Beards
International Jeweller selects ENCORE - eBIS from Anagram Systems to run its business.
Beards is a leading internationally recognised jewellery company based in the heart of Cheltenham town centre. Founded in 1804 as Waite & Sons (Jewellers) Ltd in the High street, the business thrived and was expanded in 1930's by the purchase of RF Beard, from which today's highly successful business, Beards Jewellery, was created.
The business has been family owned since it first started and the current owner and Managing Director, Angela Rose, represents the fifth generation of the family to run the company.
As Angela points out, Beards is not just another jewellers. Whilst their heritage may be traditional, the jewellery is certainly not. The team at Beards are constantly seeking unusual jewellery that appeals to the sense of the contemporary. "Its not just a question of replacing the same stock constantly" says Angela who believes in offering her customers something stylish and exciting.
The company offers some of the world finest designer names: Chopard, Cartier, Gucci, Jaeger-Le Coultre, Omega, TAG Heuer, and many others
A New Software System
Until recently Beards made use of a bespoke software system. "We have had bespoke systems for over fifteen years but this has meant having one system to handle the sales and stock control and then we used Sage for the accounts. This was not satisfactory. We decided that a fully integrated system was the only way for us to move forward. None of the main names in accounting software could offer us what we wanted, neither could the few packages that purported to specialise in our business. Another jewellery company, Lunns, suggested that we took a look at their software. We liked what we saw and were impressed by the attitude of the company that was prepared to work with us to give us exactly what we wanted." Six months ago Anagram Systems installed ENCORE-eBIS for Jewellers, a fully integrated business system for jewellers using the latest software technology.
"...the support and training that we have had from Anagram has been first class."
How The System Works
ENCORE-eBIS for Jewellers is a true Windows solution which uses the latest Microsoft development technology. With a relational database underpinning its design ENCORE-eBIS for Jewellers is quick and easy to use and has huge functionality. It offers a full retail cash sales facility that is fast and easy to use, and since the system operates in real time, all ledgers and stock records are updated immediately.
The system has full 'drill down' which means that a customer's history and pattern of buying is instantly available. The user can investigate at invoice line level too, if required. Management and product reports are simple to generate and the on-screen management information is designed specifically to provide detailed information 'on the fly', minimising paper work. E-mailing of reports and information is simple to undertake and gives instant sharing of information throughout the organisation. The system also allows you to store digital images of your stock, link these to the relevant product records and print them on documents such as invoices, when required.
"Our objective of a fully integrated system has been achieved" states Angela "and everyone here finds it very easy to use".
One area ENCORE-eBIS for Jewellers did not cater for immediately was repairs. With people bringing in treasured pieces for repair, Beards needed a system that would handle repairs - keeping track of their status, allowing pictures to be scanned and stored on file and printing tickets detailing repair instructions.
"Anagram were extremely helpful and agreed to write a repairs module for us. We spent a lot of time specifying exactly what we needed and how we wanted to operate. We are now in the final stages of implementing our repair system and are very pleased with the results of our co-operation", says Angela.
How Its Gone
"We were very apprehensive about installing another new system. However, I am extremely pleased with the way ENCORE-eBIS for Jewellers has been incorporated into our business. It gives us the system we need and saves time and effort on our part because of its total integration. The support and training that we have had from Anagram has also been first class. We are looking forward to the future knowing that our business system needs will be well looked after by Anagram through the continual development of ENCORE-eBIS for Jewellers".
http://www.beardsjewellery.co.uk/