By Matthew Spieler
With technological innovations everywhere one looks, today’s floor covering dealer, more than ever, has more options to help him increase his bottom line. And that could not be more important than in today’s economic environment.

Even the most successful retailers have inefficiencies, and wasteful spending and operating practices. What generally makes them more successful than others is their desire to reduce as much as possible and even eliminate these costly procedures.

For this reason, the interest in software companies has been palatable. The reason? Most companies reported an increased interest from dealers in two areas: upgrading existing systems and first-timers. Some retailers have seen how the technology has helped them become more efficient and profitable, and recognize they can do even more by upgrading or adding on, while others are either still doing everything manually or using generic business accounting software and have come to the realization there has to be a better way.

Paul Wagler, owner of St. Clements Heart & Home in St. Clement, Ontario, Canada, had been searching for programs to do estimating and inventory. Like many, he admitted to a fear factor in terms of the learning curve and training but also understood “it’s something we have to do in order to grow.”

Helping retailers overcome those fears is something software suppliers have had to do since day one. The following is a sampling of the latest offerings from some of the major software companies.

BidTech

Erwin Twerdochlib, developer and founder, said the company’s new Vision Plus with Integrated Smart Plan (ISP) gives users “a unique measuring and take-off experience, one that provides for every possible mode of input.”

With ISP technology, he explained Vision Plus integrates the two types of estimating applications typically used, which means “greater flexibility, superior functionality and more user options than ever before. The technology caters to a universal audience of estimators wishing to employ their own method or style preference.”

In addition, Twerdochlib said Vision Plus provides seamless data flow through BidTech’s OrderMaster system. “Every work station can access information needed within 15 to 25 seconds. And, with one click, all the data goes to the estimating module of QuickBooks. So, because the data flows through seamlessly, one person who did the takeoff does the work for the entire company.”

He noted with Visions Plus with ISP and OrderMaster, a business can “totally rely on [them] to ensure data integrity between all of its departments. It’s an information sharing system, allowing all company personnel to remain organized, reliable and accurate throughout the complete transfer process of project data.”

For more information, visit bidtech.ca.

CDMS

Adding to its comprehensive software package, CDMS Version 8.07.00 includes a variety of new and updated features to keep retailers ahead of business, said Cathy Welsh, operations manager.

Further assisting dealers with accounts payable (A/P), the enhanced system now creates an A/P Voucher Detail History, which is maintained throughout the A/P module. It can be viewed in the Vendor Account Inquiry Application as well as the new A/P Voucher Distribution Application and allows dealers to print, download or purge the data.

And, on the contract side, the latest version offers several new requested features, which are built in to all selections in the Contract History Inquiry Application, Welsh noted. “While searching through contract pages, users can now easily return to the previous page by clicking the tab on the bottom of the screen,” Welsh said. “And, once a contract has been selected and displayed, pressing the ‘enter’ key when done now returns users to the last screen of contract summaries that displayed.”

She also listed two new search options that have been added to the application: Invoice Number—allows users to find the contract detail by its invoice number— and Invoice Number with DR/CR Memos— allows users to find all debit and credit memos with a specified apply to number.

“Our system handles all floor covering products with ease, including carpet, vinyl, vct, laminate, hardwood, supplies area rugs and ceramic tile, as well as non- flooring products such as furniture, window treatments, plumbing supplies, lighting fixtures and much more.”

For more information, visit cdmspa.com.

Floor Covering Soft

Whether you are in the commercial or residential business, Steven Wang, chief developer and founder, said the new FloorEstimate Pro 2009 Edition (FEP2009) is a valuable tool. He explained, like other programs from Floor Covering Soft, FEP2009 was created to make estimating software easier to use and more affordable.

While FEP2009 helps smaller retailers, it also recognizes there are different types of businesses and different levels at which they operate. With that, FEP2009 is available in five versions— QuickStart for residential jobs by sales reps, dealers and installers; Retail for residential jobs with design features by sales reps, estimators and installers; Professional for commercial jobs by contractors, multi-family contractors and dealers; Commercial for large jobs by contractors and pro estimators, and Commercial+ for large commercial jobs and large volume of takeoff estimating.

“Technology is even more important during these tough times,” Wang said. “Well-established companies are taking this time to deploy software solutions to streamline takeoff estimating, which they otherwise would have no time to do.”

For more information, visit floorcoveringsoft.com.

Kashmoo

The Web-based company has rolled out “a complete business operating system” with the launch of Kashmoo Manager. Mark Magnuson, director of sales and marketing, said the company is now selling a standard package with an overall lower cost.

As with its previous method of individual modules, which Magnuson noted are still available, the new Manager requires no server, reduces IT overhead and takes the lead with cutting-edge technology. This points out the program’s Web-based access means users have the ability to work anywhere, anytime. In addition, it works with Google Maps and is compatible with the iPhone. “Kashmoo gives a retailer the ability to literally operate his business in the palm of his hand.”

While it has the components to run as its own standalone accounting system, for those who still use QuickBooks but also want to run flooring-specific software, Magnuson said Manager is built for this use. “Unlike other systems that only import and export, Kashmoo Manager has a fully integrated real-time connection to QuickBooks.”

For more information, visit kashmoo.com.

Pacific Solutions

Bob Noe Jr., president, said the company continues to work with the ReSource Flooring Commercial Network buying group on enhancing JobRunner to create “the most optimal program for contractors.”

But this work hasn’t stopped Pacific Solutions from developing more residential items such as FloorSmart or enhancing its popular FloorRight program. The first is for small businesses just getting into the technology. It’s B2B ready and takes a job through the bid process but does not handle the accounting. It is, however, upgradeable to FloorManager, the company’s comprehensive business operations program, or JobRunner.

“It’s a great entry-level product,” Noe said, “because it can help an owner take his business to the next level of professionalism without being too overwhelmed. Once he and his staff are comfortable operating the program they can upgrade to the full-service program.”

For its FloorRight Professional program, Pacific Solutions added “a powerful editing tool and full-scale tile pattern or layout facility,” he said. The editing tool allows users to create peninsulas, alcoves and islands in rooms.

The tile pattern tool figures out the number of tiles, trim and other materials needed and is fully supported by both a floor plan view and cost estimation page. “Tile is complex to calculate,” Noe explained, “and you need to have solid numbers to give not just a competitive bid but one that won’t cost you in the long run.”

He added this is why many retailers are hesitant to bid tile jobs or get into the business altogether. “Now they can feel confident. Using FloorRight will ensure their estimation is reliable, that the entire process—from estimation to installation—is efficient and both customer service and profitability are maximized.”

QFloors

Surfaces ’09 was the launching pad for Version 5.0, the company’s latest upgrade to its total operating system. Chad Ogden, CEO, said the numerous upgrades and advances incorporated into the new program all stem from user input.

Twice a year during the company’s user’s conferences, executives hold open discussions with retailers not only asking for input, but feedback on ideas the company is thinking of implementing. “By working closely with our clients we have been able to create an operating system and other stand-alone or add-on tools that work with them. This allows them to get the most from the system, which allows them to become efficient, professional and profitable.”

Two of the biggest changes in Version 5.0, Ogden noted, are partial materials receiving and a more streamlined sales tax initiative. While previous versions of QFloors handled partial receiving, the new program makes it easier to handle this part of the business in both inventory and accounting.

“The streamlined sales tax initiative includes more advanced features” that allow a retailer to charge the local city tax as well, noted Trent Ogden, CFO. Due to recent law changes in various states, the way a retailer charges tax is not only dependent on the type of job, but is different all over the country.

QCutter, an add-on product to Version 5.0, was also released. This program allows a retailer to communicate with his cutting machine via the computer. “It integrates directly with E-Z Cut and Accu-Cut machines,” Chad Ogden explained. “You can define the cuts in QFloors and send them directly to the machine. It’s not only quicker, it has less chance for mistake, making a retailer more efficient.”

For more information, visit qfloors.com.

RFMS

Terry Wheat, founder, said the company continues to add to its industry-leading portfolio of software products, especially in response to mill initiatives. “We always take RFMS to the next level to make sure our users are able to perform all the necessary functions and operations in a smooth, seamless fashion when dealing with their suppliers.” This is especially true on the B2B side of things, he added.

On the flipside, RFMS has also added to its lineup of products to help dealers be more professional around their customers, thus allowing them to close more sales. The latest is MeasureConnect. Working through the Web, MeasureConnect allows retailers to “connect” with customers in their homes. Dealers can send customers all the floor plans she looked at in the store with the salesperson. She can then experiment with different product selections in the retailer’s catalog until she is happy with both the look and estimate. “It does not show her actual quantities, just an overall estimate of the job,” Wheat said.

At this point she can approve the estimate. “It even has the ability to take a credit card,” he added, so, in effect, she is closing the sale by approving it at home.

MeasureConnect is also Bluetooth capable, allowing the retailer to transfer measurements directly into the drawing. In addition to its retail and at-home applications, the program can also be used by contractors to give property managers access to an online library of drawings.

For more information, visit rfms.com.

Rollmaster

Like most vertical market software, RollMaster is under continuous development and updating in an attempt to remain current and relevant.

RollMaster Commercial Estimating is an Excel-based package (stand alone or integrated) that is very accurate, fast and a quick study. RollMaster Retail Estimating is Web-based and professionalizes retail and in-home estimates while saving time and improving accuracy.

RollMaster is also introducing its wireless bar code system featuring integration with RM and NetFloor servers, integration with Accu-Cut cutting machines, the ability to create orders, purchase orders and receive inventory remotely from the showroom or warehouse floor, create bar code labels from manufacturers labels and more.

RollMaster is also introducing its customer service Web portal. This module enables the dealers’ customers to perform tasks and inquire about specific account details.

WinSched

Mike Myhre, founder, knows that in today’s fast-paced world, asking an owner to remain in the store all day and night is impossible, not if he wants to network and grow the business. The same can be said with salespeople who need to go out to customers’ homes to measure jobs. Plus, with installers running all over the city, it’s hard to keep track of where people are and where a particular job is at.

Now they can with AwayToWork. This remote access service allows users access from anywhere. “It also allows you to choose what each person in the company can access,” he explained. “For example, as an owner, you want to see everything going on in the business, but a salesperson may only need to check stock and schedule dates, while the installer needs to see work orders, upcoming jobs and maps of the location.”

Designed for use on a cell phone and Internet, AwayToWork does not require additional hardware or technical expertise. And, because information can be accessed via a cell phone, if a company loses its Internet access, the business does not have to come to a stop since the data is automatically synchronized when the Internet connection is restored.

Also new is the latest release of WinSched, version 3.1. Some of the new features include the ability to create display formats that change for difference conditions; create “dynamic” schedule boards that will automatically add or remove rows as needed based on the filters you set; an improved calendar view; an improved results window that allows you to open or edit schedules directly from reports, and more.

For more information, visit winsched.com.