he information necessary to complete the processing. Currently, payroll records are kept on the second personal computer in the accounting department, and a Quicken file is sent to ADP once every two weeks. ADP has indicated that Golden's would receive a price break if the information were sent directly via modem using ADP software (which it would make available to Golden's at no fee). Golden's has not taken advantage of this opportunity until this time because the two personal computers that it uses are not powerful enough to support the ADP software.
Another problem that Golden's faces is the production of its catalog, which features all 12,000 items and which is prepared every six months. Currently, an outside service produces the catalog, which features only brief descriptions of items and lists the size and color variations for each (variations on each item are what constitute the 12,000 SKUs; the total number of separate items is approximately 4,500). Golden's provides a marked up copy of the previous catalog with modifications and deletions noted, and a typed version of additions to the outside service. The catalog takes approximately one week to print and bind, and an additional two weeks to be sent to customers (again, an outside service is used for distribution). The total production time for the catalog is ten weeks, including printing, distribution, copy editing and proofing. Golden is hopeful that the new system could provide a way to streamline this activity, perhaps by tying into the inventory system.
At this point, Golden has prioritized his situation has follows: he needs a system which can automate the order entry process and tie that information to the related accounting processes (purchasing, accounts receivable and accounts payable). He wants to be able to track which are his best performers and which his worst, and he wants to be able to forecast usage down the road. The hardware should also be abl...