Inu Treats Deploys a Purebred Operating System
Inu Treats began in early 2007 when husband and wife team Dan and Tina Garrido gave up on finding snacks for their dogs, Otis and Ellie. Most dog treats on the market are filled with corn, soy and wheat -- high allergens for pets. So the couple experimented in their kitchen with snacks in the shape of pot stickers and cookie "bones," using ingredients such as salmon, turkey, spinach, natural peanut butter and blueberries. The treats were a hit with Otis and Ellie as well as with pet owners at local street fairs. Instantly, the Garridos saw a market opportunity; they quit their day jobs and launched Inu Treats (inu means dog in Japanese).
Disobedient Data
Within one year, Inu Treats began selling products in multiple states but had a hard time keeping up with business growth. While the Garridos used a computer to record recipes and keep track of retailers and ingredients, they also relied on manual processes. "We depended on a lot of paper and couldn't keep track of all the information that customers and distributors shared with us," says Dan Garrido, vice president of Sales and Operations for Inu Treats.
Inventory tracking was another challenge. "We were making products on an as-needed basis, and we didn't have data to make the best decisions," adds Tina Garrido, president of Inu Treats. "We visited local retailers and jotted down orders on paper, then reentered them into a spreadsheet at home. We wasted time and lost sales due to these inefficiencies."
Dan Garrido knew that the young company needed more sophisticated technology to support decisions and improve productivity. "I realized that if we were going to even think about making this an actual business, we needed better technology support."
A Best-of-Breed Solution
The Garridos turned to Microsoft software because of its familiarity, simplicity and flexibility. Inu Treats installed the Windows Vista operating system on the company's three notebook computers. "I'm not the most tech-savvy person in the world, and Windows Vista is really user friendly," Tina Garrido says.
Inu Treats then installed Microsoft Office Professional 2007 and Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, which synchronizes the Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 messaging and collaboration client on company notebook computers and T-Mobile Dash phones, helping the Garridos stay connected to the business when away from the office.
To forecast sales, track trend development, create staff schedules, write letters and blog, take notes throughout the day and create retailer and distributor presentations, the company relies on many other components of the new system.
Bountiful Benefits
Inu Treats is set to take on national expansion with a flexible software solution that can accommodate new work processes, products, employees and business directions. With their increased efficiency, the Garridos can more easily manage rapid growth.
"Since implementing Microsoft software, we've seen a 30 percent increase in efficiency," Dan Garrido reports. "We're able to spend more time creating new products, bringing in new employees, and improving our dog treats." For example, the company can now manage trade-show preparation by creating schedules and task lists.
Other benefits include using a more convenient and environmentally friendly way of operating through paperless presentations, and the ability for Dan and Tina Garrido to stay connected while on the road.
Inu Treats has seen exponential demand for its products, posting growth of approximately 40 percent its first year. In the next two years, the company will promote national distribution and begin selling cat treats. "Using Microsoft software was critical in our ability to go from producing zero to thousands of packages a month," Tina Garrido concludes.
Disobedient Data
Within one year, Inu Treats began selling products in multiple states but had a hard time keeping up with business growth. While the Garridos used a computer to record recipes and keep track of retailers and ingredients, they also relied on manual processes. "We depended on a lot of paper and couldn't keep track of all the information that customers and distributors shared with us," says Dan Garrido, vice president of Sales and Operations for Inu Treats.
Inventory tracking was another challenge. "We were making products on an as-needed basis, and we didn't have data to make the best decisions," adds Tina Garrido, president of Inu Treats. "We visited local retailers and jotted down orders on paper, then reentered them into a spreadsheet at home. We wasted time and lost sales due to these inefficiencies."
Dan Garrido knew that the young company needed more sophisticated technology to support decisions and improve productivity. "I realized that if we were going to even think about making this an actual business, we needed better technology support."
A Best-of-Breed Solution
The Garridos turned to Microsoft software because of its familiarity, simplicity and flexibility. Inu Treats installed the Windows Vista operating system on the company's three notebook computers. "I'm not the most tech-savvy person in the world, and Windows Vista is really user friendly," Tina Garrido says.
Inu Treats then installed Microsoft Office Professional 2007 and Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, which synchronizes the Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 messaging and collaboration client on company notebook computers and T-Mobile Dash phones, helping the Garridos stay connected to the business when away from the office.
To forecast sales, track trend development, create staff schedules, write letters and blog, take notes throughout the day and create retailer and distributor presentations, the company relies on many other components of the new system.
Bountiful Benefits
Inu Treats is set to take on national expansion with a flexible software solution that can accommodate new work processes, products, employees and business directions. With their increased efficiency, the Garridos can more easily manage rapid growth.
"Since implementing Microsoft software, we've seen a 30 percent increase in efficiency," Dan Garrido reports. "We're able to spend more time creating new products, bringing in new employees, and improving our dog treats." For example, the company can now manage trade-show preparation by creating schedules and task lists.
Other benefits include using a more convenient and environmentally friendly way of operating through paperless presentations, and the ability for Dan and Tina Garrido to stay connected while on the road.
Inu Treats has seen exponential demand for its products, posting growth of approximately 40 percent its first year. In the next two years, the company will promote national distribution and begin selling cat treats. "Using Microsoft software was critical in our ability to go from producing zero to thousands of packages a month," Tina Garrido concludes.