SMEADSoft Records Management System Enables An Industry Leader To Thrive In A Paperless Environment

Ideal Chemical is one of the most technologically savvy and operationally efficient businesses in the chemical distribution industry. That's just the way Sam Block, its president, likes it. Says IT Director Glyn Moore, "Sam is big on sophisticated, streamlined processes. When he sees something that can be done better through technology, he's the first ask if it's a good fit for us."

That attitude steered Ideal Chemical to Smead when it came time to tackle its unique records management challenges. Ideal ships hundreds of specialty chemicals and blended mixes a day. Each has to be accompanied by a detailed Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Meanwhile, Ideal has to maintain voluminous customer file documents that outline each customer's unique safety and quality requirements. And these aren't just any customers. Many rank among the nation's biggest companies and are very particular about the suppliers they work with.

"We need to be just as technically sophisticated and quality-focused as they are," says Moore. "That puts tremendous pressure on a company our size to be technologically innovative and efficient. Above all, we have to be as paperless as possible, with all product and customer information stored in and accessible from one central location."