LIVERMORE, Calif. — Epicor Software Corp. (recently combined with Activant Solutions Inc.), a global leader in business software solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail and services organizations, announced that Modern Sales Co-Op (MSC), one of Canada’s largest distribution networks serving the automotive, marine, industrial and allied markets, will implement Epicor Vision business management software to help drive aggressive, long-term growth and better support the needs of its 179 member businesses.

MSC's commitment to the Epicor Vision software is a key part of a new information technology initiative designed to streamline virtually all business operations, increase sales at each of the cooperative’s approximately 400 member locations, enhance service levels and accelerate growth of its eCommerce business, according to the company.

Developed in collaboration with Epicor, MSC's new enterprise resource planning (ERP) strategy is designed to enable highly efficient electronic connectivity between member businesses, network headquarters and each of MSC’s three regional distribution centers via the company’s established CYLINK eCommerce platform. The Epicor Vision solution will operate in conjunction with the company’s new JMO Indago warehouse management system.

“Our members use a wide variety of custom and off-the-shelf business management solutions, but thanks to CYLINK and Epicor, we will enhance our capability to closely communicate with our members,” said Rahim Dawood, manager, Systems and Technology, MSC. “This will help us to more effectively collect and analyze the latest business intelligence so we can make better buying and selling decisions at every level of our network.”

As a member-owned business, MSC handles virtually all customer invoicing, payables, rebate tracking and disbursement and other traditionally labor- and paper-intensive activities. The Epicor Vision solution will help automate these processes and enable the company to “go green” through electronic document management. MSC is already working with GCommerce to extend electronic data interchange capability across all of its network members.

Epicor’s product data and eCatalog technology also were important considerations for MSC management and members in this selection, according to Dawood.

“Achieving a high level of data consistency was very important to us. We wanted each of our warehouses, member locations and eStore to provide the same product view through the industry-leading Epicor eCatalog,” he said.

In addition, Epicor was seen as the one solutions provider that could offer comprehensive systems support and business consultation.

“Many distributors continue to struggle with a silo mentality, which results in islands of information that can make it difficult to get a comprehensive picture of their customer and business,” Dawood said. “The right ERP system, deployed at the right time and with the right implementation provider, can help an organization achieve a more holistic perspective, which can mean the difference between being a market follower or a market leader.

“Our members call Epicor software the ‘Cadillac’ of systems. The experience we’ve had with them thus far and the kinds of relationships they have with other leading distributors make us confident that we are working with the industry leader.”

Epicor says its Vision system is a flexible and scaleable Microsoft Windows-based solution for distributors who want to control costs through extremely efficient inventory management and differentiate their businesses by delivering a superior customer experience. The system features CRM tools, a centralized database, integrated accounting and other features that help drive sales and operational efficiency. The system is designed to operate in conjunction with leading warehouse management systems.

For more information, visit www.activant.epicor.com.