T-21 and MasterCat allow Central Autoparts to
focus on maximising their business potential.
The company
Central Autoparts is a single branch motor factor, based in Althone, which Managing
Director Shaun McClean describes as the “dead centre” of Ireland.
A traditional motor factor employing 5 full-time employees, Central Autoparts caters
for car and light commercial vehicle customers and supplies a wide range of parts and
accessories.
In recent years, however, Central Autoparts has attracted a new type of customer by
way of performance car enthusiasts, an area that holds huge potential and one that
doesn’t conflict with other aspects of the business, says McClean.
“The Irish market is not as complex as the UK and in terms of structure, selling to
garage workshops, accessory retailers, and car enthusiasts is not an area of conflict.”
This is because the majority of automotive businesses in Ireland are independent and
target a niche area, based on their local customer base. Another important point is
that in a small area, it is important to hold very good relationships with customers as
this too helps manage any conflicts that may arise.
Good customer relationships are essential, admits McClean, but this has created a big problem
for the company in terms of processing invoices and receiving payment – until the arrival of
Activant’s T-21 distributor management system.
Central’s Challenge
Many of Central Autoparts’ customers place an order and then pay for it the following week.
Even more confusing for the business is that when the customer comes to pay for the goods
purchased, they only part pay what is owed, for example.
“It is very common in our marketplace for customers to operate like this and although we
have no concerns about it, we have found it difficult to monitor who has paid what and when,”
says McClean.
The Solution – T-21
When Activant’s T-21 distributor management system was incorporated into Central Autoparts
in March of 2004, McClean’s troubles were over. T-21 allows distributors to operate a flexible
invoice service and take payments off, as and when necessary, allowing Central Autoparts to keep
up-to-date with its invoices.
“The fact that T-21 has the facility to monitor and maintain the varying times of payments
effectively has meant that we have strengthened our relationship with customers. If they want a
product today and pay for some of it tomorrow, then that’s okay, we can cope with it,” says
McClean.
T-21 helping to take Central Autoparts forward
Even for a small factor business, Central Autoparts has always operated a computer
system. But, McClean admits that a new computer system was required to help
take the business forward and complement its Activant MasterCat e-cataloguing
tool.
“MasterCat is a big asset for us as it helps confirm the correct part for a specific
vehicle. This, coupled with T-21, provides us with a key opportunity to take the
business forward.”
In addition to taking care of the company’s invoicing, McClean says that the sales
and purchase ledgers are a valuable source of information.
“The way in which T-21 also helps monitor our stock holding has proved a real
benefit to the company,” he says, “and its flexibility and ease of use in updating
stock has helped us run the business more effectively.”
T-21 in practice at Central Autoparts
Central Autoparts operates three computer terminals – two solely for invoicing
purposes and the other for sales and purchase ledgers. “T-21 has been tailored to
meet and exceed the demands of a small motor factor business such as Central
Autoparts and we have been able to reap the rewards as a result. Our business is
growing and the flexibility that T-21 offers will enables us to do so with the
minimum of ease,” adds McClean.
What is T-21?
T-21 distributor management system from Activant Solutions empowers motor
factors and distributors to manage sales and purchase ledgers; improve stock
management by reducing over-stocking and obsolete stocks; as well as providing
the ability of trading electronically and in real time, with manufacturers, other
motor factors and customers using Activant’s AConneX.
