Inentory Control, Purchase Orders, Receiving orders

[cschlik]

I have been running Microsoft Dynamics RMS for around 20 years. It has been discontinued and I am looking to replace with shopify and sellbrite. I have hit two snags which have multiple solutions and am looking for some suggestions from shopify veterans.

First is inventory control. I currently create purchase orders for my suppliers in RMS and submit those orders to my suppliers using restock level and reorder points. When the order arrives, I scan items in using my hand held scanner and then verify that the costs match. I then commit the order which updates inventory levels and costs. I rarely have an order that is fully received and unreceived items are backordered for some suppliers and items ship as they are available. With other suppliers I receive the partial purchase order then close it.

I have a custom integration that syncs my inventory with my 3rd party accounts and an ecommerce site.

Is there an app that works similarly?

Second is Order fulfillment. When an order comes it is imported into my system as a work order. I use a script to convert work orders to a sale and a receipt is printed. The receipt contains a barcode of the order number. From there I pick my orders and ship. I have a custom program eliminates errors as employees have to scan the receipt and the items on the order before creating a label (shiprush scan and verify might be a good replacement).

I would love to keep the process as similar as possible. Is there an app that could print packing lists or invoices to a receipt printer with the order number on it? I would love to stick with the receipt printer… 99% of my orders fit in a 6x9 envelope and the receipt tucks nicely with the item (quicker than folding a sheet)

My ultimate goal is to eliminate RMS from my business. My integration provider is circling the drain and it does not make sense to invest in an already dead platform.

Sorry for the long post and I appreciate any insight the experts out there can provide.

[kingstore]

Hey @cschlik seems like you are in a good position to leverage something that will help your business. If you are planning to join Shopify with new inventory, then you can use a variety of apps that will help with purchasing, inventory control, and pick-pack-ship processes

First is inventory control. I currently create purchase orders for my suppliers in RMS and submit those orders to my suppliers using restock level and reorder points. When the order arrives, I scan items in using my hand held scanner and then verify that the costs match

Sounds like Dynamics RMS was acting as a warehouse management system for you. In this case, you should leverage SKUSavvy which is a Shopify WMS and will enable you to place purchase orders based on order volumes and lead times, then accept the product via scan on the shipment to confirm costs/quantities, and show you visually where this item is stored as it comes into the warehouse so you can scan to a bin location.

I rarely have an order that is fully received and unreceived items are backordered for some suppliers and items ship as they are available

In this case, SKUSavvy creates a list of discrepancies between ordered quantity and actual quantity, so the PO can be closed out and reordered, or adjusted.

I have a custom integration that syncs my inventory with my 3rd party accounts and an ecommerce site

In this case, the solution would come from the API, which would connect in much the same way as the Dynamics system through the SKUSavvy GraphQL API. Depending on what you need here you could build this connection to suit or have our team.

Second is Order fulfillment. When an order comes it is imported into my system as a work order. I use a script to convert work orders to a sale and a receipt is printed. The receipt contains a barcode of the order number.

On the fulfillment end as orders flow in from various channels: Shopify, other eCommerce sites, EDI, emails, etc. the SKUSavvy system will batch these orders up into a digital pick and pack list. Since SKUSavvy uses a visual warehouse layout, all items can be visually navigated to, scanned via any smartphone, and confirmed quantity. Kitting and bundling can be held and assembled via this same visual inventory method.

From there I pick my orders and ship. I have a custom program eliminates errors as employees have to scan the receipt and the items on the order before creating a label (shiprush scan and verify might be a good replacement).

When the batch of orders has been picked, it can be handed off or continued onto packaging with suggested box-sizing, address validation, rate shopping, label purchase, and tracking using a check-scan on the final products going into the package. This process is cycled through each order within the batch in a super slick, efficient 2-step process.

I would love to keep the process as similar as possible. Is there an app that could print packing lists or invoices to a receipt printer with the order number on it? I would love to stick with the receipt printer

This platform will keep things simple. It will connect directly with your Shopify store and other channels, then operates across any device to scan products and control every part of your warehouse in one. Connect your order channels, create a warehouse layout, and pick-pack-ship in one.

Send me a message or schedule a time if you’d like to discuss this further. I’m one of the creators behind SKUSavvy and it seems like a good fit from what you’ve posted.

[JCW308]

I’m looking for a tool to tell me if an item is already on order (while I am creating a new purchase order). Also, is there an add-in that will show customers if an item is on order?