Compu-Clearing programme now available as stand-alone package

JOY ORLEK
A THIRD party warehousing programme has long been part of the product palette offered to clearing and forwarding agents by specialist freight computer bureau Compu-Clearing. “Aptly named STASH, it was developed in response to customer needs and marketed as part of the comprehensive package offered to agents,” CEO Arnold Garber told FTW. “But as outsourcing has gained momentum we’ve seen a growing demand for sophisticated warehouse management technology from companies who are not necessarily involved in clearing and forwarding, which is why we are now selling it as a stand-alone package.” Outsourcing makes good economic sense, but demands more complex IT systems, says Garber. “In the past every cosmetics manufacturer, for example, would undertake its own warehousing and distribution in-house. Now this is outsourced to a third party operator who may perform the function for a range of competing companies, which demands a new level of technical expertise, and this is where STASH makes the difference.” A key issue for the manufacturer is access to information on inventory, for example. “With STASH this is instantly available via the internet from the third party warehouse operator.” STASH also helps to act as a deterrent against warranty fraud, says Garber. “Each item that enters the warehouse is recorded by serial number and that serial number is noted when the goods leave the warehouse. Any items returned to the manufacturer under warranty can then be cross-checked against the original serial number, which grey imports will not reflect. “The manufacturer therefore has proof of whether the goods are legitimate and therefore covered by warranty.”