Equiparts Modernized their Legacy Business System and Outdated Website with KiBiz and KiBiz eCommerce
For almost 50 years Equiparts has been supplying a complete line of plumbing and mechanical specialties to solve a wide variety of Maintenance Repair Problems. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, they distribute the following types of parts and related products to Commercial and Institutional facilities across the United States: Plumbing, Commercial Heating, Hardware, Drinking Fountain Parts, Window, Locker, Partitions, Glides and Casters, Electrical, Fasteners, Tools, Chemicals, and more.
Kim Coles, a 25 year veteran at Equiparts, approached us to help modernize their in-house legacy business system. Their outdated system could no longer run on the newer Mac Operating System and Computers. So, they felt they needed to find a new system to move forward. Kim had developed some auxiliary databases using FileMaker Pro, and liked the user friendly, easy to use and customize capabilities of it. So, she was asked by the owner to research FileMaker based business management programs.
Equiparts
Based in Pittsburgh, PA, we distribute the following types of parts and related products to Commercial and Institutional facilities across the United States: Plumbing, Commercial Heating, Hardware, Drinking Fountain Parts, Window, Locker, Partitions, Glides and Casters, Electrical, Fasteners, Tools, Chemicals, and more. We pride ourselves in supplying the highest quality genuine replacement parts.Our specialty is hard to find parts. In addition,we are committed to delivering the highest level of professional service. Our employees are trained specialists, certified by industry leaders such as Sloan Valve, Chicago Faucet, Oasis Water Cooler, and Bobrick Washroom Equipment.
www.store.equiparts.net
At a FileMaker Developer Conference, she was introduced to KiBiz, and was immediately impressed by all the modules and features that it al contained. After viewing a demo of KiBiz, she brought her findings back to her boss, Joel Weiss. Joel then asked to view a demo of KiBiz for himself and key staff. Soon, there after they made the purchase of KiBiz for 25 users to start out with.
Once we begin working with Equiparts we conducted a thorough needs analysis to determine what customizations would be needed for such a large company. Early on, it became apparent that they wanted to also create a new look and feel for their Website, and increase their ecommerce sales and presence.
They learned that KiBiz can be connected to X-Cart and then be customized to fit their specific requirements. We then began a customization project for both KiBiz and their Website. We worked closely together, to build a strong infrastructure in KiBiz, which allowed them to have up to 5 category levels to show their tens of thousands of items on the web. They could also display items by manufacturer. So, KiBiz gave them greater flexibility to allow customers to quickly find what they are looking for.
We created the ability for product and inventory data to be easily uploaded and updated on the website, and then provide their customer the ability to request quotes or submit orders that went directly into KiBiz. This automated the sales process tremendously, as sales staff could quickly find the request for quotes, and begin the fulfillment process on the orders.
As the customizations were implemented and the Equiparts staff made the transition to KiBiz, they saw the need to add more KiBiz products to the mix. They did some minor manufacturing on some of their products, so they added the KiBiz Production Mangement module to help them manage their production process. They also had a need for a retail POS for local customers. So, they added KiPoint to take these retail sales. Both KiPoint and KBiz Production were easily integrated into KiBiz, to make their business system even more powerful and useful.
“I really appreciate the response time that our company gets from Ki Systems staff. With other software companies we wouldn’t know if or when they would respond. It really helps all our users to know they can get the support they need in a timely fashion.”
Kim Coles Equiparts, Pittsburgh, PA