A Brief Guide To Automotive Software
Running an auto dealership is becoming that much tougher by the day. This is so because there are many more functional areas that need to be taken care of such as, inventory, sales, marketing and customer service. With intense competition people who run auto dealerships are facing the heat, so to speak, these days. Fortunately for them there is a variety of automotive software that is available nowadays. Auto dealer management software can reduce the burden and increase efficiency to a major extent. There are many tasks which have got easier thanks to the advent of this type of software.With the coming in of automotive software tasks such as storing and manual recording can now be totally avoided. Similarly the software also allows for better control over the inventory, with all the information available to the top management, literally at the click of a button. This software can be used by both used car as well as new car dealerships. Several types of data can be stored and then retrieved by the software. This helps in keeping track of a whole host of information such as the detailed expense tracking, purchase price of a vehicle and information on the past inventories, to mention only some.Automotive software is not difficult to find with plenty of software vendors dealing with the product. A little bit of online search is all that you need to do in order to find someone selling this product. Shopping around is the key when it comes to purchasing this software package. There is no such thing as the perfect or right automotive software. You have several options with this program to help you customize it to suit your needs. This is because not all auto dealerships are the same and for this not all their needs are the same. Although there are a lot of ready made software packages available, not all of them will suit your needs. You have a wide selection of programming companies who are more than ready to help you personalize your program.There is literally hundreds of leading software companies which can help you with customizing automotive software. These companies will generally undertake a detailed study of your automobile dealership and thoroughly analyze the various systems and procedures. They will then go about the process of developing the right kind of software for your dealership. These companies will also train your staff on using such software. Generally speaking the automotive management software that is available these days is very user friendly. Almost any one in an automobile dealership can work on the software very easily. In fact this is one of the reasons why more and more people are going in for such software.While purchasing automotive software you should always check for certain features such as an interface with sales, which are important for an auto dealership. You should also make sure that there is a feature that keeps track of the photos of vehicles apart from the details about the price of particular vehicles. All these factors need to be kept in mind when you are going in for such software for your auto dealership.
Nutritional Supplements – Basic Questions and Answers
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to substitute for the advice of a health-care professional. The dietary supplements you choose may not have been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and their use is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition.Can they really do what they claim to do?There are two types of evidence gathered in this type of research — experimental and anecdotal.
‘Anecdotal’ are stories from people who use a product and get some benefit from that use. There is a wealth of anecdotal evidence supporting nutritional supplement use.
‘Experimental’ evidence comes from controlled studies done by professional researchers. The medical community has begun serious experimental research, but conclusive declarations are still some time away.
Both types of evidence are important to the consumer considering nutritional supplements. Even natural substances, when taken in improper quantities, can be harmful and may cause illness, injury or death. The more you know, the better your chances of getting what you need, so research all information you can find about the supplements you are considering before starting a supplement regimen, and be sure to discuss what you’re taking with your doctor.Of course, in every industry, some companies cheat — they sell low-quality or fraudulent product. Nutritional supplement manufacturers are not required to list their ingredients the way food makers must, nor do they undergo the strict oversight that drug makers receive from the government. As with any product or service, you usually get what you pay for and cheap nutritional supplements may not be as effective, so purchase health supplements only from reputable manufacturers and dealers.What are nutrients and nutritional supplements?Nutrients are the substances the body needs to function–about 45 different elements and compounds according to some professionals. Originally, people got their nutrients from the foods they ate or they went without. Today, science has a pretty good understanding of what these chemicals are, how they work and how to synthesize them or extract them from plants, making them more widely available in support of good general health.Ideally, humans should get all their nutritional needs met on the hoof, so to speak. The health and wellness industry was created because few people always eat a well-balanced diet. Supplements are now available as pills, gelcaps, softgels, liquids and powders to supplement the nutrients we get from food. Some are designed to be taken alone, others to be mixed with food or drink. There is no scientific evidence that any one form is more effective than another.Exactly what do those weird terms mean?”DSHEA” — In 1994, Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, defining dietary or nutritional supplements as products taken by mouth, containing ingredients intended to supplement the natural diet. These ingredients may include vitamins, minerals, ‘botanicals’ (plant extracts), amino acids or other substances to increase the nutrition in the diet. Sellers must not suggest their products are conventional foods nor that their products should be a whole meal or diet.”Amino acids” — Building blocks of protein, the substance that makes up a large portion of the human body.”Antioxidants” — Substances that block or inhibit free radicals — molecules that speed up the aging process and contribute to illness.”Minerals” — Natural, inorganic elements like calcium, iron, selenium and zinc.”Vitamins” — Natural, organic compounds given letter designations (A, B1 to B12, C, D, E, K).Both, in the proper quantities, are essential to good health.Where can I get unbiased information?Nutritional supplements information is available from the Office of Dietary Supplements. According to their website, ODS was created within the National Institutes of Health ‘to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, stimulating and supporting research, disseminating results and educating the public.’How do I know if I need a nutritional supplement?The ODS website includes a checklist to help you get ready to discuss nutrition needs with your health care provider. Because a wide variety of products are marketed as nutritional dietary supplements, it’s important to remember that these supplements might include vitamins, herbals, minerals, plant extracts or other substances.Are dietary supplements as safe and effective as any other drug?Dietary supplements are not drugs.Drugs must be proven to be effective against a specific disease or medical condition before they can be marketed. If a supplement addresses a nutrient deficiency, supports health or reduces the risk of a health problem, the manufacturer may say so, but they must include a disclaimer: ‘These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not designed to diagnose, treat or cure disease.’Are there risks in taking dietary supplements?There are risks in everything, but we still walk across the street and undergo surgery when needed. Nutritional supplements may have unwanted or unforeseen side effects, especially if taken before surgery, with other supplements or medicines or if you have certain health conditions. Discuss your individual situation, needs and all potential risks with your health care provider.Most doctors agree on three essentials for good health: proper nutrition, regular exercise and a good attitude. Dietary supplements can be a positive part of your nutrition program.
What If Inventory Financing Lenders Were the Solution to Your Cash Flow Based Financing
Just what if your firm had a significant inventory component and you had access to cash flow and working capital against that inventory investment in working capital that your firm has made.A proper inventory financing facility in Canada is one in which you can draw down on a satisfactory level of your inventory value and repaid it as you replenish capital via account receivable and cash collections. Your success in achieving a proper inventory financing component in your overall business financing in effect optimizes your working capital to the extent you need to.How would your overall financial position change with that additional working capital and cash flow? You would then have the ability to take on additional contracts and purchase orders, your supplier relationships would most probably improve, and faster asset turnover of assets and receivable generates faster profits and return on assets. Those are good things.The main advantage of an inventory financing or A/R financing component is your ability to accelerate cash flow. Let’s be honest, if you were self financing (i.e. no borrowing facilities) and had to wait for inventory to be sold and receivables collected then you are significantly slowing your growth ability.In the context of the inventory financing we are discussing this financing is not a loan per se – that’s important to understand. It becomes a part of your revolving facility and is simply collateralized by receivables and inventory.Your inventory financing arrangement is reflected in a type of document generally known as borrowing base certificate. We also advise our clients that it is highly preferable to have a strong handle on your inventory reporting, and also you should preferably be using some sort of a perpetual inventory accounting system.Inventory is a very generic term, we hate to do it but we complicate things further by discussing with clients the fact that inventory can consist of raw materials, work in process, and of course final finished goods inventory. As a result the valuation of what is financed varies by industry and inventory type. Slow moving or highly specialized product is much more difficult, but not impossible, to finance.Could you be more competitive and profitable if you have inventory financing at 40-50% of your gross inventory value – we are pretty sure you could be!On larger transactions you should fully expect some sort of initial appraisal and valuation on your inventory.In Canada inventory finance is highly specialized, we can almost call it a niche financing. Speak to a trusted, credible, and experienced business financing advisor to determine if this financing works for you. Through that process you should be able to develop a clear understand of the differences between bank financing, asset based lending, which incorporates inventory finance, and purchase order financing if that is applicable to your business model.At this point you are now in a position to ensure that inventory financing advances are a great way to acquire mfr and carry inventory for orders and contracts you receive