Southwest HVAC News

Century-Old HVAC-R Distributor Upgrades to Epicor Eclipse.
 

Wittichen Supply Company Replaces Homegrown Solution With Industry-Specific ERP

Epicor Software Corporation, a global provider of industry-specific enterprise software to promote business growth, today announced Wittichen Supply Company has chosen the Epicor® Eclipse® distribution system to replace a homegrown solution and help digitalize their HVAC business.

Founded in 1914, Wittichen Supply Company is a regional distributor of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment with nearly 250 staff members in more than 25 locations throughout Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida panhandle. Wittichen is a member of the Key Wholesaler Group, a national HVAC-R purchasing cooperative.

Prior to partnering with Epicor, Wittichen relied on a "homegrown" system that was first developed in 1996 and maintained by a small IT staff at the company's headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama. As time passed, the company began to outgrow its proprietary software and senior staff realized there was a need for a more sophisticated solution.

"We were at a crossroads," said Charles Herring, general manager, Wittichen Supply Company. "We needed to upgrade our system to keep up with recent growth, and that was going to either involve investing in additional IT staff and resources or seeking out a modern, out-of-the-box solution. We worked with a consultant who helped us determine it was time to upgrade and, after looking at several options, we decided Eclipse would be the best choice for our organization."

Industry-Specific Functionality Improves Business Operations

Wittichen plans to take advantage of several industry-specific features within Eclipse, including improved inventory management and reporting, greater insight into costs associated with purchasing decisions, and advanced forecasting, which will help address the seasonal nature of the business. Herring said these features will ensure Wittichen branches "have what our customers need when they need it" and "help us remain competitive among regional and national HVAC-R suppliers." With Eclipse, each branch manager will have the autonomy to tailor inventory for their specific market while collaborating with remote colleagues and reporting back to the organization's corporate headquarters.
 

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"We are thrilled to welcome Wittichen Supply to Epicor and to play a part in their continued growth," said Kami Kurth, senior director of product management, Epicor. "Eclipse is built to take on the unique operational requirements specific to wholesale distributors with little to no customization. Because Epicor solutions are tailored to the industries they serve, our customers can be confident they have chosen a technology partner that understands and anticipates their needs."

About Epicor Eclipse

Epicor Eclipse is a leading distribution ERP software solution that offers powerful capabilities for wholesalers in the plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and PVF industries. Eclipse is built upon the premise that it needs to work the way distributors work, while also delivering best practices for distribution operations that help drive costs out of the supply chain, increase sales and margins, and improve customer service. Visit the Epicor Eclipse solution hub to learn more.

About Epicor Software Corporation

Epicor Software Corporation drives business growth. We provide flexible, industry-specific software designed around the needs of our manufacturing, distribution, retail, and service industry customers. More than 40 years of experience with our customers' unique business processes and operational requirements are built into every solution-in the cloud, hosted, or on premises. With this deep understanding of your industry, Epicor solutions manage complexity, increase efficiency, and free up resources so you can focus on growth. For more information, connect with Epicor or visit www.epicor.com.

Epicor, Eclipse, and the Epicor logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Epicor Software Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. Other trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners. The product and service offerings depicted in this document are produced by Epicor Software Corporation.