Local music supplier Music for Pleasure (MFP) has invested in technology that allows its merchandisers to transmit orders and other stock information by connecting palm-top devices to cellphones.
"The software allows representatives or merchandisers to use their cellular phones to transmit orders back to the head office, including purchase orders, goods receiving and stocktaking," says Jan Roberts, head of logistics at MFP.
"The software suitable for stocktaking, asset tracking and transaction capturing was developed by Ultimate Retail Solutions (URS) for use on the Symbol SPT 1550, a Palm-powered device that enables users to send orders via cellphones," says Roberts.
"The company purchased 30 devices in the middle of last year, but increased this to around 180 devices, and now it handles outsourcing work on behalf of other companies, providing additional revenue for the company.
"After we acquired the first units, we realised they offered significant benefits. Representatives or merchandisers no longer had to return to the office to do a batch download to the main system after doing a stock take for various companies we provide music to," says Roberts.
Stephen Meyer, director of Ultimate Retail Solutions, says his company`s software can work on any Palm operating system. "We have already sold more than 20 systems to Dubai as well as a total of 400 in SA. Our local clients include Mica, Loads of Living and Safcol."
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