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Success Story
Benton-Thomas Office Products:
Happy to Be Back with Britannia!
Mickey Thomas, Vice President of Benton-Thomas
- Dealership:
- Benton-Thomas Office Products
- Industries:
- Office Supplies
- Printing
- Office Furniture
- Benton-Thomas Uses:
Software for growing office dealers
Originally a Britannia user, Benton-Thomas Office Products switched to another software provider in November, 2008. They switched back to Britannia only 9 months later, in August 2009.
"To tell you the truth," says Vice President Mickey Thomas of the switch, "I was trying to cut costs. It was a considerable price difference. And it was one of the biggest mistakes we've ever made. We're glad to be back."
Benton-Thomas is located in a rural area where brick-and-mortar business is still predominant. When asked how they have been faring in the current economy, Thomas replies, "You know, I can't complain. It's been good. Fortunately, people here understand the importance of doing business locally. With this down economy, there seems to be a renewed interest in supporting local businesses and keeping tax dollars at home."
With the other software, there were so many steps to do one thing. It was really cumbersome.
"It's a challenge to get our customers to order online," says Thomas. "People like doing business with people they know. They like to call and place an order, knowing they’ll get it the next day." But as the older people retire and younger owners step in, e-commerce is becoming more popular. "We are trying to drive people to our website," he says.
"We have a retail store," Thomas says of the business. "But not a lot of retail. We do short-run printing jobs in house, and form printing is outsourced to suppliers. We sell furniture, mostly with United but it depends on the job. We're installing a sizeable modular furniture job this week."
Britannia Version 5 Is So Easy to Use
“We are getting acclimated (to Britannia Version 5) daily," relates Thomas." It’s getting easier and easier. We jumped in feet first. Sometimes that’s the best way.” Before switching to the other software, Benton-Thomas was using Britannia Version 4. “It is definitely a switch (from Version 4). In the new version, I like the inventory and setting up price plans. It is far superior to the text version.”
When one employee found out we were switching back to Britannia, she gave me a hug!
“With the other software," continues Thomas, "there were so many steps to do one thing. It was really cumbersome. POS took too long. We’d have customers standing there looking at us. You had to go through many steps to create and print an invoice. In Version 5, you enter an item, can automatically update it, and can print it. When one employee found out we were switching back to Britannia, she gave me a hug!”
Britannia's Customer Service Is the Best
You care about growing my business. That means a lot to me.
“Probably bar none," says Thomas, "the customer service with ECi is the best. It is a comfort knowing when I call that someone will be there and the problem will be solved. The other software requires you to submit an email and then someone will call you. Your business could be on hold. That was the main thing we missed about Britannia, the customer service. When I have a list of things to address, I know once I get the list to Jeff, he will take care of it.
“When we were first with Britannia, Jeff (Jones) came to our offices in South Boston and trained us. My employees love Jeff. I saw him at the TriMega convention and he asked about specific employees, by name. It means a lot when you’re not just a number. It’s nice to have that relationship.”
A Happy Customer
Mickey Thomas is glad to be back with Britannia. Being from a rural area where people matter influences how he does business. He says of Britannia, “You care about growing my business. That means a lot to me.”
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