News Story

For Immediate Release:

DDI System Unveils New Pricing Module in Distribution Management Software

Margin Manager Addresses Pricing Schemas Within JanSan Wholesale Distribution and Eliminates Profit Leaks, Resulting in Increased Revenues

Sandy Hook, CT (August 2004) - DDI System, LLC, the leading provider of software solutions that power the business needs of mid-size and smaller hard-goods distributors, today announced a powerful new pricing module for its flagship Distribution Management Software. The new Margin Manager, a key feature in DDI's upcoming Version 17, is a pricing module aimed at JanSan wholesale distributors that allows them to reduce profit leaks by automatically updating and notifying customers of new selling prices.

According to Adam Waller, DDI System founder and president, the profitability of a company sometimes rests on its ability to pinpoint margin leaks in customer pricing. In the JanSan market, the internal sales force of a wholesale distributor negotiates special pricing for each customer - this practice makes it difficult to track pricing within the distribution management system. With DDI's Margin Manager, wholesalers can track this pricing and simultaneously avoid surprising customers with abrupt price increases.

"Our new pricing module helps JanSan distributors realize efficiencies and increase revenues, while saving valuable time for the sales staff," said Waller. "For example, after a sales rep enters a new price for a particular cleaning product, Margin Manager will generate new selling prices with an effective date, as well as professional, laser-printed 'Price Change Notice' letters for every affected customer. The pricing module, coupled with our new CRM functionality, will provide distributors with the tools they need to deliver results-driven customer service."

DDI recently introduced a CRM module in its Distribution Management Software that features a new contact management module with a range of functionality. In addition to providing detailed history, contact notes and scheduling tools for an unlimited number of customers and vendors, the new version includes special order management functionality to automate procurement processes - from the purchase order to the shipping and handling.

DDI System's Margin Manager Deployed

Supply King Company, a single location wholesaler of janitorial supplies in Neptune City, NJ, implemented Margin Manager as soon as the upgrade was made available by DDI. According to Supply King president Shelly Kawut, DDI's Margin Manager functionality solves a long-standing problem within JanSan wholesale distribution - subjecting customers to price increases without proper notification. "In the past, there was no automated process to update customers of price changes. To prevent losing a customer, we were forced to offer price deductions," said Kawut. "During order processing, the system alerts sales and order staff with price increase prompts, a process that has certainly made us more efficient in terms of pricing consistency."

JanSan distributors, like Supply King, also benefit from DDI System's capability to subtly increase profit margins by basing new selling prices on future costs. Distributors can also pass along cost increases that may not occur for weeks or months based upon in-stock inventory -- even while tracking manufacturers published cost increases facing their competitors as well.

About DDI System, LLC

DDI System, LLC is the leading provider of software solutions that power the business needs of mid-size and smaller hard-goods distributors. Founded in 1994 by Adam Waller, a technology visionary within wholesale distribution, DDI's success is built upon a personal approach and continuous ability to provide industry-specific, feature rich software that is intelligently priced. The company's DDI System Distribution Management Software transforms reams of business data into concise, decision-making business knowledge and provides instant, real-time access to key business performance measures, using onscreen charts and drill-down capabilities. For more information, visit DDI System at http://www.DDIsys.com.

Company Contact:
Barbara Jagoe
DDI System
877-599-4334
barbara@DDIsys.com

Agency Contact:
Len Abbazia
Springboard Public Relations
(732) 863-1900 x.101
Len.Abbazia@SpringboardPR.com