RealTime Distribution works with Wireless or Tethered Batch Scanners, Data Collectors, PDA's or to capture with the most powerful tools, Radio Frequency Terminals.  You decide what method you want to use...or combine more than one!

Receiving

The receiving process uses one program to report to the computer everything received in a shipment.  Because the computer tracks the needs for the received shipment, it keeps warehouse personnel from putting away inventory unnecessarily.  It also produces barcodes for al items received, if labels are not preprinted.

Storing

Since a locator system is implemented, the system advises where to store the items.  The operator does have the option to override the suggested location.  Using the pallet ID, location code, and product code RealTime Distribution and personnel interact to store the items received.  The primary goal of the locator system is to know what is on hand and where it is stored at all times.  This leads to easy access and location of items for quick picking.

Picking

The picking system accepts two types of picks:  will call sales order and transfer to another warehouse.  In picking a will call sales order, the sales order number is entered into the scanning terminal.  RealTime Distribution sorts by location and directs the employee to pick the items until either the pallet or the order is filled.  Once filled, the employee is expected to put the pallet down in the will call shipping area and scan the location code.
When picking transfers, the scanning terminal can accept the destination warehouse ID to determine all transfer items.  The computer sorts these products by location for an efficient travel route.  This process for transfers within a large warehouse can be grouped by zones, which alleviate the need to cross an entire warehouse.  Filled pallets are stored in the transfer shipping area.

Shipping

Two types of shipping exist:  will call and transfer.  Will call pallets are usually packed into boxes for shipping.  Pallets or boxes are processed through the freight manifest system.  This system produces a manifest for the common carrier or customer.  Placing its pallets on a truck destined for a specific warehouse ships a transfer.  As pallets are loaded the destination ID is accepted from the scanning device.  The operator can load the pallets in any desired order.  When the truck is filled, a manifest is produced showing pallet and product detail.  Each day a report is produced, showing all shipments leaving the warehouse as well as all receipts.

Counting

In cycle counting, the warehouse manager can specify the cycles per year and the count sessions per year.  Whether by location or product, the cycle count process tracks the last one counted.  When preparing to do cycle count, RealTime Distribution reports the next location or product range to be counted.  If the quantity count differs from RealTime Distribution's quantity, a recount is necessary.  If a discrepancy still exists, an adjustment will be automatically made to the location quantity and a product count alert is passed to the warehouse supervisor.  

Inventory Control

RealTime Distribution maintains information for multiple warehouses.  Among the many elements for each item at each warehouse, the system calculates and stores usage rates, stocking levels, and movement classification.  This information is easily retrieved allowing for flexible reporting to management personnel.

Purchasing

RealTime Distribution offers a series of automatic ordering programs that require minimal involvement from the purchasing agent.  Order points are established for each item, based on individual item usage rates.  When RealTime Distribution recommends the restocking of a product, it also computes the quantity to purchase.  Various formulas, such as Min/Max, Economic Order Quantity, and Manual Override are applied in this calculation.  By computing the lowest order cost, only the minimum investment dollars necessary are involved.

Sales Orders

Manually checking the stock of an item at the point of sale is time consuming, if not annoying for the customer and employee.  Providing an item's real-time quantity available for sale eliminates the need for manual stock checking.