Why We Need Supply Chain Management?

Supply Chain Management (SCM) refers to the tracking procedure of the materials, information as well as the finances, as they move from one place to another. It keeps a record of the movement from the supplier to the manufacturer which moves along the wholesaler to the retailer and then finally to the consumer.

Earlier, supply chain management was concerned with the calculation of consumer’s demand and cutting back of the operational costs. But now-a-days, with the changing times, it has helped in increasing organization’s visibility across the supply chain network, and in making better and apt decisions which prove to be beneficial for the company.

With the upcoming technologies, the need for the supply chain management has been felt very strongly and it has become essential to keep a track of all the operational systems of the organization in an updated and accurate manner. These system softwares organize the scattered data in an orderly manner ands also keep a track record of all the information which is essential for the company.

Supply chain management links and collects the overall data collected by the warehouse management system, communication software and distribution management system as well. It compiles the information from all the systems and provides the user friendly data which can be accessed and worked upon. Thus, supply chain management helps in increasing the efficiency as well as the overall output of the company. It also helps in rectifying the problems wherever it occurs and hence, leads to the maximum utilization of the resources available to the company.

The supply chain management apparently controls the product flow, information flow and the financial flow as well. This not only helps in better management but also leads to the effective implementation of the operations running the organization. Thus, supply chain management caters to the needs of the growth of the business at large and gives it a global platform to expand and develop further.    

McLane Logistics Technology provides state-of-the-art supply chain management software solutions. For more details contact McLane Logistics Technology, 4001 Central Pointe, Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call at 1-800-989-7568.

Distribution Management Software - Shipping Management System

Introduction To Distribution Management Software

Having distribution management software in an industry, enables a smooth functioning of its supply as well as production function.  It helps in analyzing every aspect, from bringing of the raw material to the delivery of the products or services to the customers.

A distribution management system performs the following functions:

• It lowers the risk of any blunder in the accounts as well as the risk involved in the distribution process. 
• It is directly linked with the supply chain management, as it keeps a track of the raw materials and services for the production.
• Along with the record maintenance of the factors of production, it checks that the final goods are delivered to the clients on time. 
• It checks whether the goods have reached the clients in the right number.
• It ensures that no loss occurs and a record of each supply is maintained by the firm. 
• It maintains a record of the number of labors or the workforce, their performances and productivity which is termed as labor management.
• The record maintained by it further helps in finding ways to increase the productivity of the firm.

When you do not opt for any automated or software systems for your firm, you tend to complicate most of your production areas. This is because in keeping the record of each field is time consuming, costly and laborious as well. You are then not being able to concentrate on the productivity aspect as you get stuck in the maintenance of the records.

On the other hand, having system software completely takes off the burden of tracking all the essential factors of productions and reduces the cost as well as the time.

McLane Logistics Technology provides a very reliable Distribution Management Software at a very affordable price. The software is designed in such a way that it can be very easily used. It makes your business more proficient, as it checks for the timely and accurate delivery of the goods.

For more details about the distribution management software contact McLane Logistics Technology, 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call at 1-800-989-7568.

Distribution Management Software - Shipping Management Software

What is Warehouse Management?

Warehouse Management System (WMS) refers to the software application that manages the day to day operations in a warehouse. A warehouse is a commercial building used for the storage of goods, which are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transporters, and customs etc. WMS software enables the centralized management of tasks such as tracking inventory levels and stock locations. This software can be stand alone system or a module of an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system.

Earlier, WMS provided only the storage location functionality, but, the current applications provide complex and data intensive solutions to the working of the warehouse. These high-end systems include the tracking and routing technologies such as RFID (radio frequency identification) and voice recognition.
The market today, has emerged to the traditional WMS becoming an important point solution within the supply chain planning and execution applications

Need and Benefits:

The goal of WMS, simply, is to provide the information to the management so that it can efficiently control the movement of the goods within a warehouse. Over the years, WMS market leaders have expanded the scope of their product offering to include diverse range of applications:

• Demand planning
• Network order management
• Yard management
• Inbound and outbound transportation optimization
• Labor management
• Supply chain visibility
• Event management

These applications have enabled the traditional WMS to move beyond the four walls of the warehouse, into the global supply chain arena. The market has embraced these solutions as they enabled to gain more control over the entire supply chain cost structure.

An efficient WMS is capable of improving operations, streamlining processes, enabling better customer service. Enormous benefits can be derived from installing a state if the art WMS.

McLane Logistics Technology provides you with “Warehouse 3g “, the Ultimate Warehouse Management System. It is built upon the bedrock of over 100 years of distribution experience and it provides a robust feature set and improved functionality that has increased the efficiency of the warehouse dramatically.

For more details about the Warehouse management technology visit McLane Logistics Technology, Central Pointe, Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call 1-800-989-7568. 

Distribution Management System - Warehouse Management Software

What Is The Need For Distribution Management In Business?

About DMS
Distribution management systems, popularly known as DMS, are the software applications that are used for managing the business activities. It includes sales order processing, purchasing, inventory management and also financial accounting. DMS software application has its roots in distribution, which provides higher degree of functionality, specific to the needs of distribution companies.

Benefits of DMS
DMS software application caters to the needs of different specific businesses, providing more efficiency and reliability. Each business industry has certain functional requirements that are precisely based upon the products, moved in by the industry in the market. Some of the benefits of DMS software are:

• Improve electronic collaboration with the trading partner.
• Manage complex tasks with ease.
• Computerized control.
• Effective communication.
• Improving efficiency and reliability.
• Task scheduling.
• Project management.
• Automate information flow processes.
• Data flow management.

Need for DMS in Business
The need for DMS application has been felt due to the business requirements of the distribution centric companies. These requirements are so precise and specific that it becomes necessary for DMS software to counter the challenges faced by the business, due to the market verticals and competition to other businesses. Some of the distribution centric industries which immensely need the DMS software application are:  

• Automotive industry. The distributors in this industry require the DMS system which enables them to identify the make/model/ year of the specific products.  
• Apparel industry. The customer places order for apparels in the matrix of color/ style/ size and thus, this industry needs a DMS which can cater to its requirements.
• Health care industry. The real requirement of this industry deals with the unique serial number tracking of individual shipping entities, throughout the supply chain, as the companies handle millions of shipments daily.
• Food manufacturers and distributors. The product specific code date is the most important requirement for this industry, as the inventory should never be shipped to the customer once it reaches the specific age. Thus it needs a DMS which caters to the complicated needs and requirements of the industry.
• Wholesale distributors. There is a myriad of customer-specific requirements which must be satisfied through an appropriate DMS. The EDI file formats should be developed and maintained according to their needs.
• Industrial distributors. They have a massive catalogs of products and one of the fundamental business requirement for them includes the value added services, which creates adequate competitive differentiation. Thus, they need a DMS to compile to their needs.
• Retailers. The retailers need a DMS which can cater to the complex storage of orders and inventory management, which should be addressed seasonally according to their respective requirements.

DMS software by McLane Logistics Technology
McLane Logistics Technology provides you with “The MDS Enterprise Advantage”, the system which has been designed to fulfill the needs of the grocery and food and beverage vertical markets. MDS Enterprise is a fully integrated, real-time distribution system offering wholesalers and retailers, a complete end-to-end supply chain management solution. It allows you to increase sales, gross margins, and profitability and also reduces the inventory and investment and transportation costs.

WMS for AX - Dynamics AX 2012

GPS System For Proper Tracking On Shipments

A GPS system refers to a Global Positioning Satellite System that can be used to locate the position of people and objects no matter where they are. This system works on the basis of data collected and communication received from a satellite that is able to efficiently track all possible geographical areas on the earth. This technology helps create devices that can connect to the satellite’s database and provide relevant, understandable information to those who are viewing and trying to interpret the information provided by these devices. GPS technology can be integrated into many kinds of tracking devices. They are also found in many new-age phones these days in order to help obtain directions for commuters on a regular basis.

From the business point of view, GPS devices can turn out be very useful in helping keep track of items that have been sent out for delivery to customers. They are especially valuable in those cases when you need to send shipments across national borders or overseas. When the items that you are sending are of a very high value and their loss can lead to substantial damage to your business, it is best to have GPS tracking devices in place. If you mainly deal with supplying exclusive objects the worth of which runs into millions of dollars, it becomes vital to incorporate GPS systems in your supply chain process so that you know exactly where your product is at any given time.

If you have a proper GPS system in place that is constantly being monitored by your employees to keep track of your shipments, you can help prevent losses and thefts at different stages of the delivery process. When you are aware of exactly where a certain product is, you can also provide better customer service as you will be able to communicate exactly where an expected delivery is in terms of geographical locations. This will enable you to keep your customers satisfied as you are able to provide useful answers to their queries. You can also put up a mechanism on your business website that helps customers track the locations of their shipments on their own.

McLane Logistics Technology provide state-of-the-art shipping management software solutions. For more details kindly contact McLane Logistics Technology, 4001 Central Pointe, Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call at 1-800-989-7568.

Inventory Management Software - Dynamics AX 2012

Effective Shipping Management For Successful Business

Shipping of products and goods implies the transfer of these goods from one place to the other. Shipping management covers the entire process of transportation of products to the purchaser of these products. The need for an effective shipping management system arises as it has to be made sure that right products reach the right customers and on time.

Shipping of goods can be done in three ways:

• Road ways: Road ways shipping implies the transportation of goods and services via road. It is comparatively cheap for shorter distances.
• Air ways: This form of transportation or shipping is an expensive one and involves the transportation of goods via airplanes. It is generally opted for long distance shipments.
• Through sea: When the goods and products are transported via the sea it is known as sea transportation. This is the cheapest mode of transportation.

An effective shipping management system is required in order to ensure smooth functioning of a business. Proper management, recording and follow ups are required so that the products reach the desired location on time.

A business can be termed a s successful only when all the projects are completed well on time. From manufacturing to shipping, every process has its won significance. Some people believe that manufacturing is the only important process involved in a business plan. However shipping too is as important as manufacturing.

Managing shipping process manually would require a lot of document management and record keeping. At the same time you will have to devise proper channel for timely delivery of products. Commercial transport of multiple goods to be sent at multiple destinations can take place only when we have an efficient shipping management.

McLane Logistics Technology provides effective shipping management software solutions for businesses. For more details contact McLane Logistics Technology, 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call at 1-800-989-7568.

Warehouse Management Systems - Inventory Management Software

Most Common Mistakes In Logistic Management

Logistics management consists of several important elements like proper information inter change between the proper supply chain groups, sound inventory management, transportation, warehousing, packaging, having appropriate installation networks in place, etc. Without these aspects in place, effective and efficient logistics management is not possible. There are several common mistakes that managers can end up making in the process of logistics management. Some of them have been listed below:

• The first mistake is trying to proceed with this important process without formulating concrete goals. If there is no planning and no goals have been set, it may result in a state where the employees do not see any task as challenging. They are likely to be satisfied with their current performance levels and cannot move forward to work to the best of their abilities. Setting up of goals in clear and concise terms can help your workers attain them effectively thus leading to better logistics management as well as business success.

• Another problem that may arise is the failure to delegate certain tasks to employees who work below you in the organizational hierarchy. Attaining the goals associated with logistics management usually comprises of team work that is only possible when employees at all level get a chance to prove themselves. Everyone needs to be involved in the process in their own capacities that should be decided by the manager responsible for logistics management. Moreover, delegating certain tasks to other people is likely to leave you with more time to apply your creative abilities in coming up with new ways of doing things or solving existing problems.

• Another important aspect the absence of which may result in a failure of the logistics process is a failure to communicate with the employees during all the steps. There needs to be proper information exchange between the managers and the employees so that effective control can be exercised on all activities related to supply chain management. It becomes all the more important to keep all communication channels open with your employees when you wish to implement certain necessary changes in the process logistics management.

• Not utilizing full-fledged software for managing logistics. For big organizations, you cannot rely on manual processes to manage logistics. There are many elements that are part of logistics management and manual procedures can prove to be ineffective and troublesome.

McLane Logistics Technology provides complete Logistic Management solutions for businesses to effectively manage their business operations.

WMS for AX - Dynamics AX 2012