Buyers' guide to software for purchasing
By Susan Avery -- Purchasing, 7/16/1998 2:00:00 AM
Here is a listing of software companies that provide tools to automate a variety of purchasing tasks. For more information from the companies listed, phone and fax numbers, as well as e-mail addresses follow.
* ADP-GSI. tolas software offers a variety of modules, including Purchase Order Management and Purchasing Analysis. Users select only applications that are pertinent to their needs. Purchase Order Management module supports centralized, decentralized, and partially decentralized purchasing. It is EDI-compatible and has split delivery capabilities so users can have product delivered to multiple locations from a single order. Purchasing Analysis module helps evaluate supplier performance in the areas of quality, price, and delivery. Tel: (412) 963-6770; Fax: (412) 963-6779.
* Alliance Manufacturing Software. Alliance Manufacturing Software provides manufacturing management software for small to mid-size companies. Alliance/MFG for Windows offers a complete suite of MRP-II functions including: Bill of Materials, Material Requirements Planning (MRP), Purchase Orders, Sales Orders, Labor Distribution, Inventory Control, Work Orders, Shop Floor Control, Job Master, AutoCAD interface, and Forecasting. Alliance/MFG has links to most PC-based accounting programs and a bar code system. Tel: (805) 965-3000; Fax: (805) 957-4555; E-mail: sales@alliancemfg.com.
* American Business Systems. ABS Purchase Order System (7.1) is designed to improve ordering and receiving efficiency by monitoring supplier, buyer, and product information. Standalone or integrated with ABS Wholesale Distribution, POS, Accounts Payable, and General Ledger, software processes regular, standing, and blanket POs, and includes features that allow users to copy existing POs, anticipate stock shipments from suppliers, and monitor items received, rejected, and returned. User-definable "allowable" variances help managers analyze price, quantity received, and timeliness of delivery. Tel: (978) 250-9600; Fax: (978) 250-8027; E-mail: sales@abssoftware.com.
* American Management Systems. Procurement Desktop takes advantage of the latest technologies to provide a flexible, comprehensive system for all phases of the purchasing life cycle. Procurement Desktop uses both client/ server and Web architecture to leverage technical infrastructure. With Procurement Desktop, users may realize benefits of lowered costs, increased productivity, improved customer service, and streamlined payment processing. Tel: (800) 841-6713; URL: www.amsinc.com.
* American Tech. PurchasingNet-SQL is an enterprise purchasing and requisitioning system for mid- to large-size companies. It is a 32-bit application that includes intranet and extranet components. The Req-Net series includes requisitioning front ends for users of SAP, PeopleSoft, and other third-party procurement systems. P.O. Writer Plus for Windows is a departmental purchasing system for small to mid-size purchasing operations. It has 14 modules, including: Purchasing (with PO create, history, and summary report capabilities); Receiving (with receipt transaction recording/history, and open order status); Supplier Performance (which rates delivery, price, quality, and overall supplier performance); Inventory Control (with inventory status, usage, history, and automatic reorder analysis); and Payment Approval (that allows three-way matching of PO, receipt, and invoice). Tel: (732) 946-8844; Fax: (732) 946-3102; URL: www.purchasingnet.com.
* Aphelion. Electronic Competitive Procurement (ECP) software is developed for engineers and procurement professionals in the process industries. ECP combines software, data, and the Internet to find and purchase specialized equipment and bulk materials directly from desktop PCs. Software optimizes all aspects of the procurement cycle and electronically transmits and tracks all forms, technical data, and drawings. Tel: (281) 333-9800; Fax: (281) 333-9816; E-mail: info@petropages.com.
* Aspect Development. Component & Supplier Management (CSM) system helps leverage global purchasing power and reduce the number of suppliers. Aspect system sorts out multiple part-numbering schemes typical at most companies and takes feeds from multiple disparate ERP systems. Tel: (650) 428-2700; E-mail: info@aspectdv. com.
* B.T. Smith. B.T. Smith offers Windows Focus Forecasting and Resource Planning software. Forecasting module includes summaries of performance, paramaters to tailor formulas to specific users, market intelligence prompts, forecast accuracy measures, graphic representations, and new item and seasonal item forecasting procedures. Resource Planning module automates reordering including deciding when to meet supplier joint replenishment minimums, automatic calculation of safety time and replenishment time settings, stock/non-stock determination, infinite-level bill of material explosion for palletized mixed offerings, summary measures of performance, and elimination of new purchases when branch warehouse or other pack size excesses exist. Tel: (724) 586-2200; E-mail: btsmith@focusforecating.com.
* Baan. BaanSCS suite of products, which may be implemented separately or fully integrated with an ERP system, include BaanSCS Planner, BaanSCS Demand Planner, Baan SCS Scheduler, and BaanSCS Execution. BaanSCS provides software, consulting, and implementation services to help optimize supply chain planning, production synchronization and execution control. Tel: (888) 452-7962; Fax: (630) 645-2385; URL: www.baanscs.baan.com.
* Bellwether. Purchasing Management Extra (PMX) is a modular, Windows-based system that automates the entire purchasing process. PMX includes the following modules: Purchasing (with supplier management, PO generation, PO history, and management reports); Receiving (receipt entry, open/overdue order tracking, and supplier performance ratings); Requisitions (requisition entry and automatic conversion to POs); Inventory (inventory balances tracked at multiple inventory warehouse locations); Request for Quotations (RFQ generation for preferred suppliers, supplier bid entry, and conversion of success suppliers' RFQ to PO); Accounts Payable Interface (online matching of invoice to the PO and receipts, and transfer of "matched" to invoices to AP system for payment); Fax (POs and RFQs faxed directly to the supplier). PMX can be implemented in modules or as a complete system. Tel: (502) 426-5463; Fax: (502) 423-8963; E-mail: info@bellwethercorp.com.
* Business Systems of America. orders Plus software provides users with the following modules: customer, prospect, and supplier management; contract management; document management; inventory control; quotations; order entry; invoicing; point of sale; service tracking; purchase orders; and receiving. Optional modules include: bill of materials; serial/lot number tracking; contract pricing; custom label/barcode printing; job costing; remote order entry; and customer equipment tracking. Tel: (800) 764-4272; Fax: (336) 877-9605; E-mail: sales@ordersplus.com.
* Celerity Solutions. Supply Chain Planner is a real-time planning tool that enables buyers/planners to view their company's supply chain from their customer orders, through on-hand inventory, to open purchases placed with suppliers. Built around the Planner is an integrated suite of tools including purchase order management, forecast management, inventory control, sales order management, warehouse management, and financials. Based on a predefined set of purchasing rules, the Planner informs the buyer/planner of optimal times to place orders to satisfy projected demand and keep inventory at desired levels. Patented algorithm allows the Planner to update the system as changes occur in the supply chain. Tel: (978) 287-5888, x120; Fax: (978) 287-4222.
* Charleston Financial Services. purcha$ing at a glance for Windows is a PC/LAN software program that streamlines generation of requisitions and POs for items located in inventory as well as capital purchase items. Supply catalog is system-generated and continually updated. Program alerts the user when to reorder inventory items and combines reqs from multiple departments into a single PO. Back-ordered items are automatically routed to the correct department or drop-shipped to the desired destination. Materials received may be logged in by item or PO. Delivery lists are system generated. System tracks expenses of each department on a monthly, quarterly, yearly, or other periodic basis. A purchasing history can be generated. It maintains a perpetual inventory, reporting on its value and quantity as desired. It also reports and graphs usage of stock items. Tel: (800) 792-7224; Fax: (803) 529-5712.
* Cincom Systems. Control is a portfolio of business applications that addresses the complete business cycle of companies that build and service complex products. Supporting assemble-to-order, make-to-order, and engineer-to-order environments, Control encompasses activities included in business planning, business acquisition, contract order management, engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and remanufacturing operations, cost management, finance, and after-market support. Control addresses such critical issues as product configuration, engineering change management, tracking materials and materials by contract/project, and reporting to regulatory agencies. It also supports the needs of multinational companies by providing distributed multi-site implementation and multiple currency, regulation, and language options. Tel: (800) 2CINCOM; URL: www.cincom.com.
* ClientSoft. ClientBuilder is a legacy extension and workflow re-engineering development tool kit for building graphical user interfaces (GUI) to purchasing financial host applications to electronic commerce over the Internet. Tool kit is deployed on Windows, Macintosh and OS/2 clients accessing mainframe, AS/400, and SQL data sources. Without making any changes to a host-based financial application, browser-based systems can be deployed to intranet and extranet users in, the company says, "a few, short days." Tel: (914) 631-5365; Fax: (914) 631-6930; URL: www.clientsoft.com.
* Client Specific Systems Inc. cssi Debar program is a computerized database listing of the General Services Administration (GSA) published "list of parties excluded from Federal procurement programs." Listing has been converted into a menu-controlled data system for use by purchasing agents, contracting officers, and others involved in procurement "to quickly and easily justify prospective suppliers who have been declared ineligible for government procurement programs. Monthly and weekly updates are provided with current data including added, changed, or deleted names indicated. Debar is available in single-user (IBM PC-compatible) or site licensed, multi-user (Novell-compatible) versions. Tel/fax: (757) 496-3331; E-mail: 72130.1542@compuserve.com.
* Command Line Corp. CLC-PM4 for Windows features "paperless purchasing" with its real-time multi-user PC-based purchasing management system. Year-2000 compliant customizable system provides extensive histories of interactive transactions by item, supplier, PO, and receiver. Inventory, purchasing, and supplier item masters are user-defined. System creates POs automatically or semi-automatically for repetitively ordered or one-time-only items including multi-site delivery points, different due dates, quantities, and prices. Change orders are handled rapidly. Requisition system with allocations made by line item or total req against specific GL accounts is available. Electronic approvals can be linked to budget or departmental authority, with automatic routing. Internet/intranet-capable system also accommodates advance payments, credits, freight charges, taxes, ERS (pay on receipt), etc. Tel: (732) 738-6500; Fax: (732) 738-6504; E-mail: commandlinecorp@worldnet.att.net.
* Commerce Software. PurchaseSQL is a Windows-based client/server purchasing and requistition management system. Requisitioners select items from the Master Item catalog or generate new items. Items also can be searched from external supplier databases or can be accessed using CD-ROM. System automatically creates a formal req that can be routed through an approval process before being electronically released to the Purchasing module. PurchaseSQL provides tools to search potential suppliers, generates RFQs, selects suppliers, and issues POs. System routes all PO information to the Receiving module. It provides an Automatic Shipment Problem Report module, which enables the receiver to fax or EDI a preformatted problem report to the supplier. Receiving data is routed to the shipment module so items can be delivered to the initiating requisitioner. System creates an export file of AP and GL financial data which can be imported into most accounting systems. Company is developing an Internet-capable application. Tel: (800) 447-7172; Fax: (914) 592-2109.
* Commerce One. Company specializes in developing and implementing full-scale electronic commerce systems that streamline processes for both buyer and supplier organizations. C1 Commerce Chain system drives seamless, real-time transactions within a secure Web environment. Benefits include reduced process costs for the procurement organization and improved customer service and ordering processes for the supplier. Tel: (510) 941-6000; Fax: (510) 941-6060; URL: www.commerce-one.com.
* CommercePath. CommercePath is an NT-based fax server that allows high-volume product document delivery and receipt directly from mainframe, midrange, and LAN hosts. It has modules for production fax, LAN fax (inbound, outbound, e-mail integration), high-volume Internet delivery, and EDI-to-fax. It provides 2-48 fax channels per server, and can be used to process POs, order confirmations, change orders, bid specifications, RFQs, delivery requests, bid amendments, etc. Tel: (503) 968-9617; Fax: (503) 968-9617; E-mail: whitel@commercepath.com.
* Computron Software. yorvik purchasing is part of an integrated system that includes maintenance management and inventory. Requisitions, once approved, generate POs based on user-selected criteria and system-generated supplier performance data. System supports generation and analysis or RFQs that can be converted into single/blanket orders or contracts. Receiving, three-way invoice matching, and expediting capabilities also are provided. Tel: (905) 405-2169; Fax: (905) 673-3037.
* Credit Card Solutions. P-Card Solution is an enterprise client/server software tool designed to automate the entire purchasing card process. P-Card Solution includes: online order log, allocation to multiple validated accounting codes, direct posting to general ledger, online approval and auditing. System works with information available from any purchasing card provider (American Express, MasterCard, or Visa). It can be customized to operate with a company's financial system and unique business rules, and it works on both PCs and Macintosh computers. Tel: (801) 595-6140; E-mail: solution@p-card.com.
* Decision Concepts. Decision Concepts provides Web-enabled decision support solutions for purchasing planners and analysts. Web-based analytical tool provides a way to access and monitor historical pricing indicators. Graphs and reports can be generated and downloaded into popular spreadsheet applications. Tel: (610) 918-1346; URL: www. decisionconcepts.com
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* Dun & Bradstreet. Supplier Assessment Manager is a decision support tool that automates the analysis, profiling, scoring, and monitoring of supplier performance, capabilities, and risk. It can be used by purchasing to reduce the number of suppliers by targeting those with the highest expected future performance; leverage relationships by examining total dollars spent with a group of suppliers; form strategic supplier relationships by focusing on quality providers; and detect higher-risk suppliers and manage them by exception. Supplier Assessment Manager supplements a purchasing operation's data on its suppliers (from supplier master, accounts payable, purchase-order fields, etc.) with D&B information on corporate family relationships, socio-economic data, risk scores, financial information, etc. Personalized database platform calculates supplier ratings for different groups of suppliers based on rules that can be specified. Management reports and graphical analysis summarize the detailed data and provide strategic views. Tel: (888) 597-4789; Fax: (973) 605-6990; URL: www.dnb.com.
* Dynamic Software. qpii Gold v97.2 purchasing management and inventory control program for Windows 98 manages purchasing operations with three screens. With the program, users have capability to automatically locate POs, suppliers, or items. It guides users through requisition processing and supplier selection. Other capabilities include: RFQ/PO creation from requisitions, inventory transaction and cost history maintenance, matching of invoices and creation of AP vouchers, and maintenance of supplier performance ratings. Tel: (800) 627-1218; Fax: (864) 879-1233; E-mail: dynamic-sw@usa.net.
* Elcom. pecos Procurement Manager provides desktop users with capability to place orders from their PCs and track the status of their orders through receipt and final settlement without manual intervention. Automated system provides access to supplier electronic catalogs through an Internet browser interface, customer-defined approval and receiving workflows, and back-end settlement processing of electronic invoices. E-mail notification advises users of order approval requests, back orders, and receiving acknowledgment requests. Archiving and reporting features allow review of purchase histories and trends, monitor supplier performance, and perform benchmarking reviews. Tel: (781) 407-5000; Fax: (781) 407) 5063; URL: www.elcom.com.
* Elekom. Elekom Procurement generates requisitions, routes them for approval, and submits them electronically to contracted suppliers. Users may select items from a local catalog containing links to supplier Web pages, allowing access to more detailed information. Administration does require programming experience or resources. Tel: (888) ELEKOM1; URL: www.elekom.com.
* Executive PLUS. Formtool 9000 creates and fills ISO/QS9000 forms. Included are design and editing tools to create professional-looking forms. With a click of the mouse, users may add lines, circles, check boxes, pictures, databases, text, and more. Also included: capability to customize forms using company logo and address. Tel: (765) 483-0099; Fax: (765) 483-0699.
* Falcon. Blue Chip MRO Materials Management system is a purchasing and inventory control system designed with the special requirements of maintenance, repair, and operating inventories in mind. System supports the complete procurement cycle for both stock and non-stock materials, from the creation of the requisition through the bid process, purchase, receipt, and issue from stock. System features simple operation and on-screen help. Modules include Requisitions, Request for Quote, Blanket Contracts, Purchase Order, Stock Room Control, Tool Kitting, Bill of Materials, Receiving, Cost Center Accounting, and others. Standard reports include PO expediting, stock status, PO status, and low-inventory-level alert. Options features are bar coding, direct fax, customized EDI, and an ad hoc query system and report writer. Tel: (502) 575-9870; Fax: (502) 443-6661.
* Fiscal Systems. Purchase Order Processing module, which automates purchasing and tracking of items on order, is one of seven modules of the Fiscal Business Management system, operating on DOS or unix. Modules run independent or as an integrated unit, or as the back office for the Fiscal Point of Sale system. Tel: (256) 772-8920; Fax: (256) 772-8590.
* Fisher Technology Group. Company develops systems for business-to-business electronic commerce. Cornerstone is FTG's software-based private buying system. It allows users to purchase products from preferred suppliers and the open market. It features multiple requisitioning systems, information-rich catalogs, and secure electronic ordering. Tel: (412) 490-8179.
* Focus Forecasting. Helping purchasing "to do a better job of forecasting product demand," package uses computer simulation to forecast hundreds of thousands of items in multiple locations. Resource Planning software automates the replenishing process. Logistics plan and financial plan can be unified to automatically maintain inventory levels. Company provides continuous-improvement tools for service level, turn-over, and gross margin results. Tel: (724) 586-2200; URL: focusforecasting.com.
* Fogle Computing. FCC Order system is an "add-on" product for the FCC Stockroom Inventory system. FCC PO automatically generates POs for items that are low in stock in Stockroom (which the user can edit prior to printing). POs also can be manually input for stock and non-stock items. POs are tracked until received, and receipts of stock items automatically update the Stockroom files. Purchasing history is maintained by stock number and by supplier. Layout of the PO is user-defined. Companion product, FCC Stockroom Inventory, is a multi-user system that monitors inventory and allocates its usage to departments (cost centers) within the organization. At month's end, the system produces a report summarizing usage. Tel: (800) 845-7594; Fax: (828) 697-9944; E-mail: foglecomp@a-o.com.
* Glovia. Enterprise Resource Planning software allows users to manage outsourced operations while maintaining flexible control over material supply, projects, and contracts. Glovia provides tools for defining, managing, and planning deployment of service products such as engineering, education, and consulting, and tracks all associated activities along with costs and revenues for these activities to ensure a service's profitability. Product also provides local support, multi-language, and multi-national capabilities for companies doing business across borders. Tel: (800) 223-3799; Fax: (310) 578-5440; URL: www.glovia.com.
* Harbinger CSD. acquion merged with Harbinger in August, 1997, to form Harbinger CSD. New company offers TrustedLink Procurement (TLP), a Web-based electronic catalog system that connects buyers to suppliers for instant ordering. It operates as a standalone or integrates with legacy or ERP systems (such as SAP, Oracle, TSW, PeopleSoft, Indus, or baan). Tel: (800) 557-5768; E-mail: catalogs@harbinger.com.
* Infinium. Infinium Purchasing and Inventory systems handle repetitive and non-repetitive purchasing. Features include multi-company, multi-currency, auto- sourcing, internal/external notes, multi-ship-tos per line, multi-accounts per line, EDI, fax, and e-business Web capabilities. System can be integrated to most financial systems. Tel: (800) 725-7668; E-mail: jackie_ thomasson@ inifinium.com.
* Informs. Advanced Government Purchasing System (agps) is developed by government purchasing professionals for the business of government purchasing. All classical government purchasing functions have been automated in agps--from requisitioning through payment approval. agps allows centralized and/or delegated purchasing activity. Basic system can be customized as necessary. Tel: (334) 277-0372; Fax: (334) 277-0557; E-mail: andy@informs.com.
* Intelisys. Intelisys Electronic Commerce, LLC provides a management system for the distributed procurement of non-production goods and services. IEC-Enterprise software leverages Internet and intranet technology to deliver the purchasing process to employee desktops. IEC-Enterprise integrates and streamlines the entire purchasing process by capturing vital purchasing-related data in a single application. Tools for suppliers include IEC-Link and IEC-SupplyNet. These services enable secure electronic exchange of catalog and order information between suppliers and their customers over the Internet using the OBI standard. Tel: (888) 294-4776; URL: www.iecsolutions.com.
* JBA International. JBA's System 21 software is an integrated financial, manufacturing, and distribution business software for AS/400, unix, and NT platforms. JBA's Purchase Management application is a management and operational system for the control of POs, receipts, and invoices, and provides a supplier database to assist informed buying, tighter quality control, and "more simple" purchasing administration. Tel: (800) JBA-INTL; Fax: (847) 590-0394; E-mail: jcrawford@jbana.com.
* J.D. Edwards. J.D. Edwards Purchasing helps companies manage all procurement and replenishment activities across single or multi-facility enterprises in both inventory or non-inventory environments. System is fully integrated with an entire suite of distribution, manufacturing, financial, payroll, and human resources products to provide a comprehensive enterprise-wide business solution. Among its features are: requisition management, change order processing, bid-and-quote management, supplier analysis, approval routing, user-defined order routing, and user-defined order types. Tel: (303) 334-4000; Fax: (303) 334-4678.
* Kehlbeck. Purchasing Information Center (PIC & PIC for Windows) software is a program developed by buyers with years of experience. Program has all the modules needed to make "smart" buying decisions. Modules include Supplier Database, Purchase Order, Receiving, Business Contacts, etc. Screen/Print reports include: Overdue, Expediting, Part No., Description, Commodity Code, Requestor, Project, and Account. PIC software can be modified to meet unique requirements of government, schools, offices, and industrial companies. Tel: (502) 228-3636; Fax: (502) 228-6086; E-mail: kehlbeck@aol.com.
* The Leadership Companies. Leadership provides client server, desktop, and Internet software solutions for customers and supply base management. PurchaseWare product line provides enterprise solutions for supplier management, quotations, contract creation, tracking, library of guidance, advice for use, terms & conditions, security access management, etc. ContractWare product from affiliated Leadership Broadcasting Company provides years of legal and business expertise in a comprehensive library of standard, alternate, and optional text templates, including associated expert guidance and advice. Templates can be used as written, modified, or the user may create his/her own. Tel: (978) 264-2900; Fax: (978) 264-2912; E-mail: leadcomp@tiac.net.
* Legacy Systems Research. Cost-Benefit Analysis tool helps buyers and their internal customers by ensuring that a solid business case exists for important software decisions. Software provides life-cycle costing tools formerly available only to financial analysts to personnel at all levels of expertise, in a graphical user interface. The tool works in five basic steps to walk the user through the cost-benefit process and documents the results in professionally formatted cost-benefits reports with graphs. Software is useful in make-or-buy, outsourcing, policy impact assessment, proposal evaluation, information technology procurement, feasibility studies, and more. Tel: (800) 920-1409; Fax: (208) 522-5401.
* LS DataNet Systems. LS Business and Manufacturing software is a multi-user integrated package for materials and resource management. Network compatible Windows software manages requisitions, POs, supplements, quotations, blanket orders, releases, contracts, approvals, suppliers, expediting, receipts, stockrooms, assets, invoices, appropriations, charges, personnel, chemicals, and more. Features include Internet/intranet access, passwords, authorities, audit trails, word searching on all previous orders, online catalogs, faxing, remote operation, and client server databases. Reports available include asset listings to supplier analyses. Tel: (970) 262-6270; Fax: (970) 262-6271; E-mail: ls@lsdatanet.com.
* Macola Software. Progression series 7.5 is a fully integrated suite of financial, distribution, and manufacturing modules for Windows. Macola's Purchase Order and Receiving module enables users to analyze the quality, accuracy, and promptness of the delivery of all purchased materials. It helps ensure that the correct quantity and quality of materials is available when it is required. Additional features include print POs, change POs, and process cancellations; report scheduled receivings; enter and edit POs and receivings; purchase materials to be drop shipped directly to customers; perform on-screen inquiries for POs, analyze supplier quality, performance, and price variance; track receivings by lot and serial number; and use multiple supplier part numbers for each inventory item; Landed Cost system supports importers and companies which must fully burden inventory value; integrates with Macola's bar code and EDI to virtually eliminate data-entry mistakes and reduce paperwork. Tel: (800) 468-0834; Fax: (740) 382-0293; E-mail: response@macola.usa.com.
* Manugistics. ONEview system combines the business processes, architecture, and applications needed to optimize the supply chain across a spectrum of industries from raw-materials suppliers, through manufacturing and distribution, to delivery of finished goods--all with a focus on the customer. The five keys to successful customer-centric supply chain optimization are integration, collaboration, optimization, real-time Available-to-Promise (ATP+), and profitable mass customization. Tel: (301) 984-5000; Fax: (301) 984-5370; URL: www.manugistics.com.
* Manufacturing Information Systems. MISys/2000 performs advanced functions small to mid-size manufacturers need, yet its Microsoft Windows interface makes MISys/2000 "ideal for the non-technical user." Core module, Level 1, provides inventory control, multi-level bills of material, and integrated purchasing capability. Tel: (802) 457-4600; Fax: (802) 457-4602; URL: www.misysinc.com.
* Marell Legal Products. Purchaser's Contract Forms contains 68 in-depth contracts that deal with a variety of commercial transactions from Purchase, Service, and Capital Equipment to Software Contract Manufacturing, and Construction contracts. A second product, Contract Track, helps manage contracts and suppliers and track key dates and deliverables. Tel: (310) 372-7632; Fax: (310) 372-0572; E-mail: lsmarell @earthlink.net.
* Palmas. Development. purchasing plus+ family of fully integrated software modules features PO generation and tracking, receiving, item history tracking, budget tracking, supplier performance, import/ export (data interfaces), faxing, requisitioning (including electronic approval), invoice approval and AP interface, inventory control, bill of materials, asset management, preventive maintenance, and forms control. Versions available for DOS, Windows 3.1, 95, and NT. Tel: (800) 506-3366; Fax: (416) 784-9411; E-mail: info@palmasdev.com.
* PCB-Quote. PCB-Quote provides RFQ (request for quotation) automation systems for the printed circuit board and assembly industry. Package consists of PC-based software running on a customer's computer, unix software running on the manufacturer's Web server, and PC-based software running on the manufacturer's computer. All three integrate seamlessly to provide online quoting and online ordering. When sending an RFQ, software extracts necessary information from the CAD system, connecting the buyer to the supplier's Web site. If pre-approved, the buyer can obtain an instant price and place an order. Supplier can quote the job using traditional means, using the company's Web-based custom quoting system, or the data can be transferred to other manufacturing software. Tel: (888) 722-7868; E-mail: info@pcb-quote.com.
* PeopleSoft. Software automates requisitioning, purchasing, and receiving of raw materials, supplies, services, products, and assets, enabling buyers to manage sourcing, supplier selection, and ongoing contracts. PeopleSoft Purchasing is a module of PeopleSoft Distribution which also consists of Inventory, Order Management, and Distribution Requirements Planning modules. Distribution module reinvents traditional ways of performing distribution and purchasing functions. Users are empowered to make purchasing decisions and access past supplier history and pricing information, while tight integration with Finanicals module provides coordination with accounting and administration functions. Tel: (888) 773-8277; Fax: (925) 694-2399.
* Pilgrim Software. Supplier Focus quality management system features include a complete receiving inspection system and close loop corrective-action mechanisms. Program provides buyers with capability to control external processes and supplier quality information. Tel: (813) 915-1948; Fax: (813) 915-1663; URL: www.pilgrimusa.com.
* Purchase Pro. Software provides users with tools to source products and services. Using the Internet, Purchase Pro includes these features: instant access to a database of manufacturers and distributors, secure bid management and retrieval, supplier product and company information (with database filters for preferred suppliers, disadvantaged businesses and location), linking to supplier Web sites. Tel: (888) 830-4600; Fax: (702) 270-2055; URL: www.purchasepro.com.
* Purchasing on-line. Company developed software specifically to provide time and information necessary to negotiate prices, reduce inventory, and improve quality. Software eliminates paper requisitions and internal expediting by allowing reqs to be entered, and their status reviewed, from any workstation. Reqs are automatically queued for approval. Three levels of approval are provided with redirecting capability. Buyers may automatically attach line items or an entire req to a PO. System includes a suggested commodity coding scheme that provides for simple retrieval of non-stock items. Non-stock purchase analysis reports suggest items to be considered for stock or blanket POs. Supplier analysis reports track ontime performance as well as non-compliance. Tel: (800) 388-3914; Fax: (305) 294-4230.
* Purchasing Solutions. first rate helps users to improve supplier quality while it reduces overhead costs. Using data from existing purchasing and quality systems (without re-entering data), first rate analyzes and tracks each supplier's performance and compares it with other suppliers' performance. first rate generates supplier report cards and graphs supplier performance. It objectively evaluates based on the total cost of doing business with suppliers, then recommends the supplier providing the best value. first rate accepts data from any platform, and runs on any version of Microsoft Windows. Tel: (503) 617-1525; Fax: (503) 617-1629; E-mail: bruce@pc.to.
* Renaissance Software. Renaissance Software develops, implements, and maintains supply-chain and warehouse management software systems for distributors, manufacturers, and retailers that are available cross-platform, in a Windows NT environment. Renaissance systems provide functionality to help manage operations requiring e-commerce, order fulfillment, customer service, inventory management, warehouse management, transportation, and financials. Tel: (800) 281-2639; Fax: (516) 466-3341; E-mail: renkjd@aol.com.
* Rohbe Inc. Supplier Analysis is a Windows-based, multi-user system for evaluating supplier performance in terms of quality, delivery, service, and total cost. Easily interfaced to existing purchasing systems to provide minimum data entry rsas meets all QS9000/ISO 9000 requirements. System contains a complete quality/corrective action module and inspection. Survey and bid analysis modules are available. Tel: (410) 715-0628; Fax: (410) 715-0685.
* ROI Systems. ROI's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for small and mid-size discrete manufacturers eases planning and production, purchasing, sales and service management, accounting, and engineering at one or more facilities. CTO, JIT, high-volume repetitive, make-to-stock, and make-to-order are supported. cognos PowerPlay software and data warehousing provide fast, out-of-the-box management reporting. Integrated bar-coded data collection, fax, e-mail, EDI, foreign currency exchange are used throughout. Tel: (800) 544-7849; Fax: (612) 595-9450.
* 7Software. CompanyStore is an intranet procurement system that streamlines the process of ordering MRO goods and services. The product reduces the cost of generating POs while increasing the speed and facility of the transactions. CompanyStore offers an html-based architecture and runs on MS BackOffice. Product features an intuitive interface, access to online catalogs; offers comprehensive query and reporting; and integrates with enterprise applications, particularly R/3. Tel: (650) 367-7773; Fax: (650) 617-6845; E-mail: info@7software.com.
* Sherkin & Assocs. A tracking system for returnable packaging is the company's latest product offering. Software helps turns assets faster and reduces working capital by controlling the return of refillable totes, cylinders, and other packaging. Features include real-time "snapshots" of where container assets are physically located (by serial number); "ticklers" for customer follow-up calls; an "invoicing option" for overdue containers; histories of repairs performed and associated costs; and DOT re-certification reminders. Tel: (416) 760-8386; Fax: (416) 760-8386.
* Software Arts. pc/MRP is a year-2000 compliance, Windows-based MRP package containing 10 integrated modules: Address, Inventory, Purchasing, Receiving, Sales, Invoicing, Bill of Materials, Stock Room, and Accounting (GL, AR, AP). pc/MRP's Purchasing module allows users to enter, edit, print out, and fax POs and reports. When entering a PO, all supplier and part number information is automatically inserted into the PO. More than 100 different purchasing reports can be generated including ISO 9000 purchasing reports, Consolidated MRP reports, and purchase price variation reports. Optional modules such as PO Quote, Bar Code, etc., are available. Tel: (408) 248-6446; E-mail: pcmrp.com.
* Solomon Software. Solomon IV for Windows accounting information system offers a full suite of accounting, operations, and distribution modules, including a purchasing module to help maintain a consistent and organized relationship with suppliers. With this module, purchasing can produce POs and receipt records. Purchasing module features multiple order types, flexible receipt processing, the ability to purchase and receive kits or kit components, supplier performance analysis, receipt quantities variance control, and automatic voucher creation from PO receipt entry. Tel: (419) 424-0422; Fax: (419) 424-3400; E-mail: sales@solomon.com.
* Sourcing Decision Support. SDS worksheets analyze quotations, generate target prices, estimate "should costs," analyze financial statements, and measure supplier performance. Tel/fax: (203) 268-1005.
* Structured Computer Systems. reality Purchasing and Materials Management automates all aspects of supply chain processing for non-production and MRO services. Using leading-edge Internet and client/server technology, reality offers Web-enabled requisitioning, Auto-PO, bid management, e-commerce, EDI, invoice matching, approvals, budgeting, bar-coded inventory control, multi-currency, and AP, along with additional features. reality provides a streamlined system that empowers users with instant access to the information they need to perform their jobs. Tel: (860) 677-0222; Fax: (860) 677-7157; E-mail: scs@scsinfo.com.
* Supplystream. Autonet 5.0 allows users to evaluate the landed total acquisition cost of a purchased component. Software helps balance purchasing, receiving, and other administrative costs with inventory carrying cost providing users with the crossover point for optimum scheduling and handling while negotiating. It can be used as a tool to determine optimium handling methods such as kitting, cell-stocking, blanket orders, and bin quantity sizes. Tel: (315) 536-9108; Fax: (315) 536-4046; URL: supplystream.com.
* Tangible Vision. Imprimis is an Enterprise Resource Planning/Manufacturing Execution System that supports multi-country, multi-facility, and multi-language environments, and addresses make-to-stock, make-to-order operations. Key purchasing features include: purchase requisitions with multi-level authorization, automatic conversion of purchase reqs to POs, stock reorder planning, automatic creation of POs from stock reorder plan, blanket POs, PO reservation, automated purchasing/credit card payment, centralized purchasing capability, supplier certification, supplier performance tracking, receiving, incoming material inspection, and batch/serial tracking. Tel: (630) 969-7517; Fax: (630) 969-7523.
* Technical Services Associates. TSA offers two Windows-based purchasing management software products, Gateway C/S & P.O. Express. Gateway C/S is a large-scale system for enterprise procurement management or distributed purchasing; P.O. Express is designed for small- to mid-scale purchasing operations of specialty buying groups. Software uses the latest client/server technology, allowing users to electronically control every aspect of the purchasing operation. Features include: Internet/ intranet requisitioning and approvals, multiple order types and revisions, RFQ processing, supplier management, receiving, inventory control, forms management, asset tracking, invoice matching budget control, workload management, catalog/stock item selection, import/export capabilities, AP interface, EDI, e-mail notification, and more. Tel: (800) 388-1415; Fax: (717) 691-5690; E-mail: info@tsagate.com.
* trade'ex Electronic Commerce Systems. trade'ex Procurement is a member of the eMarket suite and is designed for companies that want to automate and streamline enterprise procurement processes for operational goods and services. trade'ex Procurement uses corporate intranets and extranets to create an internal electronic market. Features include: desktop requisitioning with advanced cataloging, online multi-supplier sourcing and order creation, desktop receiving and browser-based query and reporting. Tel: (813) 222-2050; Fax: (813) 222-5658; E-mail: marc@tradeex.com.
* uControl Systems. With uControl, users have capability to build a specialized procurement website. Software includes these capabilities: capture, then automatically assess supplier item proposals; configure and manage the supply chain; enable electronic order from a rules-based enterprise catalog; capture supplier quotes, then automatically determine lowest cost measurements; generate cost-savings reports showing total cost conditions. uControl augments most MRP/ERP systems, and is EDI-ready. Tel: (888) 548-9679; URL: www.ucontrol.com.
* Walker. Procurement solution is an enterprise-wide procurement management system that integrates, automates, and streamlines all processes related to acquiring, managing, and paying for operational resources. At the heart of the solution are procurement applications from the Tamaris financial application suite: Purchase Order Management, Accounts Payable, and Inventory Management. These scalable applications streamline operational processes, help reduce inventory carrying costs, and leverage technologies such as EDI and the Internet to enable electronic inter-business processing. Tel: (415) 495-8811; Fax: (415) 543-9338; URL: www.walker.com.
* Wareforce. Wareforce provides computer systems and support nationwide through implementation of state-of-the-art technologies. As a single-source supplier of hardware, software, peripherals, and technical services, Wareforce provides custom configurations, networking installations, and electronic commerce capabilities. Tel: (800) 777-9309; URL: www.wareforce.com.
* WIZnet. Purchasing Extranet is an Internet-based sourcing system. Its "virtual product/services catalog library" contains more than 9 million complete product and service specifications and data sheets (with continuous updates) from more than 83,000 suppliers worldwide. Users can communicate with suppliers through secure e-mail for inquiries and orders. Tel: (561) 272-7710; Fax: (561) 272-2939; URL: www. wiznet.net.
New England Supply Chain Conference
10/09/2008Buyers' guide to software for purchasing
07/14/1999Spotlight shines on key suppliers
11/19/2009
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