A new kind of software company

Recycling Today, Oct, 2004

From experience comes knowledge. For scrap recyclers looking for software customized for their industry, the story of George and David Kane and their creation of 21st Century Programming provides the comfort of knowing these two California brothers have the necessary experience to truly understand the scrap recycling business.

George and David grew up in Southern California as sons of a Either in the scrap business, with their earliest work experience consisting of sorting and preparing scrap metal and paper.

The duo grew up learning about the scrap business at the same time they were Fascinated by computers and computer software and programming--a matching set of skills that has provided a recurring theme in the success of 21st Century Programming.

"Our experience is the difference," says David. "We're the only ones who can sort metal for our customers when we visit their plants. We have run processing equipment like theirs, driven forklifts and worked at the scale house."

The difference is apparent to customers like Brian Shin of Sam Lee Enterprises (SLE), Westminster, Calif. "They came from a scrap background--that's a real key point. When you talk with them it makes all the difference," he comments.

Customers have applauded the software, customization and technical support provided by 21st Century Programming because of its scrap industry-based flame of reference. "How tan you expect someone who has never worked in a recycling company to really understand what the business is about or to be able to help someone who is using our software to learn to use it better?" asks George.

In less than five years, 21st Century Programming has won loyal customers in many different recycling industry segments with its easy-to-use automation systems that save recycling companies time, money and effort every single day on every single transaction they make.

Automation Revolution

Computer terminals have been silting on scale house and trader desks for many years now, but that doesn't mean recyclers are always receiving the full benefits of automation.

According to George and David, designing the ROM (Recycling Operations Manager) software that is the company's core product involved several layers of thinking, planning and detailed programming work. The end result has been an easy-to-use system that automates receiving, grading, inventory, billing, shipping, tracking, and much, more more, allowing fewer employees to do more in less time.

Michael Lachance, general manager of Unlimited Metals Inc., Los Angeles, states that after installing 21st Century's ROM system, he can "receive and send orders, do the invoicing and produce the shipping documents off of my computer."