Inventory Management through handheld devices

Revised citixsys banner blog

iVend handheld enables the retail workforce to manage store inventory using a handheld device running Windows Mobile OS version 6.0 or 6.5. iVend handheld helps in efficient stock take and goods management . iVend Handheld has been designed to be intuitive and extremely efficient. The use of the iVend Handheld results in improved data accuracy, increased mobility, and convenience, thereby streamlining movement, counts and queries while reducing human errors.

As an Integrated module in the newly released iVend POS 6.2, it helps in streamlining retail inventory operations and stock take minimizing the human error percentage.

Automation of inventory stock take has helped retailers worldwide by reducing their man-hours spent in managing inventory and resolving errors. The seamless integration between iVend POS with handheld helps improve data integrity with up-to- the- minute tracking.

Other major benefits observed using a handheld device include:

Improve Inventory Accuracy to Reduce Data Entry Errors with Barcode scanning
Using barcode scanning rather than manual data entry to record transaction data improves data accuracy and reduces data entry time. Handheld devices increase productivity through reduced data entry and streamlined user time motion activities. They enable process automation, which increases throughput and decreases material cycle times.

Improve Transaction Accuracy with Real –Time Data Validationsmall image for ivend

Inventory accuracy improves two-fold through the reduction of data entry errors as well as the capability to identify inventory inaccuracies faster. Inventory accuracy techniques such as cycle counting are more efficient when performed with real -time barcode scanning capabilities.

The benefits of improved inventory accuracy include having the right material on hand when needed, optimizing replenishment and fulfillment plans, and decreasing the carrying costs of excess materials.

Reduce Latency Using Handheld Devices

Handheld devices enable users to enter transactions and perform inventory requests pertaining to goods and stocks in real time at the point of use. Transaction validation takes place online, identifying valid data immediately. Real -time inventory information improves the quality of supply chain collaboration, enables accurate requests for replenishment orders, and optimizes warehouse and supply site scheduling activities and resources.

Improve Worker Productivity

Accelerate Data Entry Using Handheld Devices

In combination with barcode scanning, data entry using applications on handheld devices enable a more efficient use of man-hours, improved time-motion activities, and an ability to perform validation and corrections online and in real time. Users also have access to more information, such as inventory availability, process receipts, and issues without having to change stations or work locations. Users may complete inventory transactions from anywhere inside or outside the facility. Handheld devices may be assigned to users, significantly reducing dependencies on adequate space and allowing users to access the system wherever they are.

Deploy Diverse Hardware

iVend handheld Module runs on any handheld device that can run a standard WinMobile 6.5 client. The architecture also supports most standard barcode encoding formats.

Inventory Pro 6.6.6.0 released with major enhancements

About Inventory Pro Inventory Pro is a light Warehouse and Inventory Management Software from CitiXsys. It is deeply integrated with SAP Business One &  lets its users effectively execute inventory management across the organization. Increased automation and item tracking capabilities in Inventory Pro helps improve accuracy and better the correlation of stock on hand with customer demand.

This post explains the business context of the 4 new features which have been developed in this release and the bugs that have been successfully fixed.

Release Description

The post outlines the enhancements / bug fixes incorporated in Inventory Pro version 6.6.6.0

Inventory Pro version 6.6.6.0 is only supported on

  • SAP Business One 8.8 SP00 PL07 and above
  • SAP Business One 8.81 PL05 and above
  • SAP Business One 8.82 PL04 and above

Inventory Pro version 6.6.6.0 will not be supported on the following environments:

  • SAP Business One 2007
  • SAP Business One 2005
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2000

Contact CitiXsys support for details on Hardware and Software specifications for Inventory Pro version 6.6.6.0.

  • You must install Crystal Reports 2008 Run time with this version of Inventory Pro.
  • With this version of Inventory Pro you would need to install .Net Framework 4.0

Enhancements

  • Chinese Localization – This release of Inventory Pro extends support for Chinese localization.

Benefit– This feature will help promoting & adapting the product functionality and appearance to meet the needs of Chinese-speaking markets.

  • VGA Display based RF Handheld Devices – This release of Inventory Pro extends support for VGA display based RF Handheld devices.
  • Windows Mobile 6.5 for RF Handheld Devices – This release of Inventory Pro extends support for Windows Mobile 6.5 based RF Handheld devices.

Benefit– These features shall extend the applications compatibility to most widely used new breed handheld RF scanners along with Windows Mobile 6.5

  • Order Management – With this release of Inventory Pro all selected rows in the Order Management screen will be highlighted and the screen scroll will be maintained (i.e. – the screen will not scroll back to the top).

Benefit– This feature shall help ware house staff to work efficiently & accurately with a clear view & track of orders

Bugs and Defects Fixed

Following bugs have been fixed in this release:

Multiple UOM bar-code in GRPO transaction via RF Module – The new release has fixed the issue, where the system would not determine the alternate UOM bar-code when performing a GRPO transaction via the RF Module..

Warehouse determination in Production Document – The new release of Inventory Pro shall determine the appropriate warehouse code while performing a Receipt from Production or to Production transaction from the RF Module.

Incorrect Date format in RF Transactions –The latest release of Inventory Pro that the system would determine correct date format for non-English locales.

For more details Contact us or write to us on [email protected].

ATP in SAP Business One Vs ATP in Inventory Pro (Available to Promise)

This video demonstrate the ability of Available to Promise (ATP) functionality in Inventory Pro compared to same in SAP Business One

Lioi manages an accurate & prompt inventory with Inventory Pro

Company: LIOI

Country: CHILE

Industry: Retail Distribution of Industrial Parts for Architecture & Construction
Located in Santiago, Chile, LIOI has the largest assortment of items such as hinges, hardware, trucks and locks. A line dedicated to the manufacture of grills and baskets for refrigerators, stoves both industrial and domestic use as well as practical household items, designed to facilitate the organization of space in kitchen, bathrooms and closets.
For the automotive industry, LIOI’s products include exhaust systems and stamped parts, serving customers such as General Motors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Challenge
• Inefficient & complex order tracking and shipment status across warehouses
• Minimize warehouse inventory inaccuracies that can cause a number of inefficiencies with a solution that ensures storage & dispatch of inventory products properly on location & off location
• Seamless and deep integration with SAP® Business One
The company zeroed down on implementation of SAP Business One as an ERP solution to manage its critical business functions across sales, distribution and financials – via one unified responsive system with real time metrics & instant information.This single platform was customized to integrate and provide real time access to information instantly.
To enable synergies between multiple product lines, catered from multiple warehouses for creation of accurate inventory, they needed a warehousing application that was integrated with SAP Business One to provide important functionality required in their distribution ecosystem

Solution: Inventory Pro with SAP Business One

“Inventory Pro- main features were implemented to solve the functionality of picking, making it actually work with the reality of the

Company. It has had a good result with the application, especially with the volume of Information it can handle.”

 LIOI, Chile

Business Benefits

As a full service distributor, they now have a cost effective warehousing solution that processes sales transactions, monitors inventory movement, effectively manages order entry and integrates data in real time at their head office. In addition, Inventory Pro is a solution that confidently keeps track of orders sent to warehouse for fulfillment and shipment, & offers easy process to reconcile backorders and can contribute to future growth

 The company has realized various business benefits, since the rollout of Inventory Pro. Access to accurate real time information has enabled better supply chain planning and efficiency. As a value addition, stock positions too are easy to obtain at any given point of time at any of their warehouses, providing visibility and streamlining distribution operations. The company is well equipped and can effectively track orders in real time, manage growth and meet customer expectations for higher service levels to generate & support repeat business. Improved forecasting and enhanced visibility across the business has also helped elevate business performance providing a scalable platform that supports the company’s plan for rapid expansion.

Some other immediate benefits to LIOI were:

  • Optimize inventory allocations for maximized efficiency & complete order fulfillment
  • Unique order numbering sequence for different types of customers – Inventory Pro allows LIOI to cater this business critical requirement.
  • Comprehensive and intuitive picking and pack away process ensuring
  • Easy-to-use, scalable solution that can flexibly accommodate future expansion & demands
  • Accelerate & monitor merchandise flow efficiently through the entire Enterprise
  • Integrated Normal

 

EMPR Holdings, Sydney uses Inventory Pro for Inventory efficiencies

Company: EMPR Holdings Pty Ltd

Country: Australia, China and New Zealand

Industry: Wholesale Distribution for Computer Replacement Parts

Located in Sydney, EMPR® is a Global Multinational and a leading distributor of HP, Toshiba and ASUS. They have been supplying genuine parts and accessories to all sectors throughout Australasia including Government, Corporate and home users.

What began as a small company, EMPR® over the years has evolved into a Global Multinational Company in the Asia Pacific region with operations in Australia and New Zealand. China Operations are due to commence in early 2011 together with future expansion plans within the Asia Pacific region.

EMPR® has grown rapidly to become a major computer hardware supplier in the region and are the recipients of many awards for being in the top performing HP Master Parts Reseller for the replacement parts Business within the entire Asia Pacific region.

Challenge

  • Improve order tracking and shipment status across warehouses
  • Seamless and deep integration with SAP® Business One
  • Maintain the niche, be competitive by improved inventory and customer management

The company decided to implement SAP Business One as an ERP solution to manage its critical business functions across sales, distribution and financials – via one flexible responsive system that could integrate and provide real time access to information.

Multiple product lines being catered to from multiple warehouses, made the company look for a warehousing application that was integrated with SAP Business One to provide important functionality required in their distribution ecosystem.

As a full service distributor, they required a cost effective warehousing solution that could process sales transactions, monitor inventory movement, manage order entry and integrate data in real time at their head office.

In addition, they required a solution that could confidently keep track of orders sent to warehouse for fulfillment and shipment, offer easy process to reconcile backorders and could support future growth.

Solution: Inventory Pro with SAP Business One

Benefits

  • 360 degree view of order and stock status across multiple warehouses
  • Improved inventory management with advanced warehousing features like allocations
  • Comprehensive view of the company’s revenue, costs and inventory valuation in real-time

After evaluating various options, EMPR® decided to implement Inventory Pro for SAP Business One from CitiXsys. Both solutions were installed and implemented by Key Business Solutions. Since the rollout of Inventory Pro, the company has realized various business benefits. Access to real time information has enabled better supply chain planning and efficiency.

In addition, stock positions are easy to obtain at any given point of time at any of their warehouses, providing visibility and streamlining distribution operations.

The company is also able to track orders in real time, manage growth and meet customer expectations for higher service levels to support repeat business. Improved forecasting and enhanced visibility across the business has also helped improve business performance providing a scalable platform that supports the company’s plan for rapid expansion.

According to Ben Holmes, IT Director of EMPR Holdings, Inventory Pro has greatly helped them improve their process efficiencies.

“Inventory Pro improved our business processes in terms of our stock accuracies.

IP has enabled us to have a better process in picking, packing and order accountability.

At the end of every day we know the status of every order and we can reconcile our backlogs and account for all the orders where as in the past we may not have been proactive enough in finding the problem orders.”

Ben Holmes,

IT Director, EMPR®Holdings.

 

Inventory Pro 6.6.2.0 Released with enhancements

Enhancements

Following features have been added / enhanced in the Inventory Pro version 6.6.2.0:

Language Support – With this release of Inventory Pro the user will be able to select the desired language for the Inventory Pro add-on irrespective of the language set for SAP Business One.

Put-Away / Picking – With this release of Inventory pro it is now possible to make the Picking / Put-Away process mandatory on adding the relevant marketing document. A new setting for this has been provided under the Inventory Pro – General Settings.

Bugs and Defects Fixed

Following bugs have been fixed in this release:

SYS_BIN Transfer – In the previous release of the Inventory Pro Add-on, due to a missing validation, the stock quantities were not appropriately transferred to the SYS_BIN on updating the Warehouse as a Multi-Bin warehouse. This has been fixed in this release.

Inventory Tracking Tool – In the previous release of the Inventory pro Add-on, Serial Numbers were not imported appropriately using the Inventory Tracking Tool. This has been fixed in this release.

Stock Transfer Recommendation Tool – In the previous release of the Inventory Pro Add-on, if the customer code was populated in the excel template, the transfer recommendations could not be imported. This has been fixed in this release.

Order Management – Document Details – In the previous release of the Inventory Pro Add-on, when a Draft Inventory Transfer document was created from the Picked Tab, the Document Details screen would display the wrong Draft Document on clicking the Golden Arrow.

Issue for Production – Due to a bug in SAP Business One 8.81 PL07, the buttons on the Issue of Production screen would disappear when running the Inventory Pro Add-on. The Inventory Pro add-on code has been tweaked to overcome this SAP issue.

Maintenance Release for Inventory Pro (ver 5.6.8.0) for SAP Business One 2007

Maintenance Release for Inventory Pro (ver 5.6.8.0) is released today for SAP Business One 2007. Mentioned below are the fixes included in this release.

Bugs and Defects Fixed

Following bugs have been fixed in this release:

SYS_BIN Transfer – In the previous release of the Inventory Pro Add-on, due to negative stock in the warehouse, stock quantities were not appropriately transferred to the SYS_BIN on updating the Warehouse as a Multi-Bin warehouse. This has been fixed in this release.

Rounding Error in Picking and Put-Away – In the previous release of the Inventory Pro Add-on, if the conversion factor for Sales or Purchase unit of measure is in two decimal places and the marketing document is created with decimal quantities, then the system would result in a rounding error leading to quantity mismatch between SAP warehouse quantity and Bin quantities. This has been fixed in this release.

Partial Receipt in GRPO – In the previous release of the Inventory Pro Add-on, if a Purchase Order is partially received in a GRPO then the Inventory Pro add-on would lock the Purchase Order for subsequent receipts. This has been fixed in this release.

Batch Sorting in Picking and Put-Away screens – In the previous release of the Inventory Pro Add-on, the Batch numbers were not appropriately sorted in the Picking and Put-Away screens. This has been fixed in this release.

Bins Choose from List – In the previous release of the Inventory Pro Add-on, the Bins Choose from List would usually hang the system or had poor performance. This has been fixed in this release.

Delivery creation by RF Integration Service – In the previous release of the Inventory Pro Add-on, the RF Integration service would only update the Delivery Document header if the Ship to Code in Sales Order Line level was NULL. This has been fixed in this release.

Print Error in Picking Screen – In the previous release of the Inventory Pro Add-on, on clicking the Print button in the Picking screen would result in a form initiation error. This has been fixed in this release.

 

Inventory Pro 6.6.0.0 released today with major usability enhancements

Inventory Pro 6.6.0.0 is released today. This version of Inventory Pro greatly enhances the usability of the application by providing useful features and tools. While the enhanced feature set helps to improve the processes efficiencies, the tools enable faster and better implementation of Inventory Pro.

Enhancements

Following features have been added / enhanced in the Inventory Pro version 6.5.0.0:

  • Inventory Pro Setup Wizard – This release incorporates a setup wizard which will guide the user through the sequence of steps for configuring the solution.
  • On-Line Help – This release incorporates screen sensitive help. Users can press CTRL+SHIFT+P to bring up the help for the active screen.
  • New Release Notification – Whenever a new version of the product is released the system will display the update notification as a SAP Business One alert.
  • Sample Pick Ticket Reports – Sample Pick Ticket reports have been included in the add-on. The sample reports will be placed under the \CTX\Inventory Pro\Sample Reports folder on installation. These sample Pick Ticket reports can be used as a reference / starting point for report customization. A guide for customizing Pick Ticket reports is also included with the product documentation.
  • GUI for generating the RF Configuration File – The Inventory Pro add-on includes a new screen for defining various RF configuration parameters and exporting a RF Configuration file based on the defined parameters.
  • Installer Enhancements for Inventory Pro services – Installers for Inventory Pro services include a GUI for defining the connection parameters during the install routine.
  • Language Support – Inventory Pro GUI is now available in the following languages:
  • English
  • Italian
  • French
  • Latin American Spanish
  • Brazilian Portuguese

Bugs and Defects Fixed

Following bugs have been fixed in this release:

FIFO Allocation Method – In the previous release of the Inventory Pro Add-on, stock was not appropriately allocated as per the FIFO Allocation rule.  This has been fixed in this release.

 

Inventory Pro 6.5.0.0 released today with enhancements

Inventory Pro 6.5.0.0 is released today. This version of Inventory Pro is an improved release over its predecessors.

The release is not only compatible with SAP Business One 8.81 but also has enhancements and resolutions to the earlier bugs.

Enhancements

  • Compatibility with SAP Business One 8.81 – With this version, Inventory Pro is now compatible with SAP Business One 8.81 (PL03 and above).
  • Best Fit Quantity – Allocation Method – A new allocation method “Best Fit Quantity” has been incorporated in this release. This allocation method allocates item quantities from bins which best fulfill the required quantities.
  • RF Enhancements – Following enhancements have been incorporated in the RF Module:
  1. Display Last Item Scanned – When doing a Stock Take in scan each mode, the RF Module will now display the Last Item Scanned.
  2. Menu Navigation – A new configuration parameter has been provided in the RF module configuration file to allow the RF user to remain on the same transaction menu or return to Main Menu.

Bugs and Defects Fixed

  • Bin Lookup Sort Order in RF Module – In the previous release of the Inventory Pro Add-on, the Bin lookup in the RF Module was only sorted by Zone Preference and not by Bin Preference. This has been fixed in this release, i.e. – Bin lookup will now be sorted by Zone Preference and then further by Bin Preference.