NewWave Technologies Automates Supply Chain

NewWave Technologies Automates Supply Chain with Workflow

 

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NewWave Technologies, Inc. is a nationwide, full-service distributor of check and document imaging, automated data storage, mobile solutions, and DVD/CD/Blu-Ray Disc Publishing solutions.

 

The Business Challenge

“We don’t just sell technology; we use it,” began Bill Cordell, President of NewWave Technologies. “Many of the process automation solutions we implement are to enhance customer experience, to take some of the tasks resellers struggle with and help them through automation. Our objective is to lower our customers’ transactional costs while improving our customer service.”

One big bottleneck for the company was its Return Material Authorization (RMA) process. When a customer must return a product, the procedure often became a chore and a cost burden for customer, distributor and vendor alike. Unlike processing orders for delivery, returns present a whole new level of complexity and NewWave’s existing ERP system did not adequately address its needs. To handle returns, VARs (Value-Added Resellers) and end-users must obtain return authorization numbers and shipping addresses; NewWave employees manage this process along with related credits across multiple departments; and vendors—the originating link in the supply chain—also deal with a host of details for timely return of merchandise. Without efficient processes, materials can be misplaced, lost or return privileges rescinded.

When details were missing, such as a restocking fee, paper RMA forms were shuffled between NewWave employees. Accounting spent hours each day issuing credits and verifying data. The administrative activity was pure expense to all parties.

 

The Solution

BizTech, an OpenText authorized reseller, integrated OpenText .Net Workflow Server with NewWave’s TakeStock distribution management ERP solution—and the return is impressive. While RMAs more than doubled with added business, processing takes only half the time. The workflow software manages the RMA process from the time a customer calls to request a return, to the arrival of material at NewWave or a vendor location. Upon notice of a return, each salesperson—who handles an average of 75 to 100 returns per month—enters data into the workflow software. “Instead of taking 10 minutes to fill out paper forms for every RMA, now it only takes them a couple minutes to enter the part or serial number, while everything else (ship-to address, cost resale and so on) is automatically populated,” Cordell explained.

The workflow software ensures data is entered properly and forwarded only when complete. “Our sales team reallocates that time to selling. That’s what we want them to do—help our customers sell product versus spending all day handling returns.”

For convenience, real-time records of open RMAs may be viewed in TakeStock or extracted from the SQL database and displayed on the corporate intranet powered by Microsoft Sharepoint. As a Microsoft partner, BizTech has extensive experience in developing integrated solutions with SharePoint. Upon approval, the workflow software delivers emails to customers with RMA numbers and return packing slips. If products are not returned to NewWave or its suppliers within a set time, the Workflow Software sends email reminders to VARs or vendors. “Before using workflow, employees spent four or five hours per week making calls or sending emails to track down materials,” Cordell said. “Now it’s immediate and automated. It’s just a matter of the customer responding.”

RMA processing is also simplified for the accounting department. Credit memos, cost verifications and other items are now automatically issued. As a result, the accounting team reduced the number of hours spent processing RMAs by close to 70%, resulting in almost two hours per day each employee may direct to other tasks. Among other streamlined accounting processes, turnaround to issue credits has been decreased by 10 to 15 days.