Zaner-Bloser solves shortcomings of old ERP system

News & Events 2004-12-20

Zaner-Bloser, America’s leading publisher of handwriting materials and one of the USA’s premier educational publishers of language arts and reading programs, recently invested in the Australian publishing ERP system Bookmaster, designed by TMS Tailor Made Systems.

December 2004: “Our decision to go with Bookmaster was based on a number of reasons”, said Dawn Sopher, Zaner-Bloser’s Business Information Manager. “Some of these were that Bookmaster is a fully integrated system providing us with a single source of information on all areas of our business from book production to warehousing and distribution. Additionally we could see that Bookmaster is publishing-centred – TMS and Bookmaster aren’t trying to be ‘all things to all people’”.

Zaner-Bloser’s decision to upgrade to a new software system was to improve a number of fulfilment and operational functions. Some of these were a separate order fulfilment and distribution system which impeded the flow of orders to the warehouse. Also the order entry process was slow and inflexible and modules within the order fulfilment system didn’t integrate well. This resulted in disparate information which impacted negatively on efficiency and cost-savings. Additionally, their previous system didn’t allow for access to certain particular business data that could provide pertinent business information.

“We’re keen to utilise Bookmaster as it promises that most of our previous software issues will be a thing of the past,” said Ms Sopher. “We envisage that Bookmaster will eliminate paper trails between distribution and our head office and also improve our order turnaround times.”

“Bookmaster will also allow us to effortlessly access vital business information through its integrated Business Intelligence module. In addition, its integrated Book Production module will replace a manual system of communication between editorial, production and marketing. In fact, we believe Bookmaster will simplify most of our processes by integrating work across all departments.”

In addition to some of the Bookmaster modules mentioned, Zaner-Bloser will also be utilising other integrated features such as Order Processing & Billing, Financials, Distribution Requirements Planning, Warehouse Management, Returns, e-Commerce, Royalty Control, CRM and more.

“What also impressed us about the Bookmaster package,” added Ms Sopher, “is that even though it’s a sophisticated ERP system, it can be scaled for a company of our size rather than just be a ‘light’ version of a larger ERP system. It’s very comprehensive without being complicated to use and, so, should solve many of the shortcomings in our old system.”

For more information contact:

Rodney Elder Business Development Manager Tel: (61 2) 9761 9222 Fax: (61 2) 9761 9233 Email: marketing@tms.ws