E-Cat changes for week of 5-4-11

A few changes to note or remind you of in E-Cat

-FRI Red pads ( now replaced by RPD ) have been PULLED from Primary Page and put on Secondary Page .... this cleans up the Friction listing ... they left in Secondary as we continue to de-bug RDP data ... want to see a problem ... 2000 Buick Century front pads --popular 699 series ... no RDP listed ... in activant ...but is listed in Gen-2 ( I have been calling it Nex-Gen --I should correct myself to the more correct name ) - spotted by Greg at Auto Barn

-in Activant we pulled the Worldpac listing on secondary page... as it uses the 'OTHER' part number - remember that WPC is correct in Gen-2 e-cat on the secondary page

-added XRB in secondary pages - for Raybestos brakes from Auto Sense - just in case --a reminder that these (well- 5000 of these anyways - most popular )_ are in system as a backup

If you are using Activant - you MUST get some eyeball time on Gen-2 e-cat ... if you don't you will be sorry ... - not a threat - just facts .....

What is your favourite VIEW of Plaxo ?

Hey --did you even know there were different options on Plaxo ? I personally like the OLD VIEW - but then I am an OLD GUY ...

What view do you like ---

CLICK this link for the Old View

URL to bookmark ......

CLICK this link for the NE

W VIEW URL to bookmark .....

If you do NOT handle your bookmarks --who will ???? Gee ...where is MOM when you need her

Does any

one have any additional options on Plaxo for a 3rd ( or 4th ) view on how our data looks ... ??

Remember we are using Plaxo until we can find a better Multi-store address book ... suggestions welcomed ....

Weekly updates on Nex-Gen E-Cat

We have called all 3 stores and have asked that a MINIMUM of 2 terminals in each store have nex-gen e-cat. Auto Barn had been there -= so it is a change for Petes & D&T

Ken points out this --see image. The naming is cute --that is what we would do --and BRW is Brian Wiggs I think

What else new do you see ...many changes are coming down the pipeline.

Thanks Ken for changing your GADWIN setting to png so staff can click on the image and it will blow up ....

RED BOX Raybestos chassis - a reminder

some times we need a re-minder ...especially me ...and gee...I wrote the original post ....click here for Nov 2010 article

Auto Sense has RED chasis --like CARQUEST RCH .... uses a B prefix on the part- did you remember ..... well- I didn't

Verify WHAT warehouse has Keystone stock

A great note from Matt at D&T .....

Can you spread the word to make it known once again.

When ordering from Keystone watch the warehouse stock when you order an item so you can tell the customer the correct time frame of arrival.

On ScreenShot004 you will see this item is in stock with a qty of 3 but if you click the qty like shown it will tell you whick actual warehouse has stock (East or Mid West).

Or if you click on the item to go to the next page to see more item information it will show you the qty on hand at the East (our local warehouse) shown in ScreenShot005.

Payroll

I will be doing payroll on Wednesday, April 27th. Please make sure that all timesheets and vacation/sick days are sent to me for TUESDAY afternoon. Payroll will be deposited on Friday, April 29th.

Thanks,

Rhonda

e-cat --there is a flood of issues --

While I was talking with Greg Guyitt at Auto Barn -- Ian from Allistion calls ... ok ...we have 3 way conversation ....

Here are some more issues .....

- if you have an A listed on a part --that is telling you it is an ALTERNATE ... we can control alternates but ..and get ready for this ..the HUGE DUMB think in EXPLORIS ( NexPart by WHI ) is that there is NO report to list all past alternates - in case you want to flush and update ... If you see a part that is linked and you think it is an obsolete link--verify and see your store manager who will struggle to remember how to KILL the link--but once gone --the extra part goes from the e-cat ... Greg G will give you an example

-Greg is mentioning - gee --too bad we can't get rid of RED PADFS in FRI ... and then a light bulb comes on in that dark place.... and you know what -- we just flushed the RED PADS from the PRIMARY PAGE and moved them to the secondary ( for now - eventually to get trashed all together )

- Ian mentions an example of TREMENDOUS number of duplicates ... had a hard time remembering where he saw it .... we lucked out and got it on 2008 F150 front pads ... I have included the Web-Link2 image -- as I get sick and tired of switching e-cat's on my Exploris --the Web-Link 2 will give you a good enough example .... This is truly a glich and the OLNL:Y WAY to fix is to make sure the e-cat guys in Raleigh know ... but wait a minute ..at the Monday night staff meeting all but Ken admitted they no long bother to notify e-cat using PRS ..and we know that e-cat staff do NOT READ the Product Feedback option on the old outdated link ... you guys may have to have an attitude adjustment ... and start using the PRS ( Product Resolution System ) ...click here for other articles on PRS ... please ....click now --I am waiting ...please ....

One More Time -- how we can make E-cat better

Talking with Neil ( from Petes Paints ) on his point .... With the expanded coverage in alignment components through our raybestos chassis it has become increasingly cumbersome looking up suspension components because the standard part number is mixed in with all the offered alignment options. Would it be possible to prioritise these differently or have alignment components pulled out and become a sepereate lookup.Also should "CAA" control arms come up first so that when looking for controlarms they came up at top of page..this might also help if alignment parts cant be moved.

Now - lets pull this question apart and have a look ... the MORE YOU can know--the easier it is to figure out a solution--

Question - is Neil referring to Nex-Gen or the Activant copy of the e-cat? This is important as it takes a different path to fix .... in this case it is a bit of BOTH -- but he is LOOKING at his Activant copy when he writes this ... so lets see what we can do with Activant

- 1) since we control our own MCL file ( click here to see past articles on what MCL is ) we can MOVE BCH from the main page to the

secondary page --from time to time you should look on the secondary page to remind yourself it exists ..... since none of our stores have any BCH this is a no brainer ..... ( or at least I hope there is agreement on this )

2) Neil asked for the control arms to show first ( see image - see how this was done ) - DONE

Now --lets see if there is any further changes ?

On Nex-Gen - this takes longer --I have written Danny Rains and asked him to match the changes we have done on our activant e-cat .... since we do not ( will we ever ??) have control --this change may take a day or so ( but if not done in 10 days -- remind me and I will send the follow up request )

PLEASEZZZE -- try to understand the options we have in e-cat

One last PS to this post ---

when you see a duplicate part number --in this case the RCH RK5331 is shown and part #2 and the 4th part ...the duplication comes from the 3rd part ---the BCH BCK5331 is s

et up to supersede to the RCH part --and as such it shows the part BELOW itself ... notice the S in the image -- that means it is linked the part above .... we will renmove this duplicate when we get the Nex-Gen BCH parts ( as mentioned above ) moved to the secondary page --this has been done in house for our majority of users who are on activant.

-

Updating MCL file for Activant -order of parts

I was looking at how we added an X line ( Ideal Brake ) to the secondary page ( go have a look and see ) ...when I noticed this .... OMG .... what a mess the first image is marked OLD and has rotors split and the pad order is wrong ....

So I went thru the exercise of trying to remember .... the MCL file is something we have asked to have access for - most CARQUEST jobbers will not know what this is... but it is a messy file to work with as you need to figure out what the sup

plier is ... and then ADD the new and DELETE the old setting ( not just an easy modify one might expect )

Anyways - here is what your brakes look like now -- marked NEW ... the ROTORS are grouped together and the pads are in price order .... I still can NOT do anything about the FRI - RED PADS that link to the new line RDP --we will ask Toronto is they can HURRY UP and delete this redundant listing ... what a pain in the ass...

Click on the images to make larger ....

Grant Bros Sales - wondering when we get a visit ?

Called up Grant Bros to see if Terry Bax is still our rep for Grant Bros Sales - came across an older e-mail that reminded us he hasn't been in ( or at least to see me ) --check our green book ( that reps sign in - an idea we 'borrowed' from Ideal Supply over 30 years ago ) ---was March of 2010 ... guess we might be due sometime ??

Was talking with Fiona at Grant Bros -she has always been a source of helpful info to supplement the many Grant Bros reps over the years that felt we were too far away to bother to call on in a regular manner ... something she said hit a nerve .... 'have you seen the GREEN GRASS at Toronto Airport .... because they use Everything Cleaner

CCM 100001 4 L jug with extra spray bottle

CCM 100990 990 ml spray ( some store still have older 600 ml size - to clear out #100600

CCM 100020 20 liter pail.

Only D&T has done anything with this line- Petes & Auto Barn have stalled. In part because we all liked the product that EVERYTHING had replaced ... and that is why I have used the OLD GRUPPY GUYS image from the muppets -- maybe that is us -- crabby -- and holding a gru

dge ... maybe it is time for us to get over that and to TRY the everything cleaner ONE MORE TIME.

PS - this line is also a DS line in AS - supplier #1-272

Time to clean up ????

POPULARITY LISTS ON INDUSTRIAL CAT

The Auto Sense Industrial - Commercial catalogue should be a great sales builder ... but managers are not setting the stock levels that I might have expected ... so I will and then tell you -- anyone who wants to over rule my work can - but do it within the period that you set for your stocking orders

Example - Shop Vac - added the top 5 items - see image - click to enlarge

Will do more as we get these updates

Testing the Nex-Gen e-cat -- IMPORTANT

It is IMPORTANT for someone at each store to be in charge of the 'official' testing for the beta on the NEX-GEN E-CAT

Ken at D&T was mentioning that 'recently' the NEX-GEN was asking more and more questions that seem 'DUMB' and not required for the product we are selling. Well -- he found a really good example ( that we have made Raleigh aware of as of yesterday ) -- 97 Honda Accord hub bearings

Use ACTIVANT AND YOU ARE ASKED ONE QUESTION -- USE NEX-GEN AND IF YOU ANSWE 'DON'T KNOW -- YOU WILL GET APPROX 8 QUESTIONS .....

EVEN MORE IMPORTANT --THESE SAME POOR QUESTIONS show up on WEB-LINK2 for our customers .... that is a SOLID reason why all salesmen should be watching the new e-cat .... our customers will only handle dumbness for so long ...

POINT -- use the PRS ( Product Resolution System ) to report problems .... get the problems back to Toronto or Raleigh....

Thank you

Payroll

Please have payroll data to me for Tuesday, March 29th for 8AM. Payroll will be deposited on March 31st IF everything is here on time for Tuesday.

little things piss me off - sorry --character flaw ....

Yep -- little things piss me off .... and I accept that is is just a character flaw on my part .... but things like this below -- fudging the percentages just get me annoyed all to hell.

Background - if you see a hotel room advertised at $100 regular and now save 25% percent ... you would assume you are paying $75 ...right ?

Well - CARQUEST doesn't think so ( at least CARQUEST Canada ) --they show the normal jobber net cost --and the new sale net cost --and fudge the percentage .... how you ask- glad you asked ...they take the savings ( old cost minus new cost ) and divide by the NEW COST.

The example of the hotel room used above -- $100 now $80 .... saving of $20 / divided by $80 == and voila ... your saving of 25% ..... well in my book that is only a savings of 20% ( 20/100 )

Why CARQUEST does this is way beyond my ... we have mentioned this several times over the years ... they must assume that the average jobber is a dunce on percentages .... the error gets MUCH larger as the number gets bigger ... just try a 50% off price - become a 100% in their minds ... what bull shit ....

IATN continue to improve

I have forwarded an e-mail to the salesmen - but thought that all staff should be aware of how IATN web site continues to improve ... they have added helpful quicky video's on to how to best use the tools they have available.

We are a sponsoring member for many years and continue to encourage our customers to also use and become a sponsor member for a very reasonable price....

The image shown links HERE -- click here -- try the one I circled or one of the others -- impressive

The perils of using NEW TECHNOLOGY .....

We are experimenting with doing things smarter ..... by using CLOUD COMPUTING for various multi-store info... we use google doc's to share smaller excel & word type files - here we can set the permissions to EDIT or just LOOK.

For larger more complex files we use DROPBOX ... but one of the problems we have is ... they (at this time ) do NOT have an option to just LOOK -- so if you get permission for a file -- YOU can DELETE IT .... you should NOT drag it to your desktop --as that will remove it from the dropbox and it is NOW only on your computer. On a Mac you could OPTION & drag --I assume that windows has something similar .... but if in doubt -- double click and open it ... and then SAVE AS (hint -add the word copy somewhere ) to your proper spot ... or if you are a typical windows user --you proper spot seems to be the desktop ... ( sorry -- just a Mac user rant here ... )

If this is new to you -- here is what we have done so far

-salesmen use Google Doc's to post their sales calls and to update their monthly sales sheets

-our billing exception spreadsheet is on Dropbox ...so managers can always have a NEW up to date copy of how we IMPROVE the standard CARQUEST billing schedule

-our complete inventory data dump ( now split into X lines and CQ lines ) are available on DROPBOX for store managers - if they want to do some work by line or on any kind of sort ( example - we cleaned up a file for all parts on hand with a REPLACED BY data )

-our wage surplus data is on Google Doc's -- so your manager can encourage you to work smarter so we have larger year end bonuses ... and the list goes on and on ... all this new tech stuff allows us to save paper and to provide you more timely data.

BUT -- we really get fouled up on the learning curve ... smile

Also - your log-in to either Dropbox or Google Doc's are extremely confidential ... do NOT share. If a staff member needs access-- have him contact Greg H for his/her own user name & password.

CARQUEST Link - we can trip up ourselves

Yep -- we all HATE the CARQUEST Link -- but this dislike can trip us up -- sure--the USA guys have something that at least LOOKS like it belongs on the year 2000 while we are stuck in 1990's looking internet .... but lets look at what we might have forgotten

1) REMEMBER that we do NOT get any reminders ( the red number indicating NEW unread items ) like we get in classgrams and below .... so for announcements and promotions -== we have to click --and wait ( yep - slow server ) ---and look to see if anything is new

2) REMEMBER --if you only go to the link once a week--the HEADLINE items fall off after 2-3 days --we have repeatedly urged CARQUEST to fix this ... but ... they are here today and not tomorrow - if you see something of interest -- PLEASE tell your fellow staff members as a nice gesture.

3) REMEMBER ---well - not a remember --this is NEW for me .... see the larger image -- at the BOTTOM of the promotions is an upcoming FUTURE PROMOTIONS info --- gee ... I have been in CQ since Jan 2004 --this is new for me -- normally at the bottom of the page is just OLDER stuff .... I will have to watch for this

Now --some house keeping points

-the 6 battery display info WAS posted in early March .... and no one from any of our stores found it ...that doesn't speak well of our training to READ the link --even if it does SUCK --we have to get better at READING ..... myself especially

-the U1 and marine promo is posted ( see point made on UPCOMING PROMOTIONS ) - we have urged CQ to remind their staff ( since it was unknown at the meeting yesterday by a CQ rep ) ... we all need to improve our ability to find data on the link

-the inof on e-sales and WPC sales have bad links - I have asked them ?? they either posted by mistake and we are not intended to see this or they are getting there data out faster ( I think the first is the fact ... but will see)

Police Pads and Rotors

Ken at yesterdays staff meeting showed an example of the Raybestos police pads ( GDP1040A ) --the normal Raybestos part number appears to be ATD1040AP ... in case we run low on stock from CARQUEST ( watch price - this example was MORE MONEY from another source using the ATD part # )

Here is the link to the Raybestos web based e-cat for police parts -- get a minute and compare to our e-cat (click here ) .....

Click here for a PR piece on how the police pads are tested ......

Why vacations get in the way of helping CHANGE

the last 2 months have been quiet on this blog -- gee ... can it have a bearing on the fact that Greg H was on vacation in Calif for that period ... well ... I am back ... lets see how we can get the ball rolling again. Once I clear some ...err ...paper work...

Your choice sweepstakes

Make sure you get your customers to sign up. This is a decent promo. Please see the link for info and help a customer sign up and watch the 5 minute video. It starts tomorrow.

Payroll

Please send in all timesheets and vacation/sick days to me for tomorrow afternoon, have it here by noon at the latest. Payroll will be deposited into your bank accounts on Monday, February 28th.

Cylinder Heads

I see on the link that Cylinder Head Center has closed it's doors due to lack of need for cylinder heads as well as cheap new ones from China. This is another example of parts that we used to sell a lot that we no longer service. Keep finding new stuff to sell.

Pig Money

Please remember to bring your pig money to the meeting next week if you have not already paid me. $10.00 for the year and this goes towards the staff Christmas party.

Thanks

Reminder Staff Meeting

Please remember that the staff meeting will be at Pete's this month on TUESDAY, February 15th. If you cannot attend please let me know ASAP.

Thanks,

Rhonda

February Mid Months

The February mid month payment will be deposited to your bank account on the 15th.

It's a Boy!

Introducing Zachary Everett Sheeler, he arrived a little earlier than expected on January 28 at 9:19pm weighing 6lbs 8oz. Both Mom and baby are doing good.

Direct Deposit

We are now up and running for direct deposit. Most of you will see a deposit to your bank account on Friday for payment of the staff meeting attendance for October through to January. If you're not sure if you will be receiving a deposit please call me.

January's payroll will be directly deposited to your bank account. It will be processed for Friday, January 28th.

Band Saw Blades

I needed band saw blades so I used Auto Sense search and came up with Raptor cutting tools. I gave them the size and they shipped overnight. You can search in Plaxo using saw and the info will come up.

Gm Dexos 5w30

The proper part number for Penzoil 5w30 with Gm 2011 specs is 550023766. You can check the Gm website for more info

Joe had a dealer oil change on his 2011 gm done and they did not use Dexos. They promptly fixed it when he questioned them but the oil had a list of $3.97

www.gmdexos.com

February Staff Meeting

Please mark your calendars now that the February staff meeting will be on Tuesday, February 15th at Pete's Paint.

Tweek on Security

Since opening the ugly issue of yearly review on security settings, etc ... a few things have changed. One IMPORTANT issue I am reminded of ---NEVER ASSUME that Key staff see what I see ... taking with some -- pushing for more understanding on how to write up new parts and make changes that effect all stores ( like a part that is booming -- make sure all stores in our group stock ) .... and guess what ...the settings needed some tweaking ... here is a small change .... the level 2 security ( typical key staff on counter ) now see JUST the Creator/Editor and do NOT SEE the Mass Update option in INVENTORY>>MULTI-STORE ... gee ...even I dislike looking at the mass update tool -- need much more training on that puppy ( hey - GPI --where is the ONGOING training for this system ?? )

Been told that this change applied EARLY to our stores -- will change to all stores everywhere on next security update .... yours might not have changed yet -check in a week ( month? )

======== Additional Change we have requested -- we would like for level 2 staff to at least see ( if not change ) the PN Codes in VENDOR>>LINES>> We are starting to use different PN codes to move CRAP part numbers in the various X lines ( since this system can NOT delete old crap parts out of system -- at least not yet or in the foreseeable future

XAS-299-SS14 Seafoam Intake Cleaner

Matt was watching Two Guys garage and saw a new Seafoam Spray cleaner with an INNOVATIVE curved straw that hooks up to the air intake. CARQUEST Canada does NOT have this in our system ( quell surprise ? ) - but AutoSense does ( XAS-299-SS14 )

This product has been written up by Matt and a sample stock level set for all stores -- adjust your level as you GAIN knowledge and start selling more

We are looking for a youtube video link for this product. Thanks Matt

Direct Deposit

We will be switching to a direct deposit system for payroll. I have sent letters out for all staff to sign authorizing the company to directly deposit any monies owed into your bank account. Please get these letters back to me ASAP along with a voided a cheque. If you have any questions regarding this please let me know. I hope to have this ready for the January month end cheques but it may not be until February.

Problems with our BRAKE SHOES ?

We just sent you a copy of the reply from Peter McNally -- basically saying a couple of problems -- but no BIG DEAL --that is not you seem to be telling me ...

1) we want you to report back to peter.mcnally@gpi.com on any problem --- give complete details

2) if you need a 2nd source - remember that Auto Sense has the SERVICE GRADE shoe --use the shoe # and SG as a suffix

WATCH applications --like the 98 Dodge Mini-Van where we use the 703 base number and Raybestos uses the 714 base number -- but apart from some popular sku;s like this -- 95% of all numbers share the same base number

Auto Sense is DROPPING the Satisfied ( Private Branded Auto Sense line # 791) line of pads & shoes from the warehouse.

DELPHI #AF10058 = MAF 64-2100

The new replacement module for various GM's in Mass Air Flow Sensor is DELPHI #AD10058 - it is in stock at Auto Sense ( Delphi#832 ). The equiv, number in CARQUEST is MAF 64-2100 -- it is available in USA but we wait for Canada to get the data into the system for us .... and wait ...and wait .... and wait ( am I repeating myself ?? -- does the frustration show ?? )

This link will show you the quick video link from Delphi ... CLICK HERE ......

The video link below is a TEST to see if I can have the video play on this blog page ( lets see what happens )

Payroll

I will be doing payroll on Wednesday, December 29th. Please make sure you send in all timesheets and any sick/vacation days before then.

Thanks.

CC Marine in EXPLORIS Data

CC Marine ( line XCM ) is now in Exploris data for our 3 stores - this is approx 20,000 parts. Note --any existing manually written up part number is in the system -- store managers have been requested to MOVE stock on hand to the new part # ( located in PN#1 ) from the old part # ( in PN#0 ) -- most old part numbers we written with out dashes - see the problem ....

Stores are encouraged to set stock levels on the fast moving parts.

Is it time to set a CATALOGUE out front for this line for customers to 'wander thru'.

Having all the parts in allows us to consistently price parts .... this is the 2nd LARGE line - we also have approx 64,000 parts from A&I Farm parts also in our system. ( line XAI ) -- luckily we had fewer manually written parts in XAI to cause problems. Stores are encouraged to set a ORDER PROFILE so you can run PO's for both XAI and XCM.

WALKER DIAGRAMS

WOW! Ken tells me that WALKER diagrams are now showing in next gen e cat.

Custom Flyer Deadline---See GregH's post

In order to receive both the Jan and Feb bonus cheques at the January staff meeting, you must send me a copy of the flyer you did before noon on January 6th. If it is not received by then you are SOL in terms of receiving both cheques.

CC Marine in EXPLORIS Data

we have sent the CC Marine data ( approx 20,000 parts ) to be imported into our EXPLORIS ( NexPart by WHI ) system ... will have a few bumps to solve --for example all existing parts were entered with dashes missing ( for the most part ) ---so we think we have a way to work around that ... we will leave existing data in PN code ( sub line ) 0 ... and add all new data --the whole line into PN#1.

Once in --you will need to go thru the PN#0 and pull out any stock on hand and order point and add to the PN#1 part number.

We expect these parts in the system in 2 days ... you can run a preview report for XCM PN#1 --if a LOT OF PARTS show up-- guess what -- you are ready for the change....

I am told by CC Marine that all parts are sold as EACH --- they have no cases of grease we have to order in 10 pac's ?? ( etc) -- if you find something --you will need to adjust the buying rules in the F-8 screen

New prices due April 1 for the next season-- but you have the data to play with and learn with .... think boating.

HBW - line review

We are trying to do a quick line review on HOBART especially for welding supplies.
-will try to get stores the catalog we have been requesting for months
-cleaned up some billing schedule problems - for example we average the cost in each sub line then compare our margin suggested by Toronto ... some glaring mistakes .... we think we need lower margins to help us sell this line
-asked the class-o-gram dept in Raleigh for extra attention or line on the accessories.
-trying to figure out if there is any factory rep help ( either to call on us or at least via phone help)

Your comments on Hobart for the next week will really help

Create your custom Flyer

You probably know that you can create a custom flyer in eKeystone ... did you know that you can also do that for A&I Farm Products and for SMH Fork Lift Parts ?

See images --- log in and make one --as a test --- PLEASE -- pick something you feel you could sell - because we will ask you why you picked what you did .... make up the flyer ( hint --add your name to the flyer ) and send a copy to Rhonda and you bring a copy to the Jan staff meeting ( meeting tentatively scheduled for Auto Barn - and Feb at Petes - FYI )

Why send a copy to Rhonda --she will be SO IMPRESSED you learned how to do it --she will have BOTH your Jan & Feb bonus cheque ready for you ( can help to pay Christmas bills ). If you decide to not participate - oh well - maybe you are independently wealthy or you dislike learning new things .... the latter is the bad part --as we bonus ORE on people who continue to LEARN new things...

BONUS POINTS --if anyone can find anything similar available from CARQUEST ...

starving for KNOWLEDGE - while CARQUEST pockets $$

Somethings are just not fair -- the policy for CARQUEST to get suppliers to STOP calling on jobbers ( in return for special discounts of CASH in lieu of service ) sure makes sense for the head office-- but it can have an effect of SQUEEZING the knowledge out of the jobber chain.

We push hard to get more info -so we can keep the staff up to date - but we have to continue to use the internet as a LOW COST way to get the knowledge across ....

For example - got an oil additive with ZINC in it ??/ --- watch the video --it will kill your convertor ....



We do NOT block youtube -- oh sure there is 90% junk on it -- but there is also 10% really worthwhile stuff -- use common sense and learn how to search for the data on youtube .... please limit the junk side to your personal time

Count Cycle List - explained one more time

We have set up a count cycle for a number of years -- time to dust off some of the facts and see who is clear.

1) we use Google Doc's to list - handy way for ONE PLACE to be updated - you may have a VIEW or an EDIT ability - if you need an EDIT --as your Manager to change your permissions

2) the MONTH number is the calendar month - NOT our fiscal year month - just to make it easier on staff - who can remember fiscal month #7 ?? but with luck and some fingers you can figure out that 7 is JULY. To make sure - we have added some names and the header now says CALENDER MONTH ( was just Month )

3) if managers are running TOO TIGHT on their hours planned ( productivity ) and are NOT getting counts and other required work done --we will ASK for OVERTIME to get the work done on a timely basis ... inventory counts done well-- are an essential.

Stick On Wheel Weights - PLO

as more and more wheels are non-steel -- more stick on wheel weights are required. We had visit from PLO sales rep - Jim.

Here are popular sku's that we have ADDED for all stores - note - PLO seem to have two part numbers ... just enough to really cause confusion

Part#1 .......Part#2 .......Box qty.......Description ........
47042 .....312-30 ....... 30 ........ low profitle 1/4oz 3/4" wide
47046......312-52......... 52 ..........low profitle 1/4oz 3/4" wide

47044 ..... 412-15 ....... 15 ....... 1/2oz x 3/4" wide
47047 ..... 412-30 ........ 30 ...... 1/2 oz x 3/4" wide

47048 .... 314-30 ........ 30 ....... narrow 1/4 oz 1/2" wide
47041 .... 314-60 ........ 60 ...... narrow 1/4 oz 1/2" wide

47049* ... 512-15 ....... 15 ....... 1 oz segment x 3/4" wide ( note - CARQUEST has missed adding this part - we have asked them to correct - may take some time ..... the 512-15 is available thru Auto Sense warehouse.

We put BOTH size boxes in --let see what becomes popular - smaller shops may want smaller qty - but larger shops could prefer the larger qty box.

A&I Farm Equipment - all data in EXPLORIS

a few years ago CARQUEST and A&I Farm Equipment tried to get their dat into the system like we have done with eKeystone Speed & Custom --that attempt with A&I ( and also with Landn Sea Marine ) crashed and burned for a variety of political or otherwise reasons....

Anyways --we had not forgotten and to get A&I ( and a few others like SMH Fork Lift Parts & some Marine line like CC Marine ) has been a slow simmering passion.

Well - guess what - we finally figured out what to do --and once the dust had settled --it is not that much of a problem
--- it is fairly east to log in and download the file
--- we STRIP the extra prefix of 'A-' from their numbers ... that way it matches the existing parts we had in the system
--- --- for the geeks -- we used this formula .... =RIGHT(D2,LEN(C2)-2)
--- --- --- the above formula kept leading zero's and didn't allow excel to change some numbers into dates
--- we stripped out all parts with a description on SUB BY xxxx ( these are obsolete numbers
--- we stripped out all parts with zero cost

when we were al said & done -- we have approx 64,000 parts for the line --- now -- go quote some tractor part and see how all parts price using our normal sliding scale ( something we have asked CARQUEST to do for three years ... will little success )

Shock Catalogue

I have shuffled the order of shock priority in Activant E-cat. The Raybestos complete struts show first followed by KYB then Shk. I eliminated some junk in KYB. Let me know if you find any issues