Inventory management software
Multichannel Inventory: What You Need to Know
It sounds like a sci-fi trilogy: Past, present, and future merge to provide a single, optimal inventory experience. Multichannel merchants manage inventory seamlessly throughout major business processes and across channels in order to find the perfect balance between customer service and profitability. Few merchants today would claim to have reached this level of inventory management, [...]
Developing Systems Is a Human Communications Activity
Lest we forget, yes the Internet, order management and websites are all systems. But more importantly, successful development is dependent on how well ideas are communicated by users, developers and management and then into the programming which becomes the physical programming product or service. I was working with a user last week on some serious [...]
Guidelines for Scripted System Vendor Demos
One of the most important aspects of selecting any system is actually getting a demonstration of the vendor’s solution. There are a couple of different approaches to demos depending on where you are in the selection process. One is used to get the general feel for a system early in the system search process and [...]
When is the Right Time to Outsource Systems and Supply Chain Logistics?
Many multichannel merchants focus on how they can lower operating costs of their supply chain logistics when they consider outsourcing certain tasks. But when you use third party logistics partners to outsource your operations, you also outsource the investment. Sounds obvious, but maybe the magnitude isn’t all that clear until you’re faced with replacing an order management system, [...]
Negotiating Software Agreements To Create Successful System Implementations
There’s lots of work getting to the point of signing the agreements for a new order management system, warehouse management system or website platform. The systems selection process may take you four months or longer. By the time you have gone through all the user requirements, writing an RFP, watching vendor demos, negotiating price as [...]
Selecting the Right Systems for Your Third Party Logistics Business
More and more companies today are using third party logistics providers to avoid making investments in that non-core area, or in technology necessary for it. We’ve also seen hundreds of start up eCommerce companies that simply don’t want to be in the fulfillment business. All of these companies are turning to third party logistics providers. With so [...]
Published Book – Best Practices in Multichannel Operations & Fulfillment
Best Practices in Multichannel Operations & Fulfillment is still available for purchase on Amazon.com. This guide to multichannel best practices was derived from our years of experience with hundreds of catalog, eCommerce and retail companies. Our team understands the issues and challenges facing multichannel businesses and provides insight on the following topics: Business Management – including [...]
How Are You Spending Your IT Dollar?
Even though we are coming out of a tough business climate, we see companies making investments in IT systems, especially in the eCommerce area. In many direct businesses, more than 50% of sales are eCommerce based, though those sales may have been spurred by receipt of a catalog. Long before the current economic slowdown, many companies [...]
How Well Are You Managing Your Inventory?
Inventory is most likely the largest balance sheet asset in your company. How well you plan, purchase, and manage your inventory largely determines your level of customer service and profits. But selling goods in multiple channels and titles means dealing with channel- and title-specific planning and inventory management needs. Based on our inventory management consulting [...]
