Brick and Block Software

While the feature set or capabilities of each of the three systems is similar, each of the packages has strengths that are best identified or related by someone at SEI.  Some of the many features our software provides are listed below:

Run# Tracking – Any product or item in the system can be selected for “run# tracking”.  This is normally done for brick products when you want to track the quantity in inventory at any point in time.  The run# can also be assigned to jobs to assist in insuring that the same run# gets delivered to a particular job.  Back to top

Contract / Job Pricing – It is often desirable to assign a specific price for a product to a specific customer.  This can be done for all jobs, or unique prices by customer by job can be assigned.  Pricing in general in the system is very flexible, but assigning job pricing prevents many pricing mistakes from being made.  Back to top

Block / Brick Count – When the call comes in from the mason asking how much product was delivered to a job, it is not a pleasant task to sit down and add all the tickets for that job.  The “Brick / Block Count” functionality allows you to enter a customer and job and the system will display what quantities of product were ordered, delivered and to be delivered.  This information saves considerable time and can be used in many situations by someone in customer service and dispatch.  Back to top

Cube / Strap Computing – When a delivery ticket is printed, the system will compute the number of cubes, straps and eachs required to fill a shipment and print that information on the ticket to assist with loading on the yard.  In addition, during Order Entry, the system will compute the number of cubes, straps and eachs required to fill an order request.  For example: the customer asks for 5000 brick which are packaged 525 to a cube and 85 to a strap.  The system will prompt that 9 cubes, 3 straps and 20 eachs will fill an order for 5000.  It will then suggest that 5065 be ordered to round up to an even number of cubes and straps (9 cubes and 4 straps) and that 5250 be ordered if you only want to sell this product in even cube (10 cubes) quantities.  Back to top

Pallet Tracking – Determining how many pallets a customer can return is another detailed task that is time consuming.  With our software you can enter a customer and a pallet stock number and the system will compute a “net” number of pallets they can return.  It will add the pallets they bought and subtract the number they have returned providing the “net” number.  Back to top

SBE Reporting – Standard brick and/or block equivalents can be assigned to products where SBE reporting is desired.  With this data SEI has designed several “SBE” reports that present quantity and dollar sales data in SBE units in addition to the normal or standard unit of measure such as each.  Back to top

Job / Lot Directions – Providing accurate directions for deliveries saves time and money.  There are several methods of entering job / lot directions in the system which are automatically printed on each delivery ticket.  This can include driving directions as well as locations on the job for placement of the product by the delivery person.  Back to top

Area Computations for Pavers – Often a customer will need to buy products such as pavers or landscaping block based on area they need to cover.  If an “area” unit of measure has been assigned to the product, the system will allow you to enter the number of square feet to be covered, and it will compute the quantity they need to purchase.  This prevents mistakes from being made by manually calculating a quantity by calculator or from a chart.  Back to top

Variable Cash Discounts – Most systems allow a cash discount or terms code to be assigned to a customer or invoice.  However, this discount does not vary based on the products that are on tat invoice.  Many of SEI’s customers want to vary the discount based on the customer, job and product being purchased. As a result we provide options to vary the discount by product, customer, job and delivery type.  For example: On one invoice the system could compute a 2% discount for the brick, 10% for block, and 0% for mortar.  This provides a very unique and competitive marketing and cash flow tool.  Back to top

Order History – The ability to search order history and view what a customer has purchased in the past is a integral part of SEI’s software solutions. The orders can be viewed in summary and detail – with the detail showing each line item, run# if used, quantity, pricing, etc for that order.  Having this information online and not having to look through a customer file significantly improves productivity.  Back to top

Search Products by Job – “Searching the Internet” is a popular activity that can be very productive and user friendly.  As a result, SEI was asked by customers for a similar capability to search their order history.  The tSearch tool was developed just for this purpose – tSearch allows a user to search for any data or combination of data that was printed on an invoice. It is most often used when someone picks a brick for example and a mortar color in your showroom and asks where they can see a home or building with this combination of products.  Just enter both product names or number into tSearch and it will provide a list of orders that contained both products. If you enter addresses in the system it will also provide the address and/or allow you to search on the address.  Back to top

Zone Pricing – SEI has found that many masonry companies vary the price for their product based on delivery zones or distance from their yard.  To accommodate this need, a zone code can be assigned to an order which will be utilized in pricing the product.  The zone code can either be an addon amount to the base price (10 cents per block for zone 5 for example) or it can compute a delivery fee based on the amount of product delivered.  Many different options or combinations of pricing have been accommodated.  Back to top

In addition to the above features some other capabilities include:

Contract Hauling Data – If you utilize “contract haulers’, SEI can provide the data necessary to compute and reconcile a “hauler statement” for payment purposes.

Data Conversion – If the data from your existing system, such as customers and products, can be provided in a spreadsheet or ASCII file, we have the capability to convert this data into our software.  This saves considerable data entry time and allows pre installation training to be conducted on data which includes your customers and products.

ODBC – Open DataBase Connectivity, or the ability to interact with your data with tools such as Microsoft Access and Excel is frequently desired. This functionality is supported by our software in either a “live” or “link only” environment.

Customization – SEI has the ability to provide customization to any of our products if you desire a specific feature or functions which are unique.  This can include special reports, customized inquiries, special function screens and custom routines that can present your data in the manner you wish to view it.

Most of the specialized work we have done is focused in the customer service and inventory areas, and therefore many of the above features represent activity in this area.  However, it is important to note that the systems include the following modules:

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Payable

General Ledger

Payroll

Order Entry

Inventory

Purchasing

View Sample Delivery Ticket