Unisource Canada partners with Paxar to lead the way with RFID

Unisource Canada partners with Paxar to lead the way with RFID

N E W S
•
I N F O R M A T I O N
•
P R O D U C T S
A u t u m n
2 0 0 4
Overdrive Design
applies best
business practices
to print and
web-based projects
Super Efficient
Organizations
lead printing
industry
Paper companies
rely on papiNet
to set world-wide
e-commerce
standards
E-commerce helps
keep Krispy Kreme
rolling in dough
3M’s E-Commerce
Strategy
Unisource
programs place
the spotlight
on client
relationship
Unisource Canada partners
with Paxar to lead the way
with RFID innovation
The Power of One: Value, Simplicity, Productivity.
In this Issue…
Overdrive Design applies best
business practices to print and
web-based projects ........................... 3
Paxar Canada leads the way
with RFID innovation ........................ 4
Super Efficient Organizations
lead printing industry ....................... 6
Paper companies rely on papiNet to set
world-wide e-commerce standards..... 7
E-commerce helps keep
Krispy Kreme rolling in dough .......... 9
Collaboration, competitive edge
drive 3M e-commerce solutions ........ 13
Unisource programs place the
spotlight on client relationship ......... 14
Staying efficient through e-commerce
(RFID). Solutions outlines the technology as
well the company helping suppliers learn
about and enlist this consumer products
tracking and identification system.
Yes, the pace of business is on the rise
again.
Please feel free to comment on this issue
of Solutions. Email the Unisource Marketing
Department: [email protected]
With the holiday season fast approaching,
making the most of your work time has never
been more important. Whether you’re buying
items for yourself or procuring for your
corporation, chances are you’re staying
efficient thanks in part to e-commerce.
At Unisource, we make the most of ecommerce. Our customers save time and
reduce errors by ordering through our online,
web-based feature ‘My Unisource’.
In this issue of Solutions, you’ll learn
about companies making the most of
e-commerce and other cutting-edge
technologies. You’ll read about the shake up
occurring in the printing industry – thanks to
new technology. The profile of Torontobased design firm Overdrive Design explains
to readers that there will always been room
for both print and web-based communication
vehicles. Your website is crucial – but so is
your business card.
Tracking goods is also entering a new
frontier with radio frequency identification
If you have received this copy
of Solutions in error and it should be
forwarded to a different person or
address, please contact us at
[email protected]. Thank you.
Some of our best…
If you’ve communicated electronically
with Unisource Canada recently, chances are
it was made easier thanks to Kimberley
Cordell, Director IT, Support Services,
National Office.
Any electronic transactions via the
Internet, website or EDI (Electronic Data
Interchange) are made efficient thanks to
Kimberley’s work at Unisource. She also
oversees the help desk and training,
Mainframe enhancements, as well as building
new PC programs and enhancements.
Always looking for ways to improve
processes and become more efficient through
technology, her role assists many Unisource
departments in day-to-day activity and special
projects, including Sales and Marketing.
“Everyone is looking toward automation
to become more efficient, the challenge is to
stay one step ahead, so we are ready to
provide the right solution at the right time,”
she explained.
What’s the best part of Kimberley’s job?
“Dealing in all aspects of the business and
working together with a variety of
departments, customers and suppliers.”
During her 15 years with Unisource,
Kimberley has worked as a
programmer, systems analyst, project
manager and logistics & operations
projects manager.
When she is not out of town, the
37-year
old
enjoys
golfing,
snowmobiling and horseback riding.
Kimberley Cordell
Dino Loiselle
Director IT, Support
Services, National Office
Supervisor Electronic
Prepress Market
Reporting for work at the Unisource
Canada St. Laurent office, Dino Loiselle,
Supervisor Electronic Prepress Market,
knows that every day is completely unlike
the last.
The one aspect that remains the same is
his work to help clients – small, medium and
large-sized independent printing companies –
solve day-to-day problems.
In fact, the nine-year Unisource Canada
employee, together with his handpicked team
of three pre-press experts, supplies print
companies – from Ottawa to the Maritimes with equipment, technology and industrywide solutions. Anticipating his customers’
needs is just part of the job.
2
“I know the needs of my customers and
find solutions for them from the production
perspective,” Mr. Loiselle explained.
“We want to sell based on the customers
needs,” Mr. Loiselle added. “We speak the
same language as our customers.”
Staying on top of customers’ needs is
accomplished partly through exploring new
technology, solutions and partners at national
and international printing and media trade
fairs as well as graphic trade shows.
When finished solving printing industry
problems, Mr. Loiselle can be found
conquering the outdoors. The 34-year-old
enjoys rock climbing, camping, and scuba
diving.
www.unisource.ca
Overdrive Design applies best business
practices to print and web-based projects
If you were to check the Oxford
Dictionary of Current English, you’d find that
‘Overdrive’ is defined as: a state of great
activity.
That could explain why an interview with
James Wilson, owner of Overdrive Design,
took place at 7 a.m. on a Monday morning.
Overdrive Design targets new media,
print, illustration and identity creation
projects. From annual reports to web sites,
the company works with clients to create
successful communication vehicles.
Although it started 18 years ago as a
traditional graphic design and illustration
shop, Overdrive Design became an early
adopter of technology. In fact, by 1989 it
was honing its reputation as a digital shop.
This led to projects creating CD ROMs, which
led to an early understanding of the web.
This helped the company land projects such
as the creation of the City of Toronto’s first
website as well as sites for MasterCard and
Bank of Montreal.
Overdrive’s philosophies and work ethics
made the leap from print to the Internet.
The company applied a similar approach to
very different production processes.
“The rules of design are transferable,”
noted Mr. Wilson.
Clients’ expectations, however, increased
dramatically to a point where they are now
sometimes unrealistic.
Quick changes
courtesy of the Internet led to the belief that
“changes can be made always,” he
explained. That’s not always the case.
Changing web design can be complex –
especially when you’re dealing with the site’s
architecture. Explaining this to clients is
somewhat more difficult than explaining the
steps of the print process, he added.
Working through the web demands a
person that is detail oriented, but at the end
of the day you can fix mistakes, Mr. Wilson
noted. With print, changes are costly and
labour intensive.
Perfectionism is an
attribute in the print world as the cost
implications for minor changes “are huge”,
he explained.
At present, Overdrive Design is juggling
www.unisourcedesign.ca
26 projects. Eight are print and 18 are digital
or web based. In fact, the Overdrive team is
currently creating six full web sites.
Both print and the web have their own
unique place in today’s design world,
according to Mr. Wilson.
There is
“absolutely” a future for both. But print is
clearly special to the design expert, who
believes there will always be a place for this
means of communication.
“I love print,” he added. “It’s always
about doing the best for your client. In print,
that’s very apparent.”
In today’s world, both mediums are
essential to a company’s success. Especially
when, according to Mr. Wilson, the 80-20
rule still applies.
“Eighty per cent of stuff on the web is
really bad. Bad content. Bad design. Bad
visuals. And bad navigation. Twenty per
cent is good to great. The same numbers
apply to print as well,” he explained.
There will always be the need for both –
especially if the print and web vehicles boast
excellent qualities.
After creating many corporate websites
boasting e-commerce, Overdrive Design is
about to add this component to its own site.
Soon, clients may purchase a product online
at www.overdrivedesign.com and, in the
future, the company will add to its list of
offerings.
“If you don’t have a website you’re not
real,” stated Mr. Wilson. However, business
cards are also crucial to business, and “are
always integral”.
Unisource Canada, Inc. recently launched
its website offering graphic design firms
online assistance, information on fine papers,
new products, emerging technologies,
industry events and designer profiles – all
available at www.unisourcedesign.ca.
www.unisourcedesign.ca has been
engineered to increase the company’s
visibility and involvement in the graphic
design,
advertising
and
marketing
communications industries.
According to Susan Corbeil, National
Director, Specification Sales, Unisource
3
Canada, Inc., www.unisourcedesign.ca
received 10,000 hits within its first five
months of operation.
New products such as magnetic paper
and wide format printers are featured, while
the ‘Find The Right Paper’ section is a
popular spot on the site. Visitors click on the
descriptions, including selecting the project
type and paper category and the site
accesses the best paper for the project
quickly and easily.
By helping plan, price and manage print
projects, www.unisourcedesign.ca assists
experts – through its simple, easy to navigate
site – with the production of high quality,
innovative projects at great values.
“If you
don’t have
a website
you’re not
real.”
One call does it all.
Paxar Canada leads the way
with RFID innovation
supply chain tracking. RFID printers write,
read and verify the data on the label or tag
which in turn is applied to an item, pallet or
skid.
RFID technology is used to identify, count
and track or trace items. It also helps plan
production more efficiently, automates
inventory counts and speeds shipping and
receiving at the distribution level. Thanks
to these qualities, companies can quickly
respond to market demands.
From teaching to technology, Paxar works
with suppliers so RFID requirements – such
as those outlined by large retailers including
Wal-Mart – are easily met. Wal-Mart has
mandated that its top 100 suppliers in North
America be prepared for RFID tagging at the
case/pallet level by 2005. RFID projects and
pilots are underway in Fortune 500
companies throughout Canada and the
United States.
Paxar is committed to offering innovative
solutions to RFID implementation. The
company is currently offering a label
applicator that will write to the RFID tag
and print the label before applying it to a
carton or case. It recently launched ‘The
Monarch’ 9855 RFID tabletop bar code
printer that writes to the chips embedded
in the bar code data. Monarch brand
products include printers, labels, price tags
and hang tags, which are used by 90 per
cent of the top 100 American retailers, as
well as their supply chain partners, to
track and price many varieties of goods.
Just how important is RFID?
According to Ms. Purdie, Paxar is
allocating a large percentage of its
Research and Development budget to this
emerging technology. Paxar believes that
RFID will be a cornerstone to its continued
success and growth worldwide.
“The issue most companies continue to
address, however, is how to efficiently
manage all of the information harnessed
by RFID. Effective data base management
to manage the data collected is critical.
Subsequently the successful integration of
RFID data into a company’s enterprise
4
applications is required to the success of this
emerging and evolving – technology,” Ms.
Purdie explained.
Unisource Canada has chosen to partner
with Paxar to provide its customers with
complete, turnkey solutions in the emerging
world of RFID. Paxar will provide the
technical resources and products that enable
Unisource clients to easily implement
identification and tracking.
Paxar is in its 75th year of operation.
It provides identification and tracking
of consumer products worldwide. The
company services 250,000 customers
worldwide, with products used by leading
apparel brands. Paxar is a member of
EPCglobal, the agency managing the
emerging standards of RFID.
For further information on implementing
RFID technology please contact the
Unisource Canada Marketing Department at
905-771-4000 or [email protected].
Shooter4hire Photography
Companies supplying products to the
consumer goods sector can best be described
as agile. Trends emerge and technology is
ever changing. But with the launch of RFID
(Radio Frequency Identification) seven years
ago, embracing change became more
challenging.
Paxar Canada, however, is working to
provide answers to RFID-related questions.
The Canadian company is part of Paxar
Corporation, a global leader in providing bar
code and identification technology for the
retail supply chain. The company, well
known for manufacturing labels, printers and
systems for consumer goods, has launched a
complete line of RFID solutions together
with software partners. This includes labels,
printers, readers, software, integration
expertise and consulting services.
“RFID will provide traceability from the
supplier at the raw material level, through
the manufacturing process, the distribution
operation and finally to the retailer.
Ultimately RFID can increase sales at the
store level. At any given time a typical North
American retailer does not know the location
of up to 20% of its merchandise. If the
product or item is available for the consumer
at the store level and not the backroom,
sales may increase in the 6-10% range, by
implementing RFID.” explained Valerie
Purdie, Vice President, General Manager,
Paxar Canada.
Britain’s Marks & Spencer department
store hired Paxar as one of its key integrators
of RFID technology to better track stock and
increase sales. Executives knew shoppers
looking for a specific size or item – and
unable to find it on the sales floor – would
head to the competition unless staff was able
to quickly and easily locate the merchandise.
The successful pilot increased sales beyond
their expectations.
RFID technology enables item
identification through the use of 3
components – tags (transponders), readers
and software. Through the use of radio
waves items can be easily identified for
security, access control, transportation and
Valerie Purdie
Vice President, General Manager, Paxar Canada
www.unisource.ca
You better be reading me! After all, 2005
is just around the corner and along with
it, strict RFID compliance requirements.
All of your efforts with RFID compliance are meaningless if the label can’t be
read. In an industry where approximately
20% of labels are unreadable, Monarch
brand labels from Paxar are backed by
an unmatched focus on quality control.
All labels are factory tested twice for
readability. Then label readability is confirmed again at the time of printing and
encoding by the Monarch printer/encoder.
That’s the quality control you can expect
from Paxar, the established leader in
supply chain and apparel label solutions,
and now a leader in RFID solutions; each
of which provide optimal compliance with
the requirements of industry leading
retailers.
I may just be a label, pal, but I know
a good thing when I see it. Are you
reading me, now?
Paxar Canada Inc., 1920 Clements Road, Pickering, Ontario, L1W 3V6
800-387-4740 ext. 247, Fax: 905-839-6130, http://www.paxar.com
The One Source for all your Graphic Art Supplies.
Super Efficient Organizations
lead printing industry
Is your organization Super Efficient? If you
work in the printing industry, you might want to
be sure this term applies to your company.
Experts have described the changes Super
Efficiency is bringing to the industry as among
the top three shake-ups in the history of printing.
Spearheading this initiative is The
International Cooperation for the Integration of
Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress
(CIP4). CIP4’s goal is to enlist industry-wide
unity for file format standards, enabling Super
Efficiency.
Super Efficiency improves printing
companies’ resources and – ultimately – bottom
lines, through more efficient handling of a
product’s lifecycle.
Software and other
computer-aided solutions better connect the
creative and production process. Super Efficient
Organizations seamlessly integrate production
processes, suppliers, business processes and
customers.
It boasts: rare interruptions, and very few
errors, in the internal process; a collaboration
between units and functional areas; the
coordination of the procurement processes with
suppliers’ order fulfillment process; and, the use
of the web as a common business tool.
It eliminates: the need to re-key data; and,
the duplication of effort, time and cost.
Super Efficiency, via open file standards such
as PDF (Portable Document Format) and JDF
(Job Description Format) provides higher levels
of service.
The newer JDF standard streamlines the
information exchange between different
software applications and workflow systems in
the printing industry.
In fact, incorporating JDF can help print
companies:
•Carry a print job from start to finish with a
detailed description of the creative, prepress,
press, postpress and delivery process.
•Create efficient job quoting and material use
by improving communication between
production and MIS (Management Information
Systems), which also provides instant job
tracking.
•Keep plant managers ‘in the loop’ allowing
them to fine-tune the manufacturing process
as well as redirect and balance workload – for
both single and multi-plant facilities.
•Improve customer experience by creating
www.unisourcedesign.ca
profiles of special job requirements. Also,
progress reports are always available.
“Super Efficiency has emerged as a key
success factor for printers today,” noted Agfa
Director of Marketing and Business
Development Julian Mills. “Efficiency is critical
to the industry right now.”
Although the print industry has always
focused on cost effectiveness, it is still “custom
manufacturing,” Mr. Mills noted.
In an industry that has experienced
tremendous change, it’s helpful to look at three
key ‘shake-ups’ when understanding the
importance of efficiency:
1.Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the
printing press, which didn’t invent print,
but did deliver a more efficient means
for producing it.
2.MacIntosh computers and Desktop
Publishing, which enabled more efficient
print/workflow management.
3.Today’s Super Efficient Organizations,
with the effects still to be demonstrated but
which will redefine the overall print
production process and deliver
unprecedented efficiencies.
“A printer’s job has always been to use the
latest technology and be as productive as they
can be,” said Mr. Mills.
The printing industry is the fourth largest in
North America yet ranks 50th in productivity.
Efficiency is greatly affected by customersupplied files that are “all over the map,” he
added.
Yet, dramatic changes are occurring right now
thanks to Super Efficiency and strides made with
the JDF file standard and CIM (Computer
Integrated Manufacturing).
With the integration of Super Efficient
technology, print companies may have the
potential to achieve costs well below the
competition while still enjoying strong profit
margins.
“It’s a hyper competitive environment,” he
said. “All sized companies should embrace
greater efficiency.”
Unisource Canada distributes Agfa products.
Agfa develops, manufactures and distributes
analogue and digital products and systems for
the making, processing and reproduction of
images for the healthcare, printing, photo,
micrography and motion pictures industries.
6
Digital Propaganda
embraces increased efficiency
nets greater sales
If your company had a lucky number,
what would it be? Well, if you were the
owner of Digital Propaganda the lucky
number would surely be five. After all, the
Toronto-based graphic design, printing,
copying and interactive media company is
now celebrating its fifth year in business.
It’s adding 5,000 square feet to its office
space – doubling its current size. And, very
soon, the company will add five new staff
members.
This, despite the fact that, as company
CEO Jamie Delaney described it, there are
only two words that can be applied to
today’s printing industry: cut throat.
The secret to this company’s success is
its decision to add efficiency – through the
implementation of new equipment and
new services. This includes the purchase –
from Unisource Canada – of a new, Agfa
Palladio platesetter and Agfa Apogee X
workflow software. In-house platesetting
has increased productivity by eliminating
downtime resulting from outside film
production. Digital Propaganda’s purchase
of the Apogee X software offers workflow
solutions based on open industry standards
PDF and JDF. Web-based approval of
artwork is now a simple procedure. The
company has also purchased a new, stateof-the-art, Xerox Docucolor 6060 fourcolour digital press – which is faster than
previous methods of digital production.
And, all these changes have been made
in the last four months.
“It’s better to have everything in-house,”
Mr. Delaney noted.
The 19-member staff “loves” the changes
and improved efficiency, Mr. Delaney
noted. Which is very important when your
company is fielding 50 to 100 requests for
prices per day and receiving 20 per cent of
jobs quoted. Digital Propaganda partner
Bobby Barwhani oversees the company’s
quotation process.
Up to 60 per cent of all jobs are
completed without ever meeting a client in
person, thanks to the company’s website.
Digital Propaganda receives up to 200 files
per day via the Internet.
Even its payment options have been
made more efficient.
The company
recently purchased a truck that will boast a
portable debit/credit card service. The
truck will also pick up leftover make ready
stock from previous Digital Propaganda
projects and deliver paper products to a
recycling depot.
Digital Propaganda is comprised of
graphic designers, printing professionals,
illustrators and web developers.
Paper companies rely on papiNet to set
world-wide e-commerce standards
Whether you’re located in Paris, France or
Toronto, Canada, there are key elements
necessary to the successful operation of a
large paper company. That’s what a group of
European and North American paper industry
executives realized in 1999 when they created
a set of e-business standards. It took another
two years before the concept was adopted by
the paper industry in Europe and North
America, but when it was, the papiNet
standard was born.
papiNet, promising ‘paper commerce on
the web’, provides a set of standard electronic
documents that promote collaboration and
improved communication. More than 80
companies in four continents have adopted
the standards. A world-wide initiative,
papiNet develops, maintains and promotes
the free flow of information between
companies buying, selling and distributing
www.unisourcedesign.ca
forest, paper and wood products. As a result,
the cost of electronic communications is
reduced.
Featuring guidelines determined by key
industry experts for the entire industry,
papiNet allows computer systems to be easily
linked to suppliers. Open communication
and commerce is a result. Telephone and fax
transactions are quickly eliminated. Through
the Internet, your company can connect with
paper suppliers quickly, efficiently and cost
effectively, as companies use the
communication procedures and messages
that are part of the no-cost papiNet standard.
Describing papiNet as “an enabler”, Dan
Clark, Vice President Order Management,
MeadWestvaco, participates at the North
American board level. His associate, Al Ivan,
MeadWestvaco e-business architect, has been
involved with papiNet since its inception.
7
Adopting
papiNet standards
may also
positively
impact
a company’s
bottom
line...
continued on page 10...
TM
TM
TM
Which Cleaning Product Should I Use?
Finding the proper cleaner for a given task is one of the most common
concerns for our daily or periodic cleaning needs.
How do you select a cleaner?
First, you need to determine what type of cleaner is needed that will
not damage your surface. There are several types of water based
cleaners available which can be classified into four main categories:
Acids, Neutrals, Alkalines and Solvents.
•Acids (pH between 0 and 6) are effective in dissolving, rust, scale, lime and water deposits from surfaces. Stone floors or cement floors
(which are mineral based floors) would be damaged by strong acid cleaners (pH between 0 and 3). Washroom cleaners are mainly acid and
they can often be used for metal polishing, cleaning scale and removing rust.
•Neutral Detergents (pH between 6 and 9) are mainly used as an alternative cleaner because they will not damage surfaces and fabrics. They
are safe cleaning products for floor finishes and users. These products will not harm water washable surfaces and they are excellent emulsifiers
and light duty daily cleaners.
•Alkaline Cleaners are either General Purpose Cleaners (pH between 9 and 11) or Degreasers (pH between 11 and 14). General Purpose
Cleaners are designed to remove fats, vegetable oils and grease. They are also safe on all surfaces. Degreasers are strong alkaline cleaners
designed to remove dry stains, proteins and fats from hard surfaces such as stainless steel, ceramic and cement floors. They are safe to use
on plastic surfaces. They can not be used on aluminum, galvanized steel, brass or chrome. Degreasers often contain a part of solvent to help
dissolve more stains.
•Solvent based cleaners are especially designed to dissolve inks, lip stick, waxes, tar, paints, engine oil, grease and also rubber marks on floors.
In general, a percentage of solvent could be added to one of the three categories of cleaners above. This will increase product performance
without changing the pH.
What product could be a solution for my needs?
Unisource has developed a complete line of cleaning solutions. Allstar products include cleaning and
disinfecting solutions with various pH levels and applications for all your floor care, washroom care and other
needs. Contact your Unisource sales professional to learn more about our Simple Solutions Allstar line.
E-commerce helps keep
Krispy Kreme rolling in dough
For the past two years, Unisource Canada
has helped to keep Krispy Kreme’s sweet
treats moving throughout the company’s 16
Canadian locations.
That’s thanks to the web-based, online
mechanism ‘My Unisource’, which allows
managers to place orders quickly and easily.
According to Dean Spokes, Krispy Kreme
Director of Operations, stores receive
deliveries six days per week. Therefore,
receiving immediate confirmation after
placing an order through ‘My Unisource’ is an
important aspect of the service.
In the past, orders placed by telephone
and fax always had the potential for error. By
utilizing the ‘My Unisource’ e-commerce
package Krispy Kreme, as well as other online customers, have been able to drastically
reduce error rates.
Mr. Spokes said notification of out-of-stock
products is immediate and much appreciated
as Krispy Kreme staff can then manage for
these circumstances. Also, reconciling stock
at the end of the week is quick and easy with
the order history just a click away.
Krispy Kreme utilizes ‘My Unisource’ to
order the vast majority of its operating
supplies. Items ordered vary from nonperishable food items to packaging, sanitation
and operating supplies.
‘My Unisource’ allows you to manage and
buy supplies easily and efficiently in a
uniquely customized environment. The
search engine helps you find specialty items
in large folders quickly, while detailed
product descriptions ensure the correct item
is ordered. You can even complete orders in
advance – knowing that ‘My Unisource’
customer help desk staff is trained to spot
errors in orders.
New managers also appreciate the timesaving tool’s easy training. ‘My Unisource’ is
set up with folders that search the large
data base to make managing your operation
easy.
Companies purchasing from ‘My
Unisource’ include Wyeth Pharmaceutical,
Lilydale Foods and hundreds of other
customers.
Recent enhancements to ‘My Unisource’
include the following features:
Quick Order Entry – Allows customers
www.unisourcedesign.ca
familiar with the Unisource product code to
enter it directly and skip the step of locating
the item and adding it to the order. An empty
line has also been added so customers may
enter the Unisource product code and
quantity by simply clicking the ‘Quick Add’
button. A second empty line automatically
appears.
My Catalogue Search – A new search
box has been added allowing customers to
search for contract items within the My
Catalogue Folders section. This eliminates
the need to look into each folder and when
located, displays the item. Customers can
then enter the quantity requested.
My Catalogue Folders Sort –
Customers may select the field, choosing from
Product Code, Customer Product Code and
Description. Sorting is done with the drop
down box or by clicking on the heading.
Increased Order Comment Size –
The increased size of the order comment
section – from 30 to 90 characters – allows
customers to provide comments to
accompany orders.
Quick Message Button – This feature
has been added to the bottom of the order so
customers may send messages to Unisource,
including ‘please add item to my contract’,
etc. The new button presents the My
Unisource-specific Contact Form.
Printer Friendly Pages – A new
message added to the printer-friendly page
section reminds customers to choose the
‘landscape’ format for a properly-printed,
easy to read page.
Regular My Unisource features include:
My Catalogue, allowing companies to
organize products into customized folders;
My Web Orders, providing online ordering
and the option to view and reorder from past
orders; My Profile & Preferences, offering
preferences such as language and password,
as well as email membership profile;
My Invoices, allowing the opportunity to
view, and reorder as well as print copies
of up to 1 years worth of past invoices; and,
My Unisource Contacts, offering personal
Unisource contact information and the option
to email questions.
Visit www.unisource.ca and click on
‘My Unisource’ for further information.
9
Unisource Calgary
employees lose locks
for Cancer Society
fundraiser
Pictured from left to right: Chris Lee, Kim Edwards,
Brad McMorris (Canadian Cancer Society), Renée
Nelson, Wes Walker, Shelley Miller and Michael Evans.
Six Unisource Calgary employees are
sporting new looks these days thanks to
their fundraising project for the Canadian
Cancer Society.
Chris Lee, Kim Edwards, Renée Nelson,
Wes Walker, Shelley Miller and Michael
Evans have been sporting bristles – as their
hair slowly returns – following a ‘head
shave’ fundraiser that collected $6,555 for
the Cancer Society’s Calgary chapter.
The group collected pledges from
family, friends and customers and,
following the July 9 Stampede BBQ,
became temporarily bald.
The idea was initiated early this year at a
Unisource Calgary social committee
brainstorming session, held to plan events
for the upcoming year. Members agreed
they wanted to plan an event to unite staff
in a common goal. The common goal
became raising money for the Cancer
Society through the head-shaving event.
“It felt pretty cool,” laughed Renée
Nelson, Sample Department Supervisor,
Alberta, describing the experience of
having her head shaved. “There’s lots of
extra time in the morning now. I press
‘snooze’ a couple extra times.”
While gathering pledges, Mrs. Nelson
explained that the top bidder would take
on the job of shaving her head. Unisource
continued on page 14...
Unisource, paper and a whole lot more.
papiNet
... continued from page 7
Mr. Ivan currently participates at the Central
Work Group level, as well as leading segment
implementation groups. MeadWestvaco has
implemented papiNet Version 2.1 and above
and is using the enterprise for core business
practices including:
• The purchase order
• Order confirmation
• Delivery
• Invoice
• Quality Data
MeadWestvaco will soon adopt papiNet
standards for:
• Product attributes
• Availability
• Credit/debit
“We’re trying to get a set of standards
around electronic documents to improve the
supply chain,” noted Mr. Clark. “The Internet
is key to passing data back and forth.”
papiNet’s positive impact is most apparent
at MeadWestvaco with new customers, as the
“state of the art” technology makes
communication much easier – replacing an
older, EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)
based system, according to Mr. Clark.
Adopting papiNet standards may also
positively impact a company’s bottom line,
with the most benefit noted when large
percentages of orders are automated.
Thanks to increased industry awareness,
the completion of Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) implementations and the
addition of Book and Packaging industries,
papiNet will soon boast more trading
partners, said Mr. Clark.
In fact, ongoing research by board
members is now focused on incorporating
recovered paper to the papiNet standard,
improving and uniting the transport industry
and analyzing the role of the timber/lumber
industries.
papiNet Version 1.0, launched in June,
2001 to define ordering characteristics for
paper products and pulp, contains blueprints
for the Purchase Order, Order Confirmation,
Call Off, Delivery Message and Invoice
Message.
Version 1.1. launched in January, 2002,
includes: Request for Quote (RFQ); RFQ
Response; Goods Receipt; Credit/Debit
Note; and, Business Acknowledgement
Messages.
papiNet Version 2.0 offers standards
for the following messages:
Product
Attributes; Usage; Inventory Change;
Information Request; Inventory Status; and,
Order Status.
Extending the message portion of
papiNet, Version 2.1 provides: Planning;
Product Performance: Product Quality:
Complaint: Complaint Response: and,
Availability. The current version of papiNet
is designed to meet the needs of the Book
Manufacturing, Label Stock and Wood
Products industries.
For further information on papiNet visit
www.papinet.org.
“We don’t agree on much, but we
agree on WYPALL® Wipers.”
Robbie Reiser
Crew Chief
#17 Ford
Two of racing’s most competitive Pit Crew Chiefs
agree: when seconds count, there’s no time for rags or
shop towels that are torn, soiled, not absorbent,
maybe not even usable. That’s why they both
use only WYPALL® Wipers. From
single-use wipers to heavy-duty
towels, WYPALL® Wipers are
the Crew Chief’s Choice.
Tony Eury, Sr.
Crew Chief
#8 Chevrolet
For more information, visit us at www.wypall.com or call 1-888-346-4652
® Registered Trademark of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. © 2004 KCWW. All Rights Reserved. CSCRAD-1594
www.unisourcedesign.ca
10
There’s a reason we’ll
never run out of trees.
We put them back
after we use them.
M
ost of the natural resources people rely on aren’t being
replaced. In fact, they can’t be replaced. Fortunately,
that’s not the case with trees. This year, like every year,
Weyerhaeuser planted over 100 million seedlings to replenish
forests that provide products people need every day, like wood to
build homes, packaging to ship food and paper for books. That’s
especially meaningful when you realize we harvest only a small
portion of the timberlands in our care
about 1 to 3 percent a
year, depending on growing cycles.
We understand that managing a resource as precious as trees
isn’t just a business. It’s a special responsibility. So we never forget
a simple lesson most of us learned as children. If you always put
things back, they’ll always be there when you need them.
www.weyerhaeuser.com
Collaboration, competitive edge If you have
drive 3M e-commerce solutions questions,
When 3M announced its plans to better
leverage e-commerce – uniting customers,
suppliers and employees in the quest for
improved communication and collaboration,
company executives knew increased sales
would be a happy bonus.
E-productivity was announced as a top
initiative in 2001 by newly appointed 3M
CEO James McNerney. And, as interactions
between the company, its customers and
suppliers have become easier, all have
benefited from a new-found competitive
advantage.
According to 3M Business Manager Alan
McLachlan, the e-productivity initiative was
born as a direct result of Mr. McNerney’s
enthusiasm toward the Six Sigma business
process.
Six Sigma strategies allow
companies to learn, through statistics, how to
produce better products and services faster
and at lower costs. This is accomplished by
reducing losses through waste, downtime
and variations.
“Transactions with customers and
suppliers have been streamlined. From
ordering to billing we’re making it as efficient
as possible,” added 3M e-productivity
manager Rob Smith.
In fact, e-commerce brings efficiency to
3M’s supply chain, he added, while reflecting
on the increased speed of business in today’s
world.
“Electronic transactions have been very
well received. There’s less potential for
error. But the key driver is the availability of
information on a 24/7 basis,” noted Mr.
Smith.
The 3M global website boasts a vast
amount of product information accessible at
all times, he added.
In many cases, 3M has eliminated manual
processes, such as receiving orders by fax
and then faxing confirmations. Clients enjoy
increased accuracy in orders thanks to the
company’s e-commerce solutions. They can
enter and track orders and, thanks to 3M’s
web-based business centre, check an
account’s status in a self-serve environment,
Mr. Smith added.
“Customers and suppliers are entitled to
the best service we can supply,” he said.
Over the last 10 years, 3M has evolved
from a paper-based company to email and,
now, in this latest frontier, to relying on a
web-based system. Throughout this constant
pace of change and improvement, it’s
important to note that some things remain
untouched.
“Our culture in support of innovation is
the same. Our fundamental ethics are the
same. The stalwart principles upon which
the company was built are the same,” noted
Mr. McLachlan.
3M was founded in 1902 as Minnesota
Mining and Manufacturing, reflecting the
company’s early goals to craft improved
grinding wheels for furniture makers by
extracting minerals from the shores of Lake
Superior. Today, 3M brands include Post-It,
Scotch, Scotchgard, Thinsulate and ScotchBrite. The company serves customers in
more than 200 countries and products target
the consumer, office, display and graphic,
electronic and telecommunication, safety,
security and health care industries.
we’ll supply the
answers
Q: I am presently using a hand-applied carton
sealing tape in large quantities, and am
looking for a way to reduce my expenditure. Is
there a cheaper grade of tape that I can use?
A: Although tape can be looked at as a simple
commodity, determination of cost should be
evaluated on a per application basis rather than
a per roll (or per unit basis). Various grades of
tape have different properties and can be used
in diverse conditions as well as on different
types of corrugated cases. Differences in the
environment in which the packaging is
performed can have dramatic impact on the
tape’s performance (i.e. dusty conditions vs.
cold conditions vs. high humidity conditions).
Furthermore, corrugated cartons with higher
recycled content can also have an impact on the
performance of the tape.
I see that you are also applying tape by hand,
generally most hand tape applications use more
tape per carton than is necessary for the product
being packaged. If the space is available
automating the taping process through the use
of a carton sealer can generate more uniform
utilization of tape and hence drive cost savings.
The best way to evaluate the situation is to sit
down with a Unisource representative and give
him/her an opportunity to see what tape you are
using and the conditions under which it is being
applied. They can then provide a much more
comprehensive proposal as how you can
potentially save money.
Q: How can customers provide feedback to
Unisource on our service and performance?
A: Go to www.unisource.ca and fill out the
on-line Customer Satisfaction survey found in
the corporate section of our website.
We’re waiting for your questions!
Please send enquiries to
[email protected]
13
www.unisource.ca
One Name, One Vision, One Source.
Unisource
Report
programs place
Card,
companies can rely
the spotlight on
on continuity
of service –
client relationship
even with staff
With
changes - thanks to
the
Having
a clear view
of your
company’s
purchasing
paths is critical
to success today.
Especially important is
tracking and, whenever
possible, consolidating orders.
That’s why Unisource Canada offers
programs to provide detailed information on
client relationships – from purchasing to
perspective on projects.
With the Total Procurement Calculator
(TPC) tool, Unisource staff offer clients an
overview of purchase information. Thanks to
the TPC, staff access information that may
show a client why uniting orders to one
vendor may boast savings.
It harnesses the following information:
• Total number of orders generated
per year.
• The order cycle.
• Total annual purchase dollars spent.
• Cost per purchase order.
• Average carrying cost.
With the TPC, Unisource staff help clients
determine two key statistics:
1. The cost of product acquisition.
2. The cost of keeping items in stock.
Operating with information from multiple
vendors and sales cycles, customers can
answer the critical question: If I change
purchase patterns, what is the potential
impact on my company’s bottom line?
According to Andrew Gustyn, Unisource
Canada National Marketing Manager
Industrial Packaging, the Total Procurement
Calculator is part of the company’s
commitment to a strong start to client
relationships.
detailed
history
the program
contains.
“Unisource has for a long time held the
corporate mantra of encircling the client,”
noted Mr. Gustyn. “We want to provide
everything the customer might need from
one source.”
He compared this scenario to grocery
shopping. In the past, consumers would visit
a variety of shops to purchase produce, meat
and baked goods. Now, one stop shopping
at a supermarket is usually more cost
effective and convenient.
“The business to business scenario is not
that different, as vendors will generally
haggle to derive the lowest cost on specific
commodities and overlook the cost of
procuring the product and/or storing the
product,” Mr. Gustyn explained.
By using the TPC collaboratively, a
Unisource salesperson can show customers
“that cheapest is not always best,” he added.
With the newly launched Report Card
program, Unisource offers a follow-up tool to
the TPC. It documents the client relationship,
offering key information and data on past
projects.
With Report Card, companies can rely on
continuity of service – even with staff
changes - thanks to the detailed history the
program contains.
“The Report Card’s primary goal is to
document that legacy, in one spot document
all of the projects that have been worked on
as well as to document their relative levels of
success,” Mr. Gustyn explained.
The Report Card program also presents
objective data on the level of service offered
by Unisource.
Representatives’ service
performance is outlined with information
from ‘Returns and Allowance’ data.
Customers may see the relationship’s
progress as data is available quarterly as well
as yearly.
14
Cancer Society fundraiser
... continued from page 9
stepped up to the plate and a customer was
given the honourable task.
Some tears were shed along with her
hair, the three-year Unisource employee
added, in memory of the loved ones she
has lost to cancer.
“I was able to do something real and
tangible to show my support for cancer
patients and survivors,” added Shelley
Miller, Customer Service Professional
Supervisor, Alberta.
The Unisource
employee has experienced two losses due
to cancer, including her mother.
“My short hair, (or lack thereof) has also
generated discussions wherever I go,
which brings the topic of cancer back to
people’s consciousness,” she noted.
Co-worker Michael Evans agreed, stating
that it was great to help out with a worthy
cause.
“It took about a week to get used to it
(the new look) but now I’m keeping it this
way – at least until the snow comes,” he
said.
For Chris Lee, helping out with a great
cause was the prime motivation for
participating in the event. “On the other
hand, it was the only way my wife would
let me shave my head,” he added.
Raising money for good causes comes
easy to Kim Edwards, Customer Service
Professional, Alberta.
Last year she
completed the 15 K Walk for MS and “the
Cancer Society is a great cause, and cancer
is something that is attacking too many
people and a cure needs to be found,” she
explained.
“At the event itself, I was talking to
someone who had pointed out to me that
the parents of kids with cancer shaved their
heads to help make them feel more
comfortable after losing their hair through
the various treatments. This really hit me
emotionally, and I realized that shaving
your head for Cancer research was a very
profound statement. I feel very grateful to
have been able to participate, and am glad
that I could contribute any way I could,”
added Wes Walker, Customer Service
Professional Supervisor, Alberta.
The money raised by Unisource
employees has gone to the Cancer Society’s
shuttle program in Calgary – assisting those
travelling to and from treatments.
www.unisource.ca
T H E I R S.
O U R S.
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Quality. Productivity. Reliability.
Call your local reseller or visit http://novajet1000i.encad.com to request a printer demo.
© Eastman Kodak Company 2004. KODAK, ENCAD, NovaJet and IMT are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company.
*Based on side by side speed tests using KODAK Premium Photographic Glossy Paper / 180g, the NovaJet 1000i proved to be 97% faster than the competition.
INTRODUCING
Folgers
Single-Pot
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Ideal at work, in the office and for Foodservice
Each single-pot pouch makes one pot of coffee
(8-12 cups)
Easy storage and usage with a perforated
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The best part of wakin’ up...
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For more information please call 1-800-465-2945
Distribution Centres
Across Canada
New Westminster
604-520-7500
Prince George
250-563-0348
Victoria
250-652-8344
Calgary
403-250-9199
Edmonton
780-452-2520
Regina
306-721-2999
Saskatoon
306-931-8004
Winnipeg
204-697-0958
Windsor
519-974-4028
London
519-686-5820
Mississauga
905-795-7400
Hensall Circle
905-276-8400
Ottawa
613-247-8170
Montreal
514-345-5500
Quebec City
418-684-3500
Dartmouth
(Atlantic Call Centre)
902-468-6920
St. John’s
709-754-3377
Moncton
506-857-8837
This publication is published solely for information purposes. While Unisource strives to provide accurate information, we assume
no liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication, or for damages arising from the use of published information.
For any clarification, please contact:
Unisource Canada, Inc.
50 East Wilmot Street, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3Z3
Phone: 905-771-4000
E-mail: [email protected]
Copyright (2004). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or
by any means without the prior written permission of the copyright holder.
Printed on Cougar Opaque Smooth White Text 100 lb.