Efficient ways to fulfil customer orders

One of the major challenges for any manufacturing or distribution business is the need to fulfil customer orders in the most efficient way.

Balancing material stocks, production resources, finished products, transport and a whole host of other variables can make the Production or Warehouse Manager's function very demanding.

More often than not the efficiency of the whole operation will depend on the management and availability of the right materials or products being in the right place at the right time, and managers tend to spend the vast majority of their time trying to ensure this happens.

Especially in the retail sector, having accurate data is vital. The additional pressure of date related information, traceability records and the need to react quickly and efficiently to changes in demand by the customer - especially where this is a large retailer or supermarket chain - means that yesterday's data is just not enough.

Larger organisations will have tackled this problem some time ago. However for the small to medium sized businesses the options have been few, and traditional paper-based systems have been the norm.

The StockMarshal Solution

StockMarshal from Computerway Business Solutions is a brand new, low cost mobile computing software solution for inventory on the move. From a single van to a fleet, StockMarshal offers accurate inventory and traceability at a highly cost-effective price point.

StockMarshal is the perfect mobile solution for couriers, hauliers, van sales, delivery rounds, courier services and consignment stock, whether or not the PDA device is actually kept within the vehicle. The software can function as a standalone, or fully integrated within the Storepal Warehouse Management System.

StockMarshal is designed for use in industrial, retail and commercial markets, in sectors that include logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, distribution and delivery.

StockMarshal is the ideal portable stock inventory system for smaller transport and van sales operations where there is a requirement to know what has been loaded on to a vehicle and what has been delivered or returned. In addition, the software is also suitable for multi-site organisations.

StockMarshal Key Features

         StockMarshal will run on Microsoft Pocket PC/Windows Mobile 2003 or later

         Suitable hardware can include mobile terminals, PDA or XDA-equivalent device

         StockMarshal is hardware manufacturer independent. It can be used on devices developed by Symbol Intermec, HP, Datalogic and others

         StockMarshal features its own freestanding secure database

         StockMarshal can be synchronised with desktop systems

         StockMarshal is expandable, and can feature accessories such as mobile printers

         StockMarshal is Bluetooth compatible

         StockMarshal support includes the provision of a 24/7 Helpdesk

StockMarshal allows users to:

         Enter product data, such as a part number, description, unit of measure, barcode or price

         Record transfers into and out of their delivery vehicle

         Record multiple locations

         Record multiple drops

         Produce a printout such as a loaded schedule or delivery note

         Print simple barcode labels without recourse to a PC

         Record and monitor stock balance held by location and aggregate

         Monitor stock levels for free stock applications

         Capture signatures for Proof Of Delivery (POD)

         Record consignment stock and returns - either by known/new barcode or  description only

         Upload or download data from standard Microsoft applications, including Excel

StockMarshal Key Deployment

         Warehouse Management

         Goods Inward and Putaway

         Order Picking

         Palletising

         Despatching

         Consignment Loading

         Mobile Stock

         Van Sales

         Point of Delivery

StockMarshal Key Benefits

         Reduces the risk of having out-of-date products

         Allows users to know exactly what stocks they have when taking orders

         Accurately see details of raw materials, ingredients, and even where packaging materials are held

         Users can plan production schedules and storage more effectively

         Reduces the risk of over-ordering or shortages

         Provides customers with fast, accurate audit trail reports

         Improves customer order fulfilment

         Offers the benefit of accurate real-time data with barcode scanning

         Eliminate costly user errors due to hand written paperwork

         Increases customer satisfaction and saves time & money

Pricing

Software price per licence/device 350, hardware extra

Optional Features and Modules

         GPRS

         GPS

         Real-time Warehouse operation, using 802.11b/g wireless

         RFID

         Special data transfer links

         Customised variants