Discover a reliable WMS solution trusted by SAP Business One customers worldwide. Our cutting-edge technology empowers businesses to excel in critical operational areas, ensuring seamless efficiency and maximum profitability.
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• Improved Inventory Oversight: Access real-time, detailed inventory data across all warehouse levels, enhancing decision-making and reducing carrying costs.

 

• Streamlined Warehouse Functions: Take control of essential warehouse tasks like cycle counting, inventory movements, picking accuracy, freight integration and space optimization, boosting operational efficiency.

 

• Enhanced Productivity: Utilize system-guided processes for put-away, picking, and cycle counting to maximize productivity and minimize errors.

 

• Effortless Remote Support: Enable remote warehouse management with our web-based interface, allowing seamless real-time inventory management from anywhere.

 

• Integrated Efficiency: Integrate seamlessly with EDI and Freight Shipping solutions to streamline the Order to Cash cycle, optimizing inventory management and improving overall business performance.

Transform your warehouse management with The RIC Group's proven solution today.

'Build a better bottom line with The RIC Group'

​Cluster picking and wave picking are two different methods used in warehouse management solution and order fulfillment to optimize the process of picking items for orders. Here is a brief overview of each method:

Cluster Picking

• Definition: Cluster picking is a method where pickers gather items for multiple orders at the same time.
• Process: The picker uses a cart or another method of transportation to collect items for several orders during a single trip through the warehouse.
• Advantages:
  • Reduces travel time by allowing pickers to gather items for multiple orders in one trip.
  • Efficient use of labor and resources.
  • Can speed up order fulfillment by simultaneously picking items for multiple orders.
• Considerations:
  • Requires careful organization to ensure items are properly sorted and allocated to the correct orders.
  • May require specialized equipment or carts to hold multiple orders at once.

Wave Picking

• Definition: Wave picking is a method where pickers complete orders in waves or groups based on specific criteria such as shipping schedules, delivery routes, or order priorities.
• Process: Orders are grouped together into waves based on criteria like destination, order size, or shipping deadline. Pickers complete all orders within a wave before moving to the next wave.
• Advantages:
  • Allows for efficient scheduling and coordination with shipping and delivery times.
  • Facilitates better organization and flow of orders through the warehouse.
  • Can help manage workload by scheduling waves based on pickers' availability and capacity.
• Considerations:
  • Requires careful planning to organize orders into waves based on different criteria.
  • May result in idle time between waves if not scheduled efficiently.

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Both methods aim to optimize the picking process in a warehouse, but each has its own advantages and considerations. The choice between cluster picking and wave picking depends on the specific needs and constraints of the warehouse and the nature of the orders being fulfilled.

The RIC Group's Warehouse Management Solution allows for both fulfilment strategies. Contact us on [email protected] for further information and guidance.

'Build a better bottom line with The RIC Group'
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Over time, there has been a shift from customers consulting their accountants to relying on ERP partners for business advice. They have taken on the role as trusted advisor. While it's beneficial to consult with ERP partners, it's essential not to stray from the management or team's desired investment direction. Nobody understands the business better than those who work in it daily. The role of the ERP partner should be to support your decisions rather than influence them.

It's important to acknowledge potential conflicts of interest when considering ERP partners' recommendations for add-on software. They may prioritize sales targets or agendas to maintain certain statuses with recommended products.

Bias in recommendations and hidden costs are common concerns. Incentives may influence recommendations, and future costs might not be fully disclosed during initial discussions.

ERP partners might provide outdated advice as they may not stay updated on technology trends. Their expertise typically lies in ERP implementation rather than software development.  They employ ERP consultants rather than software architects.

Limited expertise is another issue, especially when it comes to predicting ROI for implementing various software solutions beyond ERP. ERP partners may not grasp the intricacies of different processes and their impact on the business as a lot of it can be outside the ERP.

Customers should have a comprehensive digital transformation strategy, recognizing that ERP is just one part of the process. Often, other solutions like Warehouse Management Systems deliver higher returns for businesses.
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Mitigating risks when selecting software and finding the right partner is crucial. Best-of-breed software partners focus solely on helping businesses achieve optimal outcomes. The responsibility is on the customer to ensure a successful implementation.

At the heart of any successful business operation lies robust support infrastructure. In our experience, relying solely on ERP partners for support can lead to delays, especially when they have to relay issues to ISVs located halfway across the globe. Picture this scenario: your freight truck is ready to be loaded, but your Warehouse Management System hits a snag. Can your business afford to wait 48 hours or longer for a resolution?

That's why we emphasize the importance of direct, responsive support. With our tailored solutions, you'll have immediate access to local support teams, ensuring rapid resolution to any critical issues. Don't let support bottlenecks derail your operations – choose a Best of Breed solution who prioritizes your business's uptime and success.

'Build a better bottom line with The RIC Group'
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End users may look into new software such as a Warehouse Management Solution and their primary concern often revolves around its ease of use. They want to gauge how user-friendly the system is, as this directly impacts the learning curve for new users.
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Assessing ease of use goes beyond just navigating the system or menu. Factors like page load speeds, configuration capabilities, and the presence of visual dashboards play crucial roles. For instance, efficient configuration options can save time and resources by empowering super users to make changes without constant reliance on external support, which may incur additional costs.

During evaluation, it's essential to examine whether the software offers intuitive visual dashboards that provide clear insights into vital information. Moreover, considering integration capabilities is paramount in today's interconnected landscape, where seamless integration with other applications is vital.

In advising businesses, it's advisable not to let end-user preferences solely dictate the decision-making process. Instead, focus on understanding potential issues they foresee while considering factors such as ease of use, configuration capabilities, and integration potential. This approach ensures a well-rounded evaluation and selection process.

'Build a better bottom line with The RIC Group'
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Third-party logistics providers offer numerous benefits to businesses, but there are also draw backs.

1. Cost: 3PL services can be expensive, especially for small to medium businesses
2. Loss of Control: Businesses may sacrifice some control over their supply chain processes.
3. Dependency: Relying on a 3PL can create a dependency, risking disruptions.
4. Communication Challenges: Coordinating with a 3PL requires effective communication.
5. Risk Management: Outsourcing adds security, compliance, and reputational risks.
6. Customization Limitations: Off-the-shelf solutions may not meet specific business needs.
7. Quality Concerns: Service quality can vary, leading to issues like late deliveries or damaged goods.
8. Lack of Flexibility: Some 3PLs have limitations in capacity or capabilities.
9. Loss of Competitive Advantage: Using the same 3PL as competitors may erode differentiation.

However, I think our customer XTM sums it perfectly. You lose control of your brand and personal touch.

Jack’s of Fiji is an iconic Fijian brand with a rich heritage of service, products and community engagement spanning over 50 years.

The Transport Management Solution software from The RIC Group has given the Jack's of Fiji a streamlined process of receiving goods at each one of its retail stores while tracking the TOTEs for each delivery.

The Operations Manager at Jack's of Fiji gave the reference below:

"We have found the software to be highly efficient in managing inventory receiving processes. The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, which has significantly improved our team's productivity. We are pleased with its performance and the support received from the team and believe it will be a valuable addition to our organization."

A crucial factor in selecting top-notch software lies in the responsiveness of the support it offers. Immediate assistance is essential, especially when seeking support for your Warehouse Management System (WMS) and Transportation Management System (TMS). Delays or the unavailability of support, whether waiting until the next day or dealing with busy consultants, can be costly. If your business is hindered, for instance, by a delayed truck due to awaiting WMS support, it incurs significant financial losses.

To streamline the transactional cost of delivering goods to customers, it's imperative to collaborate with a supplier capable of providing timely support. This commitment to prompt support is a point of pride for The RIC Group team. With a dedicated focus on WMS and TMS only, our team comprehends the mission-critical nature of support for the success of your business.

Please feel free to reach out to us.

Last mile delivery has a big win on ROI. If you are implementing a WMS solution and you can print freight labels at the time of picking or packing, then it's a huge win for the business in lowering the cost of transaction. There doesn't need to be delays in waiting for a logistics manager completing all the freight, when the information is already in the WMS and can be parsed to the API of the freight solution. Recently we completed our UPS integration. Test label below.

Well-constructed roadmap is a strategic tool that fosters communication, aligns development efforts with business goals, facilitate resource planning, mitigates risks, priorities features, and ultimately contributes to the overall success of software.

When evaluating software, it is indeed prudent to inquire about the features introduced in the past twelve months as well as the upcoming features in the next twelve months. Understanding the recent developments provides insight into the software provider's commitment to innovation and their responsiveness to user needs. Inquiring about future features helps assess the software's roadmap and whether it aligns with your evolving requirements.
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Moreover, questioning the software provider about their plans regarding the adoption of the latest technology stack is crucial. In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, staying current with technology is essential for security, performance, and compatibility reasons. If the software provider is not actively moving the product forward to incorporate new technologies, there is a risk of being left with a static and potentially outdated product. Compatibility with the latest technology stack ensures that the software remains robust, secure, and adaptable to changing industry standards.

By posing these questions, users can make informed decisions about the software's viability for their long-term needs and assess the provider's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the ever-changing software landscape.

Some of the features and updates we have rolled out into the WMS and TMS in the last 12 months:

• Create ASN's using the WMS which uses our Rest API.
• Archive and Purge Data to improve speed and other database maintenance
• Ability to create complex Replenishment rules
• Integration with 3D Load Planning. The ability to load truck with the a 3D load plan, and even going further where the packer can load a pallet via 3D.
• Complete Rest API for TBO4 our WMS
• Further freight integrations DHL Express, Machship, OpenFreight, Cochranes, UPS
• Further flexibility with cycle counting
• Ability for Proof of Delivery to accept a tolerance
• Scan 2D barcode with 200+ serial numbers to get the data.
• 4.8 .NET Framework moving to .NET Core 8.0 for Linux
• Customer Service Portal - Track pick status, See consignments and manifest dates, see Live POD from TMS, fetch PODs from 3rd party freight, Planning board
• Certification with Sage Intacct
• Certification with Acumatica 2023R2
• QC with goods receiving
• Security Improvements
• Complete Jobs module

Our customer portal comes with dashboards which can are completely configurable. Allows users to see what has been dispatched for a date period, the status of orders, which carriers are top 10 and more.

Further enhancement to our Customer Service Portal now has a Planning Board. Warehouse and operations can see what orders they have for the day / week / month, when to expect incoming goods, what production orders are planned and more.

Contact us on our email so we can talk through the features of our Advanced Logistics solution including the Future Tech.
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May this festive season sparkle and shine. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The RIC Group's Warehouse Management Solution will be at the Acumatica Summit 2024 at our distributors stand Linfa Systems.

Acumatica Summit 2024 will take place starting Sunday, January 28 through Wednesday January 31 with three full days of expanded opportunities to network, to connect, to learn, to train, to celebrate and to discover.

The RIC Group's supply chain solution achieves DHL Integration. This allows our customers who are using DHL to have integrated WMS solution with DHL. This integration allows customers to create consignments for DHL local and overseas.

Visit here for more information on the DHL API.

Prospects will often tell us the flexibility the Supply Chain Software will need to have to meet their requirements. Often this happens when the customer has been using one software package for an extended period of time, and have bolted on customisations to suit their needs at that time 

Fulfilling B2C orders in one manner, B2B orders differently, and handling priority orders through separate processes might seem accommodating at first glance. However, this approach often results in a tangled web of processes. Instead of facilitating a streamlined system, it leads to confusion, increased complexity, and inefficiency within the supply chain software.

For me the strategy always has to be standardise the process. Establishing standard processes offers a multitude of benefits.

Consistency is the cornerstone of success. Implementing standardised processes ensures that tasks are performed in the same way every time. This uniformity streamlines operations, minimizes errors, and reduces the need for reinventing the wheel with each new project. When employees follow a set structure, it becomes easier to identify bottlenecks, address inefficiencies, and optimize workflow.

There are other benefits such as making training and onboarding simplified, gives you scalability and assists with compliance to reduce risk. Consistent processes form the backbone of efficiency, quality and reliability within an organisation.

Catch weight management is a crucial aspect for companies dealing with variable-weight items, especially in food distribution or industries where product weight fluctuates. The system allows for the tracking of both an average per item quantity/weight as well as an actual per item quantity/weight.

To simplify, catch weight management involves the identification and tracking of both average and actual per-item quantities or weights. This method is essential for effectively managing business processes, particularly when handling variable weight units of a product.

Example Scenario:

1. Receive the Order: A customer orders 12 packs case of frozen chickens. While the specific chickens to be shipped are not yet known, the average weight per chickens is communicated to the customer as 15 kgs, and they are billed at $1.50 per kilo. The invoice is estimated based on the expected weight of 180 kilos (12 chickens x 15 kilos each) at a cost of $270.00.
2. Provision the Product: When fulfilling the order, it's found that the actual weight of the selected chickens is lighter, totalling 150 kilos instead of the estimated 180 kilos. Utilizing catch weight management, the slightly lighter chickens are shipped, still meeting the customer's expectations.
3. Invoicing the Customer: To ensure accurate billing and customer satisfaction, the customer is invoiced based on the exact weight of 150 kilos rather than the initial estimated weight. The cost for the 150 kilos of chickens is calculated at $225.00 and reflected on the final invoice.

This system enables accurate invoicing, inventory control, and cost management by considering both the average and actual weights of variable items. It ensures fair and accurate billing, minimising discrepancies between estimated and actual quantities, and ultimately enhances customer satisfaction.

Businesses dealing with products that vary in weight and require invoicing based on the actual weight rather than a fixed quantity or package count find catch weight management vital. This approach is especially common in industries where the actual weight of a product determines its final price or cost. It allows for a more accurate and fair billing process, ensuring that customers are charged based on the exact weight they receive rather than an estimated or average weight.

Absolutely, implementing a Warehouse Management Solution (WMS) for accurately capturing catch weight items on the warehouse and factory floor is a game-changer for businesses dealing with variable-weight products. You can use the WMS to scan LPN (Licence Plate Numbering) as well which will capture all cartons and the weight on the pallet with an instance scan of the barcode.

The process of manually capturing weight, batch, expiry dates, carton counts, and other specifics for each item picked is not only error-prone but also incredibly time-consuming. Without an automated system, the potential for errors significantly increases, and the manual effort involved in tracking and inputting this data can slow down warehouse operations.

A WMS streamlines this process by automating the data capture through scanning GS-128 barcodes and more. As each carton or pack is scanned, the system automatically records vital information such as weight, batch numbers, expiry dates, carton counts, and the precise weight of the items picked. This data is then seamlessly transferred to the ERP system, ensuring accurate invoicing and streamlined operations.
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The efficiency gained by using a WMS not only minimizes errors but also accelerates warehouse processes. The ability to swiftly and accurately capture data, especially for catch weight items, ensures precise invoicing and enhances customer satisfaction. The use of automated technology significantly reduces the margin for error and ensures that customers are billed accurately based on the exact products received, thereby improving trust and reliability.

Please contact us for further information.