Propane

Click on the arrow to watch the "Technology for Today!" seminar delivered by the President of ARS, David Kroutil at the NPGA tradeshow April 6, 2009.

Choosing the correct route accounting system for your company is one of the most important things you can do to increase the efficiency of your business. With over 15 years of experience, helping several propane companies improve their office and route operations, we understand the unique nature of your business. We have the knowledge and expertise to seamlessly help you automate your operations.

After many hours of development, feedback, and enhancements, our Route Manager software is the best Windows-based route management systems on the market. Route Manager has been specifically designed to meet the needs of the bulk and cylinder exchange operations in the propane industry. They make this happen by utilizing handheld computers on-route.

Here at ARS, we are experts at creating high technology tools that make life better for office workers, management and, of course, route drivers.  Our software is user-friendly, powerful and feature packed – all at a price that will fit every budget.

The wide range of features include – Seasonal Route Scheduling Tank Tracking & Inventory Tank Service Schedules Tank Rent Billing Statements Extensive Reporting Cylinder Deposits Delivery forecasting reports Electronic Meter Interface and more

We are proud of the relationships we have established with industry leaders such as Heritage Propane, Kamp’s Propane, and Mobile Propane who have helped us understand the needs of your industry. These are just a few of our propane customers who put more money in their pocket every month through the use of RMA.

RMA (Route Manager Advanced) Software RMA was designed to automate office operations and make field data collection easier through the use of powerful desktop software and handheld computers. RMA software tracks customers, inventory, merchandisers, products sold, and much more. Below you will see how customer information is stored, and also a few of the 200+ associated reports. This is just a glimpse of the capability of the software. Contact us at 888.294.7688 for a personal demonstration, or fill out the short form to the right.

Storing Customer Information

• The Customer Information screen is the most often-used screen in the software
• Divided into 6 tabs, each controlling a different function of the customer’s account
• The "Info Tab" is highlighted below to show billing information for this account
• It is also possible to assign sales representatives to the account
• This sets up an email address so that statements, invoices, and remittance notices can be sent quickly and efficiently.

Note: The toolbar on the right side of the screen allows you to easily lookup and browse through customers as well as edit, save, delete, cancel or print customer information.

Keeping Track of Payments and Balances

• Look at the “Finance” tab
• A variety of information including account balance, past due amounts, returned checks, last transaction and payment, as well as applied finance charges

The Invoice Lookup

• Under “Totals" heading is the Invoice Lookup tab
• Automatically stores invoices electronically, eliminating the need to store paper copies in a filing cabinet
• Records are easily maintained and reviewed via computer look-up
• Selecting the date of a desired invoice results in displaying an image of the invoice, including the customer signature

From this screen, with one click, print, fax, or email the selected invoice to the customer!

While on route the delivery driver will collect the customers signature after a stop is made. You can easily view this receipt with the customers signature from within the software.

The Credit Tab

• Manage many different aspects of the customer’s accounts
• Includes bank and credit card information, service contracts, credit terms, and service charges
• Use customer retention tools like promotional pricing and reward points

The Contacts Tab Tracks all contact with customers Provides the means to keep notes every time a delivery is made, an order comes in, a change is made to an account, or even if the customer calls the office to ask a question Scheduled follow-up calls, programmed reminders Display notes from drivers Improve communication between the field and the office Superior customer service.

The Route Tab

• Dispatch customer deliveries
• Satisfy special requests
• Each customer can have up to 100 stops, giving you the ultimate flexibility in servicing accounts
• Service any customer any time! Even those off-route, without office assistance

Route Calendar - Notice the calendar icon on the screen above. When pressed, our intuitive scheduling system allows changes to be made to the schedule in moments and provides easy access to your customers next scheduled delivery date.

The Products Tab

• Track merchandisers at customer’s locations, manage rents, take advantage of 10 default pricing levels, quantity discount pricing, and many other tools
• Eliminate mathematical errors
• Record their unique default products for each customer
• Drivers can quickly and easily access products specific to customer needs

Route Optimization

• Advanced Mapping with Route Optimization
• Information is already in RMA
• Generates the most effective delivery route, including turn-by-turn directions
• Drive less miles, make more stops, save on fuel, increase profits, provide better customer service

Reporting

• Route Manager Advanced has powerful reporting features
• Ability to track all aspects of a business
• Reports for Accounting, management, communications, route, equipment, warehouse, inventory, EDI, statements, and more
• Below are just a few of more than 200 reports available from RMA

Handheld Computers Handheld computers and RMA make life easier Eliminates driver and office errors, provides equipment tracking, and eliminates route tickets No more data entry for the office staff Capture the customer’s signature on route transactions Transactions are electronically transmitted to the office desk-top computer

Your driver has access to several capabilities while on route with their handheld. Below is a brief explanation of the options available to them from the handheld's main menu screen.

The driver can access and service their routes.	View product and inventory on their truck.	Use this to load or unload product from the truck.
Quickly jot down notes or reminders.	Change the current route schedule.	Get GPS directions. (Tom Tom is required.)
Quick access to a calculator.	The tools and utilities menu.	Exit and log off the handheld.

A Typical Route Stop
Below are actual screens from the handheld that your driver will use on a typical stop.

When your driver clicks on the service route button a list of the scheduled stops appear in the order that they should be serviced. When they select a customer they will receive directions and site instructions. In the bottom right corner there is a picture of two roads splitting. This is the off route feature. After clicking on that button, the driver can search for any customer by account number, name, etc.

Select products and items the customer purchases. Apply payments and change quantities. Review transaction with the customer The customer signs their name on the screen; the driver prints a receipt and leaves it with the customer. The invoice, with the customer's signature, is electronically stored in the system and the office staff can pull up the information as needed. The driver then proceeds to the next stop on the route.

Always be in contact with your Driver
Have you ever wanted to send or delete a customer order notice to a driver? RM Live makes it possible to send/receive information to/from the driver’s handheld, managing routes on a real-time basis. Real-time communications result in much more efficient business operations.

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Click here to read customer success stories. We will show you how Advantage Route Systems has solved problems that companies like yours was facing.

Click here to learn which version of Route Manager would fit your company's needs best.

Call us toll free at 888.294.7688 to be shown a full demonstration of the software or fill out the form below and a representative will contact you.

Name Company Email Phone Your Comments

"We needed a solution to better track equipment and other fixed assets in the field while also storing customer information in one centralized location. With 11 employees and two locations I feel I have better control of the company now since implementing RMA. With just a few clicks I can access vital and accurate company information."
-Morris, Mobile Propane

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