Clear Spider makes Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) possible by giving vendors and customers access to the same system. Both parties can update and view the system in real-time. As a result, data translation is seamless. Also, these permissions can be customized for each party so they only have access to the necessary features. This maintains organizational security while still allowing for easy and open communication.
From the vendor’s perspective, Clear Spider allows them to track inventory levels using min, max, and reorder points. These indicators will notify vendors when a customer’s inventory falls below preset levels. Vendors are able to track inventory through a variety of reports and live data. As a result, they can improve delivery times and accurately forecast customer demand. In addition, vendors can create purchase orders, print barcodes, run inventory reports, and more. Clear Spider helps to simplify and ensure accuracy in the order process.
Here are some of the features that our system offers to ease the VMI process:
Customizable Platform
Clear Spider is a customizable platform built on ASP.net, Microsoft’s web application framework. Using a customizable system like Clear Spider gives clients the ability to have an inventory system match their processes.
Rapid Data Loading
With Clear Spider, clients can import large amounts of data into the system using Excel spreadsheets. The provided template is useful for mass updates, rather than manually editing individual items. This makes it simple for firms to keep up to date information, even with large scale updates.
Role-Based Users
Users in the Clear Spider system can have different levels of access. For example, roles can limit your customers or vendors to only viewing inventories at their locations. As a result, inventory is private and only accessible to the appropriate users. Any degree of visibility is possible. Simply, it depends upon your business’ needs.
Reporting and Analytics
Clear Spider offers a variety of customizable SQL-based reports that you can export to Excel and XML formats. For example, billing history, order history, tracking number, and item reports. These reports help vendors effectively monitor system performance. Also, they can track historical data and trends.
Automatic Order Replenishment
The systems produces automatic purchase orders based on reorder points, min and max quantities, and consumption. These purchase orders with the appropriate quantities get desired inventory levels. Automatic replenishment helps reduce product shortages and ensure that orders are on time.
Consignment and Fulfillment Capabilities
Fulfillment is all of the processes that take a product from the vendor to their customers. Clear Spider’s fulfillment capabilities include order generation, acknowledgment, pick, pack, ship, bill, receive, and unit of measure conversion. Also, Clear Spider can customize the system further for capabilities that are unique to an organization. For example, consignment storage.
Intelligent Workflow Engine
The Clear Spider workflow engine deals with the process used in order management. Also, organizations can define the specific stages of an order and their sequence. As a result, Clear Spider meets any level of supply chain complexity to ensure each step is done.
Barcode and RFID Scanning
With Clear Spider, companies have the option to integrate barcode or RFID scanners. If scanners are not already in place, Clear Spider can help select the right tech. Furthermore, clients can use barcodes that are already on items or print custom labels using the Clear Spider system. These capabilities make organizing and maintaining inventory a hassle-free process.
Grainger is one of our most successful VMI clients. They use the Clear Spider system to manage inventory for over 2 million customers, in 157 different countries. Below is some information on Grainger’s story, and how Clear Spider helped them succed.
Click here for more information on Vendor Managed Inventory, and how Clear Spider can help.
