You’re operating the store that your grandfather first opened back in the 1940s. It’s a successful family-operated business that relies on word-of-mouth advertising and reputation for its business longevity and success.

A retail franchise owner who operates 20 stores and manages about 145 employees also operates a well-organized business that relies on marketing and sales efforts, word-of-mouth, and efficiency.

What could the two scenarios possibly have in common? In order to stay on top of their game, both proprietors utilize software programs designed specifically for the markets they serve - the ceramic and porcelain tile floor covering markets.

Likewise, each relies on immediate access to vital information, such as real-time inventory, P & L statement comparisons, the allocation of time, supplies, labor and materials for specific projects, etc. Is there something they know that you don’t? Maybe. Perhaps what they have realized is that industry-specific software, which is designed to simplify and manage a multitude of time-consuming, and perhaps even tedious tasks, allows them ample time to focus on the essentials - operating a successful and profitable establishment.

Software programs have evolved to include user-friendly graphical interfaces that provide material/design/layout options, linking capabilities to a manufacturer’s catalog, job estimating/specifying tools, barcode inventory, scaled CAD drawings, and more.

Many of the software products listed below can be customized - basically, no cookie cutter systems here. Ask questions, conduct your own research, and opt for the software that best fits your needs. After all, you’re not “just buying another software program,” you’re investing in a potential business-boosting tool that will increase productivity, and essentially, the bottom line.

Note:Because of space constraints, information about each company’s product may have been edited for brevity.

Activant Solutions

Activant Solutions
www.distribution.activant.com
Prophet 21 enterprise software manages orders, inventory, warehouse, finances, purchasing, as well as reporting and analysis in Knowledge Management Center. Watchdog Internet security software suite also available.

American Business Computers

American Business Computers
www.AmericanBusinessComputers.com
FloorPro III software features onsite training; order processing, inventory control, purchasing/receiving, sales analysis, accounts receivable/accounts payable, and general ledger, “Customer On-Line Access” software, and special order processing.

ApliCAD Ceramica

ApliCAD Ceramica
www.aplicadceramica.com
Integrated software offers ceramic composition; multiple laying, dimensional plans, joint width and color configuration, and electronic catalog integration, with design export capabilities to AutoCAD systems.

Bid Tech Inc.

Bid Tech Inc.
www.bidtech.com
Estimates all floor covering products and accounts for patterned products; transfer data to Excel; records project data; saves architect, customer and supplier contact information; regularly updated product information library; generates total project cost and bid price.

Blue Cove Technologies

Blue Cove Technologies
www.planpointsoftware.com
PlanPoint software generates estimates, purchase orders, and work orders; manages materials, labor, and installation jobs; and project history.  

BVH Gregg Inc.

BVH Gregg Inc.
www.bvhgregginc.com
Automated software for contractors offers project estimating, pricing and ordering materials, accounting, digitizing, DXF file conversion, accounting.

CCS Computing Services

CCS Computing Services
www.firstflooringsoftware.com
Offers pricing, bids/estimates, projects, scheduling, inventory, purchasing, invoicing, and job costs.

Comp-u-Floor by Aya Associates, Inc.

Comp-u-Floor by Aya Associates Inc.
www.comp-u-floor.com
Integrated software features sales system, inventory control, accounts receivable/accounts payable, sales analysis, purchase order processing, warehouse and distribution, and general ledger system.

Dancik International

Dancik International
www.dancik.com
Offers visualization technology with point-of-sale and distribution management systems features inventory optimization, purchasing, accounting, installation scheduling, sales and margin analysis, sales commissions, referral fees, selection sheet management, and visualization tools.

ETemplate Systems

ETemplate Systems
www.ETemplatesystem.com
Features include ETemplate Photo GPS-based digital field templating, automatic DXF/CAD drawings; and Business Optimization Software system for quotes and orders, scheduling, purchasing, receiving and job tracking.

FloorEstimator

FloorEstimator
www.FloorEstimator.com
Provides QuickBooks integration module for accounting and inventory management. Also available is the FloorEstimator proposal and sales optimizer software.

Flooring Vision

Flooring Vision
www.buildervision.com
Web-based visualization software includes ImageMapper (client upload tool), Dynamic 3D (three-dimensional imaging of floor plans), and Chameleon room visualizer engine for selection and sales usage.

Gartman Systems

Gartman Systems
www.gartman.com
Turnkey solution software offers distribution management, real time data updates, online information accessibility, and flexible reporting parameters.

Infor Distribution Essentials

Infor Distribution Essentials
www.infor.com
Features include purchase orders, product interchange information and cross-referencing of manufacturer products, add-on sales tools, special orders, online catalog referencing, inventory, job costs, payroll, and counter sales.

Laser Products Industries, Inc.

Laser Products Industries Inc.
www.lasersquare.com
LT-55 Precision Laser Templater PDA device with pre-installed software provides field measurements in DXF format with multicolor and multi-plane files that can be viewed on-site and later e-mailed.

Moraware

Moraware
www.moraware.com/JobTracker.html
Job management software features scheduling, pricing and product information, estimating, purchase orders, inventory control, and customer order history.

Pinnacle Mfg.

Pinnacle Mfg.
www.pinnsoftware.com
“Counter Intelligence” software generates estimates/quotes, creates detailed drawings, shipping documents, invoices, and features: inventory control module, purchase/receive materials, measure/template, production, and delivery and installation scheduler.

QFloors

QFloors
www.QFloors.com
Offers integrated real time information on records, inventory status, pricing information, estimates/bids, sales, accounting, invoicing, ordering, payroll, scheduling, and B2B technology.

RFMS, Inc.

RFMS Inc.
www.RFMS.com
Features inventory control, job estimating, order entry, updated product database, sales analysis, banking transactions, general ledger, job cost and profit analysis, accounts receivable, billing and statement generator, accounts payable, human resources management, and payroll. B2B e-commerce also available.

Roll Master/NetFloor Software

Roll Master/NetFloor Software
www.RMmaster.com
Manages inventory, installations, employees and job information, customer database, estimating and job costs, products, scheduling, accounting, sales analysis and marketing.

Sagar International Business Solutions, Inc. (SIBS)

Sagar International Business Solutions Inc. (SIBS)
www.sibsweb.com
Offers management of inventory, sales, customer relations, delivery, supplier, and accounting management. Integrated receivables and payables modules, commission tracking, profit estimators, remote connectivity for customers, estimating, measurement scheduler, installation scheduler and job-cycle management.

Stone Profit Systems

Stone Profit Systems
www.stoneprofits.com
Features inventory management, material management and supplier price analysis, barcode scanning, job scheduling, job and quote management, consignment locations, and slab dimensioning.

TileGem

TileGem
www.TileGem.com
Offers scaled layout and mechanical drawings, multiple layout views, settings and materials list.