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CASE STUDY

Tiling the Gap: Surface Art’s Move From Spreadsheets To Smarter Planning

Surface Art is a family-owned tile distribution company based in Seattle, Washington, servicing the Western United States. With a dual-channel approach, they supply products through a network of over 700 dealers and a dedicated builder channel for single-family construction. Managing a complex inventory of tile, underlayment, grout, thin-set, and shower systems, Surface Art relies on seamless supply chain operations to ensure on-time deliveries and optimized stock levels.

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Watch how Netstock helps Surface Art strategically reduce its inventory

Company

Surface Art

Location

USA

Industry

Wholesale Distrubution

ERP

Sage 100c

Challenge

Manual processes and limited visibility made inventory management a guessing game.

Solution

Netstock IA solution integrated with Sage 100c.

Result

5-10% fill rate improvement and 50% reduction in stock-outs.

Spreadsheet overload: Why Surface Art knew it was time for change

Before implementing Netstock, Surface Art struggled with an outdated, Excel-based inventory management system. Managing supply chain complexities across 15 to 20 vendors, each with unique lead times, minimum order quantities, and grouping requirements, was a daunting task. Their reliance on a highly intricate 20-tab spreadsheet, originally built by the company’s founder, created significant operational risks:

  • Lack of real-time visibility into stock levels and supplier performance.
  • Dependency on a single individual who understood the spreadsheet’s complexities.
  • Inefficiencies in purchasing decisions lead to excessive or incorrect stock orders.
  • Inability to make data-driven decisions when it came to forecasting.

“Before Netstock, we were classic spreadsheet warriors, working through cryptic data that delayed decision-making and exposed us to significant risks,” says Kevin Stupfel, President of Surface Art.

Planning smarter with Netstock

Surface Art implemented Netstock to streamline inventory management, automate purchase order processing, and enhance visibility across teams. The seamless integration with their Sage 100c ERP allowed instant data synchronization, improving real-time decision-making.

Key benefits included:

  • Automated purchase order accuracy: Eliminating manual entry errors, ensuring correct order quantities, and preventing costly overstocking.
  • Enhanced demand forecasting: Leveraging Netstock’s AI insights to make proactive purchasing decisions.
  • Real-Time visibility: Empowering sales, purchasing, and leadership teams with accurate, up-to-date inventory data.

Since adopting Netstock, Surface Art has experienced measurable improvements across operations:

  • Increased fill Rates: A 5-10% improvement in product availability, leading to higher sales.
  • Optimized cash flow: Reduction in excess purchase orders by leveraging AI recommendations.
  • Improved decision-making: Real-time data access has enhanced supplier negotiations and sales forecasting.

“Netstock is a vital organ of our company, just like our sales, warehouse, and customer service teams. Without it, we’d be blind.”

A competitive edge in the builder market

The single-family construction segment demands strict adherence to timelines and accurate inventory forecasts. Netstock enables Surface Art to anticipate seasonal spikes, adjust forecasts dynamically, and ensure builders receive materials precisely when needed.

“Netstock allows us to manipulate forecasts on the fly, ensuring we’re always prepared for high-demand seasons.”

Why Surface Art chose Netstock

  • Seamless ERP integration: Instant integration to Sage 100c, requiring minimal setup time.
  • User-Friendly interface: Quick onboarding and training, allowing new employees to contribute effectively within days.
  • Data-Driven purchasing decisions: Eliminating guesswork and improving efficiency across departments.

Scaling the business with Netstock

For Surface Art, Netstock has transformed inventory management from a risky, manual process into a data-driven strategic advantage. As they continue to scale, Netstock remains an indispensable part of their business operations.

Would Surface Art recommend Netstock?

“Absolutely. If you buy inventory, no matter the size of your business, Netstock is the tool you need. It’s a game-changer.”

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