>From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Mon Apr 01 15:07:41 1996 Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 15:07:34 -0500 From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: EOM VS AR VS FC Hi: Found the answer to my growing Balance Forward problem with FC - Dave Watson to the rescue. In MCT the option "Apply to FC " if set to L will apply payment to FC last so this could leave FC open if Invoices are not all paid. Set to F will apply back FC first Now I feel I gotta to back to Business 101???????????????????/ Have fun Rick >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Mon Apr 01 17:18:37 1996 Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 17:18:14 -0500 From: StevenO510@aol.com Subject: Re: Balance Forward vs FC DAVE WATSON IS THE ONLY ADVICE LINER THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ANYMORE! >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Tue Apr 02 03:23:42 1996 Date: Tue, 02 Apr 1996 00:03:48 -0800 From: Jay Will & Linda Farr Subject: Re: AR vs new accounts RICKSS1@aol.com wrote: > > Hi: > > Why does TRIAD still preach closing the EOM AR at the end of month which > makes mahem to do all that work then???? > Teach them to close around the 27th - get the money in sooner and free up the > other work needed for EOM. > > Have fun. > > Rick > ***************************************************************> *************************************************************** I agree. We've been closing and sending out statements on the 25th since we got Triad's revolving A/R. Jay Farr >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Tue Apr 02 14:30:17 1996 Date: Tue, 2 Apr 1996 14:30:09 -0500 From: StevenO510@aol.com Subject: Re: AR vs new accounts If you have the right equipment, you can print your statements on the first of the month, presort them by zip code, and have them in the customer's hands the next day. We mail out 1,800 to 2,500 statements each month. We have a folder/inserter and a mail machine for postage. We still can't print statements (RSM) by zip code. How can you get through to Triad that the efficiency of the back office depends on small programming needs like this. We must have the ability to print bar codes on mailings as well...soon! It will be a miracle if we ever see that throught the Triad????? Thanks for listening. >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Tue Apr 02 15:12:19 1996 X-Sender: "John Fix 3rd" Date: Tue, 02 Apr 1996 15:12:10 -0500 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: Statements by zip code Steve wrote... >We still can't print statements (RSM) by zip code. How can you get through >to Triad that the efficiency of the back office depends on small programming >needs like this. We must have the ability to print bar codes on mailings as >well...soon! It will be a miracle if we ever see that throught the >Triad????? > There is a new option "V" for RSM which is hidden. It prints statements by zip code. I'm pretty sure it's a Level 17 enhancement, which is just now going into beta release. It be on late releases of Level 16 which are shipping now, since they sometimes incorporate enhancements into older release levels. As for mailings and bar codes, the only route I can see right now is to use a PC laser printer and an RQ PC file. It's a workaround, but it works. John >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Tue Apr 02 16:47:20 1996 Date: Tue, 2 Apr 1996 13:47:05 -0800 X-Sender: batesace@netcom.com From: batesace@netcom.com (Wade Doss) Subject: Re: AR vs new accounts >We still can't print statements (RSM) by zip code. How can you get through >to Triad that the efficiency of the back office depends on small programming >needs like this. We must have the ability to print bar codes on mailings as >well...soon! It will be a miracle if we ever see that throught the >Triad????? The zip code sorting is on level 17, might be waiting awhile on the bar code printing direct from the Triad. Only thing available at the present is to export a/r info out to pc and print mailing labels with bar codes using labelworks. Wade Wade Doss Bates Ace Hardware Atlanta, GA 404-351-4240 fax 404-350-8402 batesace@netcom.com WDoss@msn.com Compuserve 76050,3511 >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Wed Apr 03 02:32:15 1996 Date: Tue, 02 Apr 1996 23:12:12 -0800 From: Jay Will & Linda Farr Subject: Re: AR vs new accounts StevenO510@aol.com wrote: > > If you have the right equipment, you can print your statements on the first > of the month, presort them by zip code, and have them in the customer's hands > the next day. We mail out 1,800 to 2,500 statements each month. We have a > folder/inserter and a mail > machine for postage. > > We still can't print statements (RSM) by zip code. How can you get through > to Triad that the efficiency of the back office depends on small programming > needs like this. We must have the ability to print bar codes on mailings as > well...soon! It will be a miracle if we ever see that throught the > Triad????? > > Thanks for listening. > *************************************************************** > Hardlines Mailing List is an unmoderated Internet mailing list > for hardware and building materials industry members. > > Address articles you wish to send to list members to: > > hardlines@cornells.com > > To remove your name from the mailing list, send email to > listserv@cornells.com with the following line in your message: > > unsubscribe hardlines firstname lastname > > For any other questions, send email to postmaster@cornells.com > *************************************************************** There must be some users who can get through to the programmers at Triad. Otherwise, there wouldn't be as many changes, many of which I would never have thought of, and some of which are really neat! Maybe we go about it the wrong way? Zip code, or carrier route sorting really is a must to save postage and gain efficiency. I suppose bar coding is next. I kind of gave up on cheap first class rates when Triad refused to add zip code sorting. Jay Farr To Steven: Wow I thought we were the only crazy A/R people out there ... 2500 statements mailed a month? I think we should get together. We mail 1800 or so ... >From imp@li.com Thu Apr 04 20:48:58 1996 Date: Thu, 4 Apr 1996 20:56:21 -0500 X-Sender: imp@swamp.li.com To: owner-hardlines@cornells.com From: imp@li.com (Bob Whelan) Subject: A/R Open Item File Problems For those of you with Eagles and PC Access, I've encountered a very weird situation, and I wonder if anyone else has had the experience. I did a RQ dump of the A/R open item file for a year end accounting audit, to provide the accountants with detail of all accounts. I placed no constraints on the dump, and asked for all transaction types. For the most part, it went fine (the client has >$3mm in A/R), except that the accountants had a different total A/R than I with a year end RAG - by +/- $200K. The difference was related to certain account numbers the database program they used picked up, that we could not find on the RAG! I went to MCR and displayed customer numbers he had, but we did not. Account Not On File. However, if I put in the account number, gave it a name and pressed , and then went to DCA - viola! - the transactions that were formerly unattached to any customer master record were suddenly attached!!! Their (the accountants) number matched mine! I could run an RAG option "R" and the old garbage balance would appear on MCR Screen 2!! Whaaaaaat???? My client converted to Eagle in February 1993. There is no recollection of any large variance for A/R that year close (RAG to G/L), yet some of the transactions date to that year. In fact, further research showed us resurrecting transactions from 1987 ( appropriate for Easter :( )! First - has anyone seen anything like this? - the implications are HUGE. You could potentially add an account and suddenly have a statement that has old garbage on it! Second - Is anyone aware of a utility in the Eagle that might let you blow away a customer record EVEN when there are transactions in the A/R customer masterfile (u/SRF/CR)? Kind of a UMOI for customers? Third - are people experiencing problems with tying the A/R in their G/L to the RAG? Are they using Level 16 expanded pass-off (Departmentalized with Cost of Goods Sold, etc.). Are you using control accounts to reconcile the RDJZ single number pass-off to CASH (very bogus!)??? Any ideas are appreciated - Thanks! Bob Whelan imp@li.com Implement >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Sun Apr 14 16:43:29 1996 X-Sender: truevalu@pop.interaccess.com Date: Sun, 14 Apr 1996 14:49:58 -0500 From: truevalu@interaccess.com (Dane at Mutual True Value) Subject: Re: Statements by zip code John John Please check out http://www.srnbrd.com and tell me what you think. This is the group I do the radio show with. If you any suggestions please let me know. Dane >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Mon Apr 15 22:14:33 1996 Date: Tue, 16 Apr 96 02:10:24 UT From: "MIKE JONES" Subject: for sale information April 15, 1996 Hardlines Participants: Am looking for information on hardware stores for sale in the Southeast, prefer Carolinas and True Value. If anyone has any information, please e-mail to: Hardware_Man@msn.com. Thanks for any information you can give me. >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Tue Apr 16 09:14:10 1996 Date: Tue, 16 Apr 1996 09:13:45 -0400 From: LindseyLum@aol.com Subject: Re: for sale information In a message dated 96-04-15 22:45:07 EDT, you write: >Am looking for information on hardware stores for sale in the Southeast, >prefer Carolinas and True Value. If anyone has any information, please >e-mail >to: Hardware_Man@msn.com. > > I am in the Carolinas.... I know of one that was for sale in Charleston. Or, I think it was. I can get you a person to e-mail on that if you are interested. Are you planning to move to the town and manage it? Myrtle Beach had one for sale awhile back, but I don't know about now. There was one in Columbia where there was a death in the family, but it was closed. Actually, a start up in some hot area like Myrtle Beach would probably be a success. Traffic there is a considerable downer for traveling to Wal Mart for everything, and I think locals do pretty well due to the retirees who like to piddle. Dale Boozer >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Tue Apr 16 21:02:15 1996 Date: Tue, 16 Apr 96 17:58:13 From: Georgina_Fillmed@cocc.edu (Georgina Fillmed) Organization: COCC Subject: Fwd: Re(2): for sale information Priority: normal Hello there, I am new to this so I don't exactly know what I am doing. Someone was asking about hardware stores for sale in the Southeast preferably Carolinas and True Value, right? Well, right now I don't think I can be of any help . See, I am just starting a project of putting together a business plan for a True Value Hardware Store. This project is for a Business Seminar class. I am a business student at Central Oregon Community College. I have no experienc whatsoever in the actual business operations out in the real world. I subscribed on the mailing list hoping that I could get some input and suggestions on what running a hardware store is all about. Maybe someone might have some advice for me? If I find something in my research I believe might help, I will definitely post it. Georgina >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Tue Apr 16 21:44:43 1996 Date: Tue, 16 Apr 1996 18:38:59 -0700 X-Sender: chapman@mail.adnc.com From: Dave Chapman Subject: Re: Fwd: Re(2): for sale information georgina, > I am the manager of pykles true value in San Diego if I can be of any help to you in your research please let me know and I will do what ever I can. >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Tue Apr 16 22:29:17 1996 Date: Tue, 16 Apr 1996 22:30:12 -0400 (EDT) X-Sender: rmaed@unix.worldpath.net From: BOB AIKEN Subject: Re: Fwd: Re(2): for sale information At 05:58 PM 4/16/96, you wrote: >Hello there, > >I am new to this so I don't exactly know what I am doing. Someone was asking >about hardware stores for sale in the Southeast preferably Carolinas and True >Value, right? > >Well, right now I don't think I can be of any help . See, I am just starting >a project of putting together a business plan for a True Value Hardware Store. > This project is for a Business Seminar class. I am a business student at >Central Oregon Community College. I have no experienc whatsoever in the >actual business operations out in the real world. > >I subscribed on the mailing list hoping that I could get some input and >suggestions on what running a hardware store is all about. Maybe someone >might have some advice for me? >If I find something in my research I believe might help, I will definitely >post it. > >Georgina Hi Georgina, I'm Bob Aiken, hardware store owner for twenty-three years in New Hampshire, and seminar speaker in the hardlines industry. If I can be of help in any specific area or running a business, I would be happy to try and assist. You can reach me directly at: rmaed@worldpath.net Good luck in your research! > > >*************************************************************** > Hardlines Mailing List is an unmoderated Internet mailing list > for hardware and building materials industry members. > > Address articles you wish to send to list members to: > > hardlines@cornells.com > > To remove your name from the mailing list, send email to > listserv@cornells.com with the following line in your message: > > unsubscribe hardlines firstname lastname > > For any other questions, send email to postmaster@cornells.com >*************************************************************** > > >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Tue Apr 16 22:39:32 1996 Date: Tue, 16 Apr 1996 19:39:19 -0700 X-Sender: batesace@netcom.com From: batesace@netcom.com (Wade Doss) Subject: Hardware Business Plan Georgina, >Well, right now I don't think I can be of any help . See, I am just starting >a project of putting together a business plan for a True Value Hardware Store. > This project is for a Business Seminar class. I am a business student at >Central Oregon Community College. I have no experienc whatsoever in the >actual business operations out in the real world. You should be able to get alot of input from this group. There is probably over 200 years of total hardware experience enrolled on this listserver. Both Ace and True Value dealers and probably others. You will also find some of the most progressive dealers in the country as we are all automated hardware stores and some of the first in the country to automate. Some of the things you can expect from running a hardware store; you most be a person that can wear many hats, cashier, manager, owner, financial wizard, janitor, plumber, electrican to just name a few. Long hours seem to come with the business and if that's not enough we have computer systems so we can take our work home with us and work from home (more hours). No two days are exactly the same so this job never gets boring, it's a new challenge each day. It's a never ending battle against the big boxes (Home Depot etc.) that someday we will WIN!! (I have faith in the independent businessman's ability to react and adjust faster than the corporate giant). So ask any questions you like, I sure you will receive a mailbox full. Wade Wade Doss Bates Ace Hardware Atlanta, GA 404-351-4240 fax 404-350-8402 batesace@netcom.com WDoss@msn.com Compuserve 76050,3511 >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Wed Apr 17 11:56:13 1996 X-Sender: "John Fix 3rd" Date: Wed, 17 Apr 1996 11:56:06 -0400 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: The hardware business Georgina wrote: >I have no experienc whatsoever in the >actual business operations out in the real world. > >I subscribed on the mailing list hoping that I could get some input and >suggestions on what running a hardware store is all about. Maybe someone >might have some advice for me? My first suggestion would be to try and get a part-time job at a hardware store or home center. I'm sure you've got other time constraints, but the quickest way to gain some insight into the hardware business, and retailing in general, would be to hang out in a store. With your computer background (just posting a message on an Internet mailing list means you've got more background than most store owners), I'm sure you could find a position in a store as an office assistant. This would get you working with inventory, accounting, etc. in a small way. You might try and get hold of some back issues of the hardware industry trade magazines, like Hardware Age, DIY Retailing, or National Home Center News. Good luck! John >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Thu Apr 18 07:31:57 1996 Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 07:31:49 -0400 From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Connect Hi: Got a call from Ken from Shipps TV in N.J. He has been trying to use Connect to get on the Cotter Network Has anybody been successful yet? I gave up in October and still use the PC. Have fun. Rick >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Thu Apr 18 08:42:58 1996 X-Sender: "John Fix 3rd" Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 08:42:54 -0400 From: "WILLIAM H. ROUND" <102753.622@CompuServe.COM> (by way of John Fix 3rd ) Subject: IST, Hand-held, what-ever. Gentlemen, I am concerned that we will have to wait until level 18 to get a good set of IST applications. I may be wrong, but I fear that some of my favorites will not be in level 17. The time is drawing close to where they will lock the specifications and work towards releasing the product. Here are the items I think should be on the IST: 1. Bin label printing. It's there, so far as I know. 2. Price tag checking. It's there, but how good? 3. Physical inventory. It's there, but is it usable? Can it handle multiple location sessions? Is it easy to use? 4. Receiving. It's there, but a disaster and unusable. I see this as an "emergency" purchase order application, but not a routine receiving method. Ask Sam Costa about his experiences.... 5. Floor order. It's there, but how good? I would rather see an automated RSO. Perhaps we could address this RSO issue in the group. It is time to revisit this workhorse report and find a way to automate it. The hand-held IST may not be the way. Radio frequency (RF) may be required. Has anybody bought the Cole Computer RF device? 6. Upload user code changes. I haven't seen this. It is possible to change a limited number of fields, the most critical one is one User. With this the store can do whatever it pleases with the application. Here are some tasked I would do: -Zero quantity floor walk. Shoot every employ bin and hook in the place. Why are they like that? -Shoot all skus in a new merchandising set up. Exclude these and run the class or fineline. What's missing? -Shoot all skus which look dusty, overstocked, poorly-priced, in quantity in the warehouse, etc., for print-out and review. There is no substitue for walking the floor and the warehouse to see what is going on. -Shoot all items with multiple facings and code them as such. Fredware permits tags to print in facing quantities. 7. An automated pick list. I've been screaming about this for years. I want to shoot the sku, enter the quantity needed to fill the shelf, and print a report to hand over to someone to fill. This is an application in and of itself. I know Jan Naylor has at least one person in here bigger stores to perform this function. Dane has one. I need one, but why do that when I can use expensive mgrs? A few new fields would be necessary in IMU: Shelf facings, pick quantity, 2nd (and 3rd)locations. 8. I must now interact with members of my family unit. I regret that I do not have more time to do so, but there are too may things with are just not efficient enough to permit this. Getting merchandise to the sales floor in our 7,500 square foot store stuffed with 15,000 square feet of merchandise (to satisfy the Cotter promotional programs....) requires too much work. I need help! For those who are keeping a tally, Dad's Basset just tore up another $20 feather duster. Respectfully submitted to interested parties, Bill Round, Jr. PS. Please feel free to copy, respond, pass on, and raise hell. >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Thu Apr 18 09:20:28 1996 X-Sender: "John Fix 3rd" Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 09:20:19 -0400 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: A/R Problems with phantom accounts Bob Whelan posted a query (actually several ) about problems with A/R and "phantom open items". The problem described essentially is that deleted accounts leave behind transactions in the open item file. These transactions apparently later showed up again when a new account was added using the same account number. I tested this today on my system (Eagle, Level 17) and found no problems with open items, account numbers, etc. I did a raw dump using RQ of all transactions for all accounts, and found no extra account numbers or transactions. This does not mean that the problem does not exist on other levels, but just that I can't duplicate the described behavior. However, there have been instances where this type of behavior was seen with extended sales history and promotional history. If records were deleted, they actually remained in the file and later reappeared if you added an extended history to the same SKU. This has since been fixed (goes back a few years at least). A worse "orphan data" scenario is the continuing problem with security bits that get left behind. If you have a user named JOHN who has access to all security functions, and then delete his user record, his bits "hang around" in the system. If you later add a new JOHN back in via MUR, he inherits the old security bits. Be very careful about re-using user names, as it's tough to clean these old files up. John ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ John3@cornells.com - Eastchester's Premier Software Test Site http://www.cornells.com/john.htm Currently testing Windows NT 4.0, SLMail95 v1.2b3, Spry Mosaic 4.1b2, Website Pro, Triad 17.????, assorted other product. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Thu Apr 18 11:29:48 1996 Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 11:29:44 -0400 From: CHank1@aol.com Subject: Re: Connect I use connect about twice a day. before you call make sure the control key is turned on the VDT. Do this by pressing SHIFT SPACEBAR and go to keyboard and press SPACEBAR and go to contol and press SPACEBAR to change that to yes or something like that. back out and save the changes. When you if you are calling from a VDT after the screen says "dialing" press CONT HOME and the screen will say DIR/MUX something like that after cotter answers 2 thinks can happen if it says enter signon continue to next step if it say please log in using upper case letters press CONT M, this will make the screen scroll and then it should say enter signon name. Enter your signon name with the @000??? (whatever yours is) then do not press enter like you want to but press CONT M (this is like enter) now you will go to a screen that tells cotter what type of terminal you are calling from. Again if you are calling from a VDT you will need to turn of the CAP LOC so you can type in small letters and type rtriad and press CONT M. Now you will go to another screen and you will choose F2 or the help key. Now you will go to another screen and you enter your signon name and now you can press ENTER next enter your password and press ENTER (I think the first time your password is the same as your signon name, you may want to check with cotter if that does not work) Take care Chuck >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Thu Apr 18 21:10:04 1996 Comments: Authenticated sender is From: "coos.or.us" Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 17:23:54 +0000 Subject: Re: Fwd: Re(2): for sale information Priority: normal Feel free to bounce ideas off me ... I've not got a lot of time to initiate things but I have an MBA and it does come in handy in our 80 year old True Value business. And we're just over the mountains, in Coos BAy. Jay Farr Farr's True Value fax 269-5430 >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Thu Apr 18 23:39:47 1996 Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 23:40:42 -0400 (EDT) X-Sender: rmaed@unix.worldpath.net (Unverified) From: BOB AIKEN Subject: Re: Connect What is the "Connect" and "Cotter Network" you are refering to? I am a TV dealer and I haven't heard of it. Maybe I have been away too much, but if you can inform me I would appreciate it. Thanks, Bob Aiken At 07:31 AM 4/18/96 -0400, you wrote: >Hi: > >Got a call from Ken from Shipps TV in N.J. >He has been trying to use Connect to get on the Cotter Network > >Has anybody been successful yet? I gave up in October and still use the PC. > >Have fun. > >Rick >*************************************************************** > Hardlines Mailing List is an unmoderated Internet mailing list > for hardware and building materials industry members. > > Address articles you wish to send to list members to: > > hardlines@cornells.com > > To remove your name from the mailing list, send email to > listserv@cornells.com with the following line in your message: > > unsubscribe hardlines firstname lastname > > For any other questions, send email to postmaster@cornells.com >*************************************************************** > > >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Fri Apr 19 07:02:57 1996 Posted-Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 04:08:23 -0700 Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 04:03:30 +0000 From: "Peter J. Cailotto" Subject: Re: Connect If your talking about Dial-In, I've been using it for quite some time and it works great. I've placed many a special order on the weekend, and when the warehouse is down to 5 or 6 or 2 of that sku, its real nice to be able to reserve an item. They used to have E-mail, and they did have a listment functions on there at one time, but I guess they've trashed those ideas, because the e-mail is non-functional, and the listment functions are off. I'm on Tru-trac not Triad, but I imagine if you contact network services, they'll be happy to help you out. I've talked to Hope, she's a real nice lady, and I'm sure she'll be glad to help you out. >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Fri Apr 19 10:06:22 1996 X-Sender: "John Fix 3rd" Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 10:06:14 -0400 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: Hints & Ideas I just thought of another idea that I use that was passed down to me from Jim's True Value in Metropolis Il. When and item is discontinued we set the discontinued flag to Y like I'm sure most people but another slant is to add ***** to the end of the description field. This is helpfull for reports that print that may not have the disc. flag on them a quick ***** lets you know that the item has been discontinued. A further step we take is to change the sequence number to the substitute number supplied by Cotter. This allows a clerk to see an item has been discontinued and then they can quickly find the substitute number. I have also made a RQ report that list any items that are discontinued and shows the sequence number which now shows the substitute number or a N/A if it is not available or even a DISC. if there is no substitute number. Hope that someone will find this helpfull. Chuck Hank >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Fri Apr 19 15:27:53 1996 Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 15:27:46 -0400 From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Re: Connect Connect is the TRIAD program to activate a PC environment or emulate into another Triad -->however it does not work to well in Level 16 Level 17 enhancement is the FAX part (the Beta Testers can further elaborate on this.) Cotter Network is a way of connecting (no pun) into Cotter's computer to view and reserve merchandise. Supposedly it is up to the exact level just as if you call into the DC, however it takes about 3 minutes to sign on vs 1 minute to call the DC and get the answer. Also, there is a E-:Mail function to where ????????? I wish it connected to Cotter's Internal E-Mail, but............. Have fun Rick >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Fri Apr 19 15:30:48 1996 Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 15:30:45 -0400 From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Porter's Letter Hi Just got Porter's letter regarding the "Wedding" of computers. I am surprised we did not have to read it in a trade magazine first like the new Cotter Credit Card. Any comments or rumours of the honeymoon?? Rick >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Sat Apr 20 00:03:10 1996 Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 20:59:40 -0700 X-Sender: RKnudson@popd.ix.netcom.com From: Robert Knudson Subject: Stray Security Bits At 09:20 AM 4/18/96 -0400, John Fix wrote (in part): >A worse "orphan data" scenario is the continuing problem with security bits >that get left behind. If you have a user named JOHN who has access to all >security functions, and then delete his user record, his bits "hang around" >in the system. If you later add a new JOHN back in via MUR, he inherits the >old security bits. Be very careful about re-using user names, as it's tough >to clean these old files up. > >John > When you delete a user, you can - (minus) System security for all terminals for that user to make sure they don't get extra authority. All those zero bits stay in there though. I put my eight-year-old son on the project of hitting terminal numbers 0-99, then display, delete, delete for each one (for a terminated employee). Very time consuming, but he feels like he is a real helper. It might surprise you to spool an RSF report (do it for only one terminal) and see how many old records are in there. Robert Knudson CMC Builders Supply / True Value Colorado City, Arizona >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Fri Apr 19 17:43:08 1996 Posted-Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 14:48:46 -0700 X-Sender: pkm@dedot.com Date: Sat, 20 Apr 1996 02:43:47 -0700 From: Peter Cailotto Subject: Re: Porter's Letter At 03:30 PM 4/19/96 -0400, you wrote: >Hi > >Just got Porter's letter regarding the "Wedding" of computers. I am >surprised we did not have to read it in a trade magazine first like the new >Cotter Credit Card. > >Any comments or rumours of the honeymoon?? > >Rick >*************************************************************** > Hardlines Mailing List is an unmoderated Internet mailing list > for hardware and building materials industry members. > > Address articles you wish to send to list members to: > > hardlines@cornells.com > > To remove your name from the mailing list, send email to > listserv@cornells.com with the following line in your message: > > unsubscribe hardlines firstname lastname > > For any other questions, send email to postmaster@cornells.com >*************************************************************** > > If this joint venture deal results in better quality MIS system, without additional cost to the member, I'm all for it. But judging from Triad's past, I can't help but be sceptical about the whole ordeal... I know Triad is a for profit organization, I just hope we're not getting into a Monopoly type deal where they start off with rock bottom prices to sucker you in, and once they eliminate the competition...High prices for everyone! Arrow True Value Hardware Peter J. Cailotto Jr. -Manager E-Mail pkm@dedot.com Homepage http://www.dedot.com/pkm/Arrow.html >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Sat Apr 20 08:26:44 1996 X-Sender: jswift@mail.up.net Date: Sat, 20 Apr 1996 08:26:49 -0500 From: jack swift Subject: Re: Discontinued in addition to the usual prime vendors we have two special ones: DISC and DUMP... we use DUMP for the losers that cotter still has in warehouse and DISC for the winners that have been discontinued AND THAT the warehouse has run out of. every so often, we run RIS-inventory checks on these "vendors" to see what we can delete from the triad inventory files. since we have our 'real' inventory system in an external database, we never lose the history (in that file, we just append "/DEL" to the sku number). this keeps these items from being ordered from warehouse, but since the manufacturer vendor field is not changed we can still see them on DS RSO's. when doing the weekly order, we manually check the customer orders against IMU to make sure that everything is ordered -- even if it is a DUMP (takes 5 minutes). the only problem we encounter doing this is that the price change and promotion loading reports show these items as "VDM" for "vendor doesn't match", and the changes must be added manually. however, this is not really a problem, because this forces us to make sure the item number still matches the description . we run the weekly CIS file updates against the external database and generate a conversion list for substitutes --- we can easily tell what is an 'exact history match' and what will take some modification and what is not similar enough to be able to transfer history. because of my 'bean-counter' background i am a real stickler for having accurate sales history. we combine sales history, staff sales experience/common sense/gut hunches, and customer comments to get an effective product mix/stock level. (it helps that we have a great graphical view of the history!) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Swift jswift@up.net N8WAV@W8YY.#UPMI.MI.USA.NA 47.119N 88.572W Swift True Value Hardware 402 Shelden Ave. Houghton, MI 49931 906-482-0530, 0531, 7766 Alpha Phi Omega Epsilon Lambda Chapter Advisor Houghton County Amateur Radio Emergency Service Dereliction IS! Keweenaw Peninsula Chapter American Red Cross CIO/Treasurer Ham It Up! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Sat Apr 20 11:22:53 1996 Date: Sat, 20 Apr 1996 11:22:54 -0400 X-Sender: mwbates@gcn.scri.fsu.edu From: mwbates@gcn.scri.fsu.edu (Jim Livingston) Subject: Shrinkage I had a Triad user request help with a problem he is having. He has contacted Triad, but they have not been able to suggest a solution. He seems to have done everything I suggested, and I told him I would like to place his problem on this bulletin board, which he agreed for me to do. The dealer had a large difference between RIV and General Ledger at yearend. Since then they have compared the RIV to GL each month. The first two months it was within several hundred dollars, but March's RIV was $15,000 short compared to GL. They are using average cost to value their inventory, have an Eagle system, are on Level 14 and they are a lumber dealer. I suggested that they had a timing problem with purchase/receiving and posting to Accounts Payable. They are aware of timing problems and feel they have posted everything that was received in March to March. They ran an RAOI to match open items with invoices posted. I thought they might have a problem with something being sold by the foot and purchased by the roll, but they have been watching their RPE and had not seen any problems. The only other thing I could think of is employee theft and suggested using RPH to look for LOD/IMU changes. Does anyone know of any bugs on the Triad that might cause this problem? Does anyone have any other suggestions that I might make to this dealer? Concerning a comment made by Wade Doss earlier, I am in need of a mission statement. I would be interested in seeing what other dealers have for a mission statement, if you would be willing to share yours >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Sat Apr 20 20:43:41 1996 X-Sender: jswift@mail.up.net Date: Sat, 20 Apr 1996 20:43:56 -0500 From: jack swift Subject: Re: Shrinkage the first question: are they using triad's general ledger program? if they are, i don't have a clue what cost-of-sales data triad is posting to general ledger! if they aren't, then there are several considerations: 1. timing is the biggest one -- as an example: if you have an item on order (none in stock) and before you 'rp/rrp' the order, the customer picks up the item and is invoiced for it the fum/rdi process picks up the average cost in imu which will certainly be different than the average cost would be after the rp/rrp! i.e. old avg cost= $1 (qoh=0,gl-inv=$0) po/rp/rrp cost(gl-purchases)=$2 sales invoice "cost"=$1 because it comes from whatever is in imu at the time of invoicing!!! 2. there is also the problem of selling items without a sku -- since there is no average cost in imu, the overall desired gross profit is assumed even though the items can't show up on a riv report... you will have a cost for the sale! i.e. if you have a 45% desired gross profit and the only thing you sell today is a $1,000 item without a sku you will have a $550 cost of sales even though your riv won't have changed. 3. there's more, but i have a flood warning and a missing person............. At 11:22 AM EST 4/20/96 -0400, you wrote: >I had a Triad user request help with a problem he is having. He has >contacted Triad, but they have not been able to suggest a solution. He >seems to have done everything I suggested, and I told him I would like to >place his problem on this bulletin board, which he agreed for me to do. > >The dealer had a large difference between RIV and General Ledger at yearend. >Since then they have compared the RIV to GL each month. The first two >months it was within several hundred dollars, but March's RIV was $15,000 >short compared to GL. They are using average cost to value their inventory, >have an Eagle system, are on Level 14 and they are a lumber dealer. > >I suggested that they had a timing problem with purchase/receiving and >posting to Accounts Payable. They are aware of timing problems and feel >they have posted everything that was received in March to March. They ran >an RAOI to match open items with invoices posted. > >I thought they might have a problem with something being sold by the foot >and purchased by the roll, but they have been watching their RPE and had not >seen any problems. The only other thing I could think of is employee theft >and suggested using RPH to look for LOD/IMU changes. > >Does anyone know of any bugs on the Triad that might cause this problem? >Does anyone have any other suggestions that I might make to this dealer? > >Concerning a comment made by Wade Doss earlier, I am in need of a mission >statement. I would be interested in seeing what other dealers have for a >mission statement, if you would be willing to share yours > >*************************************************************** > Hardlines Mailing List is an unmoderated Internet mailing list > for hardware and building materials industry members. > > Address articles you wish to send to list members to: > > hardlines@cornells.com > > To remove your name from the mailing list, send email to > listserv@cornells.com with the following line in your message: > > unsubscribe hardlines firstname lastname > > For any other questions, send email to postmaster@cornells.com >*************************************************************** > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Swift jswift@up.net N8WAV@W8YY.#UPMI.MI.USA.NA 47.119N 88.572W Swift True Value Hardware 402 Shelden Ave. Houghton, MI 49931 906-482-0530, 0531, 7766 Alpha Phi Omega Epsilon Lambda Chapter Advisor Houghton County Amateur Radio Emergency Service Dereliction IS! Keweenaw Peninsula Chapter American Red Cross CIO/Treasurer Ham It Up! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Sun Apr 21 09:49:34 1996 Date: Sun, 21 Apr 1996 09:56:55 -0400 X-Sender: imp@swamp.li.com (Unverified) From: imp@li.com (Bob Whelan) Subject: Shrinkage - Jack Livingston posting Ah, the subject most near and dear to my heart, particularly as it relates to the Triad. It's good to hear that you use average cost, but the number of other things that can foul the computations so that RIV @ average <> G/L are so rife that in many ways you're like the little dutchboy plugging holes. First - is there a G/L account in the P/L and the Balance Sheet for Purchases Variance? This is the difference between the RR/RRP value and the A/P Invoice value. You have to pick it up somewhere... Second - Timing. This can be handled by using a purchases clearing account. After RRP, either use auto pass-off (Level 15 or >, see MPC), or make a G/L entry to DR purchases and CR purchases clearing from the numbers on RRP. Reference the vendor and P.O #. When posting A/P, DR the purchases clearing and CR A/P. Any difference should be posted to purchases variance (See above). This also gives you the value of invoices in transit for the end of a month. Third - How does your client verify that the cost used at POS for special orders = the vendor invoice? Does the client use GPO to produce purchase orders from special orders? Fourth - and I know Jack Swift mentioned this - generic (departmental/millwork) SKU's. Is the client using a default GP% that is unrealistic? What items are for sure not on the RIV (fasteners?, Special Order Millwork in house not yet invoiced to the customer?). Fifth - again, a timing issue. If QOH = 0 and the item is sold at POS, and later received, the CGS picked up will not reflect the last average. Also - know that when QOH becomes < or = 0, then average = replacement. This can happen when computer receiving (RP/RRP) lags physical receiving ( grunt :^( ). Sixth - When do they post for QOH adjustments? Note that using the RPH report at the end of the month to pick up shrinkage values will DISTORT, because the cost the report uses snapshots the CURRENT AVERAGE COST, not the cost in place when the shrinkage/variance was recorded. In a volatile market for commodities, this can be a problem. The solution is to get the changes DAILY, and posted them DAILY. Seventh - Does the client audit all changes to QOH? Can someone stroll on to IMU or LOD and cahnge a QOH? See the control screen for Shinkage audit options to see if that's happening (I can't think of the function off the top of my head). Eighth - The client's a lumber yard. How do they handle tally items (moulding, pine appearance boards, etc.) Do they try to stock them by the each, or have they figured out that the amount of adjustments due to cutting justifies QOH maintenance by the LF (lots less SKU'S also). Ninth - do they have a Mill Shop (do they mull windows, make door units?). If they do, how do they move stock to work in progress to completed kits? Tenth - REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW the Triad BLACK HOLE - the Open Order File!!! Make sure open orders are invoiced ASAP. Do they roll COD's as open orders? DON'T!! Set up an A/R account for it (Balance Method O), and invoice the material as it leaves the yard!!! Check open orders for A/R customers - are salespeople making credit decisions?? This is probably already enough to make your head swim. To net it out, the Triad system is the worlds leakiest ship when it comes to trying to tie-out RIV to G/L. It's virtually impossible due to the inherent system design. Triad develops the POS/AR/Inventory troika, but uses MCBA/Realworld for the back office. Audit trails are terrible as a result, and many things are not properly linked. To avoid - use a software package where the G/L is the HUB, and all modules BY DESIGN report to it. But that's costly....... My feeling is - you own this grossly expensive (vastly overpriced to market) proprietary system, and are tied financially to it's performance. You pay support (you have no choice...), so, DEMAND BETTER!!!!! Triad gives you an RDI and RDE on a daily basis - why should you work from the basis that the Triad tells you you get a 3X% to 4X% margin every day/month. WHY DOES THE ACCOUNTING DIFFER??? As a business owner/manager you have control on the direct expenses (payroll, occupancy, etc.) but NONE of it matters unless your GM% is accurate. I've probably said enough to rile the Livermore folks, so responses, support, solidarity, etc. to: imp@li.com Bob Whelan Implement >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Sun Apr 21 13:18:43 1996 Date: Sun, 21 Apr 1996 08:56:57 -0700 From: Jay Will & Linda Farr Subject: Re: Shrinkage I had a similar discrepancy problem when I compare RIV to RPA for the same vendors. Triad said that the problem may come from a bug that does not include an items value if you are asking for RIV on last 12 months sales and the QOH for an item was negative at any time during that 12 month period. These items are not counted. I have not been able to check this out yet, but it is a problem when I take a salesman down on the carpet for poor turn over, and he points at my figures and says it's my computer's problem, not his product. Jay Farr, Farr's True VAlue, Coos Bay, Or 541-267-2137 jwlfarr@mail.coos.or.us >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Tue Apr 23 19:01:51 1996 Date: Tue, 23 Apr 96 17:32:00 CDT From: Derek King Subject: Be Prepared!! hello out there! just wanted to write because of two reasons the first is the most important Yesterday, the store I manage was robbed. The man came in and pushed a gun into my cashiers face and told her to give him all the money. She did not know what to do. See she is one of the owners daughters, and works as a cashier for us. she also is having a baby and it is due three weeks. I had just left when the person came in. It was five o'clock, a peak time for us. There was two people in line waiting to be checked out,The owner up front talking to his brother and two or three people outside leaving or coming in. This did not stop them. The car pulled up front, the robber ran in the store pushed the gun into the cashiers face and demanded the money. She froze and did not know what to do. Then he yelled again she started crying and someone else told her to open the draw and give him the money. Finally she did and the man ran out. The owners brother rushed to his truck and followed them but the car traveling faster than the truck turned around because they missed the turn onto the interstate. Well after a few minutes a f150 ford loaded with paving equipment could not keep up with a nissan maxima. I am telling you this because we have nevr told our cashiers what to do in that situation and it could have costed her her life and baby. I plan on personally telling the cashiers what to do. GIVE THE MAN WITH THE GUN THE MONEY!!!! Money can be regained, but a life can not. I hope we are the only ones that have not told the cashiers what to do and my writing this is useless. Well anyway the hardware business is picking up in the south because of the hot weather we have had lately. I hope it continues. I have not wrote lately because of school (taking four classes this quarter) and because I am single handedly taken inventory at our store. FUN, FUN, FUN!!!! This is the FIRST PHYSICAL INVENTORY that the store has ever had done in 18 years of operation. I know nobody has missed me anyway. Well I have to go and study for my Labor Relations class. Help Is Just Around The Corner!!! Derek King Argo True Value Hardware Argo,Alabama >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Wed Apr 24 16:43:38 1996 Date: Wed, 24 Apr 1996 16:42:47 -0400 (EDT) X-Sender: rmaed@unix.worldpath.net From: BOB AIKEN Subject: Re: Be Prepared!! Derek King, Argo True Value: Thanks for posting your experience of being robbed. No, you are not the only one that has forgotten to tell everyone (not just the cashiers) what to do when a gun is stuck in your face. I have told everyone, once, but then neglected to make it part of the hiring routine, so now I have some people that haven't been told. Thanks for reminding those of us that might need to do something about it. Glad everyone came out O.K. Bob Aiken RMA Educational & Training Services At 05:32 PM 4/23/96 CDT, you wrote: >hello out there! > just wanted to write because of two reasons the first is the most important >Yesterday, the store I manage was robbed. The man came in and pushed a gun into >my cashiers face and told her to give him all the money. She did not know what >to do. See she is one of the owners daughters, and works as a cashier for us. >she also is having a baby and it is due three weeks. I had just left when the >person came in. It was five o'clock, a peak time for us. There was two people >in line waiting to be checked out,The owner up front talking to his brother and >two or three people outside leaving or coming in. This did not stop them. The >car pulled up front, the robber ran in the store pushed the gun into the >cashiers face and demanded the money. She froze and did not know what to do. >Then he yelled again she started crying and someone else told her to open the >draw and give him the money. Finally she did and the man ran out. The owners >brother rushed to his truck and followed them but the car traveling faster than >the truck turned around because they missed the turn onto the interstate. Well >after a few minutes a f150 ford loaded with paving equipment could not keep up >with a nissan maxima. > I am telling you this because we have nevr told our cashiers what to do in >that situation and it could have costed her her life and baby. I plan on >personally telling the cashiers what to do. GIVE THE MAN WITH THE GUN THE >MONEY!!!! Money can be regained, but a life can not. I hope we are the only >ones that have not told the cashiers what to do and my writing this is useless. > > Well anyway the hardware business is picking up in the south because of the >hot weather we have had lately. I hope it continues. I have not wrote lately >because of school (taking four classes this quarter) and because I am single >handedly taken inventory at our store. FUN, FUN, FUN!!!! This is the FIRST >PHYSICAL INVENTORY that the store has ever had done in 18 years of operation. >I know nobody has missed me anyway. >Well I have to go and study for my Labor Relations class. > >Help Is Just Around The Corner!!! >Derek King >Argo True Value Hardware >Argo,Alabama >*************************************************************** > Hardlines Mailing List is an unmoderated Internet mailing list > for hardware and building materials industry members. > > Address articles you wish to send to list members to: > > hardlines@cornells.com > > To remove your name from the mailing list, send email to > listserv@cornells.com with the following line in your message: > > unsubscribe hardlines firstname lastname > > For any other questions, send email to postmaster@cornells.com >*************************************************************** > > >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Wed Apr 24 20:15:50 1996 From: bluefish@gcc.cc.md.us Date: 24 Apr 1996 20:13:30 EDT Subject: Shrinkage/Mission Statement Naylor's Mission Statement: OUR MISSION at A D Naylor Company is to offer TRUE VALUE to our customers and associates by Consistently Exceeding Expectations Everyday. WE shall always provide our CUSTOMERS and ASSOCIATES with: -Prompt, Courteous and Friendly Service -Broad Product Knowledge and Superior Sales Support and Training -A Large Selection of Products and Services Targeted Toward Local Needs and Desires -A Clean, Safe and Well Merchandised Shopping and Working Environment -Fast and Friendly Sales Returns -Constant and Open Communications and Forums for Comments, Ideas and Suggestions We Encourage Everyone to Tell Us When WE EXCEED or DO NOT MEET Expectations. This was drafted by our manager's TQM group and was routed through all associate TQM groups for comments and final approval. It is posted in the checkout area of all six of our stores and in all break areas and offices. It is also the lead page of our Policy and Procedure Manual and appears on the back cover page of our training course catalog and outline. The executive team is totally committed to the statement and live by the last point of total and open communication-therefore feel free to use any or all of the statement if it is of any use. Nick Brown Naylor's True Value Oakland, MD >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Thu Apr 25 09:12:05 1996 Date: Thu, 25 Apr 1996 06:11:59 -0700 X-Sender: batesace@netcom.com From: batesace@netcom.com (Wade Doss) Subject: Mission statement Though I'd past on our mission statement. We had a employee contest back in December, in which we gave the employees a copy of Ace's mission statement and then ask them to come up with a statement that would apply to Bates Hardware. The teams with winning statements, that we used in putting together the final statement, received a dinner gift certificate at a good local resturant. Our mission statement appears in the front page of our employee handbook as goes as follows: Bates Ace Hardware's mission is to be the very best neighborhood hardware store in the country by providing our customers with quality products and legendary service that ensure customer satisfaction. The philosophies of competitve pricing, knowledgeable service, and a comfortable environment will guide our daily operations. We pledge to meet the economic needs of our customers and expand our knowledge of changing technology to maintain our competitive edge. __ We also had the statement printed on a 3X5 card with our statement on one side and Ace's four cornerstones to a successful hardware operation on the other side (Customers, Communication, The Store, Myself). These were laminated and are to be carried on each employee at all times. It's made a large impact on our employees, new and old. Wade Wade Doss Bates Ace Hardware Atlanta, GA 404-351-4240 fax 404-350-8402 batesace@netcom.com WDoss@msn.com Compuserve 76050,3511 >From owner-hardlines@cornells.com Wed Apr 24 20:25:19 1996 X-Sender: "John Fix 3rd" Date: Thu, 25 Apr 1996 20:24:43 -0400 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: Robbery... and mission statement Regarding the robbery at gunpoint.... We had a similar occurrence about a year ago... our payroll/bank person was held up at gun point as he left the bank. He was taken in his car, then left in a remote area, and his car was then driven to another lcoation where the thief switched vehicles. Luckily for us, nobody was hurt, the car was returned unharmed, and insurance covered the loss. It reminded us to tell all employees to cooperate fully with any robber, armed or unarmed. It's also part of our cashier training procedure. Regarding the mission statement by Nick Brown of Naylor's True Value... Great... mind if some of us on the list us it as a starting point for our own mission statement? John ------------------------------------------------------ John3@cornells.com http://www.cornells.com/john.htm Webmaster/Manager/Cashier