Sunday 24 July 2011

Advantages Of Distribution Management Software

Many companies these days use distribution management software to track their stock when it needs to be delivered to retail stores. Such software can be used to manage inventory and ensure that sale deadlines are met. They can even gather useful information about the kind of goods required and the demand structure of different products. The kind of software that you go in for depends on the processes that you require them for. Before purchasing such software, you must ensure that it is simple to use and easy to maneuver so that it can be handled by employees at all levels.

Distribution management software helps record the number of items that left the place of manufacture and the number that arrived at retail stores so that there are no production losses. This helps ensure maximum profitability as there is no wastage at any step. Most distribution management software is available at nominal prices and can be procured online. Such software can be used to assess the kind of products that are required in the market so that manufacturing is done accordingly. They can even help to conduct surveys to identify the demand structure in different geographical locations in order to come up with production plans for the future.

Distribution management software can also help find out whether any discrepancies are there in the way goods are managed and transferred to the place of sale. This way if there is any pilferage in the goods, the employees responsible for it can be handled so that no such problem occurs in the future and ethical practices can be ensured. Whenever fresh orders for sourcing goods are required to be placed, distribution management software can be used to determine the exact quantity required so that the appropriate amount is procured within the required timeline.

In today’s world of competitive business, it becomes vital to ensure proper and timely delivery of goods to customers. Good distribution management software helps keep your business more proficient.

McLane Logistics Technology is pioneer in providing Automated Supply Chain Management solutions. To effectively manage your distribution, you can procure customized Distribution Management Software from McLane Logistics Technology. 


Monday 18 July 2011

Elements Of Supply Chain Management

Supply chain management is the process through which any organization develops its means to locate the raw materials required to make the products as well as for their production and distribution till end customers. The major components that are used by the supply chain management have been compiled below.

ProductionThe foremost element of the supply chain management is production. The focus on this element is mainly on the type of products that are in demand in the market as well as the products that are wanted by the customers. In this element there are many aspects that are put into consideration. The first decision taken by the company is regarding the type of product to be manufactured. After this, the company settles on the number of products to be made as well as what production aspects should be outsourced.

SupplyThe second main element of supply chain management is supply. This element focuses on the capacities and abilities of the plant operations of the company. The company decides on the number of products that are economical and can be produced feasibly. Most of the companies outsource some part of their production requirements to other organizations. In this element, the company also begins to find the suppliers of raw materials for the productions. This requires the comparison of many aspects such as quality and price of the supplies.

Transportation and location
The elements of transportation and location work in coordination in the supply chain management. A company finds out the best location for the production of the required goods. The decision is taken after considering the present customers and the available resources. The companies also determine the most suitable methods of transportation of the goods. The transportation method should be able to provide the smoothest possible distribution of goods.

Information
This is the final element of the process of supply chain management. Organizations that make use of supply chain management must execute methods to record and pass the accurate and effective information. It comprises of utilizing automated software that link together all the computer systems.

For complete supply chain management and logistic consulting, contact McLane Logistics Technology at McLaneTech.com

Tuesday 12 July 2011

Benefits Of Managing Inventory With Advanced Systems

In small as well as medium sized businesses, the task of inventory management is extremely challenging. It would be difficult for the business owners to handle all the phases of inventory management. It is necessary to hand over tasks to other people but it is risky and costly to hire the right people to handle the essential business operations. The need to automate and computerize the process of inventory management is constantly increasing. It is important to make the process more reliable and efficient.

The inventory management software by McLane Logistics Technologies is able to address the issues like inventory forecasting, asset management, price forecasting and evaluation, assessment of demand and supply and quality management. Some of the advantages of using advanced systems of inventory management are:
Computerization of tasksThe inventory management software allows you to automate the major tasks in the process of inventory management ranging from the management of supply chain to the product delivery. Due to the automated tasks, the processing of sales is also very efficient and fast.

Customized add on solutionsThe add-on solutions provided by the inventory management software makes the process much easier. Some of these are software installation, complete onsite training, technical support and the incorporation of the software into other applications.
IT integrationAmalgamation of IT features makes the process of inventory management much better organized. These features involve the database systems and the electronic transfer of funds at the sale point.

Zero Human ErrorAs all the calculations are done by software, there is no scope of human error. Moreover you do not need to employ huge manpower to manage inventory systems.

Thus, by using advanced systems for the task of inventory management in your business can surely provide you an edge over your competitors.

McLane Logistics Technology provides customized and off-the-shelf software solutions for warehouse management, inventory management and shipping management.

Monday 4 July 2011

Challenges In Logistics Management

Logistics management is the process of governing the functions of the supply chain. The typical activities of logistics management include managing the incoming and outgoing transportation, warehousing, fleet management, order fulfillment, material handling, inventory management, logistics network design, demand/supply management, 3PL or third party logistics management service providers. However, there are many challenges that are faced in the process of logistics management. Some of these are compiled below.
  • Product complexity: Almost all the firms have numerous SKUs. It becomes a challenge for logistic company to understand and sort SKUs in proper order. However, there are some companies that have built up restricted processes ready in order to manage the growth of SKUs.
  • Obsolete and slow moving inventory: Often, the marketers are reluctant to lower the price of cleaning out the inventory, although the old inventory is never going to be of any use.
  • No strategy: It is very important to have a proper strategy for logistics management. Determine the present as well as future requirements of the customers. Find out the means to fulfill those requirements and what are the competencies that the company needs to meet the demands of its customers.
  • Demand & Supply Matching: Proper logistic system should be able to manage Demand and Supply changes. There can be challenges in terms of production volumes and demand of a product.
  • Problems in physical network: It should be made certain that the firm inquires its configuration of physical network under a broad array of the future prices of fuel. However, this is one of the several elements that affect the network design.
  • Outsourcing problems: There are a lot of outsourcing challenges that are posed due to globalization such as lengthy supply lines, geopolitical risks, exchange rates and incredibly fickle costs of fuel.
These are some of the most important challenges that are faced in the process of logistics management and that should be resolved.
 
McLane Logistic Technology can empower your business with state-of-the-art logistic management system, designed to take huge and complex loads and to keep your logistic management process efficient and trouble free. For more information Contact Business Specialist at McLane Logistic Technology.