Rapid Fulfillment and Error-free Shipping
Hello again,
This post is for small to mid-sized businesses that are vetting new Distribution ERP Software. We hope you find it useful.
Timely and accurate shipping are essential for good customer service and remaining competitive in the marketplace. Achieving 100% accuracy in order fulfillment is the goal for distributors, but how do companies accomplish this?
Barcode technology leverages SKU numbers and aims to achieve 100% accuracy in inventory identification. When distributors utilize barcode scanning vs. manual tracking, the results are ease of product identification, accuracy and more rapid fulfillment.
Zero Defect Shipping
Shipping errors include over-shipment and under-shipment (more than the quantity ordered or less) as well as shipping the wrong item. Of course, known backorders are not shipping errors, but they do negatively impact the customer service levels for order fill rate.
For boxes containing multiple units, effective distribution ERP ensures accurate identification of both the item SKU and quantity.
Passport Software recently spoke with a customer who was unaware of an enhancement that is available for handling inventory management of items that are packaged in multiple units of measure. They have items that are stocked and sold in unit of each, but these items are also sold in boxes of six and cases containing twelve boxes. So, a case is 12 x 6 = 72 each.
When a customer would order one each, they had found that the pickers would occasionally pick one box instead of one each. Unfortunately, they invoiced the customer for one each, not a box of six. They even found an example where one order for one box (six each) resulted in picking and shipping one case of 72.
Costly Errors
These errors were very costly as you can imagine. Fortunately, an honest customer called and reported the over-shipment and this was how they became aware of the problem. They had always written off shortages when they would do a physical inventory, but never found the reason until the customer told them that they had received a case of 72 instead of the box of 6 they had ordered.
Barcode technology is the solution to this problem. Each different package has its own barcode, the each, the box of six, and the case of 72.
And PBS™ has the ability to utilize barcode scanners to detect the quantity of the package based on the barcode. This along with some available enhancements will eliminate shipping errors and help achieve the objective of zero shipping defects. Regardless of the different packaging – each, box, case, or even pallet, we can help you perfect your shipping process.
If you have a customer who needs this solution, we are ready to assist you and earn the eternal appreciation of your customer for helping them ship the right quantity of the right item every time using barcode technology.
Passport Software
Order fulfillment accuracy is crucial for a distributor. Shipping a wrong item can result in an overnight shipping charge for the correct item and another freight charge for the returned incorrect item. And, shipping errors may result in customers who doubt your ability to do business accurately and efficiently.
A good distribution system can streamline your operation, provide better visibility, and increase your overall productivity. Real-time visibility of inventory levels facilitates better control over stock levels to have necessary items on-hand when you need them.
PBS™ Distribution facilitates better inventory management, better cost tracking, accurate picking, and much more for small to mid-sized operations.
– Streamline your entire operation and improve profitability
– Barcode scanning facilitates rapid and accurate order fulfillment
– Better visibility with in-depth reporting for better business intelligence
– PBS is an affordable, robust system that helps prevent wasted time searching for data stored on various spreadsheets or housed in different systems
PBS™ Distribution ERP is a flexible modular solution, and our friendly and expert consulting can scale the system to meet your unique needs. You may not know if a system can help you improve your unique operational processes, however, we make it easy to explore options.
Sophisticated and flexible, PBS™ Distribution is designed specifically for the small to mid-sized distributor, and it integrates with PBS™ Accounting for a complete ERP system.
To learn more about our Distribution software for small business and mid-sized companies, call 800-969-7900. Or, contact us – we are here to help.
You can email us with questions at psi@pass-port.com.