eCity Stock serves as the hub of Slingshot’s integrated supply chain management solution providing global supply chain visibility, inventory valuation, tracking and transaction control across multiple warehouses and organizations. Add other eCity distribution and financial applications for a complete supply chain solution.

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Warehouses can be configured to suit a broad range of needs. Each can have an unlimited number of zones and stocking locations. Products can be dedicated to locations or, locations can be assigned when goods are put away. Locations definitions can include dimensions, weight limits, storage capabilities (e.g. refrigerated), and restrictions (e.g. single lot, product or unit). Logical warehouses allow you to maintain balances without stocking locations. This appropriate for inventory stored in public warehouses or consigned to customer or suppliers.

Balances are kept by location and as needed, by lot#, serial #, asset #, expiration date, condition and owner. Condition codes can be assigned manually or by a warehouse process (e.g. inspection). Lot characteristics can be recorded as well (potency, test results). Optional bar code identification enhances efficiency and accuracy. Bar codes can be applied to inventory or containers. RFID tags are supported as well. Confirm receipt or shipment by moving tagged units through a reader cell.

Tasks can be system generated or “user directed”. Tasks completion can be reported on a browser (paper based) or on a wireless PDA or radio frequency terminal.

A pick locator facility selects inventory to pick. Options allow you to:

- rotate stock (FEFO or FIFO)
- minimize travel (shortest path)
- preserve empty slots
- “pick for speed” (minimize locations)
- “pick to clean” (defrag inventory)

A put away locator selects warehouse locations for put away. Options allow you to:

- verify dimensional fit
- match velocity (put fast movers up front)
- prevent commingling of products, lots or expiration dates
- check storage requirements (refrigerator, freezer, clean room).

Extensive inquiries and reports are provided allowing you to continuously, measure supplier delivery, product quality, on time shipping and labor performance. Compare your inventory investment to service levels provided. Set process improvement goals. All reports are developed using Business Objects Crystal Reports toolset and can be easily tailored.
Inventory can be recorded in multiple units of measure. Each product is associated with conversion table identifying the valid units and conversion relationships. Bar coded “license plates” can be assigned to material handling units.

Processing options are summarized below

Inbound Processes

- shipment status tracking (ASN)
- receive / pack list reconciliation
- unauthorized receipt handling
- cross dock or put away (multiple put rules)
- QA sampling / inspection

Warehouse Processes

- build kits
- slotting (product location optimization)
- reorganization (defrag locations)
- re-fill locations (pick locations and mobile inventories)

Outbound processes

- build loads or pick waves
- emergency pick (hot order)
- pre-pick stock marshalling
- pick to order, order cluster or zone
- pick to shipping container or route to pack station
- manifesting and shipment labeling
- delivery status tracking
- load confirmation

Physical Inventory

- wall to wall
- cycle count by location, ABC code or frequency code
- offsite inventory audit (batch entry on PDA)
- “quarantine” option for count discrepancies

Inventory Valuation / Financial Integration

Every change to on-hand inventory is logged, and inventory transactions are valued automatically. LIFO, FIFO, Standard Cost, Replacement Cost and Average Cost valuation methods are supported. Costed transactions are passed directly to your accounting system.

Labor Reporting and Analysis

A worker identifier and time stamp is recorded with each task. This information is used to provide a Labor Analysis report. This report measures productivity for each worker over a period of time. Measures are provided for pick, put, count and replenishment tasks.

Automatic Tracking of Reusable Containers

Reusable packaging is automatically tracked with its contents. When the package is empty the system continues to track it. For example, If you receive a spool with 1500’ foot of cable and issue the cable, the empty spool remains. When picking, you can pick up the spool or, pick the cable and leave the spool. You can also put cable back on an empty spool.

eCity Buy allows you to strengthen supplier relationships, negotiate favorable contracts, and reduce purchasing costs. Purchase order entry is simple and quick. Entry tools allow you to order a standard kit, access a catalog, use a shopping list or copy an order. Pricing, accounting, freight and tax calculations are automatic.

Use the Internet to integrate purchasing processes with your suppliers. Create a master “Request For Quotation” and automatically email it to a bid list. Create a supplier portal, register new suppliers and accept bids. Use the “punch out” feature to access supplier websites and find, select, and configure goods for purchase. Check availability, request a quotation, review supplier catalogs all without leaving the purchasing application. eMail purchasing documents to contacts at a supplier location. Use eCity Connecttm for real time connections via XML based messaging. Implement integrated Internet Sourcing and watch prices and purchasing lead times drop.

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