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About Nation Wilcox

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Our History

In 1978, having worked with mainframe computers for 15 years, first at English Electric Computers and subsequently ICL with their new range 2900 series, Neil Nation established the Company to advise and assist other companies in their deployment and utilisation of ICL 2900 mainframe systems.

As things transpired, he has not seen another 2900 since, other than in the museum at Bletchley Park !  For, shortly after forming the Company, he was introduced to Tony Law at Central Sales Coventry, who needed a new computer system for his wholesale market-based companies.

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Our First System

Central Sales Coventry had recently been re-paid for a failed implementation of another supplier’s system and so needed a new solution. Co-incidentally the Diablo Systems division of Xerox had just launched in the UK, a new multi-user business computer system ( the Diablo 3200 ) which incorporated Intel’s first general purpose micro-processor – the Intel 8080. Along with the equipment Xerox provided a profoundly capable and powerful, commercial business systems oriented, software development environment. The operating system and runtime environment, even on the 8080, supported 8 VDU’s (Visual Display Unit ) or matrix printers in any combination, both used in the days well before IBM launched the PC and before Xerox launched their first laser printer.

So, using these tools, the first instance of what ultimately was to become the ISSAC (Integrated Sales & Stock Accounting) system, evolved.

Initially, the system consisted of Sales Ticket Data Entry, Consignment Stock Control, Weekly Invoicing Print and a Sales Accounting System. Subsequently a Purchases Accounting System including Supplier Consignment Price Returns and Account Sales / Farmers Returns were developed and finally a multi-company Nominal Ledger System.

The impact and effect of the introduction of the fresh produce oriented ISSAC system and the Diablo 3200 and its subsequent derivatives was significant. As the combination of capable and fundamentally reliable software with cost effective computer equipment, received wide acceptance throughout the Fresh Produce and Food Service industry. These being desirable and pertinent characteristics, that still hold true to the present day!

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Technological Revolutions

Computer systems of today would not exist without Intel’s development of the 8080 microprocessor. But perhaps, the second most revolutionary event occurred in 1981 with the launch of IBM’s PC and the release of its technical specification into the public domain.

As a result, the microprocessor-based computer industry was born as utilisation of this technology exploded. Immediately, all-sizes of companies realised that they could now afford to exploit these relatively low-cost computers to improve the effectiveness of their respective businesses. 

This was reflected in the number and sizes of companies now operating our ISSAC system, for subsequently, with Intel's launch of the Pentium processor range there was almost no limit on the number of network connected devices that could be utilised.

In 1999, one of our largest customers adopted the next revolution to take place in the wholesale fresh produce industry, namely, wireless hand held terminals (HHT's). Nation Wilcox were the first to introduce HHT's into a wholesale market company - Bristol Fruit Sales. Initially, just to replace manual entry of sales data into salesmens' ticket books, but ultimately evolvimg to become the mobile HHT and now tablet based Point of Sale (PoS) and stock management system now in use with the vast majority of our customers today.

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SInce 1979, the ISSAC system has been the foundation trading and accounting system for 100’s of business-to-business enterprises.

As a result, ISSAC has been exposed to many diverse business environments resulting in the system now providing, as standard, very many options and alternative capabilities. The functionality of our system is now so comprehensive it is classed as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, because all of the major business and accounting functions required by companies operating in the industry are now accommodated.

  • Purchase Order Processing
  • Stock Control – Product & Consignment based
  • Sales Orders Processing
  • AI based automatic telephone Voicemail & Email Orders Entry
  • Internet based Online Customer Ordering & Account Management
  • Logistics & Warehouse Management
  • Comprehensive Sales Accounting including Multi-currency Sales Ledger
  • Comprehensive Multi-Currency Purchases Accounting for Trade, Oveheads & Ancillary Costs suppliers
  • Overheads Purchases Accounting
  • Multi-Company, Multi-Depot, Nominal Accounting & Financial Reporting
  • Statistics & Profitability Analysis & Reporting
  • CRM – Customer Relationship Management
  • All Significant EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) styles accommodated
  • PWR – Packaging and Waste Regulatory Reporting
  • MTD – Making Tax Digital: VAT Returns to HM R&C
About Us

We're based in Sutton Coldfield and offer professional services for seamless system implementation. Our services can include the supply of computer and network equipment as needed. Please get in touch to discuss how we can support your specific requirements.

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196 Boldmere Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B73 5UE
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