Activant Prelude Helps HVAC and Plumbing Manufacturer's Representative Grow

"In the past six years, we've doubled the size of our business. Guess what we want to do in the next six."

Ric Serafin, President and CEO of Dawson Company, an HVAC and plumbing manufacturer's representative based in Altadena, CA, credits much of his company's growth to the success they've had with Activant Prelude.

Founded in 1948, Dawson Company is now in its fourth generation of ownership, a period defined by growth and change. "We've been getting into some new markets, namely water filtration and dirty water - or sump-pumps - and we've seen industry-wide price increases and surcharges," remarks Serafin. "Thanks to the flexibility of Prelude, we've been able to absorb the new lines and pass on some costs without so much as a hiccup."

Serafin cites Dawson's integration of a new boiler line as an example of Prelude's inventory management acumen: "Boilers come with complexities, as they're made up of many individual items and parts," he explains. "Prelude has enabled us to absorb this new product line without having to reorganize or hire new people."

As for passing on price increases and surcharges to customers, Serafin again alludes to Prelude's flexibility: "We're able to show customers price increases as a line comment on their invoices, or we can keep the charges hidden," he says. "However they want to view the information, Prelude can handle it."

Serafin also utilizes Prelude's Sales Analysis module. He has the system set up to print sales reports every other Monday, so his sales force has the information they need waiting for them at the start of the week. "We're a company that pays attention to the details," says Serafin. "The Sales Analysis module gives us all the information we need."

It's clear that Serafin's relationship with Activant has been a beneficial one: "I've been a proud Prelude user for 12 years," concludes Serafin, "and going forward, I know it will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals."

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