SUMMER 2019

198
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
COMPUTER INSIGHTS INC. HOW MUCH POWER DOES YOUR SYSTEM GIVE YOU? from page 168
The system must be able to commit the components,
so that users know that the components are not available.
Then it must be able to add the value of the process to
the finished product, remove the component(s) from
inventory and add the new part to inventory at the
new cost. Without a system that handles secondary
processes, this process becomes chaotic. Parts show up
in inventory, they disappear without a trace, and then the
other product magically appears in inventory.
No one has any idea of what is going on. Here is an
example of a product that is coming in on a Processing PO:
Here is the lot control and traceability information:
Here is an example of the product that is committed
to that Processing PO:
Receiving the PPO increases the inventory of the
finished part:
Lot Control & Traceability
For many fastener products, lot control is required.
This is not an option; it is a mandatory requirement.
The lot control must include traceabilty to each of
the components that make up the finished product.
If the fastener company is selling Grade 5 or Grade
8 fasteners, this is part of their daily life. If they are
attempting to manage this manually, they are on a fool’s
errand. Some general-purpose systems have what I call
“decorative” lot control. i.e. the system seems like it has
lot control, but it is not robust, nor is it deep enough to
trace back to the components.
These are only a few of the issues; there are many
more, long part numbers, long descriptions, etc. I could
go on and on. Every time you run into a process that
is causing a “work around”, you are wasting time and
money. And you are putting your relationships with your
customers at risk. If your system isn’t helping, it is
hurting you.
At the same time, it reduces the inventory of the
component part:
More Information
To learn about The Business Edge TM
and what it
can for you, contact Computer Insights, Inc. by phone
at: 800-539-1233, email: sales@ci-inc.com or online at
www.ci-inc.com.
COMPUTER INSIGHTS, INC.