Automotive Distributors Warehouse (ADW)

	"We can't be computer experts, so we count on PCS to be. We have our hands full running 105 trucks around the state every day."
	ADW President Bob Yeoman

Long-time PCS client ADW began working with PCS in 1985. When he bought Automotive Distributors, the company "didn't even have a computer," according to President Bob Yeoman. "It was inventorying some 20,000 part numbers on a card system. Needless to say, we needed to get it automated."

Why PCS?

"I thought PCS was a group of people that offered a lot of flexibility. Not having a background in the automotive parts industry, I thought that was important because I didn't know where we were going. So we were looking for a system that could change as we moved forward. That's been one of the greatest benefits of PCS - the ability to adapt to things as they've changed over the years."

	"PCS has made it possible for us to locate a part no matter which number the customer gives us and to report back to the customer either number on the invoice."

ADW pioneered cross-referencing that allows the use of either GM or AC Delco part numbers -- not only on orders, but also on invoices. Cutsomers who want to see GM numbers will see GM numbers and customers who want to see AC Delco numbers will see AC Delco numbers.

The future is now

"Now we're trying to do some things with the Internet," says Yeoman. "We're just trying to stay a little bit ahead of our customers. We want to be there when they're ready. We can tell our customers, 'This is what we have,' and maybe today they'll tell us, 'Gee, that's great, but we're not ready yet.' That's something we've tried to do throughout our history here at Automotive Distributors, and I think PCS has been able to help us because the company is flexible and there are a lot of people with great ideas."

The Internet isn't yet a big part of ADW's business, but Yeoman says his goal is to make it possible for customers to place orders over the Internet. "We wanted the site to be able to answer questions, too. Our customers can identify parts, order parts, and arrange to have them shipped via our Web site." The next step (being developed in 2000) is making it possible for ADW's customers to transmit orders directly from their inventory control systems.

"Today we're in front of the race," says Yeoman, "but you can't stop to have lunch along the way. We can't live on how we used to do it a year ago."

	"A person sitting at a terminal in Columbus can bill products that are in Cleveland or Akron."

At first, ADW had just one location, then added 6 more locations and later consolidated those to 5 locations statewide. "PCS has been wonderful in helping us deal with the growth and with the ability to control branch offices from Columbus," says ADW President Bob Yeoman. "Our computer system is located here, but all of the branches are on-line with us. Everybody has access to the same information."

"A person sitting at a terminal in Columbus can bill products that are in Cleveland or Akron. Those items would be billed and come off a printer at the remote location. In most cases, those parts will be delivered the same day anywhere in Ohio. All the warehouses act as one so we can fill orders faster.

An exciting partnership

"The biggest benefits I see from PCS are a lot of bright, forward-thinking people. Business is changing every month and that's not going to quit. I don't know what we'll be doing in two years, but I'm certain it'll be different from what we're doing today," says ADW President Bob Yeoman. "Everyone at PCS will be on top of it. We can't be computer experts, so we count on PCS to be. We have our hands full running 105 trucks around the state every day."

Hear Bob Yeoman

In his own words, Bob explains why he feels PCS is the best choice for his business.

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• #1 History: The relationship dates to 1984. (Time: 2:02)
• #2 Expansion: The PCS system has easily handled ADW's growth. (Time: 1:13)
• #3 Customers: How PCS helps ADW better serve customers. (Time: 0:56)
• #4 Future: We're ahead now, but we have to keep changing. (Time: 1:14)
• #5 Key benefits: Why PCS is the right choice for ADW. (Time: 0:30)