Business Intelligence Blog

Phocas business intelligence and Datafile software solutions, two longstanding software providers dedicated to solving data problems for the  SME market in the United Kingdom, have signed a local partnership agreement. Together, they aim to provide a digital transformation roadmap to small and medium sized businesses by making business intelligence compatible to all versions of the Datafile ERP. 

Read more

Topics: Industry - Manufacturing, Industry - Wholesale Distribution, Company Updates, Industry - Retail, Press release, data analytics, ERP - Datafile

Myles Glashier, our co-founder and co-CEO explains the evolution and development of Phocas on the popular podcast,'Scaling Up'. Myles chats with Ed Cowan about the story behind the data analytics business. The genesis for Phocas came when Myles was a backpacker in London and met ERP owner Paul Magee. The two co-founders have stuck together over 20 years, bootstrapping a subscription-based business intelligence software company into a global success story. If they had one rule, it's culture matters.

Read more

Topics: Industry - Manufacturing, Industry - Wholesale Distribution, Job Role - Sales, Company Updates, Job Role - Executive, Industry - Retail, Job Role - HR

Industry leading ERP, Retail and Business Management software provider, Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS), and leading analytics software provider, Phocas Software, today signed a global partnership agreement that will enable KCS’ customers to elevate data held in their KCS systems.

Read more

Topics: ERP - MAM, Industry - Wholesale Distribution, Company Updates, Industry - Retail, Press release, data analytics, ERP - Kerridge Commercial Systems

Competition in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry is fierce. Whether you are a CPG distributor, wholesaler or retailer, you are likely working to improve efficiencies, reduce costs from your supply chain and manage margins to squeeze as much profit as you can from every transaction.  Make it easier to understand the shifting behaviour of customers with data analytics and KPIs.

Read more

Topics: Industry - Wholesale Distribution, Industry - Retail, Industry - Consumer Goods, data analytics

Cyber Monday is quickly become one of the largest online shopping days of the year. With a 17.9% year-over-year increase in sales, this year’s Cyber Monday is expected to be another busy shopping day. To all the retailers participating – we trust your e-commerce, stock and shipping procedures are ready for the extra attention. For those considering getting involved in 2021 –get started now –and use DIFOT analysis to ensure your customers have a good experience.

Read more

Topics: Job Role - Sales, Industry - Retail, Job Role - Inventory/Operations, Industry - Consumer Goods, KPIs

Inventory days formula is equivalent to the average number of days each item or SKU (stock keeping unit) is in the warehouse. Inventory days is an important inventory metric that measures how long a product is in storage before being sold. If the percentage is high, there may not be enough demand for it, the product might be too expensive or it's time to rethink how it's being promoted.

Read more

Topics: Business Intelligence Basics, Industry - Wholesale Distribution, Industry - Retail, Job Role - Inventory/Operations, Inventory Management, KPIs and metrics

To maintain an efficient supply chain and satisfy customers, companies must be assured of timely and accurate delivery from their suppliers. Many purchasing managers are turning to data analytics to calculate supplier performance metrics which leads to better relationships and stronger returns.

Read more

Topics: Industry - Manufacturing, Industry - Wholesale Distribution, Job Role - Sales, Industry - Retail

The sales pipeline plays an essential role in any successful company – from the construction industry to turf and garden suppliers. According to a recent Vantage Point study, 72% of sales managers have regular meetings with  employees about the pipeline. However, 63% of respondents say their companies are not managing the pipeline effectively because they are not learning or responding adequately to it. While unexpected opportunities arise, there is a direct correlation between effective sales pipeline management and strong revenue growth.

Read more

Topics: Job Role - Sales, Strategy, Management and Performance, Industry - Retail, Dynamic reporting, data analytics, cross-selling

Can you have a conversation with your business intelligence solution while driving? Behler-Young sales people do. Robert Wright, a Senior Application Developer and Analyst at Behler-Young, integrated Amazon Alexa with Phocas, a business intelligence solution for manufacturers, distributors and retailers. With critical data only a question away, they always know what's going on even when they're on the road.

Read more

Topics: Case Study, Industry - Manufacturing, Industry - Wholesale Distribution, Job Role - IT, Industry - HVAC/Plumbing, Industry - Retail

Over the course of our lives, we develop many types of relationships. Some of them long-term, others are more fleeting. The same is true in business. Low-profit customers can come at a high cost, so it’s critical to have a comprehensive and accurate understanding of your customers to minimize at-risk relationships and maximize profitability. Customer profitability analysis helps companies understand how reliant they are on profitable customers and the resources spent on less profitable ones.

Read more

Topics: Industry - Manufacturing, Industry - Wholesale Distribution, Job Role - Sales, Industry - Retail, Job Role - Marketing