How Inventory Control Can Benefit Your Business?

Any company that involves the management of a supply chain as a part of its functioning can benefit greatly from inventory control. The benefits of inventory control start right from the supply of raw material, extending  to the shipping of the final product to the customers. Along with ensuring that every stage involved in this process is carried out smoothly, inventory control also streamlines other functions of the business such as accounting, manufacture, planning etc., resulting in an overall boost in the productivity.

The benefits of inventory control for business are listed below-

• Information on inventory level- By updating data related to the level of raw materials, new supplies, and other items, inventory control ensures that the purchase department is well-informed about the need to purchase materials at the right time. This helps in enhancing customer support in the long run. It is important to ensure that there is no imbalance in either way- less or more- to the inventory levels at which replenishment is required. 
• Functioning of retails sales- As a retail salesman, one’s efficiency greatly relies on the accuracy of the inventory database. An efficient inventory control system ensures that the data provided by this database is not just easily accessible to the sales personnel, but also accurate, and updated in time. It is only then that the salesmen can be sure that the product they are selling to the customers is available in the inventory.
• Accurate planning of production- A large part of production is the planning that is undertaken to determine the products that need to be manufactured on a daily basis. This is directly dependent on the information derived by inventory control, which involves the current status of the inventory, the items in stock, the expected demand, etc. 
• Keeping a tab on scrap data- Inventory control helps to minimize wastage by providing alerts to the management when the scrap levels exceed permissible limits. 
• Shipping and timely delivery- The final processes of shipping and delivery are also highly reliant on inventory control. Knowing the inventory counts of goods that are available for shipping helps to ensure that shipments are accurately completed. Similarly, inventory control also plays a major role in ensuring that the customers receive their orders in time. This is made possible by streamlining all the processes, including planning, manufacturing, and production. 

McLane Logistics Technology provides customized Inventory Management Software system for businesses to effectively manage their inventory functions. For more information, kindly visit them at 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504. You can also call at 1-800-989-7568.

Managing Your Logistics As You Grow Your Business

Logistics management is central to the efficient and smooth functioning of any business. With every progress that you make in your organization, you must also ensure that you upgrade your logistics management simultaneously. Logistics starts from the very first stage of product flow, extending till the final delivery, spanning every step and process in this supply chain. The key to successful logistics lies in ensuring smooth progress at every step, by minimizing any sort of interruptions, while still being ready for unanticipated problems. The following tips guide you on how to manage the growing logistics needs of your business-

• Lay down a fool-proof plan- The biggest challenge of a logistics manager lies in ensuring that a sturdy plan is laid down well in time, to ensure that the entire process is streamlined beforehand. With an efficient plan in place, the risk of errors and delays is reduced significantly. 
• Have contingency plans- A common mistake made by logistics managers of expanding businesses is that of believing that they have mastered the skills of logistics management, and nothing can go wrong. As your business grows, so do its risks, and this is something that logistics managers must never overlook. It is important to have a clear perspective on the possible problems that might arise, and have a backup plan on how to tackle them. 
• Efficient communication- At the center of any logistics management strategy is the supply chain, and it is called a “chain” for a reason. All that it takes to jeopardize the entire process is one weak link in the supply chain. It is the role of the logistics manager to ensure that every person involved in the supply chain, right from the manufacturer to the customer, is a part of the communication loop.
• Proactive attitude- As you take on the role of managing the logistics requirements of a growing company, it becomes more important than ever to hone your managerial skills to the level where you are able to devise instant solutions in case of unforeseen circumstances. Keeping a cool head under all circumstances and remaining unflustered are benchmarks of an efficient logistics manager. 
• Make use of logistics management software- This helps you to maintain real-time records in a transparent interface, and also to involve top-level management in the basic proceedings of logistics management.

For customized logistics management software for your business, visit McLane Logistics Technology at 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504. You can also call them at 1-800-989-7568.

Drive Your Business Forward With Microsoft Dynamics AX

The tag of “Microsoft” stands for reliability, perfection, and satisfaction, and that's just what you get when you invest in the company's latest offering for business, the Microsoft dynamics AX software. This software gives that cutting edge to your company, no matter what your industry is. It is an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solution which streamlines the most critical consideration for any business- connectivity. This could be in the form of data, employees, customers, ideas, processes, or just about anything! It is designed keeping the needs of businesses of all sizes in mind, and relies on a simple, user-friendly interface that focuses on minimal learning for maximum results.

Listed below is a summary of the benefits that you can derive by applying Microsoft Dynamics AX for your business-

• With most companies already using several Microsoft products, employees are likely to be familiar with the interface and basic layout, making it easy to adapt to the application of the software. 
• Along with being a solution that nearly every employee and department within the organization can benefit from, it allows each user to maintain his individuality by customizing the software as per their work style. 
• In most cases, using a new ERP software means compromising on productivity during the transition phase. However, with this software, that is not the case, since the user experience is familiar, it allows employees to focus on business instead of learning. 
• By eliminating the need for intensive training, Microsoft Dynamics AX helps you to get instant results, and hence a faster ROI. 
• The intuitive interface greatly boosts employee productivity, making it possible to manage multiple tasks through a single window. Organization, prioritization, information access, and other vital roles can be performed in a single go, saving on time and efficiency. 
• Business intelligence tools like dashboard KPIs, Microsoft Office Excel, Business Analytics, and Performance Point Server make help business owners in making important decisions. 
• Microsoft Dynamics AX is compatible with preexisting Microsoft programs, which makes it easier for users to incorporate it into their existing systems. 
• The tools in Microsoft Dynamics AX that are focused on unified communication go a long way in fostering relationships within the organization, as well as outside it, with customers, clients, business partners, etc. 

All in all, Microsoft Dynamics AX stands by its name, indeed emerging as a “dynamic” solution that contributes to your business' bottom line, along with serving as a solution to overcome business challenges at various levels of the organization.

To know more about the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, visit McLane Logistics Technology at 4001, Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call them at 1-800-989-7568.

Improving Flexibility And Reducing Risk In Supply Chain

Excess inventory, increased net debt, lowering share prices- these are every investor's worst nightmare, and the key to resolving them, in many SMEs, lies in having an effective supply chain management system in place. The significance of such a system to business growth in the dynamic market that exists in the business world cannot be emphasized enough. A single overlooked issue in the supply chain can be catastrophic to the success of your business, and in some cases, can even shake its very foundation. Key goal of supply chain experts remains to improve flexibility and reduce risk, ultimately leading to better performance and higher ROIs.

The principle concern posed by a rigid supply chain is its inability to adapt to the constantly changing market scenario, as well as the fluid legal requirements imposed on supply chains. By improving the flexibility in supply chain, it becomes easier to adhere by the stringent compliance laws, hence eliminating the risk that accompanies a failure to do so. The most efficient way to achieve this increase in flexibility is through a supply chain management system that helps to boost the structural as well as functional parameters of your supply chain, resulting in the mitigation of risks and optimal utilization of human resources.

The first area that needs to be modulated is the structural aspect of the supply chain. The most important consideration here is to ensure that the framework at each stage of the supply chain is designed in a manner that accommodates tentative changes. By ensuring that the supply chain is not constrained in its capacity, product availability is optimized, and the end result is satisfied customers. In the absence of a supply chain management system that actuates this, manufacturers may be forced to remodel their products and suppliers may suffer from product shortages, while distributors can be crippled by transportation and logistics challenges.

Talking of the technological aspects of a supply chain, companies can benefit greatly from web-based solutions which enable real-time updating of data, resulting in a more agile and accessible system. Supply chain management software powered by this seamless data transfer promotes communication at the different levels of the supply chain, resulting in a system that is flexible, responsive, intuitive, and result-oriented. By achieving a high level of structural and functional integrity in the supply chain, business owners can significantly cut down on labor costs, while also eliminating the high risk involved in a manual supply chain.

McLane Logistics Technology provides cost effective software solutions to improve flexibility and reduce risk in supply chain. To learn more about their services, visit them at 4001, Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504. They can also be contacted at 1-800-989-7568.

Optimizing Global Supply Chain Management

With the globalization of businesses, it is becoming imperative for companies to work towards optimizing the global supply chain management for increased sustainability. Along with enhancing relations with business partners, this also gives the company a vital competitive edge in the industry. This becomes challenging owing to the dynamic global business environment and the complex global trading regulations. The following tips are handy for optimizing global supply chain management along with assessing risk management and cost control issues-

• Partner collaboration- The key factor in the success of a supply chain partnership is collaboration between partners. This must be ensured so as to avoid fragmental functionality which can be detrimental to the supply chain. 
• Correct IT solutions- A major mistake made by most supply chain managers is failing to choose the right IT solutions for their business needs. This can be avoided by carefully evaluating business needs and budget considerations to make the right decision while choosing IT solutions for global supply chain management. To make the most of these solutions, it is advisable to be in constant touch with your software vendor. 
• Common database- Having a common database where trading partners can access vital information regarding the supply chain processes helps to encourage concise communication in a compatible language, helping to streamline the global supply chain. 
• Set milestones- When working on global supply chain management, it is important to constantly re-evaluate targets, and make an effort to raise the bar of performance higher. This can be done by setting targets to be achieved over a set time period, and ensuring that the skills of the workers are also upgraded with quality-assured processes to meet these rising expectations. It is important to ensure that enough time is allocated to the achievement of these targets along with the upgrading of resources and technology. 
• Encourage customer participation- By keeping your customers involved, you shall be in a better position to understand their needs, and upgrade your resources to meet these needs. It is advisable to invest in an integrated IT application that serves as a platform where all trading partners can interact and exchange their views on the global supply chain. 
• Upgrade technology- Just investing in the right IT solutions is not enough. It is equally important to keep this technology upgraded on a regular basis, so as to avoid economic stagnation. Along with providing increased customer satisfaction, this also helps to increase the ROI by cutting costs and promoting your company’s growth. 

To know more about optimizing the global supply chain management, visit McLane Logistics Technology at 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504. You can also call them at 1-800-989-7568.

Warehouse 3g For Microsoft Dynamics

Warehouse management systems are being viewed as a critical component of modern businesses, as they play a key role in streamlining the processes involved in the supply chain. Warehouse 3g (W3g) is one such warehouse management solution, which integrates the key elements of warehouse management and transport management, for optimal warehouse distribution. This warehouse management system is being applied to various businesses across the globe, and has a tag of reliability attached to it.

The seamless integration of Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP and Warehouse 3g makes it easy for users to avail the benefits of both with a single installation. From the warehouse management point of view, one of the major benefits of W3g is to be able to have a clearer cash flow visibility. This makes each stage of the warehouse management process transparent, hence reducing the chance of human errors interfering in correct product transport and delivery.

Another key benefit of W3g is the optimization of warehouse receiving and put-away, which in turn helps in having better warehouse control, as well as ensuring paramount customer satisfaction. This works with a two-thronged approach, minimizing the time taken to fulfill orders, while also significantly reducing the work force required in the process. By using this warehouse management system, the original purchase orders can be tallied with the receipts of delivered goods, so as to automate the receiving as well as put-away process.

The warehouse staff benefits immensely from such a system, as they can carry out the order-picking procedure in a systematic manner, knowing where and when resources need to be allocated. The W3g warehouse management system is a highly organized and easy-to-use one, thanks to its division into different modules, for tasks like receiving, shipping, scheduling, physical inventory, cycle counting, transportation, product integration, and mobile application. Users can choose from advanced options like optimized refilling and picking, perishable item receiving, container type variations, best door assignment calculation, etc., depending on their needs.

This warehouse management system hence utilizes its robust features and coming-of-age functionality to work towards the attainment of warehouse goals, which are- reduced cost, reduced time, and the delivery of the right product to the right customer. McLane Logistics Technology puts its century-long expertise in warehouse engineering to use, giving every business owner a chance to benefit from dramatically improved warehouse functionality. To know more, visit them at 4001 Central Ponte, Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call at 1-800-989-7568.

How Microsoft Dynamics Can Ease The Supply Chain Process

Understanding the supply chain is becoming critical to business owners, owing to it being an integral part of any organization’s functioning. As simple as it might seem on the surface, the supply chain is indeed a highly intricate system that needs an efficient management system in place for its smooth functioning. Microsoft Dynamics, which is software catering to this very purpose, and is being used by entrepreneurs across the globe to make each stage of the supply chain process more organized.

The basic emphasis of this software lies on the four critical stages involved in any supply chain, which are production, purchase, distribution, and shipping. When Microsoft Dynamics is incorporated into a preexisting supply chain, it gives that much-needed boost to the process, by making the job of every employee involved, much easier. Not only does this enhance the productivity of the organization in terms of decreased workforce, time efficiency, cost-cutting, and customer satisfaction, but it also makes other functions like planning and coordination more systematic.

The major benefits of Microsoft Dynamics for the supply chain process are-

• User-friendly interface- You do not need to be techno-savvy to operate the software, since its easy-to-use and intuitive interface guides you through each stage. Much like other Microsoft products, it has highly applicable features like a business-role specific design, which makes it simple for employees to access the tools that are most relevant to their jobs in the supply chain process. 
• Flexibility- One of the most attractive features of Microsoft Dynamics from a business owner’s point of view is that its functionality is easily customizable, making it possible to tweak its usage as per the requirements of your company. If you plan for expansion of your supply chain in the future, Microsoft Dynamics will still be as relevant as a supply chain management software for you then, as it is now. 
• Better visibility- Effective communication and transparency at each stage is imperative for the efficiency of a supply chain. Microsoft Dynamics makes both these factors possible, with its insightful interface which makes it possible to view everything, right from changes in customer orders to shipping addresses in a single glance. This aids in making the right decisions at every stage, and taking instant action when required. In addition to this, features like automatic notifications help in inventory control, by alerting when reorder levels are reached. 

For more information on Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 and how it can be beneficial to your business, visit McLane Logistics Technology at 4001, Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call them at 1-800-989-7568.