Distribution Software
Supply Chain Solutions
In a fast-paced distribution environment you need distribution software with the ability to quickly spot and manage potential problems as they arise. Rapid order entry, flexible pick-lists, and first-class exception reporting give you the tools to be successful as your customers become increasingly demanding.
Access Supply Chain software puts you in control.
Distribution Software Modules
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Stock Control
Benefit from one clear and concise view of your past, present and future stock position: identify slow moving stock, stock shortages, wastage and - most importantly of all - satisfy your customer obligations. This fully traceable, true multi-location stock system ensures that future activity can be planned with confidence. Stock-out analysis, shelf-life control, ABC calculations and detailed lot attributes (for rapid selection of suitable batches) are just some of the features included.
The system will hold an unlimited number of suppliers for each item, with a full price/quantity database. Stock valuations can be based upon standard, latest, average, actual and FIFO methods, while minimum/maximum stock levels and perpetual stock taking are handled with ease. Using this module, everyone can see stock in terms of physical quantity, financial value and various analytical categories. The financial element of every stock transaction can be updated automatically to your accounts and job costing records.
Location & Lot Control
A vital component for any company wishing to strengthen its multi-location stock control and improve traceability. See your current stock situation in terms of physical quantities, financial values, location and various analytical categories, down to individual batches and lots. Understand how the present position was arrived at - and what the future position is likely to be - across multiple warehouses and bin locations. This reduces wastage, lessens disruptions and leads to rapid identification of excess and slow moving stock.
Features include usage and stock-out analysis, shelf life control and lot attributes, for rapid selection of suitable batches. Perpetual stock taking facilities and highly flexible stock counting options combine to ensure your holding is accurate and available. Stock can be allocated to specific sales and works orders globally or at lot/batch level. Warehouse control is also built in, with individual user privileges for viewing and accessing stock held at different locations. The financial element of every transaction is automatically captured for inclusion in your accounts and job costing.
Forecasting
Detailed records of your past sales performance are a key factor in accurate forecasting. The system holds an unlimited amount of sales data, all of which is recorded automatically as your sales orders are entered and processed. This data can be analysed in any way you wish - you are not restricted to a limited number of pre-determined routines. These are just a few of the groupings available:
- Customer, Customer Type, Rep and Area
- Product, Product Type and Group
- Sales Value, Quantity and Cost
- Order Input Date, Invoice Date and Profitability
Having extracted data on past performance, you can quickly predict your future sales by choosing from a number of default forecasting methods. For example, one built-in routine calculates and applies average variance, by analysing your last 6 months sales. You can adjust these defaults as necessary, and completed forecasts can be translated directly into production and purchasing schedules.
Sales Order Processing (SOP)
This is where your full order processing cycle is managed, whether you need hotline telesales entry or are dealing with large, one-off contracts. Sales orders can be satisfied from existing stock, or used to create purchase and works orders - and you can choose to consume from current forecasts or create new demand. At every stage, the emphasis is on speed, accuracy and efficiency: using the 'multiple order types' feature, you can modify screen forms, documents and financial updates to match any combination of order processing styles.
The advantages of this system are many: customer relations improve, as delivery dates are met more consistently; the risk from bad debt reduces, as credit control is tightened; and distribution costs are driven down, as dispatch planning is strengthened. In addition, early warning of sales trends (using any criteria you wish) helps to safeguard profitability. Multi-dimensional analysis can be performed, showing sales and profitability by customer, customer type, product grouping, area, sales person and so on. In this extremely powerful module, all these features come as standard:
- On-line credit and account status checking: before, during or after an order is entered
- Rapid order duplication
- Blanket, Scheduled and Pro-Forma orders
- Integration with EDI and XML
- On-line calculation of order profitability
- Allocation of stock down to individual lots/batches
- Auto re-allocation of stock to highest priority orders
- Wide range of pricing and discounting structures
- Unlimited delivery addresses per customer
- Customer specifications when ordering generic products
- Trial kitting
- Agents' commission
- Optional inclusion into MRPII and Job Costing
- Quick Find by order number, customer, etc.
- Order picking by customer, location or any combination
- Consignment/delivery route load planning
Purchase Order Processing (POP)
Streamline your purchasing, give your suppliers crystal-clear instructions and ensure that materials are available when needed. The system will advise you which items are required, who to buy them from (using a matrix of products, prices and suppliers) and when to place your orders. It provides parameters for monitoring supplier performance and financial analysis on commitments, price history, budget checking and variances. This is an essential part of controlling your costs, strengthening your supply chain and securing better prices.
An unlimited number of suppliers can be linked to each item and you have control over the precise format the order takes. On-line budget and account status checking is provided and sub-contract orders (including free issue materials), non-stock items and duplicate orders are all fully catered for. Unrestricted free-format text can be attached to each item and the entire order. This powerful module is seamlessly integrated with all other parts of your system, including Stock, MRPII, Works Orders and Job Costing.
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