As operators know, running convenience stores requires keeping track of many moving parts at the same time.
There are sales to record, inventory to track and payments to make and document.
“It’s a lot of things to keep straight,” says Cederick Johnson, PDI’s communications manager. “Even for a small box, you still have a lot of products and profit centers to contend with … Every piece of your enterprise, as much as it can be, needs to be connected.”
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software can keep track of much of the data you use when running your store, from inventory tracking to workforce allocation to vendor invoicing. C-store owners with just a couple of locations likely wouldn’t benefit from the wide-ranging services of this software. But mid-size and larger chains most certainly would.
Choosing and implementing an ERP system can be challenging, however.
First, you need to figure out your goals. Why are you considering a centralized data-collection system for your operation? Maybe you’re simply drowning in numbers. Maybe you’d like to better be able to use sales figures to track trends. Maybe your operation is growing rapidly and you need organizational help. Perhaps you’re looking for creative ways to boost sales.
Keep these goals in mind as you look at software demonstrations and talk with vendors. Consult references before choosing an ERP provider.
Once you’ve chosen a provider, be sure you have a handle on how much it will cost to install and maintain the system. Build in time and money to train employees.
One of the biggest players in c-store ERP systems is PDI, a Texas-based software company that tackles every aspect of running your business, from accounting to accounts payable to inventory management to workforce management.
“The c-store industry is a pretty complex organism,” Johnson says. “The job of any good ERP provider is to take that complexity, find creative ways to make it simple, and ultimately help their customers thrive.”
PDI holds 71% of the retail market share for c-stores with 201-500 sites and 66% of the those with 500 or more sites, according to recent Neilsen data.
But more than just gathering information, PDI’s intelligent software will also give operators insights behind the data to maximize the effectiveness of their store-level strategy.
PDI has partnered with Chicago-based data firm IRI to aggregate consumer information from the POS level to analyze and predict trends.
“It provides actionable insights down to the consumer level,” he says. “It would guide behavior in your store, and the result is that retailers are able to provide better service and deliver superior customer experiences that keep people coming back.”
All of the components of PDI’s systems are built in-house and are designed to fully communicate with the rest of the ERP software system. It may take a bit longer to develop new software in-house, Johnson says, but the time spent is well worth it because it ensures compatibility between all facets of the system.
Further, PDI offers an open POS ecosystem, meaning that the software runs with all the major third-party POS systems.
More than a software system, PDI works to build community and an open ecosystem in the c-store industry. PDI is known for its personalized customer service, as well as online and in-person training opportunities.
The software company hosts a popular online community where customers log on to share best practices, tips and questions in forums and interest groups. Plus, each year PDI hosts the largest software training conference in the c-store industry, bringing together hundreds of retailers and petroleum marketers to discuss trends and receive hands-on training.
This post is sponsored by PDI