Supply Chain Management Posts

Do you ever tell your customer this? We’re so sorry, this particular product is out of stock! Photo by Akyan.

When the potential client asks when will the stock be available. The only thing you can reply is that you’re not sure! Then you watch the client walk away dejectedly as if he’s never ever going to return to your shop.

If your retail outlet sells tangible products, it’s really important to be able to keep track of all available stocks on hand.

By utilizing a stock and inventory management system, you can set the system to warn you when a particular product is running low so you have some time to contact the supplier to replenish the supplies.

The following are two free inventory and stock management system you can try out if you’re not already using a system to manage stockpile. Continue Reading »
List of free inventory and stock management system

Great news for retail store owners! How about a free software for you to manage your retail business? From managing inventory, stocks, invoices, vendors, customer orders all the way to viewing reports which are related to your day to day retail business.

This retail management software that I’m about to introduce is great for any small businesses or non profit organizations who are involved in:

• Online business
• Consulting business
• Mini and super markets
• Grocery stores
• Schools which also sells merchandise
• Accessories stores

Basically, as long as you carry multiple types of products obtained from various vendors and suppliers and the products are eventually sold to potential customers, this software will benefit your business. Photo by Gastev

This software is also great for the purpose of short term selling for the purpose of roadshows, events, tradeshows and exhibitions.

I remember a friend once asked me to develop a software for him to manage his roadshow which lasts for only 3 days. During this 3 days, a lot of transactions will take place and the most painful part is, at the end of the day, he will need to spend hours counting the remaining stocks and cash at hand for the day. I developed the software for him, however, it was not fully delivered because I got stuck when developing the invoice screen. If I had known of this software then, it would have been a lot easier as it is capable of generating invoices on the fly as well as automatically reducing the stock count. Since the software does not require a high spec machine to run on, it can easily be installed on a laptop specifically for the event.

Having said so, I’m sure I have generated much interest among you readers. So what’s the software called? Continue Reading »
Free retail management software for small businesses

As the CIO or IT Manager within a warehouse, is technology currently being utilized to automate processes within the warehouse?

A warehouse typically has a combination of materials and stocks stored in it. Managing the movement of all the materials within a warehouse can be very challenging. If done well, processes can be streamlined and productivity can be enhanced. But if not, a warehouse’s stock and supplies could go missing, get misplaced or even sabotaged.

A solution would be to implement a warehouse management system (WMS) whereby the key aim is to control the movement and storage of materials within the warehouse.  WMS can also help to process transactions, shippings, material location, receivings and others. Photo by goldberg

The typical warehouse management system includes a variety of technology such as:

• RFID scanners
• RFID tags
• Barcode scanners
• Mobile computers
• Long range wireless devices
• High end servers to store (application, database, files)

If your key skills and experience lies in within the warehouse such as managing the processes and staffs, you can rely on third party vendors to help implement a WMS for your warehouse. Continue Reading »
Free warehouse management RFP template

One of the main task of procurement and purchasing department personnels is to plan and execute an organization’s acquisition procedures and standards.

As many organizations today reduce the number of personnels within the procurement department, it is vital for the remaining ones to utilize the right strategies and tools to add value and maximise savings for the organization.

From consolidation and process improvement initiatives, a new term and job title emerged by the name strategic sourcing. Strategic sourcing manages the entire supply function through effective bidding processes and negotiation of contracts.

Obviously, negotiation skill / competency is key for every procurement department personnel to have. Having the right experience when it comes to negotiating for the best price is very important. But for those who are young and inexperienced, you can rely on the right tools to help you to negotiate better based on facts and market trends. But are there such tools available out there?

Continue Reading »
A tool for procurement and purchasing departments