PrefSuite - The window maker's preference - News

"As part of our continuous process improvement program, Custom Window Systems spent countless hours looking for an innovative system that could provide the functionality beyond that of our largest competitors without the need for the IT infrastructures that they employ. We ultimately selected the PrefSuite software from Preference North America."

"PrefSuite provided us with a real-time system that allows all of our internal stake-holders immediate access and control of their area of responsibility. Additionally, our largest clients are networked directly to our production system, while the PrefWeb product extends our reach into our dealer network. EDI functionality connects to our suppliers reducing carrying costs using JIT inventory control. Plant automation is achieved by driving plant floor equipment directly from the system. PrefSuite provides us a complete picture of our day to day operations and allows us to fine tune on the fly."

"Preference recruits from within the industry hiring engineers, plant and production managers, and logistics personnel in addition to their technical software specialists. With that support team, we installed their system on time and on budget while at the same time reducing our IT staff by 75%. This in turn reduces our resourcing risk while using Preference's research and development efforts to maintain our competitive edge. They share their development plans, and our assessment is that we will keep this advantage for years to come."

"Since our implementation of PrefSuite, we have realized enormous benefits in not only our order entry processing, but our overall plant throughput. The system's ability to seamlessly tie together our front end order entry with our back end production scheduling and shipping has dramatically reduced our overall lead times, greatly reduced our order entry and shop floor errors, improved our productivity and cost efficiency, as well as driven higher customer satisfaction and retention."

"We sincerely believe that while some of our competitors have faltered, by deploying PrefSuite, we have been able to ride out the current market conditions. PrefSuite has set a standard in the industry that few if any will be able to achieve."

John Cwik - CEO, Custom Window Systems, Ocala, FL

Preference North America announces the availability of the PRIDE (Preference Intelligent Data Exchange) system layer for the PrefSuite family of products. PRIDE provides seamless interactivity between manufacturers, dealers, as well as users of our web based order entry system (PrefWeb).

The PRIDE system layer provides window manufacturers with the most advanced automated remote order entry capability in the industry. Manufacturers can not only provide real-time product updates to their dealers, but can also run marketing campaigns and time limited product promotions. Order entry and order confirmation as well as the capability to review production status by your dealers are available without the need for tedious email or CD distribution. Software and product catalogs are distributed synchronously similar to the way the updates are made available for other major software applications such as Windows and Java. Notification to the dealers of updates availability comes from the system tray. An integrity check between the manufacturer and dealer is preformed each time the manufacturers' system is synchronized with the dealers' system which ensures that there is no conflict between product catalogs, pricing, or software versions. Changes to the status of existing orders is provided to dealers constantly allowing them to see planned delivery schedules without the need for calling the manufacturer. This improves the feedback to the dealer and reduces the number of phone inquiries. Web based users (PrefWeb) are provided the same feedback on manufacturing statuses when they log onto the manufacturers website.

Our proprietary queue submission process allows quote/close ratio reporting for manufacturers with in-house sales organizations. Manufacturers can also provide sales performance data for dealers wishing to participate. Current order load as well as order projections become visible and provide management with advanced planning capabilities.

PRIDE seamlessly interfaces to PrefSuite to provide a paperless front-end to back-end order entry, ERP/MRP and shipping management system with full or partial automated single or multi-plant capabilities.

Preference is an international software and services company that has offered solutions to the fenestration and curtain wall industry since 1994. By providing leading edge software with continuous technical innovation combined with industry consulting services, our clients are positioned to sustain a competitive advantage in their markets.

By recruiting from within the fenestration industry as well as the computer industry, Preference is uniquely positioned to assist fenestration companies with tactical and strategic solutions. On staff we have fenestration product engineers, ex-plant managers, ex-production managers, shop and engineering drawing experts, project managers, IT infrastructure personnel, as well as application support and development skills. Consulting services are provided at a fee and are provided to clients of all sizes.

Today, Preference is present in more than 20 countries, with subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, Spain, Germany, Mexico, Portugal, Russia and the United Kingdom, and sales representatives in Italy, China and the United Arab Emirates, supported by over 100 employees.

This presence empowers team Preference to answer first-hand and on the spot, the needs of an industry that is in continuous evolution with over 100 employees providing support for our products and services.

Quality and customization capability are hallmarks that we are proud of. With a continuous and increasing investment in RD&I (Research Development & Innovation), Preference preserves its competitive advantage in the marketplace continuously improving our clients return on investment (ROI).