Remote Order
Entry Module
Remote Order Entry is an exciting add on or stand alone module to the Gateway
Advanced software. It gives you remote, accurate
entry and release of orders in the
system (Microsoft Dynamics SL) that is ‘back
at
the office’. Sales and delivery
personnel are able to access information about
their customers while they are on site,
giving them a huge advantage over the competition.
The Remote Order Entry module
has also been enhanced so that ‘two step transfers’
are easily accomplished. Shippers
and Receivers can now use the power of Remote
Order Entry. We will discuss that
function later in this document. Here are
some
scenarios
where Remote Order Entry shines!
In our first example, we ask you to imagine
a bread truck going to the local corner store.
Normally the delivery person would have to
write the order on carbon less multi-part
forms that are hard to read (is that a number
one or a seven ?). Then head office
personnel would have to interpret and then
enter the order into the system so that an
invoice can be produced. This is generally
done the next day assuming that all the
documentation makes it back to head office,
complete and intact. Data entry of the
order would then be required.
However,
with the Remote Order Entry module, the driver
enters the Customer Id into
the handheld device (Symbol’s PDT8100 series
is an example of a unit with cell phone
capability). The device establishes a TCP/IP
RAS or digital packet connection with the
home office network through it’s built in
cell phone. It then replies with the full
customer
name and address on screen as confirmation
that the system is connected and that the
driver is entering the order for the right
customer. The user also sees the credit amount
available to that customer at that time or
if the customer is on credit hold. (The credit limit is reduced on the display screen as
each line item is entered into the hand held
device.) The driver then just scans the
barcoded
item. The unit replies with the
inventory escription, price and quantity
available for sale. The driver then enters
the
quantity that he is leaving with the customer.
When the driver is done with the order, a
simple ‘Enter’ at the item scan provokes
the question: “Is the order complete ?” If
it is,
the order is released for further processing
back at head office by Microsoft Dynamics
SL’s Process Manager. Once Process Manager has
processed the order according to the
steps set up in Dynamics SL, the sales are
updated and the invoice prints, sometimes
before the driver has even left the corner
store.
The handheld device can be equipped with an optional wireless printer that can
be attached to the driver’s belt. This would print
out a 3 inch packing slip for the store
manager’s records and/or signature.
The handheld
device will keep the connection open for another
minute to see if there
are any other orders to be taken, suc as returns
for credit, etc... The connection is
only made when the Customer Id is entered,
indicating that the driver is ready to place
an order. This saves on cell phone air time
if you are using a RAS connection.
However, if you are using a digital packet
connection, the charges for this air time are
on a per packet basis. This means you are only
paying for the time that it takes to send
the packet even though the connection remains
open. You will have to research the cellular technology available in your area.
The second
scenario that would lend itself to the Remote
Order Entry would be an
outside sales force, equipped with the Remote
Order Entry software and hardware.
They would be able to take orders from the
field and have them instantly entered into
Microsoft Dynamics SL’s Order Management/Orders
screen. No entry of the order is required at
the office, the amount of inventory for sale
is available to the salesperson and the
customers credit limit is available as well.
The order can be shipped out, assisted by
the Barcode Gateway, and invoiced in a short
span of time, improving productivity and
lowering cost of sales. The Remote Order Entry module can also be
used to accomplish ‘a two step transfer’.
The first step is performed in Remote Order
Entry and based on how Microsoft Dynamics
SL’s Order Management Order Steps are set
up,
a packing slip can be produced. Once the
shipment is confirmed shipped, the inventory
in Microsoft Dynamics SL’s Inventory module
is moved out of the warehouse/site and into
a state called ‘In Transit’.
The second
step of
the transfer is performed in Microsoft Dynamics
SL’s Inventory Receipt screen which receives
the
inventory from the ‘In Transit’ state and
into the receiving warehouse/site. This
is
helpful when the business’s warehouses/sites
are in different geographical locations
and the inventory is physically moving
from site to site. Remote Order Entry allows
the
user to access all the Order types that
are set up in Dynamics SL’s Order Management
which makes the ‘TR’ (Transfer) type available
to use.
Gulfstream
is offering this system as an extension to the
existing Gulfstream Barcode
Gateway or it can be purchased on its
own. Contact us for pricing and hardware
requirements for the Remote Order Entry
module.
Contact us at:
sales@gulfstream.ca
Toll
Free: 877-377-6604
Printable Version
