J Handford & Son Limited

J Handford & Son Ltd is a family run business which has been established since 1880. As a leading aggregate merchant in the North West for many years, Handfords are able to offer a wealth of practical experience and technical expertise in most aggregate applications. They have, over the years, built up an extensive knowledge of contacts enabling them to supply an extremely diverse range of products.

Business System Review

Handfords pride themselves on being able to offer a professional and efficient service, from initial pricing and advice to reliable and competent deliveries. Colin Whittington, Sales Manager explained “Handfords are one of five or six aggregate suppliers in the Stockport area who trade only in directs (where deliveries are made directly from their suppliers to Handfords customers). We are in a very competitive environment and always looking at ways to improve customer service levels”. Colin continued,” as our workload increased, the computer system in place simply could not cope any longer. Most of our business processes were carried out manually and therefore very slow. It was time for some modern technology, so I was asked to carry out a review of our current system”.

J Handford & Son have six employees, five of which needed access to the selected trading system software. “The biggest challenge for us was implementing a system that our staff would adapt to easily” says Colin, “ having always used a manual system, an IT environment would be a first for most staff members”.

Kerridge Commercial Systems' K8 – Small Business Edition – a good fit for the business

Colin explained, “I approached our current accounts software supplier to help with our review in the first instance. However, they didn’t offer a suitable integrated system for the smaller business like ours. I also looked at a local IT company, but felt their after-sales support maybe unstable”.

Colin knew of *Kerridge Commercial Systems from previous merchants he had worked for. He explained “I had worked at two builders merchants before I joined Handfords who used *Kerridge Commercial Systems' software, I was certain that K8 would suit our business well, so I contacted *Kerridge Commercial Systems to arrange a meeting”. Having discussed in detail Handfords business requirements, *Kerridge Commercial Systems felt the K8 – SBE solution would best fit their business needs.

K8 – SBE is a comprehensive trading and financial business system. Based on the successful K8 system, its advanced integrated functionality has been tailored to meet the specific requirements of small to medium-sized businesses in the distribution, wholesale, merchant and retailer marketplace.

Implementation

K8 – SBE is designed to assist customers with a quick and effective implementation, causing the least disruption to the business as possible. Handfords was no exception, the K8 – SBE implementation was completed within the time and budget allocated. The server was delivered in March and Handfords went live on K8 – SBE on May 1st. Colin commented, “ the implementation was completed with no major problems”.

Benefits

One of the key responsibilities of this software review was to equip staff with advanced easy-to-use tools that would deliver a faster working environment with continued high standards of customer service. Colin explained, “considering our longstanding staff members were only familiar with our manual processes and back office accounts system, they have settled in with the new system well”. Colin continues, “the purchase order side of the system is working well for the business and takes half the time compared with the old system. This means twice as much work can be achieved in a day. In addition we no longer need to manually type products into the system for invoicing and as we progress with K8 – SBE we will save even more time”.

Carol Whittington, Director says: “ Another key benefit for us is that the system monitors credit limits at order entry. When dealing with low margin goods, it’s important that we know the credit position immediately”.

Maureen Kelly (Secretary Director) who has worked for Handfords for many years and describes herself as unfamiliar with IT environments commented “when I contact *Kerridge Commercial Systems' consultants, they speak our language”.

J Handford & Son are already taking advantage of the ability to fax directly from the K8 – SBE system, saving on paper and time. Documents such as quotations and purchase orders can faxed without leaving the K8 – SBE order processing screen. Handfords are looking to expand the solution to initiate the email functionality within K8 – SBE. They can then communicate directly with their customers and suppliers.

Efficiency at work

K8 – SBE has been developed to enhance business efficiency, streamline trading activities and create an effective working environment. As Colin explains “Month End processing is a lot quicker, easier and more accurate”.

Computer systems and information technology can play a central role in helping to make businesses more efficient. K8 – SBE supports the use of ‘best practice’ processes and helps to drive greater success and profitability.