CDA are a Nottingham based £12 million turnover company importing and distributing top of the range kitchen appliances to over 200 wholesalers and retailers in the UK.

So when looking for a new accounts system, speed of operation and a system that produces high quality management reporting were key requirements.  It was also important that the software was scaleable.  CDA has ambitious growth plans and any new system needed to fit with these.

CDA implemented a 10-user Access Dimensions system in September 2002.  EBS set up a project plan in conjunction with CDA to manage the implementation.   Prior to going live, there was a 3 month period during which the system was configured and a prototype company was set up for users to become familiar with the new software.

 “We always appoint as Project Consultant one of our most experienced staff on jobs like these,” said Tahir Iqbal, EBS’s Managing Director.  “We need to understand their business and build close working relationships with key staff.  We know we have to do this if we are to provide an accounts system which both meets our customer's business requirements and contributes to their enhanced efficiency and profitability.”

Inventory management proved to be a key requirement.   CDA imports mainly from Italy so makes extensive use of the Landed Costs facility within the Dimensions stock module. This enables the company to keep track of all costs, such as haulage, duty and storage, on any stock line.

 “Lead times are long so knowing what is in stock, what is coming into stock, what is on order and what needs to be ordered are vital,” said David Collishaw, CDA’s IT Manager.  “We need to get to this information quickly and we need it to be accurate.  EBS has helped us produce a range of Crystal Reports so that we can easily extract information from the system.   This helps us make key decisions about what to order and what not to order.  Our Purchasing Manager knows she must never run out of stock so that we do not let our customers down.  However ensuring we keep stock to the minimum keeps our working capital low.  This is an absolute requirement in this business.”

Elite Business Services have also helped CDA design a report that predicts sales taking into account seasonal variations.  “I am really proud that we are able to use the information in Dimensions,” added Leigh Garner, “in a different and imaginative way to help CDA provide their customers with an even higher quality of service.”