

November 2009 From the Desk of \| Tip \| Announcements \| Industry News \| Special Offer As we all recover from our turkey hangovers and begin to gear up for Christmas, it seems like the perfect time to get in the true spirit of the holidays … especially since Zerion foregoes a December newsletter in lieu of our annual Christmas card. I usually try to muster up some (unsolicited) advice for this column or spew some sort of (debatable) wisdom, but this month I’ll spare you the wit and instead ask you to step back for a moment. It’s so easy to get caught up in our day-to-day tasks and find a little something to nit-pick about here or complain about there. Yet there is so much we have to be thankful for; and, if you can believe it, I think we even can find things to appreciate within the monotony of an enterprise software program at a wholesale distribution company. As 2009 comes to a close, here are some things to reflect on, and imagine how much more difficult our jobs would be without them: 10. Pricing Engine - It sure is robust compared to others. 9. The Phantom - Our automated ticket printer, report runner, and all-around maintenance guru. 8. Tags that are Confusing and Difficult to Break - Oh, wait; that’s not a good thing? Come on now, we have to be able to complain every once in a while. 7. Solar – Solar finally gave Eclipse a familiar and easy-to-navigate “Windows” look and feel. Rejoice for no more green screen! 6. Authorization Keys – Aren’t you glad to have so many options? It seems like there are keys that reference each other and each other and while the end result gets you what you need, it can be a maze to get to the right combination. Ok, maybe this one can be somewhat frustrating. 5. Warehouse in Process Status Queue – For those RF folks out there, this queue is a lifesaver. It allows for a real-time look at every order on the inbound and outbound and a complete view of what’s going on in the warehouse. 4. Real-time Data and Business Summary - Gone are the days of a batch-based system, which made each day somewhat of a mystery until it was complete. 3. Close Counter Order - This program was desperately needed to help close out orders at the counter, especially when taking cash, check, or credit cards. Now, you can take the signature and payment at one time and speed up the customer experience. 2. Mass Load – Mass load to the rescue! This has saved many customers – you know who you are - from having to fix or even enter data into Eclipse manually. But ... buyer beware. A mass load into the wrong field can cripple your operation. And the number one thing to be thankful for is ... 1. Functionality – I’ve seen quite a few systems, and for the price per user, I think Eclipse is the best bang for the buck in Electrical and Plumbing distribution. From sales and purchasing, to paper warehousing and RF to the customization capabilities, Eclipse has a lot of to offer within one package. As for me personally, I’m also thankful for amazing employees, helpful partners, and fantastic customers. Most of all, I’m thankful that you’ve listened to me babble in this column all year! Happy Holidays! Tony King, Vice President 321.229.1089 Back to Top What’s happening with distribution, software and business? Zerion is committed to being a resource for our clients and friends. In the newsroom on our Web site, we have an RSS feed supplying new articles all the time. We also have some links to industry news. Here are some of the recent articles we found most interesting: Slow Recovery Ahead for Building Materials Distributors Gartner Lays Out Top 10 Strategic Technologies Is Federal Stimulus Money Being Used for IT Hardware, Not Hiring? Leo's Letter to Larry: SAP 'Olive Branch' to Oracle Turns into a PR Nightmare Want more news? Visit us at: www.zeriongroup.com/newsroom/industrynews.html Back to Top 1/2 Off Next Forms Change ... Ever thought about using us for forms modifications? Yup, we can do those too. Try Zerion for your next forms change and we'll give you 1/2 off the cost of the modification. Contact Tony King (321.229.1089) by Dec. 31 to learn more or request your change. Back to Top	Pricing Re-Calc If you accidentally or erroneously changed the price of an item on a sales order, you can have a do-over. To re-populate the sales order with the price from the matrix, type the letter ‘C’ and then hit the 'Enter' key. Zerion and ESC Announce Formal Relationship "We’ve been working with ESC to offer users a comprehensive, cost effective solution for training and consulting, whether they are looking to implement software, or are interested in better leveraging their investment,” said Tony King, vice president of sales and marketing at Zerion. “We’ve developed strong ties with one another, so I’m proud to be announcing a formal partnership with such a near and dear friend.” Read the full news release ... 2010 Eclipse Training Opportunities The Eclipse Users Group will be announcing its 2010 training schedule soon. Zerion will continue to lead these classes for the UFO. Stay tuned to eclipseuser.com for dates and locations. Keep In Touch With Us Become a fan of Zerion on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. We'll keep you posted on where our team is and what we're doing, as well as provide industry news and Zerion updates and specials.

November 2009

From the Desk of | Tip | Announcements |

Industry News | Special Offer

From the desk of Tony King As we all recover from our turkey hangovers and begin to gear up for Christmas, it seems like the perfect time to get in the true spirit of the holidays … especially since Zerion foregoes a December newsletter in lieu of our annual Christmas card.

I usually try to muster up some (unsolicited) advice for this column or spew some sort of (debatable) wisdom, but this month I’ll spare you the wit and instead ask you to step back for a moment. It’s so easy to get caught up in our day-to-day tasks and find a little something to nit-pick about here or complain about there. Yet there is so much we have to be thankful for; and, if you can believe it, I think we even can find things to appreciate within the monotony of an enterprise software program at a wholesale distribution company.

As 2009 comes to a close, here are some things to reflect on, and imagine how much more difficult our jobs would be without them:

10. Pricing Engine - It sure is robust compared to others.
9. The Phantom - Our automated ticket printer, report runner, and all-around maintenance guru.
8. Tags that are Confusing and Difficult to Break - Oh, wait; that’s not a good thing? Come on now, we have to be able to complain every once in a while.
7. Solar – Solar finally gave Eclipse a familiar and easy-to-navigate “Windows” look and feel. Rejoice for no more green screen!
6. Authorization Keys – Aren’t you glad to have so many options? It seems like there are keys that reference each other and each other and while the end result gets you what you need, it can be a maze to get to the right combination. Ok, maybe this one can be somewhat frustrating.
5. Warehouse in Process Status Queue – For those RF folks out there, this queue is a lifesaver. It allows for a real-time look at every order on the inbound and outbound and a complete view of what’s going on in the warehouse.
4. Real-time Data and Business Summary - Gone are the days of a batch-based system, which made each day somewhat of a mystery until it was complete.
3. Close Counter Order - This program was desperately needed to help close out orders at the counter, especially when taking cash, check, or credit cards. Now, you can take the signature and payment at one time and speed up the customer experience.
2. Mass Load – Mass load to the rescue! This has saved many customers – you know who you are - from having to fix or even enter data into Eclipse manually. But ... buyer beware. A mass load into the wrong field can cripple your operation.

And the number one thing to be thankful for is ...

1. Functionality – I’ve seen quite a few systems, and for the price per user, I think Eclipse is the best bang for the buck in Electrical and Plumbing distribution. From sales and purchasing, to paper warehousing and RF to the customization capabilities, Eclipse has a lot of to offer within one package.

As for me personally, I’m also thankful for amazing employees, helpful partners, and fantastic customers. Most of all, I’m thankful that you’ve listened to me babble in this column all year! Happy Holidays!

Tony King, Vice President
321.229.1089

What’s happening with distribution, software and business?
Zerion is committed to being a resource for our clients and friends. In the newsroom on our Web site, we have an RSS feed supplying new articles all the time. We also have some links to industry news. Here are some of the recent articles we found most interesting:

Slow Recovery Ahead for Building Materials Distributors

Gartner Lays Out Top 10 Strategic Technologies

Is Federal Stimulus Money Being Used for IT Hardware, Not Hiring?

Leo's Letter to Larry: SAP 'Olive Branch' to Oracle Turns into a PR Nightmare

Want more news? Visit us at: www.zeriongroup.com/newsroom/industrynews.html

1/2 Off Next Forms Change ...
Ever thought about using us for forms modifications? Yup, we can do those too. Try Zerion for your next forms change and we'll give you 1/2 off the cost of the modification.

Contact Tony King (321.229.1089) by Dec. 31 to learn more or request your change.

Pricing Re-Calc
If you accidentally or erroneously changed the price of an item on a sales order, you can have a do-over. To re-populate the sales order with the price from the matrix, type the letter ‘C’ and then hit the 'Enter' key.

Zerion and ESC Announce Formal Relationship
"We’ve been working with ESC to offer users a comprehensive, cost effective solution for training and consulting, whether they are looking to implement software, or are interested in better leveraging their investment,” said Tony King, vice president of sales and marketing at Zerion. “We’ve developed strong ties with one another, so I’m proud to be announcing a formal partnership with such a near and dear friend.” Read the full news release ...

2010 Eclipse Training Opportunities
The Eclipse Users Group will be announcing its 2010 training schedule soon. Zerion will continue to lead these classes for the UFO. Stay tuned to eclipseuser.com for dates and locations.

Keep In Touch With Us
Become a fan of Zerion on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. We'll keep you posted on where our team is and what we're doing, as well as provide industry news and Zerion updates and specials.