Optimise stockholding and replenishment with Metaphorix

OverviewThe AGR Inventory Optimiser is an inventoryplanning solution that increases profits byeliminating unnecessary costs from thesupply chain. The system delivers thefollowing.

• Lower inventory and higher service levels

• Reduced workload and better visibility

The Optimiser is specially designed forbusinesses in the retail, wholesale,distribution and manufacturing sectors.

It uses data from Dynamics NAV andautomatically selects the best fittingforecasting method to estimate futuredemand.

Order proposals that minimise inventorycosts are generated and uploaded back intoDynamics NAV.

Key FeaturesThe AGR Inventory Optimiser is rich infunction that supports the purchaserecommendation cycle. AGR offers a highdegree of flexibility whilst maximising theautomation of the purchasing workflow. The Optimiser offers a wide range of keyfunctions, including the following.

Historical data Graphically view historical sales, inventorylevels and shortages.

Forecasting The Optimiser generates sales forecastsbased on proven statistical forecastingmethods, coupled with a powerful expertsystem that uses the most suitableforecasting method in each instance. Itachieves this by taking into account historicalsales, seasonal fluctuations etc.

Purchasing recommendations Established inventory managementmethods, based on the sales forecasts,demand variability and other preconditions,are used to deliver manual or automaticpurchasing recommendations that removeexcess cost from the supply chain.

Supply chain structure AGR has the flexibility to fit any supply chainnetwork, from single location wholesalers tointernational retailers with multipledistribution centres and stores.

Exception reportsThe system generates user-definedexception reports listing items that needspecial attention.

Metaphorix has added valuable function to the Dynamics NAV solution itprovides by marrying it to the power of the leading inventory optimisationgranule, AGR. AGR is a supply chain planning specialist tool offeringfunctionality that optimises the flow of goods throughout the entire supplychain for distribution, retail and manufacturing companies.

InventoryOptimisation

Additional FunctionalityThe Inventory Optimiser is rich in additionalfeatures that support inventory managementand purchasing procedures. The additionalmodules available include the following.

ABC analysisAGR offers two-dimensional ABC analysis.The simultaneous classification of items isbased on turnover value and sold units, e.g.AA, AC, BA, etc. This enables users toprioritise their efforts in terms of theimportance of each product.

Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI)AGR supports active collaboration betweensuppliers and wholesalers. This moduleallows vendors to execute forecasts andorder proposals based on their clients’ dataand preconditions.

The Supplier PerformanceThe Supplier Performance module enablesmonitoring of suppliers’ service level ratios,both by order lines and the number of unitsordered.

Purchase plansPurchase plans make it possible to createorder plans for the future to increase vendorcollaboration and information sharing.

For more information about our products and services, please call: 01675 432400, email us at:sales@metaphorix.co.uk or visit our website: www.metaphorix.co.uk

Manage By Exceptions (MBE)This module enables the user to defineexception reports that identify items needingspecial attention, e.g. potential stockouts,late deliveries, high forecasting errors, slowmovers.

The SimulatorThe Simulator module can be used toanswer various ‘what if’ questions that helpto evaluate the impact of changedpreconditions in the supply chain, e.g. leadtime, service levels.

User-friendly InterfaceThe AGR user interface is built to offer ease of use.

Metaphorix Limited • 3 Temple Court • Temple Way • Coleshill • Birmingham • B46 1HH

InventoryOptimisationTry before you buyUsing the function built into the Simulator,we can give you a snapshot of your likelysavings should you buy AGR.

For the simulation, you provide 3 years’history of sales and stock levels for asubset of up to 200 of your products.

We use the information for months 13–36 to produce a simulated forecast for months1–12.

This 12-month prediction is then comparedto your actual stock levels during theperiod.

This comparison shows you how big asaving on stockholding you would have hadif Inventory Optimiser had been used toplan stock replenishment for that period.

At just £2,500, the fixed price for oursimulation exercise delivers superb value –letting you see how valuable the AGR toolwill be to you before buying it outright.

You also get the added benefit of thesimulation acting as a leg up into theproject proper when you come to installAGR.

The BenefitsIn addition to making considerableinventory savings, the system will reducemanual work through the automation ofmany inventory management tasks.

Users find that AGR offers a number of keybenefits:

• Up to 40% reduction in inventory costs,releasing valuable working capital into thebusiness

• Improved service levels, leading toimproved customer loyalty

• Less manual work and increasedautomation

• Greater visibility of the replenishmentposition of products with AGR’s graphicaldisplays

• Reduction in transportation costs withbetter utilisation of trucks and containers

• Implementation of new methodologiesand ‘smart thinking’ in the purchasingprocess

The item master gives a graphical overviewof historical inventory levels, current salesfigures and projection of future inventorylevels and forecasts.

Stock by location – inventory levels canbe viewed graphically by location, either inunits or days.

The buyer can review order proposalsbefore accepting them to the ERP system.

This view shows historical sales, inventorylevels and forecasts. It enables the buyerto get an overview before making a finaldecision on how much of each item toorder.

The management overview allows users toevaluate the performance of variousfactors in the inventory system – stockvalue levels, turnover, turnover ratios forproducts, groups or locations.

Sales adjustments for groups make itpossible for buyers to adjust the saleshistory for entire groups of items to influencethe forecasts produced.