The Challenge:

At the best of times, distribution can be challenging - but when you distribute products that are high in individual value to clients with high expectations, you had better be certain that your products are always in the right place, at the right time. Any miscalculation can have a serious impact on cash flow. Even more critical, mistakes can damage important client relationships. This high-stakes environment is the world in which NCC Electronics operates.

A major provider of safety electronic devices for the North American automobile industry with offices in both Canada and the US, NCC needed an inventory management system it could count on. The company needed a better way to manage inventory replenishment, maintain a sufficient level of units for "in stock" inventory, accurately classify inventory items to determine whether an item should be kept in stock or ordered on an as-required basis, and determine lead times from suppliers.

The Solution:

After considering NCC Electronics' needs, Beckard Associates determined that the Recommend to Purchase System of the MasterWorks Software suite would resolve the company's problems.

Key benefits:

• Good are only ordered when needed
• Inventory items required to fulfill the order are automatically restocked
• Each inventory item is organized within a classification system
• Stock inventory is managed by performing an analysis and forecast based on sales history
• Reviews the economical order quantity, minimum order quantity, max and safety stock levels of each item
• Monitors lead time from European Suppliers
• Informs the purchaser as to which items to purchase, the needed quantity, and the exact time to issue the order so the customer receives it in a timely manner
• Creates PO for purchaser

The Results:

NCC Electronics now has a system it can rely on - a solution that is mission critical for their business. Here are some of the key results achieved:

• Time and money savings. Elimination of the hundreds of hours spent on manual calculations for the purchaser to track and forecast inventory products
• Customer satisfaction. Orders are now received on time, in correct quantities
• Tighter control. Expensive high-end electronics are no longer being stored in a warehouse for extensive periods of time
• Cash flow is maximized
• Better information, higher employee productivity. The software performs the repetitive number crunching required for purchase analysis, which allows employees to spend their time on other important duties