Remote Fulfillment Optional
Module
Purpose
Publishers are increasingly finding it advantageous to out-source
their warehousing operation to third party Fulfillment Service companies.
A Fulfillment Service is usually a warehousing operation that stores
the publisher's inventory, ships merchandise to the publisher's customers,
and encloses an invoice or packing slip with each shipment. The ACUMEN
Remote Fulfillment Optional Module enables the Publisher and Fulfillment
Service to electronically synchronize data between operations, lowering
costs and increasing accuracy and efficiency.
How the Module Works
A group of orders are selected in ACUMEN. They can be a designated
batch, a date selection, or any other meaningful criteria. The Export
menu command is chosen and an export format is selected. ACUMEN creates
a text file of the orders which are eMailed to the service. After
the service fills the orders it returns a file with completed order
information. That file is imported into ACUMEN. The import updates
shipment information for the original orders. The following diagram
illustrates the complete process: |
 |
| |
| ACUMEN provides options
for controlling how the Remote Fulfillment system will function: |
- Choice of Fulfillment Service.
- Export Filters can be based on date, warehouse, status or type.
- Import update control.
|
 |
| |
| Fulfillment Services Currently
Supported |
- Banta Corporation
- Bookworld Services Inc.
- Dearborn Trade Distribution
- Genco Distribution System
- Maple-Vail Book Manufacturing Group
- Publishers Storage & Shipping Corp.
- Sheridan/Bookcrafters
- Ware-Pak Inc.
- Western Distribution Service
|
| |
Remote
Fulfillment vs. Fulfillment Import
ACUMEN has two distinct optional modules for handling various types
of fulfillment relationships. The difference is based on who takes
the orders. If you take your own orders, you need the Remote Fulfillment
module. If you have out-sourced order taking, you need the Fulfillment
Import module. The following table displays the most common relationships
and which module would be used. |
| |
| Relationship |
Module |
| You take your orders and a fulfillment
house fills them. |
Remote Fulfillment |
| A consignment distributor handles
your sales & fulfillment. |
Fulfillment Import |
| A service takes your
orders and you fill them. |
Fulfillment Import |
|
