The 80:20 Rule of Order Management

Most businesses process orders using a combination of phone, fax, mail, email, EDI, or web ordering mechanisms. Typically, 20% of customers are providing 80% of the value of all orders. The remaining 80% of customers are taking up the majority of effort of customer service or order desk for order capture, stock checks, exception handling, etc. using traditional phone, fax or e-mail methods of ordering.

The Internet has provided a new channel for leveling the effort and resolving this 80:20 problem with a variety of ecommerce and distributed order management solutions such as ThoughtSpeed's TS Link™. ECommerce solutions provide a single point of order capture and flow. Distributed Order Management systems go beyond this to provide collaboration between the supplier, their distribution partners and the distributors customers in the complete order flow.

Order Entry from Anywhere - Anytime with Internet Browser

ThoughtSpeed's TS Link™ facilitates collaboration among all parties in the distribution chain, providing access through secure, self-service portals to improve order creation, accuracy and fulfillment. There is no software to install - simply a web browser. The system is designed to accommodate growth and expansion as new partners, distributors and customers are added to the collaboration network.

TS Link™ automates the interactions between your company, your distributors, partners and their customers; driving order processing efficiency by creating a virtual distribution network to complement other business channels.

TS Link™ Connects with WMS, IMS, OMS, and Financials - Real-Time!

All data is maintained in a secure, centralized, online system, which is synchronized with internal systems such as warehouse management, order management, enterprise resource management and financial systems. Through web services, which utilize XML-based communications, it is possible to maintain a real-time view of transaction processing, allowing you to make better and timely decisions to maintain efficient order processing and customer satisfaction.

Flexible and Adaptable Configuration

Every business is different - products are organized differently, pricing structures vary and the distribution networks may combine both Wholesale and Dealer/Distributor relationships. The system is designed to accommodate all of these variations.

Rapid ROI - Software as a Service Model Eases Financial Pain!

TS Link™ significantly reduces the total cost of ownership for extending the value through your distribution chain. As a hosted, online system there is no hardware or software to purchase and maintain. Creating and synchronizing web content using ThoughtSpeed's product management tools and web services components allow for rapid deployment and efficient maintenance of the system. A fee for service subscription model rather than software licensing allows you to pay as you use the system and budget for growth.

Improve Customer Satisfaction with Self-Service

Distributors and their customers have controlled access to the information needed for managing their orders:

• Combined search, pick and order    
• Control of divisional and departmental spend
• Allocate order expenses to cost centers
• Manage multiple regular "stocking" orders through favorites lists
• View of order history and generate ad-hoc reports
• Select from multiple shipment methods
• Real-time order and shipment tracking
• Easily create return and refund transactions
• Immediate access to Specials and Clearance events
• Price management controls

Web Services

For the technically minded, ThoughtSpeed™ web-based solutions are built on a multi-tier architecture with business functionality built within the database for efficiency and security, while access control and management are distributed across other levels. Account and transaction information is maintained separately to ensure security and privacy.

Communication with other systems is managed through a set of specialized web services that have been developed to ensure easy integration with a variety of legacy environments.

Web service functions available, include:

• Sales Order    
• Order Confirmation
• Inventory Update
• Price Update
• Product Update
• Account Update
• Web Access Monitoring
• Bi-directional Real-time EDI/XML Communication
• WMS
• ERP
• Online Orders
• Web Services

ThoughtSpeed™ has standardized information management and communication through the use of XML standards. The use of XML combined with our web services, allows rapid integration to the largest variety of legacy warehouse management, enterprise resource planning, financial and distribution/order management systems.

"Rock-Solid" Technology

Adaptability to business needs and to established technology environments

Reliability and Stability - load balancing, fault tolerance, resource management as well as checks and balances for data accuracy

Low cost of use (ownership) - web-enabled processes for conducting business

Ease of use - intuitive interfaces and processes - the systems work the way people do

Flexibility - embedded rules and customizable components

Scalability - robust infrastructure and architecture

Speed - even on dial-up connections response times are better than most systems

Catalog/Product Configurator (Catalog Development Utility)

ThoughtSpeed's intuitive catalog "builder" allows you to import extracted product data from external systems into Excel workbooks. This product information is used to create Catalog hierarchies by Department, Category, Classes and Groups.

All key product information and content is available for administrative modification prior to uploading to the online server. Other important data such as; images, substitute products, associated documents, warranty, specifications and contract pricing by SKU, is available for addition and modification by the user.

Once configured, the product information is exported to the online server using XML technology.