LIVERMORE, Calif. — Epicor Software Corp. (which recently combined with Activant Solutions Inc.), has announced that leading Canadian independent automotive parts distributor Warehouse Services Inc. (WSI) will implement the Epicor Eagle for the Aftermarket business management system in each of its five locations. The Eagle system is the next-generation solution for distributors and jobbers that want a powerful, easy-to-use Microsoft Windows-based platform for store operations, according to Epicor.
A member of the Uni-Select network and ACDelco Dedicated Distribution Group, WSI operates an 80,000-square-foot warehouse and five stores that service hundreds of automotive installer locations in Edmonton and throughout Northern Alberta.
“We’re successful but we always need to push to get to the next level,” said WSI co-owner Scott Scherr. “I feel like the Eagle platform will give us the tools we need to get there, which will mean more customers and possibly more branches. The Eagle system is highly scalable, so it can serve our needs throughout our growth cycle.”
Epicor says the Eagle system is well-suited to virtually any business seeking step-change improvements in counter efficiency and productivity as well as a significantly broader range of business analytics. The company says Eagle’s "functionally elegant and intuitive" user interface can dramatically reduce the time necessary for jobber employees to become proficient at the point-of-sale and in a full range of inventory, reporting and other business management tasks. Epicor says it continues to add features and functionality to the system to help users automate additional areas of their businesses and increase the range of services offered to customers.
Founded in 1988, WSI has experienced “solid” growth even in difficult economic periods and is known for its broad and deep inventory, quick delivery and professional service.
“We carry an extensive inventory — certainly the broadest in our region,” Scherr said. “The Eagle system will help us stretch our inventory dollars much further. Parts rise and fall so quickly today that you need a system that can let you analyze sales performance by SKU. The Eagle system and Epicor Compass software do that — they’re fantastic business tools.”
In addition to implementing the Eagle solution, WSI will join other distributors that have switched to the Epicor suite of electronic catalog products, including the Epicor LaserCat 3 electronic catalog interface and Epicor Cover-to-Cover graphical electronic catalog module.
“Epicor’s catalog is the best in the industry,” Scherr commented. “This tool will allow us to provide better service overall and offer significantly more and better product information to customers who buy from us online.”
