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Swing-N-Slide: Swift eSales With Sage 100 ERP
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)
Applicable Industries
- Consumer Goods
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
- Sales & Marketing
Use Cases
- Supply Chain Visibility
Services
- System Integration
The Challenge
Swing-N-Slide, a leading manufacturer of wooden outdoor playground equipment, recognized the need for a robust financial system to handle its growth and improve sales to 'big box' stores and consumers. The company had been using Sage 100 ERP software as its backbone for nearly a decade. However, the company faced challenges in automating its business systems to handle growth and offer Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and online commerce to improve sales. Major trading partners insisted on their vendors communicating through an EDI. For five years, Swing-N-Slide used an integrated third-party module, written specifically for Sage 100 ERP, that facilitated transactions with its 20 largest customers.
About The Customer
Swing-N-Slide is a leading manufacturer of wooden outdoor playground equipment. The company was established 20 years ago to meet the unmet need for quality, affordable playground products designed for backyards. Today, Swing-N-Slide's line of do-it-yourself wooden playground equipment is the market leader in the United States. The company's products are sold worldwide through 6,000 home center, building supply, and hardware stores. Swing-N-Slide is based in Janesville, Wisconsin, and has one location. The company employs 125 people. The customer database contains about 12,000 entries, of which between 4,000 and 6,000 are active retailers.
The Solution
Swing-N-Slide implemented Sage 100 ERP for all financials and new e-commerce capabilities, plus an EDI link with its largest trading partners. The company ventured into e-commerce using the Sage 100 ERP e-Business Manager module. It started small with a clearance store, offering items that would otherwise be obsolete so it wouldn't compete with its biggest retail partners. The popularity of the site surprised everyone, including the marketing folks. The company now offers 35 obsolete and discontinued items online, directly to consumers. Managers throughout the company can log on to Sage 100 ERP and select products to appear on the clearance website. The company also appreciates the tight integration between the Credit Card Processing module and e-Business Manager, providing seamless credit card transactions for online customers.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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