Jo’burg office adds local support

Cape Town-based software development company, Macro 2000, has a new strategic partner in Johannesburg to offer the first line of support to its logistics customers based in Gauteng. “IT solutions are the only way to ensure customer satisfaction through improved information and performance. By having a presence in Gauteng, we help our customers meet their customers’ needs better,” said Macro 2000’s Anthea van Breemen. She said that in today’s tough business environment, customers needed more information at their fingertips in order to compete. Van Breemen highlighted five trends which she believes are becoming increasingly more important for customers: 1. Track and trace has become more of a requirement said van Breemen, pointing out that the Macro 2000 system allowed for many track and trace user specified options right down to pallet, or product level. “This has improved the picking and dispatch procedure by ensuring that the correct product is picked for dispatch, first time. There are fewer come-backs for incorrect picks based on track and trace requirements – such as expiry dates, production batches etc.” 2. Many companies are still looking at radiofrequency identification (RFID) but haven’t yet implemented this option. “We are however seeing more bar code scanning implementation for improved accuracy and efficiency, allowing turn-around times to be improved,” said Van Breemen. 3. Pick and Pack is becoming a requirement for the cold store industry where it has been available in dry goods stores for a while. This often includes the implementation of a Pick Store being replenished by bulk picks using the minimum requirement rules. According to Van Breemen, this requires a different level of stock control, and is especially tricky when it comes to accurate charging as every pick, pack and service needs to be recorded for charging. 4. Accurate charging for storage and all services is important for both the logistics provider and the customer. “Macro 2000 has an invoicing system built into our warehouse management system (WMS) allowing for default charges and for any number of customers each to be charged differently. Once set up correctly, the invoicing is a simple push of a button at week or month end,” explained Van Breemen. 5. Information-on-demand is taking many forms – from immediate e-mailing of documents to regular automated stock balance and movement reports showing all personalised track and trace information specifically recorded, per customer. INSERT & CAPTION We are seeing more bar code scanning implementations for improved accuracy, allowing turnaround times to be improved. – Anthea van Breemen