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Case Study: High Performance Tooling

“Time is money. When we need technical support, dynaMACS response time is immediate. They solve our problem quickly so we can get back to selling.”

Pierce Ellis, Co-Owner
High Performance Tool

 

High_Performance_Tooling_LogoClient Challenge

High Performance Tooling is always in sales mode. The agency needs information on manufacturers and customers instantly. The fast-paced agency needed faster access to more in-depth information than RPMS software could deliver. Even more frustrating was trying to get technical support. “When we called, we always got voicemail. They called you back when they got a chance. It could be hours; it could be the next day,” says Pierce Ellis, co-owner of High Performance Group. “Time is money. We don’t have time to wait for a call-back for technical support.”

High_Performance_Tooling_StatisticsdynaMACS Solution

Ellis came across dynaMACS at a trade show, and was impressed with the level of in-depth information the software provided. Data could be accessed instantly, and he could drill down to in-depth information with just a few mouse clicks. So the agency purchased dynaMACS, and the challenge of getting lightning-fast access to valuable information was solved.

But could dynaMACS live up to the agency’s need for fast technical support? Ellis says the dynaMACS support team has exceeded his expectations. “The dynaMACS response time is immediate. The support team solves our problem quickly so we can get back to selling. “We know we can call dynaMACS, talk to friendly and helpful support staff, get the issue resolved and continue with our day efficiently without waiting around.”

High Performance Group partners have dynaMACS Mobile, so they can take sales and commission data with them wherever they go – and still quickly call for technical support.

Ellis gives dynaMACS the highest recommendation: “We will never switch to different software. We love working with dynaMACS.”

Tip #1301 – Power of eSi Mapping

If you receive sales information from manufacturers electronically, you can replace hours of data entry by importing that information directly into dynaMACS using the optional Electronic Sales Input (eSi) module. eSi includes the Reformat Utility which translates the information from your manufacturer into a file that dynaMACS recognizes. Once you have shown dynaMACS how to translate a manufacturer’s file the first time, dynaMACS remembers the translation, or map, for any future sales information files received from that manufacturer. Below are just a couple of eSi features that show the power of eSi mapping.

Auto Duplicate Feature

The Advanced feature #11 says Auto Duplicate any fields in the import file if the row is blank. This will apply to all dynaMACS fields in Column 3 that have an “*” next to them.

Electronic Sales Information Mapping with the auto duplication field checked for importing manufacturer commission statements into dynaMACS Software

The spreadsheet example shown below is a primary example of where this can be used. Notice the first entry for each invoice has the permanent information but each subsequent row is left blank. By selecting the Auto Field Duplication option, the blank fields will be populated with the preceding data. This eliminates the need to manually modify the spreadsheet prior to processing it in dynaMACS.

 

Append Feature

With the Append feature you can combine two fields from your import file to map to a dynaMACS field. This is useful in identifying multiple Ship-to locations for a customer where the Ship-to location is in a different field from the Sold-to customer code. In the following example we will append the Code field with the Zip Code field.

  1. First highlight a field in box (2) Selected.
  2. Next highlight a field in box (1) Fields from the source file which will be appended to the field selected in step 1 and select the Append button.
  3. The field Code is now appended with the field Zip Code. The combined field is “mapped” to the Mfg’s Customer Code used to identify the correct customer.Electronic Sales Information Mapping with the results of appending 2 fields together for the importing manufacturer commission statements into dynaMACS Software

If you are interested in the dynaMACS eSi module and you currently do not have access to it, please contact the dynaMACS sales office @ 800-321-1788 to learn more.

Tip #1212 – Using Dropbox simplifies the process of sending and receiving dynaMACS Mobile update files

Dropbox helps you store files and access them any time wherever you are. Using Dropbox with dynaMACS will eliminate the need for sending and receiving your dynaMACS files via email. Dropbox creates a special folder on all your devices. Any time you need to save a file, drag it into the folder and at a blink of an eye it will appear in the same folder on all the other devices, be it laptops, PCs, mobile phones or tablets. For more information on obtaining a Dropbox account visit their website at www.dropbox.com.

Note

Setting up the dynaMACS Mobile Configuration for Dropbox Access

To save dynaMACS Mobile files to Dropbox you must set up each dynaMACS Mobile user configuration to save these files to a Dropbox folder.

  1. From the main dynaMACS screen select Other Functions>Administration>dynaMACS Mobile Configuration to open the dynaMACS Mobile Configuration screen.dynaMACS Main Screen
  2. With the configuration selected for the mobile user, select Copy Exported file To This Folder from the drop down box in Send/Copy Options
  3. Enter the path on your computer for the Dropbox Bin
  4. Select the Save button then the Exitbutton.Mobile Config

Accessing Agency Files from Dropbox

Since your agency file is sitting in a Dropbox folder, there is no longer a need to receive it via email and copy it to a folder on your computer before importing. You can go directly to the Dropbox folder during the Import Agency File process.

  1. From the Import Agency File screen select the Binoculars button to locate the agency (.DMF) file in the Dropbox folder and proceed with the import.Import Agency File

 

Case Study: Michel Sales Agency Inc.

“Using ‘dynaMACS Mobile on the Cloud’, our sales reps have information at their fingertips whenever and wherever they need it.”

Rick Michel, Outside Sales
Michel Sales Agency Inc.

Michel_LogoClient Challenge

“Michel Sales Agency Inc. was struggling with its sales and commission software. “It was difficult to navigate, and we had trouble getting important sales information like year-to-date sales for customers, manufacturers and sales reps. As a result, reps weren’t using it effectively,” says Rick Michel, outside sales rep and unofficial software manager for the agency. “We don’t have an IT person, so easy-to-use software that requires little training is key for us,” he says.




Michel_StatisticsdynaMACS Solution

Michel saw dynaMACS at a trade show. He asked for a software demo. After seeing how easy it was to use and how the user could drill down to detailed information with a few mouse clicks, Michel “decided to pull the trigger.” The agency purchased dynaMACS and hasn’t looked back. Michel said dynaMACS support provided training, but little was needed, because dynaMACS is extremely intuitive. Now, the agency can sort data by customer, manufacturer, sales rep, territory, five-year history and much more, with complete control of how they want to analyze data. dynaMACS made it possible to convert raw data into meaningful information and easy-to-read reports.

Michel Sales Agency is using dynaMACS on the cloud, so they have real-time data. When the operator enters sales and commission information, it is updated instantly on the cloud. Sales reps access the most up-to-date information at any given moment – no downloading of files or updates needed. This enables them to be productive from any location – a feature the agency never dreamed was possible when they were using the former software.

Sales reps are equipped with dynaMACS Mobile, so they can access data from any device – laptop, iPad, etc. Reps often pull up data before sales calls, to see where sales are up or down. “Communication with manufacturers is key to our business. Now we have a way to share valuable information,” he says.

Case Study: Northcoast Sales Agency

“We have instant access to data from anywhere, on any device: laptop, iPad, smartphone. dynaMACS is unbelievably different from the old software.”

Jeff Van Winkle, Principal
Northcoast Sales Agency

Northcoast_Sales_Agency_LogoClient Challenge

The search for new agency software came about for a simple reason: Northcoast Sales Agency needed better reporting. Sales reps needed up-to-date information that they could easily access while on the road. When talking to colleagues across the country about dynaMACS, Jeff Van Winkle, Principal for Northcoast Sales, says the feedback was extremely positive. So the agency switched from RPMS to dynaMACS.

Northcoast_Sales_Agency_StatisticsdynaMACS Solution

By making the change, the agency got much more than better reporting. Northcoast now has the latest, most advanced technology, with dynaMACS cloud processing and eSi electronic data transfer.

From the cloud, the entire team can now access real-time data from anywhere, anytime on smart devices. “We all have instant access to data from anywhere. I pull up reports on my iPad when I’m traveling, or from my computer at home. The access to real-time information is incredible.”

The entire team can review reports on customers, manufacturers and sales reps. Any time sales or commission information is updated at the agency, it is updated instantly on the cloud. All office locations and every sales rep can get real-time data at any given moment – no downloading of files or updates needed.

Another powerful dynaMACS’ feature that Northcoast selected is eSi. Commission reports and other sales data is received and updated electronically. Manual data entry of large reports from individual factories is a thing of the past. Reports are standardized across manufacturers and data is imported with a few mouse clicks in minutes.

Combining the speed of eSi and the anywhere-access of cloud processing, Northcoast Sales is equipped with the most efficient method for managing sales and commission data process, from receipt of raw commission statements through reporting and rep distribution.

Tip # 1210 – Using dynaMACS to Print Labels Directly to Microsoft Word

The dynaMACS Mailing List Export is a simple feature that allows you to print your mailing labels directly to Microsoft Word. This feature lets you target specific customers by filtering on data fields from the customer records in dynaMACS. You can also include or exclude customers that purchase from certain manufacturers.
The label option that will be used in the dynaMACS List Export feature must be set up first in your Microsoft Word program in order to use the dynaMACS Print Labels option. The following example explains how to set up the label options Microsoft Word.

Setting up Labels in Microsoft Word

In the following example we will set up the 5160DM in Microsoft Word. The 5160DM is equivalent in dimensions to the Avery 5160 label.

Note: There are 3 other custom labels available in dynaMACS:

          • CustomDM1
          • CustomDM2
          • CustomDM3

These labels can be created using the same procedures and applying the appropriate dimensions for the desired label.

Example

  1. With a new document open in Microsoft Word, select the Mailings tab.
  2. Select the Labels button.Main Screen
  3. Select the Options button from the Envelopes and Labels dialog box.Envelopes and Labels
  4. From the Label Options dialog box select the option Avery US Letter from the Label Vendors drop down box.
  5. Select 5160 Easy Peel Address Labels from the Product Number list.
  6. Select the New Label button.Label Options
  7. Change the Label Name to 5160DM in the Label Details dialog box. You will notice that the dimensions for the Avery 5160 are displayed. This will allow you to create a new label using the same dimensions as the Avery 5160.
  8. Select the OK button.Label Details
  9. From the Label Options dialog box select the OK button.  Note: You will see that the newly created label now appears in the list of Product NumbersLabel Options 2
  10. Select the Cancel button from the Envelopes and Labels dialog box to complete the label setup and exit the Envelopes and Labels screen.Envelopes and Labels 2

Creating Labels from the Mailing List Export Screen

The following example explains how to select the mailing list options in dynaMACS and print labels once the label has been added in Microsoft Word.

In the following example we will print labels using the label 5160DM for all customers in the state of OH and exclude the manufacturer Lee Jacob Mfg.

Example

  1. From the dynaMACS main screen select Tools>Mailing List ExportMain Screen 2
  2. In the Mailing List Export screen enter OH in the State field.
  3. Enter LJM in the From and Through fields in the Manufacturer Section.
  4. Select 5160DM from the Print Labels drop down box.
  5. Select the Proceed button.Mailing List Export
  6. The following dialog box will appear as the labels are being created in Microsoft Word.Creating Labels in MS Word Dialog BoxNote
    Error Msg - CustomDM1 Not Set Up
  7. Microsoft Word will launch with the labels displayed and ready for print.Screen Shot of Labels