Cost suits smaller players - but with the necessary muscle
ALAN PEAT
IN AN alliance with the US suppliers of the software, Borland SA, the Johannesburg-based system specialist Unico International has been busy designing a warehousing management package for the small and medium sized warehouse operators in the field.
“There are all sorts of very large, and very costly, software projects on the market,” said Unico’s senior technical manager, Elizabeth (Liz) Wills. “Early on, we had a client who wanted a specific package in the marketplace, but couldn’t afford the US dollar price of the system.
“However, we’ve managed to come in at a cost which will suit the smaller players - but at the same time, with enough muscle to also fit the needs of the large operations.”
The result has been a warehouse management programme that handles everything from purchase orders, goods received notes, stock taking and balances to debtors, payments and credit notes.
“It’s the ideal warehouse management tool,” said Wills.
The task for Unico, she added, was to try to develop a fairly general software that would cover the needs of almost all the warehousing industry.
“But, at the same time we are quite flexible in customising the management system to match the needs of specific operations or industry sectors.”
Two of the industry-customised units to date are aimed at the cellphone and meat sectors.
“There were special elements in these programmes which fitted specific individual needs in these two warehousing functions.”
Unico’s main development function is conducted in the Johannesburg base. But, said Wills, they can also offer support in Durban and Cape Town through the local offices of Borland.
