Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Forms of Route Accounting (from wiki)


Forms of Route Accounting

Call accounting capabilities can be acquired in several forms.
Fully Integrated System
  • Route Accounting can be in the form of a fully integrated system from a single vendor. This means that the programming running on the mobile computer, the settlement system, and the back office accounting system probably share a similar development path. Further there should be some consistency in the way the system operates. For example, reprinting of an invoice in the office should match what was printed in the field.
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Add On Point of sale or Mobile Sales System
  • A business system can become a route accounting system with the addition of a mobile sales system. The portion of the system operating as a mobile sales system is much like a point of sale system, but able to act as a remote sales system for the office accounting system. In this mode transactions created on the mobile side may or may not integrate fully. As well, other issues can arise. For example, price rules, products, and customer information may need to be created in separate locations.
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  • Route accounting software functionality can be accessed as an online software service. Software services are typically hosted by the software vendor themselves. SaaS providers often include optional levels of systems monitoring, management, and analysis services atop the route accounting software itself. SaaS solutions (also sometimes called managed service solutions or application service provider (ASP) solutions) generally provide greater operational simplicity while actually providing more software capability and greater return on investment. Like the hosted enterprise route accounting solutions, managed service providers eliminate distributed route accounting systems and with them the related management and attention required to keep multiple distributed systems operating, refreshed, and current. Like enterprise call accounting software above, SaaS is easily justified if you compare it to the total lifecycle cost of ownership for the distributed technology.
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Common Features of Route Accounting Applications (from wiki)


Common Features of Route Accounting Applications

Route Sales (Sales Staff) Productivity
  • Route Accounting systems also gather accurate statistics as to productivity, not only of inventory items, customers and suppliers, but also customer routes and route sales staff. Information that is collected usually included time and date stamping, amount and price (with taxes) of sold products, returned products and reason for return.
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Pricing Rules
  • A route accounting system also should offer some way to attach special price lists to a customer or customer group based on regional locations, routes, quantity breaks, or specials. There should be some method to control consistency of pricing.
Inventory Control & Management
  • Where DSD, Van Sales, or Delivery Confirmation is a requirement, then accurate inventory control of items in the warehouse (or truck) is required. A complete route accounting system therefore will have some way to assign warehouse identification to trucks, to count and reconcile inventory, and to have a full audit trail for adjustments. These trucks are then rolling warehouses representing a point-of-sale location.
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Integration
  • Transactions should integrate smoothly with full audit trail to the main accounting system. Collisions, if any, need to be recorded and reconciled.
Mobile Management & Control
  • Mobile computers, or PDA are usually used. Since these are specialized devices, there needs to be some method for managing these devices.
Settlement Systems

Route Accounting System (from wiki)


A Route Accounting System is a business software system or ERP system that captures, records, and costs sales transactions for distributors with mobile warehouses, usually trucks, operating as Direct Store Distributors, Van Sales, Pre-Sell, Delivery Confirmation.
To be a full Route Accounting system, the mobile systems will function under the direct or indirect control of a central accounting system. In essence it is a mobile point of sale system. A Route Accounting system will usually include specialized functions and reports for mobile inventory control & management, mobile device management, remote settlement systems, and management reporting.
A Route Accounting system is similar to Call accounting used in the hospitality industry to track phone calls. In Route Accounting, the tracking is of transactions and inventory in trucks usually connected with convenience store distribution, restaurant supply, and similar business situations.

[edit]Common Applications of Route Accounting

Direct Store Distribution (DSD) (aka Direct Store Delivery, Van Sales)
  • Distributors, primarily those who serve convenience stores, will use a route accounting system to manage direct sales from their trucks to their customers, the convenience stores.
  • In the course of conducting this work, the DSD enterprise will load trucks with inventory, assign route sales professionals to customer groups and send these ‘mobile warehouses’ around the route to stock the shelves, accept return goods, and create invoices at point of sale.
  • The mobile side of the route accounting system may provide pricing, invoicing, inventory control, and customer information all of which may or may not be obtained from the back office ERP system. Ideally it will also act as a mobile point of sale system while also receiving payments and ROA’s (customer payments on account). The transactions are usually integrated to the enterprise’s ERP system automatically.
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Pre-Sales
  • Similar to Direct Store Distribution, pre-sales are simply customer orders where the inventory is not yet delivered. In this mode, mobile inventory control is usually not relevant and printed transactions may or may not be important.
  • The mobile side of the route accounting system may provide inventory levels in multiple supply warehouses and may also provide for both sales and pre-sales orders to be handled within the same system.
  • Ideally, these orders should be submitted automatically to the back office ERP system where they are fully integrated.
Delivery Confirmation (aka Proof of delivery)
  • Delivery confirmation provides for a way to settle previously created customer orders, pre-sales, at the mobile customer’s site. In this mode, mobile inventory control is usually relevant as is the need to print invoices.
  • The mobile system may provide the ability to edit the order before closing, or the ability to put shorted items on back order.
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B Mobile Route Accounting

Route Accounting

bMobile provides field force automation to such industries as food and beverage distribution, bakery goods distribution, automotive products and specialty item distribution, trade show sales and a variety of field service and delivery organizations. bMobile also offers a full line of mobile computer hardware with first quality handheld computers, wireless scanners, mobile printers and mobile accessories - all at budget prices. After the purchase, bMobile offers comprehensive technical support services to streamline software installation, employee training, system launch and continuing support. Using the latest web-based technology, telephone support and on-site service, bMobile will work with you through system launch and beyond. Route Accounting


WHAT WE DO - SALES FORCE AUTOMATION

bMobile™ specializes in integrating sales force automation technology with industry leading accounting software, inventory control applications and customer relationship management solutions. bMobile's line of products includes the Pocket PC Software bMobileSALES™, bMobileROUTEMANAGER™, and bMobileINVENTORY™ along with bMobileCONTROLLER™ and the web based solution, bMobileNET™.Route Accounting


Powered by the Windows Mobile operating system for the Pocket PC, bMobileSALES is designed for any size business seeking an extended computing solution for their mobile sales force, route sales or direct store delivery (DSD). bMobileSALES is a scalable Pocket PC software application that can function as a stand alone mobile computing tool or interface with your network applications allowing for a complete route accounting solution. bMobile can reside on any number of popular Pocket PCs, tablet PCs, laptops and notepad PCs, as well as specialized data collectors and other mobile computing devices. The sales force automation is completed with the addition of portable printers and barcode scanners. bMobileSALES empowers the mobile salesperson with updated information critical for new business acquisition and existing client servicing. Key functionality of bMobileSALES Route Accounting includes:

• Perform Customer History Look-up
• Update Customer Account Information
• Create New Accounts
• Record Inventory Transactions (Barcode Scanner Optional)
• Process Payments
• Collect and Digitally Store Signatures
• Generate and Print Invoices with optional Portable Printer

These tasks are accomplished within the Windows Pocket PC software environment providing easy to read screens and familiar user navigation. The highly functional yet simple layout allows a new user to quickly learn the application. This straight forward, intuitively designed software will minimize training time and reduce errors, saving time, money and customers. Route Accounting