with templates designed expressly for window and
door manufacturers. Combined with Frontier’s extensive
configuration-based functionality, PowerBids provides all the
advantages of an integrated PC-based customer quoting tool
with the ease of use and reliability of packaged software.”
The Experience
To ensure a successful implementation, B.F. Rich worked with
the Frontier PowerBids development team, giving them open
access to information along with input on key issues and specific
requirements. “Friedman was very receptive to our ideas and
made adjustments to the software to meet our unique needs,”
says Chianese.
“Combined with Frontier’s extensive
configuration-based functionality,
PowerBids provides all the advantages
of an integrated PC-based customer
quoting tool with the ease of use and
reliability of packaged software.”
PowerBids has enabled B.F. Rich to offer a level of service that
far exceeds that of its competition. It enables dealers to quote
products accurately and deliver them on time. Product and
pricing information is updated automatically via the Internet,
which dealers also use to submit their orders directly to the
company.
Fully automating its sales and ordering functions has enabled
B.F. Rich to embrace growth and improve service – without
adding any customer service resources. By putting its trust in
Friedman’s technology solutions, B.F. Rich can deliver on its
goals of providing excellent customer service to go along with its
outstanding vinyl window and patio door products.
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