Development of a merchandise management with branch and sales integration.

In this project the specific challenge was the mapping of complex business processes across location. Not only each branch but also the sales representatives had to be integrated in the system. The offline functionality was a very important criterion. For this reason, a decentralized solution was implemented, using agent technologies to detect data modifications within each location, create data packets and prepare for transmission to the respective location. We especially created a program for the data transfer via ISDN. The agent then processes all incoming data at the respective locations.

MS Access was used for the development of the management front-end. MS SQL serves as database and Visual Basic with C++ was used for the technical solution of the data transmission and agent technologies.

Results:

• Rapid availability of the products in the branches consequently reducing ordering times of customers.
• Optimized supply quality by reduction of incorrect entries and miscommunication.
• Reduced order processing and warehouse management.
• Permanent reduction of stock.
• Improved data quality for prognosis and controlling.
• Significantly simplified ordering processes.