Delivering IT solutions                 
                        to the 3^rd Party Logistics market

Advanta software drives a streamed eCommerce solution

Offering a transparent end to end eCommerce inventory management and dispatch facility, Sydney-based Stream Solutions has flourished from its inception, in February 1998, to running a current annual turnover of A$10 million. And growing.

Stream's birthplace lies with Websdale Print, a major Sydney printing operation, and the growing needs of its clients. Not only were major print buyers looking for large volumes of high quality print with a speedy turnaround, but a complete service encompassing tailored storage, inventory management and on-demand distribution of the product.

The time had come to expand, so together with Pongrass Communications, Websdale Print formed Stream Solutions: a dedicated web-centric warehousing and logistics operation, encompassing a fully integrated, electronic supply chain, managing client orders, billing and distribution.

Complex and customisable software

The backbone of a successful operation such as this is the strength of software systems that drive it. After exhaustive research Stream chose Advanta Software's Contract Warehousing suite of software.

Andrew Price, Stream's managing director concurs: "Advanta's Contract Warehousing package was the best available. It gave us the core functionality and flexibility to run and manage sophisticated customised workflows. In some areas it was tailored to our specific requirements and they have fit in with our needs as our business develops."

The applications of these workflow systems to client companies are literally endless, and actively change the paradigm of meeting demand with supply. It is an automated, seamless and transparent operation. While print management still accounts for a large percentage of Stream's current business, (this includes sourcing print from a large number of providers, to managing the integrated client supply chain), the benefits of this system reach much further. Encompassing the complete eCommerce package, happy clients include a rake of big name blue chip companies and web-startups alike.

The applications of these workflow systems to client companies are literally endless, and actively change the paradigm of meeting demand with supply.

Direct Web response

Customer orders can be processed through EDI (electronic data input) or client intranet, though the most popular method is direct web response. Andrew Price says: "For example, one of our clients is a major web-based telecommunications company, and uses our system to service new accounts. Customers fill out preselected details directly on the client website. Once that information is sent, our system receives and analyses it, and a completely personalised information kit - based on selected demographics - is automatically generated using variable data, and immediately dispatched to the customer. This process is completely automated, and takes minutes."

"If information is input by 4pm, the personalised kit is dispatched that day. A response email is issued to the customer within minutes, advising them of the status of their query and when to expect their product."

Companies of any size can run their complete supply chain through the net using these dedicated systems, and this is where major sustained growth will occur. Andrew Price gives an example of how a new company called backtoschool.com.au is trading, using Stream Solutions. "They are able to operate with very few staff because we provide them with a range of services through the Advanta software package. We can accept a customer order from the backtoschool.com.au website, process the credit card payment, and pick, pack and ship the order. Included with the order is a backtoschool.com.au customer receipt."

"So backtoschool.com.au are able to support their customers with a multi-million dollar fulfillment operation with no upfront infrastructure costs to their new company."

Transparent service

This software allows Stream and other companies like it using this software, to offer a completely transparent service. When the product is picked in the warehouse, a customised invoice/receipt bearing the client's name is printed up, and shipped with the product. All carried out efficiently, fast and nowhere near the customer's site!

Steve Nelson, sales manager at Advanta Software explains how RF-picking has raised the technology bar in contract warehousing. This technology allows Stream Solutions to accurately and paperlessly pick each customer's specific order from a warehouse replete with tens of thousands of products. "The customer's order is transferred directly from the client website, to the Stream system and then straight out to a radio frequency (RF) gun, a wireless terminal at Stream's warehouse. The RF gun will tell the storeman what location to go to in the warehouse. When he gets there, it tells him what product to pick, and where to find it. The product is then scanned to confirm accuracy. There is no room for error this way, if it's the wrong barcode, the system will not allow the product to be dispatched."

Theoretically, as the warehouse is mapped electronically, warehouse personnel don't have to know their way around! The RF gun tells you where to go so casual staff can be used to meet peak demand. Also the layout can be reconfigured and staff can still pick stock accurately and fast.

Multi-client capability

The strength of Advanta's Contract Warehousing software is that it is parameter driven, and for Stream Solutions' needs it provides a complete and transparent multi-client electronic workflow. Steve Nelson continues, "Stream stores product for a large number of clients, and our system tracks all of these products separately. Stream is now implementing the latest version of our Contract Warehouse package. This streamlines the process even more, incorporating a dedicated client billing and reporting facility."

With the large number of clients currently on Stream's books, an automated billing facility is a huge productivity advance. The client billing facility, like all the Advanta software, is parameter driven. Each client is billed through a range of chargeable tasks and each task can be defined by differing factors: volume, units etc. Storage and dispatch rates vary enormously from product to product. For example as it's cheaper to ship a phonebook than a fridge, then storage costs are defined and incorporated accordingly. Charge rates can be established by product or by contract.

Nelson continues: "The latest upgrade of our system automatically calculates all of these factors. It will calculate freight costs and electronically interface with the carrier. This means printed consignment notes are no longer needed, our system sends the consignment note electronically. All dispatches are fully traceable with a barcode, to ensure no errors."

Real time client reporting

Detailed client reporting is another crucial process, and value added feature for Stream Solutions and their clients. Clients can receive detailed and meaningful reports, according to their needs. Andrew Price says: "The latest Advanta reporting tools provide reports in Excel and Access, but customers can now also track their reports online in real time. This means clients can run their own reporting."

So with state of the art technology and an exploding market, how does Andrew Price see Stream Solutions progressing in the medium term? "We've grown about 250 per cent in the last 12 months, and our medium term plans 12 months ago were to expand our logistics into New Zealand and Asia. Currently we're trying to keep up with Sydney demand!"

Obviously the business community has seen that an outsourced integrated eCommerce solution such as this gives them a seamless (and painless) transition to the web. It allows them to enjoy radical productivity returns without expensive infrastructure.

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