Mid-Coast Electric Supply Inc., an automation and electrical distributor based in southern Texas, has rapidly expanded its presence in recent years and now has five locations with 75 employees. The company says its recent installation of NxTrend Technlogy's SX.enterprise software has helped spur this growth. Steve Barker, vice president of Mid-Coast Electric Supply, said the company will see substantial savings from more productivity in purchasing and order preparation.

Mid-Coast's payback period will be one year and two months with an ROI of 395%, according to Barker and NxTrend. For every $1 spent, the company expects to get back $4.95. Barker and NxTrend pointed out several things that will help this growth:

n A redeployment of one person from the buyer group to the sales force will increase sales by $300,000 a year.

-- Eliminated time for picking and scanning and signed paper at the counter could create an annual savings of $160,000.

-- Another position in accounts receivable and payable will be avoided, saving $40,000.

-- Plus, there will be savings from improved customer service.