The Advance Team is proud to announce the launch of our new company logo as part of the ongoing evolution of our brand. Our business has grown and developed during the last 45 years, and while times have changed, our commitment to our customers has not. Our team is fresh-faced, but experienced. Our distribution strategy is new and improved. And our supplier/customer base is continuing to grow and demand new things from us.

We believe the new look matches what we’ve become since 1972: a valued supplier of quality fastening solutions for customers who want superior service and products to help them succeed. It also points to where we’re going with a future-forward plan to provide our clients with custom products, analytics and solutions to maximize their profitability.

Rotor Clip is expanding the availability of DIN standard parts for the European market using US PH 15-7 stainless steel. Whereas previously, wire-formed DIN parts were only available in the DIN grade of stainless steel, DIN 1.4122, Rotor Clip now offers both stamped and wire-formed parts for DIN sizes in PH 15-7. The DIN equivalent to PH 15-7 is DIN 1.4532.

Are you stuck on the “When” of ERP implementation? If you’ve figured out the Who, What, Why, and How but are having difficulty selecting the timing, here’s a secret: you’re not alone. 

Many distributors postpone ERP hoping that some sign will reveal the perfect time to implement. Yet, without a glowing bat signal or the piercing eye of Sauron, companies pursue a wait-and-see method of decision-making. Why? The justifications are fairly common:

• We’ll wait until the new fiscal year
• We’ll schedule it for our slow period
• We’ll do it after we finish hiring
• Maybe after the holidays

Rationalizations like these drive delays, yet time is not on your side. Without the essential improvements of interconnected ERP software, days, weeks, and months equate to lost opportunities for compounding savings, productivity, and growth.

So, when is the right time to implement ERP software? In short, the answer is “Now.” Remember that the longer implementation is put off, the longer your company will be mired in redundant, inefficient processes. Honestly ask yourself these questions:

Researching business software options can seem like a daunting process, and you may have a thousand questions relating to ERP. I thought it would be helpful to share some of the answers for common questions. For instance, have you ever wondered:

EFC International, a leading supplier of engineered fasteners, with corporate office in St. Louis, Missouri, has announced the implementation of their worldwide globalization strategy with the opening of offices and warehouses in China, South Korea, and Germany

Expanding its global footprint and investing in key strategic global markets, EFC ensures both supplier and customer needs are met.   “EFC’s physical presence in these countries enhances our relations, providing local support and value by offering a simpler, more cost-efficient way to manage the supply chain, “ said Guenter Retkowski, Vice President of International Sales.

Megliola brings decades of fastener experience honed across sales, marketing, and operations.

Vertex Distribution, a division of HWC (NASDAQ: HWCC), is pleased to announce that Richard "Rich" Megliola has joined the team as President of Vertex Distribution. Rich began his career in the fastener industry after acquiring a degree in Marketing from Kean University when he took an Inside Sales Representative role at Reynolds Fasteners, Inc. During Rich’s long career at Reynolds, he helped grow sales from $29 to $200 million while rising to the role of Vice President of Sales & Operations. He was named president of Reynolds Fasteners’ sister company Atlas Screw & Specialty Corporation after they were acquired by Heads and Threads International, LLC. Following leadership roles with Stelfast Inc.as COO and Titan Fastener Products Inc. as EVP, Rich was named Director of Sales North America for Acument Global Technology, a division of the world’s largest fastener manufacturer with over $1.2 billion in annual sales, Fontana Gruppo Special Fasteners. Rich is married with 2 children and resides just outside of Chicago. Rich is currently serving as a Board Member

 
COMPANY NEWS

Tonawanda, NY May 31, 2017 – Sherex Fastening Solutions, a global leader in engineered fasteners, tooling, and automation, is pleased to announce the launch of a new wedge locking washer product line. 

“The TEC Series product line adds another fastening solution to our portfolio, continuing our 35 year tradition of developing innovative, lowest total installed cost fastening solutions for our valued customers,” says President Adam Pratt, "TEC Series washers are a high quality, high performance, cost-effective solution to the challenge of securing joints that experience severe vibration and load.” 

From Distribution One

To many people, the terms “ERP” (Enterprise Resource Planning) and “Accounting Software” are interchangeable. This misconception, however, ends up being a detriment to companies when purchasing decisions are based on the comparison of two distinctly different product categories.

So what is the difference between ERP and accounting software? In short, accounting programs are merely a subset of the core ERP software capabilities and represent a fraction of the functionality provided by comprehensive ERP. This truth, however, is just the tip of the iceberg.

Accounting software
Predictably, accounting software deals with the financial aspect of operations by recording business transactions: AR/AP, journal entries, and general ledger utilized to produce basic financial reports like income statements and balance sheets. Due to this specified but limited focus, the accounting software market has experienced some instability with providers resorting to buyouts or ceasing operations altogether. Why?

Accounting software provides a good snapshot of a company’s financial health today but lacks the ability to anticipate tomorrow. Without data-driven forecasting, companies base business decisions primarily on SWAG (Scientific Wild Assumption Guessing) to predict supply and demand for products and services causing many to fall short of their profitability goals.

ERP software
Accounting functionality comprises just one subset of the overall solution. ERP’s main objective is to facilitate the day-to-day management of business operations by incorporating data from multiple aspects of the business into a seamless and comprehensive information system. ERP encompasses: Order Entry, Financials, CRM, Reporting, Purchasing, Inventory Control, Warehouse Management (automation/scanning), Serial/Lot Control, QC Tracking, Label Generation, Kitting/Assembly, Secondary Processing, and more along with supplementary functionality of E-commerce, API, EDI, and Mobile Apps. 

By accurately processing and analyzing data through these company-wide functions, ERP software delivers forecasting integral to improving the timing of sales and inventory, detecting process deficiencies, and identifying strategic enhancements for growing productivity and competitive advantage. 

What's Best for You?
Because businesses demand a more complete, comprehensive software solution, ERP continues to consume the accounting software market. Understanding the differences in software functionality is critical to your company’s near and long-term success. If you’re currently investigating software options for your enterprise, please contact me with questions on comparing apples to apples.

Steve Monks
Sales Executive