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4 Ways ERP Solutions Will Streamline Your Computer Store

4 Ways ERP Solutions Will Streamline Your Computer Store
Many computer stores rely on ERP solutions to easily track any service work they perform on customer hardware.

For an industry that provides the latest in cutting-edge technology, you might find it slightly surprising that there are still a number of computer stores out there that don’t utilize ERP solutions to run their business. Whether they realize it or not, this old-school approach could be costing them money and increasing their workload unnecessarily.

To be fair, most computer stores have some partial systems in place: either inventory control software, an accounting program or point of sale systems. If you fall into this category, perhaps it’s time you considered a fully integrated business management system that’s designed specifically for computer stores.

Here are just a few examples of how dedicated computer store software will help you simplify your daily to-do list.

1. Work Orders  

In essence, a work order is an invoice in progress. This is a handy feature for customers that are building custom computers because it might take several visits to design a system that suits their needs completely. It’s understandable because there are so many peripherals to choose from:

  • Monitors
  • Keyboards
  • Laptops, desktops, tablets etc.
  • Sound cards
  • Printers and scanners
  • Component upgrades
  • Software
  • Operating systems

By using your ERP solutions to create a work order, you’ll be able to add and amend items as the consultation process moves along. And once the customer is ready to buy, you can simply turn the work order into an invoice, without having to reenter the information.

2. Service History 

Given the technical (and fragile) nature of computer hardware, follow-up service is probably an important aspect of your business. ERP solutions allow you to track each customer’s purchase history, as well as any services or warranty work you’ve provided for any given piece of hardware.

This is an extremely useful function for customer service management, as you’ll quickly be able to quickly access the customer’s account, identify any recurring issues and rectify the problem immediately.

3. Repairs and Service Orders 

Similar to work orders for retail sales, you can also create them for any service work you perform. This allows you to stay on top of your work schedule and prioritize jobs in order of importance. You could even use your ERP software to tag various types of service, including:

  • Repairs
  • Installation
  • Maintenance

4. Labour Tracking   

If a customer has any follow-up questions or concerns on service work your company provided, an integrated business management system will store all of the information you need to resolve the query effectively:

  • What work was done?
  • Which technician conducted the work?
  • How long it took (including billable hours)?
  • Which parts or materials were needed to complete the repair?

It will also help you coordinate your staff more effectively. To learn how this is done, read our post: How a Business Management System Can Optimize Your Workforce.

Are you looking to add operating efficiencies to your computer store? Windward System Five offers a complete suite of ERP solutions designed to help you control every aspect of your business. Call us to learn how we can simplify the way you operate.

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