DCS Feature Overview

SUNBELT Distribution Control Solution is a blend of the latest "state of the art" computer technology and proven software. The software package is written to run under the UNIX Operating system and provides users with all the power and advantages of "Open Systems" architecture and a relational database. The SUNBELT Distribution Control Solution has been developed to allow many user's on the system at the same time and to allow each of the users to be processing multiple jobs.

Web Shopping Cart
Sunbelt's DCS Web provides your customers with the tools they need to browse and purchase your products via the Internet.

A simple connection between an NT server and your IBM system offers your customer access to your products, complete with pictures and extended descriptions. They will also have the opportunity to view your inventory when placing an order.

The NT server stores pictures in jpg or gif format and reads data from your customer master, merchandise class and item master stored on the Sunbelt system. You can control which customers have authorization to shop on-line as well as which items you want to offer on the web by making slight modifications to the previously mentioned programs. Perspective customers may also browse your product line but are restricted from purchasing any items unless they agree to become a customer.

All Internet orders are processed automatically using remote order entry program that generates an order in sales order processing.

Sunbelt will be happy to provide you with current web site locations.
For additional information, just give us a call.

Sales Order Processing
Sales Order Processing is the software module that begins the paper work flow of a customer order through the system. It has been designed to easily and efficiently handle all sales orders, cash sales or customer return authorizations. Full integration into the other software modules provides a tool that will improve the wholesale distributors ability to fulfill the needs of the customer

Ease of order entry with multiple lookup capabilities of customers, customer notes, previous customer purchases, inventory items, notes on inventory items and possible substitute items:

• Integration to Accounts Receivable for credit limit and past due verification.
• Ability to generate purchase order requests and/or direct purchase orders for items needed to satisfy a customer's order.
• Capable of handling credit card transactions.
• Automatic backorder fill to expedite customer orders when inventory is received into the warehouse.
• Flexible reports and inquiry screens which puts all the information needed by the order desk personnel right at their fingertips.

Inventory Control
In today's competitive world, distributors are measured by their responsiveness to their customers. Partial shipments, constant backorders, and long lead times will force your customers to become the competition's customer. Our proven solution will provide the necessary information to help you maintain the appropriate inventory mix and proper stocking levels with the minimum of time and human resources.

• Supports the latest purchasing and inventory management strategies.
• Provides Bar Code and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) power.
• Offers serial and lot tracking.
• Automatic purchase order generation with an electronic worksheet.
• Multiple warehouse information available with intercompany transfer tracking capability.
• Update inventory levels and control shrinkage with the physical inventory count package and deferred price change system.
• Receive item master and costing files directly from diskettes that many of your vendors now provide.
• Quick and efficient inquiries and reports will provide the information required to expedite inventory from your vendors through your company and to the customer.

Purchase Order Processing
The purchase order system will give you a means of entering orders, expediting and receiving inventory from your vendors. As merchandise is ordered and received, this module provides the control that the distributor needs to optimize inventory throughput, which improves turnover, increases sales while reducing shrinkage.
There is a link between Sales Order Processing, Inventory Control and the Purchase Order Processing modules which provides the ability to automatically generate Purchase Orders.

• Optional Purchase Order generation to either paper or electronically transmit it to the vendor by fax.
• Able to receive item information from vendor on diskette and electronically load it into the system.
• Maintain complete on-line history of all purchase orders both open and received.
• Easily receive partial or complete purchase orders into the system.
• Flexible reports and inquiry screens which put all the information needed by the purchasing department right at their fingertips.

Sales Analysis
Profitability of a distributor can be determined by product performance and the ability to recognize customer and industry trends. There is only one sure way to stay on top of these factors and that is with access to timely and accurate information. The SUNBELT Distribution Control System provides the tools necessary to take proactive measures in response to today's dynamic environment.

• Complete relational database access to all sales information for every line item from every order stored in history.
• Track all lost sales.
• Report for Level of Service being given to customers.
• Wide variety of easy to use inquiry screens which provide comprehensive information based on simple to use Construct Selection Screens.
• Compare current year's sales to previous year's sales and rank customers by sales volume of accounts receivable balance.

Accounts Receivable
Cash management is a vital part of the overall health of a wholesale distributor. It can be the deciding factor whether a company has the financial capacity to take advantage of a revenue generating opportunity or even the staying power to survive a downturn in the business cycle. Integrating this information into all parts of the company is crucial to financial stability.

• Display open or paid invoices on screen in either detail or summary mode.
• Integration with the Sales Order Processing module to maintain control of credit limits and past due accounts, as well as, place customers on unconditional credit hold.
• Capability to reprint an invoice or automatically send a fax copy to the customer to expedite collection.
• Merge overdue customer list into the integrated word processor for dunning letters.
• Track customer payment history and customer credit ratings.
• Powerful inquiries and reports which provide management with the necessary tools to react appropriately.

Bill of Materials
Companies that assemble parts into a finished inventory item, but sell both the finished items and component parts separately will profit from this program. The Bill of Materials package is integrated with the Sales Order Processing and Inventory Control modules. This integration will help maintain the proper stocking levels and provide analysis of all finished products as well as the sub-component inventory.

• Production of finished items
1. Automatic production of items shipped.
2. One-step production process.
3. Two-step production process: allocate then produce.
   
• Automatic production of nested items up to 20 layers deep.
• Global component search and replace.
• Complete tracking of production through work order number.

Shipment Process
The Shipment Manifest System has been designed to expedite the shipping process for a wholesale distributor. This module replaces all the manual steps involved to get your product to the customer. The steps that are automated include: generating shipping labels, producing and shipping manifest, calculating freight charges and tracking history. Through automation your company will speed up the amount of time it spends to prepare shipments.

Quotation Order Prcessing
Distributors that are in a bid or 'Request For Proposal' sales environment will benefit from the Quotation Order Processing module. This package provides the sales tools necessary to enter, produce, track and follow up all quotes given to customers and prospects. Having a computerized system and procedure in place to actively work and pursue new business will dramatically increase a distribution company's sales volume.

• Transfer a quote electronically into a sales order without having to re-key it.
• Duplicate a quote between customers.
• Modify a quote by a percentage of the sale price or profit margin.
• Track quotes by follow up date.

Prospect Tracking
Prospect Tracking is a computerized method of maintaining a file of prospective customers. It offers the sales oriented wholesale distributor a means to track prospects by territory, grade, type of business, contact name, as well as other criteria. It also provides a tickler file for future contact dates and notes. These options can be utilized to generate mailing labels and personalized letters. This powerful sales tool will enable your sales force to approach new prospects in an organized and aggressive manner, enabling them to achieve the company's sales objectives.

Office Intergration
This package is a collection of business tools which provide word processing, spreadsheet and mail merge capabilities. Integration of these tools into the SUNBELT Distribution Control Solution will provide a powerful instrument to help link people and departments with the important information they need to improve company communication and analysis capabilities.

Accounts Payable
The Accounts Payable system is an integrated module of the SUNBELT Distribution Control Solution. It was designed to provide maximum flexibility in controlling and monitoring your distribution business outside financial obligations. This module provides the ability to manage cash requirements and take advantage of discounts. Complete and detailed records of open and paid vouchers are always right at your fingertips.

• Establish default expense accounts by vendor.
• Automatic expense codes allow easy distribution to multiple general ledger accounts.
• Check reversal program voids expense checks and reestablishes open vouchers.
• Maintains complete history of all expense distribution and vouchers paid.
• Expense check reconciliation program.

Payroll
Producing your company's payroll checks in-house is a standard feature of any payroll system. With all the regulating bodies that an employer must report payroll deductions, payroll tax deductions, payroll tax withholdings, matching funds, and employee contribution information, it is critical that the system be accurate, flexible and complete. Maintaining and reporting all of the payroll information is a standard feature of the SUNBELT Distribution Control Solution, and will enable your company to bring that accounting feature back in-house.

General Ledger
The final step in the accounting process is the General Ledger. This module is fully integrated with Sales Order Processing, Inventory Control, Payroll, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable. The General Ledger module provides the reporting of the company's profitability, overall financial position and compares actual performance to budgeted projections.

• Supports prior and future transaction history.
• Complete budget comparisons by account, by fiscal period.
• Audit any transaction by account number, fiscal period, or dollar amount.
• Formatting of customer specified financial statements.