Digital edge

Prosales, Jan, 2005 by Stephani L. Miller

The newest software packages and applications provide tools to help you run a more effective and efficient business. Here are a few of the latest applications to hit the market.

Designed for pro-oriented LBM dealers, Esti-Mate version 4.5 software from Esti-Mate Inc. features new updates. enhancements, and additions to material type and material size databases to allow automatic conversion of takeoff dimensions from blueprints to an itemized list of waste factored delivery order quantities. Version 4.5 adds the capability to add or subtract percentages from the program's waste factors on total quantities required. 800.244.6945. www.eolnowcom. Circle 119.

A Signature Capture at Point of Sale program has been added to Spruce Computer Systems' electronic Document Handling Suite, allowing dealers to track who picks up ordered materials. The Document Handling Suite helps dealers eliminate paper documents and includes programs for laser forms, automatic fax, automatic e-mail, intelligent workflows, and report archiving. 800.777.8231. www.sprucel.com. Circle 120.

Developed by Enterprise Computer Systems, ECS Dashboard software interfaces with core point of sale programs, deciphers data collected from the core business system, analyzes the data using Online Analytical Processing, and presents it in an intuitive display on the desktop or on the Web. ECS Dashboard transforms raw data into useful information, allowing users to identify problems, predict trends, measure performance, review customer profit margins, and more. 800.569.6309. www.ecsinc.com. Circle 121.

Featuring more than 200 enhancements over the previous version, the Activant Eagle 14 business management system is designed to help improve customer service, employee training, and overall productivity. Eagle's training browser, fully integrated to the Eagle system, allows users to train themselves and move between applications and the training browser seamlessly. Full data conversion tools help dealers upgrade from older Eagle systems. 800.678.5266. www.activant.com. Circle 122.

Congistic Corp.'s ControlBoard scheduling, resource, and dispatch software allows users to view jobs, crews, equipment, and schedules and to move equipment, track rentals and services, allocate crews, and plan workloads all in one solution. The software's database engine automatically updates information across the board, so that all users are aware of changes instantly. 800.208.3048. www.congistics.com. Circle 123.

Progressive Solutions' bisTrack Advanced Accounts Receivable module manages customer accounts and receivables where the transactions take place. Accounts receivables are tied into bisTrack's liens processing and job tracking capabilities so that dealers can track ,and view orders, deliveries, invoices, payments, and lien notices for multiple customer jobs. The Accounts Receivable interface allows invoice and customer information to be transferred to Microsoft Great Plains Accounts Receivable. 877. 746.4774. www.progressive-solutions.com. Circle 124.

Designed to help your mobile sales force manage time-sensitive and critical sales tasks, PeopleSoft Enterprise Sales for BlackBerry provides a wireless sales force automation solution that integrates with PeopleSoft's Sales application, Microsoft Outlook e-mail, and IBM Lotus Notes. Users can enter, search, and update data in all applications without having to manually synchronize information. 800.380.7638. www.peoplesoft.com. Circle 125.

SOR Inventory & Sales Version 2 from Suncoast Software allows dealers to track unsold inventory by category, vendor, and location as well as to manage sales by category, vendor, location, and salesperson. Sales statistics can be charted in 2-D and rotating 3-D graphics. Users can quickly view item-specific inventory counts and values and generate inventory traffic reports, inventory tally sheets, item count and value statistics, and more. 800.527.5593. www.suncoastsoftware.biz. Circle 126.