System Overview

The Order Manager® operates in conjunction with an installed Avista Database Server and Load Tag Station running Tag Manager® software. A bar coded tag is produced by the Tag ManagerTM so the unit can be tracked by the system. Any shipping station is able to access information on that tag. All operations automatically update the current inventory, assuring an accurate inventory is available at all times.

Order Browsing

Order Browsing allows users, especially customer service personnel, to easily search orders by multiple criteria (ship dates, customers, ship to, status, etc). The real-time results returned allow users to view:

• Unit Level Inventory
• Loading and Shipping Status
• Detailed Order Information
  • Release
  • Estimate
  • Work Center
  • User Messages

Scheduling of Shipments

The Order Manager® can be used for shipment scheduling and trailer management. Shipping personnel can accurately track all shipping trailers as well as manually or automatically schedule trailers. The system provides for better trailer balancing by allowing the user to schedule and manage trailer shipments for multiple days. There are also provisions for split shipments allowing the user to identify what needs to be “staged” and what needs to be stored in inventory.

The system also supplies decision making information for both shipping and production personnel. By having up to date shipping and production information, users can print highly accurate “pick lists” to speed up the loading process. Not only can operators view this information, they can also view detailed information for trailers that are docked, waiting, and full, as well as future shipment schedules.

Inventory Management

When using the Order Manager® for Inventory Management, shipping personnel have access to an accurate real-time inventory. In addition to viewing the inventory, Order Manager® provides the tools necessary to control inventory down to the unit level. Complete unit level control includes the ability to:

• Split Units
• Edit Units
• Reassign true inventory items for shipment
• Reprint load tags
• Scrap Units
• Load and Ship Units

Using the system, shipping personnel have the ability to search the finished goods inventory and track the location of units within a defined finished goods area. It is also possible to track work-inprocess of unused kit components, as well as monitor overall production and loading statuses of individual orders and units all from within the shipping office! The system provides reports in either hard copy or on-line formats.

The following reports can all be produced at the unit level:

• Storage Location Reports
• Aging Reports
• Month End Inventory Reports
• Historical Reports to track the units lifecycle

It is also possible to track and report all activities of the individual users in the shipping process.

Summary

The Order Manager® Application provides the tracking and control necessary to meet the demands of today’s customer service orientated box plants. In addition to the Order Manager® module described above, additional hardware and software can be added to extend the functionality of the base system. A wireless network may be added to allow for mobile computers to interact with the system for loading units on trailers. This not only speeds up the loading process but also notifies users when wrong units are loaded to a given trailer.

For those plants that have the need for tracking receipt of outside materials, the “Receiving Module” is available to control incoming shipments of such items like foam inserts and other “non-corrugated” items.

Front Office Solutions