Software: New High Tech Solutions to Maximize Growth
Software
Some might ask, what’s all the fuss about? To answer that, the explanation is both simple and complex. On the one hand, software matters because we use it in almost every aspect of our lives today. Consequently, having the right software for the job becomes essential. Indeed, it plays a role in everyday business everywhere. But is it all the same? Is it all equal? These questions lead us into the more complex part of the answer. To explore this further, I will use our software as an example.
Who and Why
We chose Camelot 3PL as our software provider. Over the past twenty years, we have worked with them consistently. They deliver the most current software related to warehousing. In addition, they offer a whiteboard knowledge base, which helps you solve problems without support. However, if support is needed, their personnel respond quickly and work tirelessly to resolve your issues.
We recently moved from an on-site platform to their most current version called Excalibur. This version operates as a SaaS (Software as a Service) and runs in the cloud. So, what makes them better than other providers? In my opinion, these factors rated highly: pricing, ease of learning without prior experience, training modules, and customer access.
Breaking it Down
For most businesses, a basic software package meets their needs. In contrast, we use a license that gives us access to receiving, shipping, historical reports, current reports, adjustments, billing, and other options.
Now, let’s take a quick look at these sections:
- Weblink – Clients use this portal to view their inventory. They also enter shipments and receipts.
- Receiving – We create new receipts or receipt invoices on a per-client basis. These receipts can be set up in multiple ways based on the Clientele Settings.
- Shipping – This area functions just like receipts. All shipments follow the client profile. Shipments typically include the picking ticket, packing list, and a BOL.
- Adjustments – We change an item’s location, move a piece to a damaged area, or assign a condition code when needed. These are a few of the functions we perform using adjustments.
- Billing – We choose whether or not to use the billing module. A data interface allows us to transfer invoices to QuickBooks, but we can also use their complete billing option. Billing follows the client profile, which gives us a variety of different scenarios.
- Reporting – We have access to many available reports, both historical and current. These reports open in Excel and can be shared with a client, converted to PDF files, and emailed as well. You can request custom reports (extra charges apply).
