Pedders Suspension have been associated with Kendle Computer Services since 1986.
Their role with us has been that of supplying, installing, training and supporting the computer systems for our entire network of 62 stores, spread throughout Australia and New Zealand, which included management of the systems that allowed all of these stores to retrieve data from, and transfer data to, our Head Office in Melbourne.
During the late 1990's Kevern Kendle and I embarked on a project to develop new, current technology, systems to replace the old DOS-based systems previously used within the Pedders Group, and the first of these new Merlin systems was installed in September 2000.
Between February and April 2001 Kendle's installed the new systems in all of our 62 sites across Australia and New Zealand ... the changeovers were very smooth and efficient, not one day of trading was lost during the process, and all sites were able to incorporate and retain their previous business data ... a pretty impressive effort, in my view!
The new Merlin systems are excellent ... they are robust, reliable, easy to use, well supported and they meet all of our operational requirements.
The use of the internet to maintain data communications within all stores in our Group is of significant importance to us ... the fact that we can manage our parts, prices and customers centrally and have all changes in the hands of all sites within approx 10 minutes and, at the same time, retrieve sales and stock level data from all sites has a very, very significant benefit for our business management activities!
Kendle's willingness to work with us, in terms of systems development, also means that we now have management tools that fit our business needs, and that can change to meet our changing needs ... and we no longer have to make our business fit the systems!
All in all, one of best the decisions we have made ... it assures Pedders that our business information systems will grow as our business grows!
Ron Pedder
Managing Director
Pedders Shock Absorber Service Pty Ltd