New system speeds parts orders

Press, 25 May 1977, Page 11

New system speeds parts orders

International Harvester dealers from throughout New Zealand last month discussed the implications of an entirely new type of data processing and communications system that is unique in this country. Reps from the Christchurch based company’s 49 dealerships and six branches conferred about a system that in the words of the project manager, Ivan Stanton, means “never having to turn a customer away.” Commented International Harvester’s finance director, Bob Morrison at the “International Harvester Action Dealer Conference” at Rotorua last month: “This is an in-

novative management system that is only limited by our imaginative use of it.” Revealed at the conference was a computer based sytem providing a nationwide communiations network between dealerships, branches, depots and International Harvester’s Headquarters. The system means that branches and dealerships have access to each other's supply of parts and equipment. By tapping out a brief message on a compact keyboard a dealer can send a message through the system which will reveal if a specific part is

available anywhere in New Zealand. The system will reveal the precise availability of that part. Already dealers using the system are sending and receiving nearly 100 parts location messages each working day. The system which is already introducing new economies in parts management is based on an IBM series 370 computer at International Harvester’s headquarters in Christchurch. Dealers and branches are linked to it by a visual display screen and a printer, also supplied by IBM.