EDP - MERCHANT Features


				MERCHANT For Timber Merchants & Importers

System Features:

Multi-company. MERCHANT can support an unlimited number of separate companies on a single central processor. Options exist to share key files, such as the product file, and to exchange data between companies , providing such facilities as group credit control. A consolidated general ledger option can also be implemented, to draw together information for monthly management reporting.

Multi-branch. An unlimited number of branches or locations may be maintained for each company on a centralised system. These may be sales or stock locations, or both. It is possible to sell from one branch based on stock held at another, but particular customer accounts may be restricted to buying only from specified branches. Branches may be grouped regionally for sales analysis purposes. For buying, one branch may buy all products, or a range of products, on behalf of other branches. In multi-location operations where remote branches have opted for their own processor, it is possible to configure systems so that some functions are carried out by the branch, whilst data for other functions is transferred electronically to be processed at head office.

Full integration. MERCHANT is a fully integrated, closed loop system, from purchase order, goods receipt, invoice registration, purchase invoice processing, through stock control and on to sales order processing, invoicing and all financial systems.

Security & passwords. MERCHANT supports a multi-level security regime. The control of access to modules, to sub-modules, to individual programs and to particularly sensitive features within programs can be specifically controlled.

Personalised menus. This facility is provided as an alternative to standard menus. A variety of personalised menus may be configured, thereby restricting access to specific tasks only. For example, menus may be created specific to credit control, or to telesales, or to trade counter or even to an individual operator.

Direct program access. In contrast to the tight control of the personalised menus approach, users such as directors and system managers, who are authorised to have open access to the system, may do so directly by keying the relevant program acronym, without sequencing through the hierarchy of menus.

User prepared functions. The MERCHANT database environment gives the user total control of the content and format of personalised reports and enquiries. Whilst such facilities can be operated as stand-alone functions, appropriate menu slots are also available for the insertion of such user written enquiry and report functions, enabling their full integration into the main body of MERCHANT.

Comprehensive help facilities. All transaction input screens are backed by a comprehensive HELP facility, which displays, on demand, all valid facilities within each "option" prompt.

On-line documentation. There is on-line access to unlimited text narrative, which displays details of the operational characteristics of each program shown on the personalised menus.
Standard documentation text is supplied with the system. This may be personalised by the system manager to reflect the specific operational characteristics and working practices to be employed, thereby providing an on-line procedures manual.

Wide screen support. MERCHANT offers many enquiries that exploit the opportunities of 132 character terminal presentation. There are always 80 column versions of such enquiries, to cover cases where user terminals cannot support 132 column display.

Automated overnight procedures. All security and file update routines may be set to execute after hours, running at a pre-set time and with spooled printer output available if required. These overnight procedures can also include both standard and user specified reports.

Flexible printer handling. The procedure for allowing print to be directed to different printers when, for example, a printer breakdown occurs, is flexible and easy to use. The feature takes full account of the need to have different documents assigned to different printers at different locations.

Slave printing. Where required, the system may be configured, by specific terminal, to produce documents (e.g. cash invoices, despatch notes, quotations, GRN's etc.) to a slave printer, which is connected directly into the back of the terminal.

Office automation. MERCHANT is supplied with a suite of office automation software, including word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, desk diary and calculator. Also, any number of customer specified databases may be created using tools supplied with the system.