Jim Davey
R H Davey Welding Supplies Ltd
- Messages
- 5,736
- Location
- Southampton
We are populating a computerised shop-front as we speak, we ploughed about 30K into a software and hardware package that was going to be the basis of an internet shop about 7 years ago, we were clueless on computers (we are very hands on technically, but were very light on IT staff at the time) and we got royally screwed. The kit didn't work, the business software was crap, and it cost us thousands and nearly our business picking up the pieces.
We've been recovering from that for a while and researching very carefully what to go for next in terms of business software, and e-sales integration and we settled on a software partner 12 months ago, we are just completing phase 1 which is to get all the stock, computerised with part numbers, stock locations, re order quantities, shelf lifes, min/max order levels, weights, dimensions, attached documentation or notes like COSHH data for hazardous goods etc, it takes ages and we were very keen that the info we feed in is good so the system is uniform in its layout , logical and simple to navigate the subsections etc.
We have a lot of product lines, not as many as some but its been a large undertaking we have to fit in around running the business day to day, we have around 3 thousand account customers and do about 1.2 million a year turnover between about 8 staff here in Southampton.
Web design is something I know nothing about but my Brother who is also a director does and he's got that part of it in hand, we also need to do a lot more with our facebook page but getting customers jobs done always seem s to fill up the days (and nights!)
We do wire, tools, abrasives, plant, hire, service, calibration, janitorial, consultancy, gas safety inspection and operator training, re-con plant, engine driven welders, clothing, drill, taps, dies, paints, mag drills (not all from stock) but we are a single source supplier for many of our clients and we specialise in managed consignment stock to keep our customers working instead of waiting for stuff to arrive.
We've been recovering from that for a while and researching very carefully what to go for next in terms of business software, and e-sales integration and we settled on a software partner 12 months ago, we are just completing phase 1 which is to get all the stock, computerised with part numbers, stock locations, re order quantities, shelf lifes, min/max order levels, weights, dimensions, attached documentation or notes like COSHH data for hazardous goods etc, it takes ages and we were very keen that the info we feed in is good so the system is uniform in its layout , logical and simple to navigate the subsections etc.
We have a lot of product lines, not as many as some but its been a large undertaking we have to fit in around running the business day to day, we have around 3 thousand account customers and do about 1.2 million a year turnover between about 8 staff here in Southampton.
Web design is something I know nothing about but my Brother who is also a director does and he's got that part of it in hand, we also need to do a lot more with our facebook page but getting customers jobs done always seem s to fill up the days (and nights!)
We do wire, tools, abrasives, plant, hire, service, calibration, janitorial, consultancy, gas safety inspection and operator training, re-con plant, engine driven welders, clothing, drill, taps, dies, paints, mag drills (not all from stock) but we are a single source supplier for many of our clients and we specialise in managed consignment stock to keep our customers working instead of waiting for stuff to arrive.