Success Stories

Activant Virtual Private Network Improves Communication to Software Solution and Increases Productivity

Life has been easier and more productive for employees at Try Hard Industrial Supply since the company invested in an Activant Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A VPN is a network of secure, encrypted connections over a public Internet Protocol infrastructure. With a VPN, business owners don't need to maintain costly frame relays or point-to-point leased lines between the corporate office and branch locations. A VPN provides an affordable, secure, and reliable alternative to most distributors' current connectivity.

Plus, a VPN offers distributors like Try Hard flexibility in how - and from where - they connect to their Activant enterprise software solutions, leading to increased productivity. Users can log into the solution from home or on the road - anywhere with an Internet connection.

Increase Productivity, Improve Output

In Try Hard's pre-VPN days, sales representatives would travel to the office on a daily basis to spend at least two hours at a desk, entering orders. Plus, while the sales representatives were at the office, they would face routine distractions: "They'd get tied up fielding phone calls or helping other people," says Deanne Sinclair, Try Hard quality and IT manager.

Since sales representatives can now use the VPN to access the company's Activant enterprise software solution, they use their laptops to log in from the road or customer locations. This eliminates the need to travel to the office, giving them more time to do what they do best: sell. "Because our sales reps can use VPN to access our solution from the road, they have more time to sell proactively. They're not spending their time traveling to and from the office to do administrative work. They're spending time with our customers instead."

Customers have also benefited from sales representatives' ability to quickly, easily, and securely log into Try Hard's business solution from anywhere. "If there's a rush order that needs to go out right after a rep calls on a customer, that rep can use the VPN to make sure we have the stock and enter the order, so it goes out on the next truck."

Other Try Hard employees have taken advantage of the VPN, too. Sinclair can easily check the company's Activant enterprise software solution from home, eliminating post-5 p.m. trips to the office, and the company's vice president of operations, Dario Ferko, enjoys the stability and peace of mind offered by the secure connection. "Dario finds that the VPN is more reliable," Sinclair says. "It doesn't kick him off the system or disconnect, like his dial-in connection did."

"The VPN has made life more convenient for everyone," Sinclair concludes. "It was an easy business decision, and we've seen an excellent return on our investment."

For more information on Activant's enterprise software solutions, please fill out our Web Contact Form.

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