Sales

Effective Warehouse Management Solutions

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Many logistics software companies offer supply chain solutions which covers the complete process of merchandise delivery from seller to buyer. Leading logistics software company Magaya, offers Supply Chain Solution which gives companies the functionality of an ecommerce system, warehouse management system and a Cargo System. You also get additional sales and purchasing capabilities to connect all your processes from Quotations to Purchase Orders and shipments.
The Purchasing Process
The purchasing process begins with a Purchase Order (PO) created in the Magaya Supply Chain Solution, containing all the information about the order. The PO is sent to the manufacturer or supplier. Convert the PO into a Pickup Order. Then the merchandise is sent to the warehouse. When the cargo arrives, the Pickup Order can be automatically converted into a Warehouse Receipt (WR). The accounting department can instantly use the original PO to create a bill that goes to Accounts Payable and is later used to pay the provider.

The Sales Process
The sales process begins with a customers inquiry for merchandise and delivery. Create a Quotation in the Supply Chain Solution and email it to the customer. All the information from the Quotation can be converted into a Sales Order and automatically transferred to a shipping order. Local deliveries and international shipping can be processed with all trade documentation included such as the Bill of Lading, Air Waybill, Cargo Manifest and others. The details from the Quotation, Sales Order, and shipment are processed automatically through the integrated accounting system in the Magaya Supply Chain Solution. Invoices are automatically created and processed.
Main Feature Of The Warehouse Management System
Quotations
Delivery and storage prices included

Pickup Orders
Pickup and delivery charges included

Warehouse Receipts
Keep a record of arrival and location of cargo
Create tasks to receive and put away cargo using Magaya WMS Mobile

Cargo Releases
Keep a record of release date, time, and delivery carrier
Create tasks to Pick and Load orders using Magaya WMS Mobile

Warehouse Inspector
Define locations for receiving, storage, quality control, a holding area, etc.
Manage storage capacity to reduce empty spaces and create efficiency

Inventory Control Software

Just-in-Time Inventory
Inventory Cycle and Physical Counts
Control Inventory by SKU and/or Serial Numbers

24-Hour Inventory Visibility
Available to your customers in real-time via Magaya
Automatic Billing
Charges are calculated automatically by the Tariff feature
Invoices are created automatically by the Recurrent Invoicing feature

Integrated Accounting System Features
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Payable
Banking and Checking
Financial Reports
Collections Reports
Multicurrency options

What Are The Disadvantages Of Buying Organic Foods

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Are you interested in making the switch to organic foods? If you are, you may want to first verify that you are making the right decision. You likely already know the many benefits to eating organic foods, as these benefits are often prominently displayed and advertised. With that being said, we rarely hear the disadvantages to eating organic foods.

One of the few disadvantages to eating organic foods is the cost. Do you know how much most organic foods costs? If not, you may first want to examine those costs before you make the decision to switch to organic foods. There is nothing worse than being blindsided or surprised with the cost of organic foods. After a close look, you will see that organic foods do cost a little bit more money, but that increase in cost can add up overtime.

Although the cost of organic food may turn you and other hopeful eaters away, it is also important to know that there are multiple ways in which you can go about saving money. For example, you can search for organic food sales at your local natural food stores or supermarkets. You stock up when you see those sales or choose to shop at a store that is know for their everyday low prices on organic foods. Organic food coupons can also be used. These coupons can be found online, with a standard internet search, in many stores, as well as in weekend newspapers.

In addition to costs, another disadvantage to eating organically is the limited selection of products that some individuals are faced with. Luckily, not everyone is faced with this organic food eating disadvantage. Often times, those who live in small cities and towns find it the hardest to buy organic foods. With that being said, it doesnt matter whether you live in a small town or a huge city, there are still a number of different ways that you can go about buying organic foods.

A great way to buy organic foods if you live in a small town is by going directly to the source, organic farmers. This is great way to get your organic fruits and vegetables, as many small towns now have organic farmers. You can also search for specialty organic food stores by using online business directories, your local phone book, or by asking those that you know for recommendations. The internet can also be used to shop online.

As previously stated, you can shop online to buy organic foods, but it is also important to know that there are a number of cons or downsides to doing so. This is mostly due in part to the requirements of shopping online. For example, a computer and internet connection is required to shop online. Many online shoppers also need to pay for shipping costs. Speaking of payments, most online food stores only accept credit or specific debit cards, namely those that can be processed as credit cards.

Although there are a number of disadvantages to eating organic foods, it is also important to remember the benefits or advantages to doing so as well. For starters, organic foods are all natural and safe to eat. There is no having to worry about potentially harmful chemicals, additives, and pesticides. Organic foods are also helping the environment and the economy.

Falling Fowers, Yard Sales, And The Diploma In The Box

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How would you describe life? What is it? In a short little book of the Bible written by the Apostle James we find the answer. “Life is but a vapor. It’s here for a moment and then it’s gone.” Another of the Apostles described our lives in much the same way saying, “All flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers and the flower falls away.” In two short passages of Scripture we are given an extremely sobering and important reminder.

The inspired words of the Apostles should remind us that so many of the things that steal away our time, energy, effort, and finances won’t matter much in the end. The things that keep so many people awake at night suffering from anxiety induced insomnia are all temporary.

Our lives are vapor.

You and I are as grass. The achievements that currently seem so incredibly important to most of us in this age, just like a dying flower will wilt away into nothingness.

Regardless of how much we exercise and how carefully we monitor what we eat, the mortal and corruptible bodies we are currently wearing will eventually begin to wear out, break down, get sick, and die. There is no avoiding it. Do some research. Check out the death statistics yourself. They are startling! Surprisingly enough, one hundred out of every one hundred people die.

Think about the thousands upon thousands of diplomas proudly displayed in offices around the globe. We spend a fortune in student loans paying for that diploma and a tenth of our lifetime working for it in the hope that it might help us land a better paying job. But have you ever thought about where that diploma is going to eventually end up?

One day your diploma, along with your framed employee of the decade certificate are going to find their way into a cardboard box in someone’s garage or attic. Eventually your children or grandchildren are going to have a yard sale to free up some space for extra storage. Your plaque and diploma will find their way out onto the driveway in the ninety-nine cent box on top of a folding table.

The neighbor from across the street will wander over to pick through the loot. When she sees the diploma and employee of the decade certificate in their shiny frames she is going to be overjoyed. As she lifts them from the ninety-nine cent box your grandson will walk over to ask if she needs any help. They will haggle over the price for a minute or two before she walks away with a smile on her face carrying the two prizes she purchased for a total of fifty cents!

Immediately after making her way back across the street she will grab a screw driver to pry open the back of each frame. She will pull out the diploma, crumple it up, and toss it in the trash followed immediately by the cherished employee of the decade certificate. She will then run to her computer to print out a picture of her dog and one of her cat, put them in the frames and hang them on her bathroom wall.

“All flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers and the flower falls away.”

James Flanders is a musical artist, writer, audio blogger, and full-time student of Scripture. You can find some of his music on sites like CDBaby and Rhapsody. Dozens of his audios can be found on YouTube and his main site “The Path Of Grace.”

The Advantages Of Kiosks

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One smart way to bring in a fresh technical edge to your business, marketing, sales, or client servicing is to start utilising the potential in kiosks. In the modern world, where the market is characterised by competition, increasing options, and freedom of choice, one cannot ignore the vast possibilities and potentials of kiosks. The growth of kiosks has been phenomenal in the last 5 years across the world. While kiosks involve a relatively higher initial investment, it proves to be cost effective within a very short time.

Modern kiosks are computer-programmed interfaces that facilitate interaction with customers resulting in the exchange of goods or information. The customer is normally aware of the product or information he is seeking for. In other cases, kiosks aim at informing the user in minimal time about his options from the kiosk. Hence, it acts not only as a marketing and informative tool but also as the final sales agent.

Kiosks can be popular and advantageous to various businesses on a number of grounds.

Ensures round the clock sales or service
The primary advantage of kiosks is their machine based intelligence’, which nullifies the need for a human’s presence during a transaction or interaction with a client. Hence, kiosks can be functional 24 hours a day, making possibilities of sale round the clock.

Encourages self service
Most customers of modern age prefer choosing, deciding, and transacting privately or on their own, or with minimal interference from sales agents. They prefer to seek technical opinion only when they need it. In such an evolving nature of client base, kiosks prove to be a perfect interface since it is entirely designed on the notion of self service’.

Allows easy maintenance
Kiosks are generally easy to put together or pull apart for maintenance. In the event of a system failure, most companies rely on the sound technical support system provided by the kiosk providers.

Limits functionalities, enhances focus
Owing to limited interaction possibilities in a kiosk, users are focused to a certain family of information, within which, their choices get limited. Hence, kiosks minimises irrelevant demands of customers to a large extent.

Increases market reach
Not only do kiosks work 24 hours a day, they also increase market outreach. Mostly kiosks are designed to be located in public places or targeted areas. This opens up the prospect of having unlimited and a wide variety of users.

Reduces work load
Kiosks effectively do the job of marketing, sales, or public relations personnel. Effectively, they reduce workload and cost of having commensurate number of personnel at late hours and remote locations.

Advertises
Innovative kiosks and interfaces have a huge impact on the image and goodwill of your business. They become statements of your commitment, research, awareness, and reliability.

Kiosks-UK.com is one of the leading service providers in the world of kiosks. If you are thinking of installing kiosks or contemplating about changing your existing set of kiosks, remember to visit us. We are one of the most experienced players in designing, installing, and supporting all technical needs for kiosks in the UK. We, at www.kiosks-uk.com, ensure efficiency, timeliness, technical edge, and professionalism for your business needs. Call us or visit us today for more on kiosks.

An Alternative To Venture Capital In The Food And Beverage Industry

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If you are an entrepreneur with a small food or beverage company looking to take it to the next level, this article should be of particular interest to you. Your natural inclination may be to seek venture capital or private equity to fund your growth, but that might not be the best path for you to take. We have created a hybrid M&A model designed to bring the appropriate capital resources to you entrepreneurs. It allows the entrepreneur to bring in smart money and to maintain control.

We have taken the experiences of a beverage industry veteran, a food industry veteran and an investment banker and crafted a model that both large industry players and the small business owners are embracing.

I recently connected with two old college mates from the Wharton Business School. We are in what we like to call, the early autumn of our careers after pursuing quite different paths initially. John Blackington is a partner in Growth Partners, a consulting firm that advises food and beverage companies in all aspects of product introduction and market growth. You might say that it has been his life’s work with his initial introduction to the industry as a Coke Route driver during his college summer breaks.

After graduation, Coke hired John as a management trainee in the sales and marketing discipline. John grew his career at Coke and over the next 25 years held various positions in sales, marketing, and business development. John’s entrepreneurial spirit prevailed and he left Coke to consult with early stage food and beverage companies on new product introductions and strategic partnerships.

Steve Hasselbeck is now a food industry consultant after spending 27 years with the various companies that were rolled up into ConAgra. His experience was in managing products and channels. Steve is familiar with almost every functional area within a large food company. He has seen the introduction and the failed introduction of many food industry products.

John’s experience at Coke and Steve’s experience at ConAgra led them to the conclusion that new product introductions were most efficiently and cost effectively the purview of the smaller, nimble, low overhead company and not the food and beverage giants.

Dave Kauppi is now the president of MidMarket Capital, a M&A firm specializing in smaller technology based companies. Dave got the high tech bug early in his business life and pursued a career in high tech sales and marketing. Dave sold or managed in computer services, hardware, software, datacom, computer leasing and of course, a Dot Com. After several experiences of rapid accent followed by an even more rapid decent as technologies and markets changed, Dave decided to pursue an investment banking practice to help technology companies.

Dave, John, and Steve stayed in touch over the years and would share business ideas. In a recent discussion, John was describing the dynamics he saw with new product introductions in the food and beverage industry. He observed that most of the blockbuster products were the result of an entrepreneurial effort from an early stage company bootstrapping its growth in a very cost conscious lean environment.

The big companies, with all their seeming advantages experienced a high failure rate in new product introductions and the losses resulting from this art of capturing the fickle consumer were substantial. When we contacted Steve, he confirmed that this was also his experience. Don’t get us wrong. There were hundreds of failures from the start-ups as well. However, the failure for the edgy little start-up resulted in losses in the $1 – $5 million range. The same result from an industry giant was often in the $100 million to $250 million range.

For every Hansen Natural or Red Bull, there are literally hundreds of companies that either flame out or never reach a critical mass beyond a loyal local market. It seems like the mentality of these smaller business owners is, using the example of the popular TV show, Deal or No Deal, to hold out for the $1 million briefcase. What about that logical contestant that objectively weighs the facts and the odds and cashes out for $280,000?

As we discussed the dynamics of this market, we were drawn to a merger and acquisition model commonly used in the technology industry that we felt could also be applied to the food and beverage industry. Cisco Systems, the giant networking company, is a serial acquirer of companies. They do a tremendous amount of R&D and organic product development. They recognize, however, that they cannot possibly capture all the new developments in this rapidly changing field through internal development alone.

Cisco seeks out investments in promising, small, technology companies and this approach has been a key element in their market dominance. They bring what we refer to as smart money to the high tech entrepreneur. They purchase a minority stake in the early stage company with a call option on acquiring the remainder at a later date with an agreed-upon valuation multiple. This structure is a brilliantly elegant method to dramatically enhance the risk reward profile of new product introduction. Here is why:

For the Entrepreneur: (Just substitute in your food or beverage industry giant’s name that is in your category for Cisco below)

1.The involvement of Cisco – resources, market presence, brand, distribution capability is a self fulfilling prophecy to your product’s success.

2.For the same level of dilution that an entrepreneur would get from a VC, angel investor or private equity group, the entrepreneur gets the performance leverage of smart money. See #1.

3.The entrepreneur gets to grow his business with Cisco’s support at a far more rapid pace than he could alone. He is more likely to establish the critical mass needed for market leadership within his industry’s brief window of opportunity.

4.He gets an exit strategy with an established valuation metric while the buyer helps him make his exit much more lucrative.

5.As an old Wharton professor used to ask, What would you rather have, all of a grape or part of a watermelon? That sums it up pretty well. The involvement of Cisco gives the product a much better probability of growing significantly. The entrepreneur will own a meaningful portion of a far bigger asset.

For the Large Company Investor:

1.Create access to a large funnel of developing technology and products.

2.Creates a very nimble, market sensitive, product development or R&D arm.

3.Minor resource allocation to the autonomous operator during his skunk works market proving development stage.

4.Diversify their product development portfolio – because this approach provides for a relatively small investment in a greater number of opportunities fueled by the entrepreneurial spirit, they greatly improve the probability of creating a winner.

5.By investing early and getting an equity position in a small company and favorable valuation metrics on the call option, they pay a fraction of the market price to what they would have to pay if they acquired the company once the product had proven successful.

Dean Foods utilized this model successfully with their investment in White Wave, the producer of the market leading Silk Brand of organic Soy milk products. Dean Foods acquired a 25% equity stake in White Wave in 1999 for $4 million. While allowing this entrepreneurial firm to operate autonomously, they backed them with leverage and a modest level of capital resources. Sales exploded and Dean exercised their call option on the remaining 75% equity in White Way in 2004 for $224 million. Sales for White Way were projected to hit $420 million in 2005.

Given today’s valuation metrics for a company with White Way’s growth rate and profitability, their market cap is about $1.26 Billion, or 3 times trailing 12 months revenue. Dean invested $5million initially, gave them access to their leverage, and exercised their call option for $224 million. Their effective acquisition price totaling $229 million represents an 82% discount to White Wave’s 2005 market cap.

Dean Foods is reaping additional benefits. This acquisition was the catalyst for several additional investments in the specialty/gourmet end of the milk industry. These acquisitions have transformed Dean Foods from a low margin milk producer into a Wall Street standout with a growing stable of high margin, high growth brands.

Dean’s profits have tripled in four years and the stock price has doubled since 2000, far outpacing the food industry average. This success has triggered the aggressive introduction of new products and new channels of distribution. Not bad for a $5 million bet on a new product in 1999. Wait, let’s not forget about our entrepreneur. His total proceeds of $229 million are a fantastic 5- year result for a little company with 1999 sales of under $20 million.

MidMarket Capital has created this model combining the food and beverage industry experience with the investment banking experience to structure these successful transactions. MMC can either represent the small entrepreneurial firm looking for the smart money investment with the appropriate growth partner or the large industry player looking to enhance their new product strategy with this creative approach.

This model has successfully served the technology industry through periods of outstanding growth and market value creation. Many of the same dynamics are present in the food and beverage industry and these same transaction stru7ctures can be similarly employed to create value.