Requisition Entry and Processing

 

1.    FIXPro Requisition entry, Import and generation process does have the ability to auto assign unique requisition references.  In fact during manual requisition entry, the user may be able to ‘Auto-Assign’ with unlimited number of prefixes to denote different types of requisitions, or simply a single number, or manually override.

 

2.    FIXPro requisition entry can be manually entered, imported from other systems, such as the web (XML, Flat File, Legacy Systems etc.).  In addition to entry, FIXPro can also generate requisitions based upon branch/department/customer templates, subscriptions and maximum determined to be required at a ship to location for a ‘Force’ fulfillment.

 

3.    FIXPro’s database for ship to location may be used to simply pull up an address and other ship to related information or this information may be entered manually as required during order entry (requisition entry).  Many of our customers have FIXPro interact with other system for ship to (branch/department/customer) information to reduce the ‘double’ entry/maintenance of FIXPro and other systems.  This interaction may be done real time or in batch mode.  In addition to the standard information FIXPro requisition entry also adds to the header other optional information: Default Warehouse to ship from, charge back account code, employee name/number, default ship to contact name, phone number, shipping service level required (next day ground/air etc), date the items are required.

 

4.    Within FIXPro requisition entry, forms/items are added in a screen allowing many detail lines per requisition.  For each line item entered (up to an unlimited number may be entered), the item code (form number)is validated against the FIXPro item master, special description, quantity required and optionally notes, charge back account code.  If an item does not exist, the user may optionally add the item on the fly.  This feature may be restricted and controlled by end user security, much like all FIXPro selection controlled by user.

 

5.    When an item has been selected, its’ valid state shipping entitlement, status code, and other information is validated.  Depending upon the site’s configuration, the FIXPro system may restrict the item from being requisitioned (ordered) more than once to the same ship to location if an existing outstanding item order/back order is already in the FIXPro database.  This feature eliminates duplicate requisitions and shipments of obsolete items.  For items/Forms/Publications that have been revised, FIXPro can ‘auto-replace by’ automatically substituting the latest revision of an item as required when an existing item becomes obsolete. 

 

6.    FIXPro creates picking lists for all orders based upon a batch print criteria, or individually during order entry.  The batch basis supports printing rush orders first and subsequent processing. 

     

·         For each picking list produced (combined orders or single), a picking list is generated.  This picking list may be printed, mailed and/or exported to a ‘shipping system’ to provide for hand held picking devices or RF picking or paper based picking.

·         The user may pick the items from the pick shelf or bulk location and depending upon the configuration the following steps are performed.  If using paper and carts/totes the items are checked off on the picking list (also printed on this is the bin location and it’s in bin order/item order).  If using an RF hand held barcode reader, the user wands the items as picked and placed onto the cart/tote.

 

·         FIXPro may print a packing list at the shipping dock at the same time as the picking list depending upon the user’s configuration.  If using a ‘Shipping System’, the shipping system typically is weighing the carton during shipment, and confirming carton contents.  Then the ‘Shipping System’ produces the packing list, carrier label and electronically sends into FIXPro the adjustments for quantity picked/shipped and corresponding serial numbers for serialized items such as checks, bond, and certificates.  In this fashion the FIXPro system tracks the Bill of lading, ship to carrier, rates, serial numbers etc.

If the customer has a DOCUTECH or other high-speed print device, FIXPro may also be configured to print a picking list of the Print on Demand items separately from the warehoused items.  Further to this picking list and depending upon the customer’s electronic storage of the items, FIXPro can also generate on the DOCUTECH equipment, or other high speed devices, the actual product to be shipped.  In such cases the warehouse pick list indicates that other items from the print on demand area are to be combined during packing and the pick list and header page on the print job from the print on demand items indicate where and how to pack the print on demand items.

 

·         FIXPro confirms shipped using an upload from the shipping system or manually using a FIXPro shipment confirmation screen.  This may also be done automatically while printing the pick lists, but Ironwood highly advises against this policy.

 

·         FIXPro tracks all orders in various stages through its’ process.  Orders are ‘on order’, ‘printed on the pick list’, ‘on back order’, ‘just shipped’, ’MTD transactions’, ’History Transactions’.  All orders and items are visible by using a multipurpose inquiry screen to access the orders/transactions from all view points: Ship to Location, Item, Reference numbers.

 

·         FIXPro can produce labels for shipping purposes, but the best solution is to have the ‘Shipping System’ integrated with the FIXPro product.  By integrating a ‘Shipping System’ seamlessly with FIXPro the shipping labels are produced when the carton is on the weight scale, the bill of lading number is automatically assigned, the bar coded label is printed in the carrier certified format, the EDI transaction is sent to the carrier for the shipping manifest and most importantly the courier rate/carrier rate takes advantage of combined shipping, zones, and rate shopping amongst the contracted courier(s) and their respective service levels.  The EDI Transactions (204) manifest sent to the carrier provide the carriers the ability to further discount rates to the customer resulting in overall significant savings.  If the carrier/courier company is one of the majors they typically may also provide back to the FIXPro system proof of delivery (EDI 214), allowing the FIXPro users to know for sure which items (especially serialized items) were actually received and who signed for those items (Proof of Delivery).

·         Backorders created by shipment confirmation (either automatic from the shipping system, picking list generation or manual) are stored separately.  When items are received into inventory, the back order release process automatically prompts the user to release backorders for the newly received inventory.  The user may configure the back order releases to release items based upon many criteria or manually selected to ‘allocate’ just enough to a quick refill position at the branch levels.