April 22, 2008 -- Graybar, a distributor of electrical and communications products and related supply chain management and logistics services, recently announced the launch of its Graybar Delivery Advantage, a mobile resource management system that tracks and documents deliveries made by Graybar drivers.
According to the distributor, developed with customer input, the real-time system helps customers better manage their incoming materials, saving them time and money. The system provides details on incoming deliveries made by Graybar drivers, including: delivery date and time; an electronic image of customer's signature for proof of delivery; and electronic image of each delivery; and an aerial map of the delivery location.
"The Graybar Delivery Advantage allows us to streamline our drivers' time and their routes, resulting in more deliveries per route," comments Dennis Grousosky, Graybar's vice president - service. "We're always working to our customers' advantage by creating improved efficiencies with these types of new services."
Graybar says the system is notable for its use of cell phones to optimize supply chain performance. Delivery drivers gather the delivery information using their Sprint/Nextel mobile phones enabled with the Xora GPS TimeTrack service. Once the service captures the delivery information, it is available immediately to Graybar's customer service department. Customers can a service representative to request detailed information per delivery.
"We are constantly evaluating ways to use technology to improve our productivity," adds Grousosky. "We continuously use technology to optimize our business processes and deliver more value to our customers, suppliers and shareholders."
Graybar adds JVC Professional Products its security line
Separately, Graybar also recently announced that it is now working with JVC Professional Products to distribute that company's surveillance and security technologies.
Graybar now carries JVC's Internet protocol (IP) cameras, analog cameras and IP recording technology. The distributor says the relationship enables it to offer integrators, contractors and end users scalable and reliable security options while adding to Graybar's portfolio of high-quality IP products.
"JVC has long been recognized as a leader in image quality, and their new IP cameras and recorders are a valuable enhancement to the Graybar security portfolio," comments Mike Dumas, vice president of Graybar's comm/data business.
Since Graybar entered the security market in 2004, the distributor says it has experienced double-digit growth, year-over-year, in its security business.
"Graybar representatives have the knowledge to help its broad base of customers build end-to-end security solutions including the JVC product line," remarks Geoff Anderson, national marketing manager, security products, at JVC. "Working with Graybar allows us to expand our reach to customers who rely on our critical security equipment for the success of their businesses."
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