Spring 2013 Hardlines Strategies

COMPANY NEWS

New Software for the Remote Order Entry Unit Makes Ordering Faster and Easier Time is money, and the Information Systems and Services team at Blish-Mize knows that one way to save you a lot of money is by providing technologies that make your job easier. In 2010, Blish-Mize released the Remote Order Entry unit (ROE), which is a handheld device created to help you streamline the ordering process. Now that ROE scanner, which features touchscreen technology and supports both hardware and BMPS paint customers, has new software available. Just like the software in your personal computer occasionally needs updated to a newer version, Blish-Mize occasionally offers a new version of the software that runs the ROE unit with updated features that will make ordering faster and easier than ever. “During these times of doing more work with fewer people, the scanner saves time in the order process,” says Doug Long, Blish-Mize vice president of sales and marketing. If you’re already using an ROE unit, getting the updated software onto your machine is easy. Simply hook the ROE into the provided cradle and update the Blish- Mize warehouse inventory and pricing on your machine. This update will give you

all the latest prices and even claims codes for each item in the warehouse. Any new items that were added to inventory the day before will be immediately updated. And if you want even faster updates, use your wireless router to receive live inven- tory information as you scan each item. “When you are finished, the ROE unit keeps a dollar total of your order to help you meet the freight requirements,” Long says. “If you need to add items, you can. You can send the items to your shopping cart via our website on a PC or through the scanner, if you have a wireless Internet connection.” Besides getting fast updates, the updated software will make placing your Blish-Mize order faster and easier. “There’s no more guessing on retails or replacement items where a discontinued or superseded number is in the system,” Long says. “During the scanning process, if an item is discontinued and there is a recommended replacement, your machine gives an audible tone if there is inventory on hand of the discontinued item. When there isn’t any on hand, it goes to the superseded item and alerts you to it.” The update to the ROE unit also has a cross-reference database, says Chuck Short, Blish-Mize regional manager. “When you scan an item from a standard vendor that we carry from a different vendor, you can cross-reference to our stock item. For example, if you scan a plastic ceiling-mounted lamp holder from Eagle Electric, the ROE unit will cross reference that to our comparable product from Leviton.” If you are not using the Remote Order Entry Unit yet, the upcoming Spring Buying Market will be a

good place to learn more about the system. The ROE’s price is $1,799, but it will be discounted to $1,599 at the Market. Blish-Mize also offers in-house support on the scanner through its service agreement for $10 per month. (The agreement is mandatory for anyone using the 36-month purchase option.) For more information, email David Griffin at dgriffin@blishmize.com, or see him in the Retail Services booth at the Market.

Booth #238

34 Spring 2013 • Hardlines Strategies