Warehousing software facilitates e-commerce growth

E-commerce is picking up in
the Western Cape, says Anthea
van Breemen of Macro 2000.
The company, which supplies
warehousing and logistics
software,
says it is a
phenomenon
that is expected
to continue
growing in
years to come
– especially as
Internet usage
matures and
the benefits of
e-commerce are
realised.
“We have an interface into
companies’ web-based shops,”
says Van Breemen. “The orders
are placed on-line and a string
of events is put into place
by the backend software,”
explains Van Breemen.
But having the right
software is integral for
e-commerce
success.
“This
facilitates
processes
such as stock
availability
that has to be
confirmed,
after which
an order
confirmation
is sent to
the customer. This order
produces a picking slip in the
warehouse. Delivery dates
and special instructions
also have to be included and
adhered to.”
She says the stock is then
picked using picking scanning
to avoid any human error,
followed by a quality control
check for perfect goods and
correct quantities.
“The goods are then scanned
into the packing box as a final
control and a packing list
and final invoice is produced.
In third party logistics
warehouses, the invoice
is printed on a letterhead
belonging to the owner of he
goods.”
Van Breemen says there is
a whole pricing structure that
is linked to the invoicing for
things like specials or sales to
ensure the customer is invoiced
at the correct price.
“Throughout the processes
the customer needs to be
informed of the tracking
of the goods in the system,
which can be done by
automatic e-mails. On-line
tracking is also possible.
The back-end software
also has to take care
of the stock and
re-order levels. This
has to take into
account lead times
and minimum
quantities to be
ordered. Sales
forecasts and sales
history statistics
all help in these
processes.”
INSERT & CAPTION
We have an interface
into companies’ webbased
shops.
– Anthea van Breemen