T H E S O P H I S T I C AT E D E L E C T R O N I C S Y S T E M

ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE

WHAT IS IT?

The more advanced systems will be linked to the point-of-sale terminal and be able to provide information on all aspects of the stock.

It involves the computers of the store being linked to the POST. Data about the stock in store will be exchanged between the two.

This system is known as Electronic Data Interchange.

TASKS COMPLETED BY EDI

This connected system allows a store to:

- Monitor purchases- Adjust stock levels- Reorder items

PURCHASES

When an item is scanned and purchased at the POST, this information is sent to the main computer and the stock levels for that item are automatically adjusted.

ORDERING

The system will also have an ordering function built in. Once the minimum stock level is reached the system automatically generates an order. This will order will either be sent straight to the supplier for regular items or it may need to be approved by a manager or whoever is in charge of ordering.

The system will also take into account lead times, which is the time taken from when the item is ordered to when it arrives in the store. This means things will be ordered before the stock levels reach their minimum but they will then be available in store when customers need them.

This eliminates the need to count the products on the shelves to determine stock levels and what needs to be ordered. The store will have detailed real-time stock level information that the system uses to place re-orders through EDI.

RECEIVING GOODS

As goods arrive in the store, the products will be scanned as they are received and the amount received will be entered and the stock levels adjusted accordingly.

PDES

This will process will also involve the use of portable data entry units (PDEs). PDEs are like mini computers. A PDE is a small hand-held device that displays data about stock and allows for data to be entered into it, which can then be transferred to a connected computer. It has a scanner and keypad input to enter data.

IMAGES OF PDES

BENEFITS

EDI is beneficial for a store as • it reduces the time spent on stock control tasks• it eliminates manual re-keying of data• cuts order processing costs• increases data accuracy• improves cycle time of ordering goods • makes just-in-time deliveries possible.