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General Features and
Benefits |
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ProENTRY IV is designed
for the unique needs of the cabinet industry. |
ProENTRY
IV does not force you to compromise your business
practices and pricing models as does general purpose software and
software designed for other industries.
Dealers are not impacted by extensive policy and catalog
changes. |
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First Order Technology™ assures
that service orders, reorders, add-on orders, and repeat orders are
correct the first time. |
Traditionally these types of orders are
ripe with pitfalls, which can delay project completion, hold up payments, and
erode profits.
First Order Technology™ assures accurate, repeatable, order
entry and pricing, and prevents errors in these orders. You and your
dealers profit when orders are entered correctly the first time. |
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Orders are
automatically routed through your organization and the appropriate
departments are notified as key, user-defined tasks are completed. |
Dependence on manual processes is eliminated along with the concurrent
errors, omissions, and delays. Employees throughout the organization are
continually apprised of their workload and priorities. This assures
rapid order turnaround and excellent customer, service while reducing
supervisory requirements. |
| Extensive private label support
enables you to publish unique catalogs for specific customer types,
geographic regions, or individual dealers. |
Create any number of
catalogs with unique names, branding, and content. Change any number of
product names and/or descriptions. Apply unique pricing by catalog. You
benefit by keeping your dealers competitive, opening new markets, and
avoiding conflicts in the marketplace, while limiting price shopping by
consumers. |
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Sophisticated user access control and security
makes ProENTRY IV secure. |
Flexible, user-defined security and access control at multiple levels
including individual screens, entry controls, and browse-columns is
available. Access
can be managed with user groups, work groups, and expiring passwords to
minimize administration. You control who has access to your data. |
| The refined and
specialized user interface masks the complexity, dependencies, and
technical details typical of cabinet order entry and product configuration. |
Error reduction and
reduced training and staffing requirements mean reduced costs, faster
turnaround, and more responsive customer service. |
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Sophisticated reporting capability |
Built-in reports are highly configurable
and may be supplemented or replaced by custom reports accessible from
within ProENTRY IV's menus and task panels. Reports may be configured to
print automatically, based upon order status.
Availability of reports is controlled by
order status, customer type, and by user access controls. |
| Integrated
report archiving |
Retains archival report
information, allowing exact recreation of reports without the need to
create and file paper copies. |
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Changes in client addresses and contact
information do not overwrite historic data. |
ProENTRY
IV retains important historic data so that older quotations and orders
retain their integrity. |
| Fourth
generation MS Windows product |
Unlike some competitors' older
applications ported to run under Windows, ProENTRY was developed
specifically for Microsoft Windows™ and takes advantage of the
technologies this makes available to help you get the most from
your IT investment. |
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Data import and export using XML technology |
Key data
may be imported and exported using industry standard technology. This
assures that data is readily shared between applications and even
platforms. |
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SQL
Database
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Robust, industry standard
database assures high performance, scalability, security, and data
integrity The ability to integrate with
enterprise solutions and other applications and dashboards means
ProENTRY IV is your partner for the long haul.
Unrestricted data access for custom
analysis and reporting enables you to innovate and develop solutions for
your unique needs.
Alternative SQL backend support may be
available. |
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Order Management Features and Benefits |
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Clients, quotations, orders, and messages
are all displayed in one window along with our mini-dashboard. |
Provides
an efficient work environment with immediate access to the most used
information and functions. This saves time, eliminates errors, and
reduces costs throughout your organization. |
| Catalog and
product configuration assure only valid specifications, products, and
modifications are permitted in orders. |
Order entry errors are
virtually eliminated while reducing the skill level required to perform
quotation and order entry. This reduces customer service staffing
requirements, saves time, and makes it possible for dealers to create
clean orders themselves. Errors
and invalid specifications are highlighted and presented to users
in exception summary windows. This assures quick and certain resolution. |
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Pop-up reminders notify department members
of new orders, their department's current workload, and new messages
requiring attention ̶ even if ProENTRY IV is not running. |
Delays
and oversights in order processing and communications are eliminated.
Turnaround is accelerated service is improved. |
| Variations of
quotations can be created with a single mouse click. |
Saves time and prevents
errors by creating any number of variations of a quote, including only
the desired content, without losing valuable specifications ̶
especially valuable to dealers. |
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Quote to order with one mouse click. |
Quickly
create orders without introducing typographical errors.
The original quotation is retained for
reference and the derived order is displayed in a hierarchal fashion,
making the relationship immediately understandable. |
| Structured
workflow controls the status of orders with one or a few mouse clicks. |
Orders are automatically
transferred to the appropriate department as order statuses are updated.
Processing is therefore completed in a logical, repeatable sequence,
thus assuring predictably successful order fulfillment. |
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Dimensional data entry is done in familiar
units of measure (fractional or decimal inches or metric or feet and
inches). |
Users
enter dimensional information in any familiar format and the value is
automatically formatted to reflect your minimum dimensional increment
and displayed in your standard units of measure, thus eliminating errors
and delays. |
| Spec-Groups™ |
Originated in ProENTRY 3,
Spec-Groups™ enable mixed specifications in quotations and orders while
providing structure and a clear delineation of specifications. This
prevents miscommunication and errors while eliminating the need to
create multiple orders to accommodate mixed specification orders. |
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Credit checks and invoicing can be
performed automatically. |
Delays
and omissions are eliminated in these critical functions, improving
service and cash flow. Dealers may
be tagged as COD, marked for credit reviews, and placed on credit hold.
An optional credit card processing
module is available to speed order processing and reduce credit issues. |
| Addresses for
sold-to, billing, shipping, and shipping by Spec-Group™. |
Accommodates complex
orders with different sold-to, billing, and shipping to addresses
without manual edits or special procedures. |
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Secure remote access |
Authorized remote users are able to enter, view, edit, submit, and
accept acknowledged orders, as well as check order statuses and print
contracts and invoices for their clients.
Orders submitted for review or accepted by remote users are immediately
available to your customer service reps for processing, improving
turnaround while eliminating typographical errors and delays. |
| Extensive use
of relation trees, lookup windows, auto-completion entry fields, and
drop-down lists |
Relation trees display the
relationships between clients and their quotations and orders in an
immediately recognizable and familiar visual manner.
The derivation of orders and service
orders from quotations and other orders is presented in a hierarchical
fashion in order to present each order's history in a visual manner.
All fields requiring entry of structured
data incorporate auto-completion and lookup windows or drop-down lists
to assure that only valid entries are made.
This makes ProENTRY IV easy to learn and
efficient to use. |
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Client and order locators, search
capability, query by example, and user sorted lists |
Locating
specific clients, quotations, and orders is quick and easy. |
| Wizards and
user configurable windows collect critical information in a logical and
controlled sequence |
Provides structure and
control in order entry, thus preventing errors and omissions. Reduces
the level of expertise required for accurate order entry. |
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Produce doors only |
Users of the optional manufacturing capability can produce only the
doors and/or drawer fronts for a specific product or products in an
order. It is possible to select an individual door or drawer front
within each product. Doors and drawer fronts ordered in this way do not
require manual entry of specifications and dimensions.
Combined with
First Order
Technology™, this assures that replacement door orders are correct
the first time. |
| Edit and
insert parts in orders |
Users of the optional
manufacturing capability can view, edit, and insert custom parts within
the context of orders. |
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Communications Features and Benefits |
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PMail proprietary messaging
captures all communications and other documentation associated with
orders. |
Important communications and documents become permanent elements of
quotations and orders and are immediately accessible. |
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Communications and documentation are available to all users. |
Unlike email and instant
messages, PMail messages associated with orders are visible to all users,
so that important information is not concealed or lost. |
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Supports intra- and inter-company communications. |
PMail
may be used between employees within your company, between divisions, and
between dealers (remote users) and your employees. |
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PMail can be included in routine reports. |
Include PMail messages in
routine reports when unstructured messages such as special instructions
might be beneficial in preventing errors and omissions. |
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Pop-up reminders notify users of new
messages requiring attention – even if ProENTRY is not running. |
Delays
and oversights in order processing and communications are eliminated.
Turnaround is accelerated and service is improved. |
| Improved
communications and faster response time with dealers and within your
company |
Builds customer
loyalty. Makes price less important in the purchasing decision. |
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Product Configuration Features and
Benefits |
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ProENTRY IV catalogs can mimic your printed catalog layout. |
Supports the full range of typical cabinet catalog
organization, content, and relationships,
while keeping your catalog familiar and understandable to employees and
dealers. |
| Unique Master
Catalog / Working Catalog paradigm multiplies catalog development
efforts and slashes maintenance. |
Any number of Working
Catalogs may be derived from a single Master Catalog.
Working catalogs may be a subset of a
Master Catalog and can represent different specifications, prices, and
options.
Changes to Master Catalogs are
immediately reflected in all derived Working Catalogs, dramatically
slashing maintenance.
This means that variations of your basic
catalog, private label catalogs, and price increases are all handled
without reentering data. |
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Full range of content |
In order
to accommodate the full range products offered by cabinet manufacturers, ProENTRY
IV supports the following catalog content:
● Catalog divisions and subdivisions
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Door styles, drawer fronts, and hinging options
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Door and drawer front edge, bead, lip, and raise details
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Finish groups, finish materials, and colors
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Finish sets
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Finish premiums
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Premiums
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Products (cabinets)
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Modifications
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Accessories
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Decorative and functional hardware
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Subassemblies and parts (optional)
● Shipping, installation, and services
● Text and graphics for specifications and instructions
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| Parametric catalog content definition |
Provides nearly
unrestricted control of catalogs, products, modifications, manufacturing
instructions, and business rules.
Parameters referenced in catalog content can automatically build custom
input screens. This means you can prompt users for input and validate
the data entered. Data entry may be controlled with drop down lists
and check boxes.
Parameters may be associated with nearly
any catalog content, so you may override parameter values at virtually
any catalog level, in both Master Catalogs and Working Catalogs.
Any number of parameters and expressions
may be defined; therefore, your catalogs are not limited by artificial
barriers.
Parameters may be expressions and may
reference other parameters as needed.
Parameters are supported by a sophisticated
expression editor and a robust set of language functions. Cross
reference facilities simplify maintenance. |
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Modifications, finish premiums, premiums, and finishes
modify product characteristics |
Allows
you to dynamically alter products based upon the selection of
modifications, premiums, finish premiums, and finishes in orders. |
| Extensive
control of catalog content availability in orders |
Allows you to control the
availability of finishes, premiums, door styles, door details, products,
modifications, and hardware in orders. |
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Multi-Product wizard and the ability to
copy complex catalog content |
Quickly
populate your Master Catalog and reduce maintenance. |
| Extensive use of images |
Aids in quick product
recognition. Helps to eliminate errors and makes it easy to develop
brand recognition. Image library provides centralized management and
editing of images. |
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Setup Assistant |
This
sophisticated tool provides a highly structured and controlled approach to setup
and maintenance. You save time as ProENTRY IV delivers benefits as quickly as
possible, while avoiding pitfalls and omissions. |
User defined
finish locations
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Define as many finish
locations as required (such as outside, inside, door or case edgeband, etc.) for
which to prompt users for specifications in orders; you are not
restricted by any preconceived number or locations. |
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Tight integration with 20-20's ShopWare Product Planner
(optional) |
Leverage
your investment in Pattern Systems' software and your existing design
catalogs by integrating them with ProENTRY IV.
Extend the usability of Product Planner
beyond the order volume typically supported by eliminating the
bottleneck of manual order entry.
ProENTRY enables you to quickly import Product Planner design data into your ProENTRY IV catalogs
and update it as required.
ProENTRY IV suggests parameters you might wish to use in your ProENTRY
IV catalogs.
Allows substitution of plain English, user
defined
prompts for Product Planner parameter names in order entry. Allows you to control input
with tools such as drop down lists of options and check boxes. Allows validation
of parameter values entered in orders based upon your rules. Validation
may be customized for each product and modification.
Imported Product Planner parameters and
products are used to collect data in ProENTRY IV which is required for
Product Planner jobs. Data collection is subject to the constraints and options you define in ProENTRY
IV. This eliminates the need for the time and technical knowledge required to
enter jobs directly into Product Planner.
Units of measure are automatically
converted when exporting to Product Planner. For example, you can
manage orders in fractional inches or feet and inches and maintain your
Product Planner design files in metric or decimal inch units.
Because ProENTRY IV communicates with
Product Planner using the same parameters used to define Product Planner
products, you may be able to reduce the scope of your design files and
the associated maintenance by parametrically generating the desired
products and maintaining fewer designs.
A single ProENTRY IV product may
represent any number of Product Planner products and thus presents the
possibility of engineering very complex products in Product Planner while
simplifying your design files.
ProENTRY IV modifications can
intelligently substitute one Product Planner product code with another,
thus making it possible to substantially reduce the complexity of individual Product
Planner products.
Create Product Planner jobs containing all
or as much of each ProENTRY IV order as desired.
ProENTRY IV not only allows you to
batch orders and Spec-Groups™, but keeps track of the generated .ext
files and provides a management center for them. |
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Manufacturing data (optional) |
Subassemblies and parts as
well as their quantities and dimensions are entirely user defined. These
may be defined parametrically, so you can model your construction and
standards accurately. Assign
subassemblies and parts to a catalog division or subdivision — and they
are automatically applied to all products within that division or
subdivision — saving considerable time with initial catalog
configuration and with maintenance.
All part definitions incorporate
individual surface and edge finishes, as well as machining program data,
allowing you to accurately model the details of your products.
Unlimited, indented bill-of-material
levels and content reflect your requirements and practices.
Reference any part or subassembly in any
number of products or subassemblies, yet maintain it only once to reduce
configuration time.
Parts data and purchasing requirements are
immediately available upon order acceptance. |
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Specifications subject to change without notice |
