Loew-Cornell, Inc.
Over the years, Reference Systems customer Loew-Cornell Inc. has become a household name for millions of tole and decorative painters, fine artists, and craft and hobby enthusiasts who rely on the company for long-lasting, top-quality supplies at affordable prices.
Loew-Cornell Inc. and technology have come a long way since Ernest Cornell and Sam Loew founded the business in 1963. While they could only dream of instant communication with artist's around the world, they knew that their European knowledge of artists' materials, coupled with personalized service and availability would fill a need. History proved they were right.
Today, from the company's headquarters in Teaneck, NJ, Loew-Cornell carries on their values by offering quality products, friendly service, innovative new products and educational programs. Its product line includes ceramic and sculpting tools, wood carving supplies, brush cleaners, palettes, painting accessories, and rub-on transfers. But, despite these offerings, Loew-Cornell is perhaps best known for its wide line of brushes. In addition, to traditional brushes made of natural hair and bristle, Loew-Cornell was an early leader in the introduction of synthetic brushes for the artist.
Assistant to the President Scott Frank relates how Reference System has helped this 30-employee distributor work smarter.
"We replaced our mainframe system a few years ago with Macola Version 6.0," he says. "We did this to gain increased flexibility, and to have more options for managing our data."
Immediate benefits were gained from Progression 6.0. Now, Loew-Cornell is running Progression Series 7.5, a Year 2000-compliant, Windows-based system.
"Macola allows us to multi-task very effectively," Frank says. "We can minimize screens easily, and let a customer know the status of their order and what a particular product's stock status is. This has saved our customer service staff a lot of time."
Frank also has found that Macola's information generating capabilities are very useful.
"If our sales department needs a particular set of data," he says, "we can give it to them."
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has been a big part of the picture, as well.
"Macola's EDI solution has made life easier," declares Frank. "The latest version is really easy to use, and that is important for us.
"We have been using RSI for about four years, and overall they have shown a lot of concern for the way we run our operations," Frank emphasizes. "They really make sure we get what we want. This business relationship has turned into a real friendship."
Modules running on the Novell network and Windows 95 operating system include Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Inventory Management, Order Entry, Purchase Order & Receiving, and EDI.
It seems that Loew-Cornell and Macola Software have mastered the fine art of growth, together.