CE Pro August 2023 - 44

OPERATIONS
Guide to Distribution
supply chain issues, we continue
to grow our distribution
footprint to reach new
customers with manufacturers
that fit various needs.
JASO: We haven't seen
many issues in the last six
months. What is great about
buying through distribution
is that if we ever do see
issues in the supply chain
with one manufacturer, we
have an array of other vendors
to help fill that void.
Catalyst AV distributors are
trusted advisors offering
project management and
coordination services.
BODLEY: Because Future
Ready Solutions is really
more of a connectivity solutions
specialist than a typical
distributor many of the
products we sell are " parts. "
We make it easy for dealers
to manage their inventory
by offering prepaid freight
on any order over $100 as
What significant changes
have taken place in your
company in the past year?
LUTHER: We doubled
our warehouse space and
added a training room. We
plan to host hybrid training
events using the new training
room to allow dealers
the option of attending in
person or online.
FISCHER: These are
ongoing business practices
that help our customers.
" Our trained, in-house technicians will
completely configure, update, label, and
document Just Add Power and AVPro MXNet
AV-over-IP systems so they are ready to go
as soon as they are taken out of the box. "
-Kevin Luther, Blackwire
How does your company
help dealers/integrators
manage inventory and
timely delivery?
LUTHER: We show live
inventory numbers on our
website, which allows dealers
to order confidently. We
ship 99% of our orders the
same day they are placed,
and work hard every day
to ensure every product is
in stock. Dealers in our P3
partner rewards program
also get complimentary
expedited shipping, all over
the United States.
FISCHER: Members
are rehabbing their online
buying processes so dealers
can have a more efficient
buying and shipping experience:
they can check stock,
pricing and place orders
seamlessly and keep tabs on
their product line offerings
to meet changing demands.
44 | CE Pro August 2023
well as offering overnight
and two-day shipping.
GARIJANIAN: Our 100+
square-foot distribution
centers allow us to keep on
hand inventory so our dealers
don't have to. Combine that
with fast-delivering courier
services and 24-hour pickup
locations, we can essentially
become an extension of their
business while making their
business lives easier.
JASO: For Lighting BOSS,
it's all about visibility and
availability. From a visibility
standpoint, we have our
inventory listed for all integrators
to see in their online
ordering portal. From an
availability standpoint, we
use our intuitive ERP system
to predict our clients' ordering
trends and patterns so
we can purchase inventory
accordingly.
Our online training webinars
continue to be very successful,
with AVPro Edge,
Cleerline and Eero; they are
also recorded and put on
their websites for those that
cannot attend. Our members'
enhanced websites,
multiple pickup locations
and offers to do site surveys
and presentations for end
users are also helping.
BODLEY: The past year
was another year of explosive
growth. We hired KMB
Communications to manage
our PR and social media and
added Lawrence Davis as
our VP of Business Development.
We also added two
new warehouse employees
and a warehouse manager.
GARIJANIAN: We've
expanded our distribution
footprint into Las Vegas and
are now able to reach all of
our customers in a few days.
In addition, we've upgraded
our website. It now offers a
new category format, price
sheets, rebates and promo
section as well as advanced
filters and searchability.
JASO: Our rapid growth
has forced us to look hard
at both of our facilities and
our processes. From a facility
standpoint we're trying to
stay ahead of the curve by
making sure we have enough
space to handle more inventory
and more staff.
What value-adds does
your company offer?
LUTHER: Our trained,
in-house technicians will
completely configure, update,
label, and document
Just Add Power and AVPro
MXNet AV-over-IP systems
so they are ready to go as
soon as they are taken out
of the box. We offer complimentary
firmware and configuration
for Ruckus ICX
network switches to ensure
they are configured to work
in any residential setting.
We provide a wide array of
tools and documentation.
FISCHER: The Catalyst
AV Distributors are nimble
innovators. Our members
can pivot quickly and
provide first-rate services
such as state-of-the-art
warehouses and logistics
operations for prompt
delivery, agreeable return
policies and financing, and
free dealer training on site.
BODLEY: There is no
question that after nine
years, Future Ready Solutions
has established themcepro.com
http://www.cepro.com
CE Pro August 2023

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