VendorNet Connection 2008 Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Dropship Business Users Track
Rules of the Game for Configuring Dropship Vendor Set-up Options
A complete review of the best methods for setting up a dropship vendor in VendorNet including discussions on how to determine individual vendor requirements. Details include the most effective and commonly used vendor control switches in Vendor Maintenance, and a demonstration on how to use Vendor Templates to fast-track vendor set-up. Leave this session with the knowledge to improve efficiencies in bringing new vendors live with VendorNet including customizing the set-up to meet the individual needs of the vendor correctly the first time.
Training Vendors to Master VendorNet - Including a Retailer's Approach
A step-by-step overview of the training and implementation process for new vendors from initial contact to auditing live transactions after go-live. Creating your own company-specific user documentation for vendors that incorporates your policies and procedures. Continued education for vendors to cover new requirements and/or advanced aspects of VendorNet. Refresher training sessions for seasonal vendors. This overview will be followed by a client case study on how one retailer facilitates its own vendor trainings and implementations. Become versed in training and performance monitoring techniques for your new vendors, and find out what works from one retailer’s own experience.
Become KING of the Customer Service Function in VendorNet
A comprehensive overview of VendorNet’s customer service functionality (now referred to as “order services” in v5.02), and its latest features. This session focuses on using the order services functionality to look at all details of an order including demonstrating ways to handle exception orders smoothly and expeditiously. This session will illustrate how order services functions make it easier to manage orders more efficiently including:
· Order comment options and comment types such as standard order comments, gift recipient comments, special handling instructions for your vendors, and shipping label comments
· Procedures for canceling orders - customer initiated versus vendor initiated
. How pending cancels are used, and how to “un-cancel” orders
· Editing order customization/personalization
· Making ship-to address changes on orders
· Updating ship methods on orders
· Tracking shipments from the order service screen
· Reprinting purchase orders and packing slips
· Defining order actions in VendorNet
· Setting up user-definable item/order status codes in VendorNet
· Reviewing order header level modifications, and all item and order level history
This session will arm you with the knowledge to keep your customer’s dropship orders moving smoothly by knowing the ins and outs of VendorNet’s order services functions in the event of last minute order changes.
Tracking Moves and Counter Moves Using VendorNet’s Comment Review and Comment Hold Buckets – Including a Retailer’s Approach to Using and Managing Those Buckets
An overview of the comment review and comment hold buckets, including how they differ. A walk-through of adding order and line-level comments, and when to use the “comment only” versus “request review’’ or “hold for review” options. Discussion on when emails are generated for this function, and how to use the delinquent emails. Security options that impact how you and your vendors can take action in the bucket such as force a reply, allow cancels, or automatically remove an order from the comment bucket, etc. will be reviewed. This overview will be followed by a case study from a VendorNet retailer describing why they use Comment Hold versus Comment Review, and how they manage the buckets with their vendors. This session will show you how to effectively communicate with your vendors to expedite and track orders that require special handling and attention.
Shipping and Invoicing Tactics for your Dropship Vendors
A complete overview of the various shipping and invoicing options for your dropship vendors. This session will discuss the importance of identifying and establishing the right configuration for your vendors, including browser-based configuration options, shipping by file with a vendor’s UPS or FedEx shipping station, shipping by file from a vendor’s order management/distribution system, using VendorNet’s carrier integration options, as well as invoicing by order, by batch, or by file. This session will enable you to get your customer’s order shipped in the most expeditious manner by your vendors accelerating the payment cycle for you and your vendors.
How One Retailer Keeps Vendors "In Check" with VendorNet
A retailers approach to using VendorNet to maintain vendor compliance. This VendorNet retailer will provide insight into the VendorNet reports they use, their procedures for communicating with vendors, and the personnel used to facilitate the process. This session covers vendor compliance enforcement illustrated by an industry peer. Take away vendor compliance techniques and practices that work.
Analyzing Vendor Moves with VendorNet Dropship Reports
A comprehensive review of VendorNet Reports for tracking dropship orders, identifying exception conditions, and reviewing vendor performance. A complete list of report descriptions, and their purpose will be provided including a discussion of the top three dropship reports that should be reviewed before a scheduled meeting with a vendor. Report selection options including the advanced reporting functions will also be discussed, along with the ability to customize and save favorite reports on a personal or global basis. Several work stations will be provided to enable participants to confidentially run reports during the session using your own VendorNet system. Arrive early to ensure you get a workstation. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to fully leverage VendorNet’s extensive reporting capabilities, including a hands-on opportunity to apply your new-found knowledge.
Capturing your Dropship Vendors Inventory Levels Using VendorNet Inventory Manager
An introduction to VendorNet’s Inventory Manager, which provides visibility to dropship vendor’s current inventory levels. This session walks through VendorNet’s browser interface for updating inventory levels in batch, or on a product by product basis, as well as more automated options for vendors who can provide files for retrieval on a scheduled basis. The session will review the various data elements maintained on a product related to its inventory status such as safety stock levels, open POs and quantities for backorders items, open PO due dates, etc. This session will demonstrate how VendorNet Inventory Manager can help you provide more accurate information to your customers, and arm you with the right products to promote on your websites to increase sales conversions.
Keeping all your Vendors in Play Using VendorNet’s Reporting Only Functionality
An overview of VendorNet’s Reporting-Only (RO) functionality including its purpose and benefits. Items to be covered include: how orders are transmitted to vendors, how shipping and invoicing updates are performed, and how to segregate reporting and management of RO orders. Also included is a brief review of how to switch/configure a vendor from 'Reporting-Only' to 'Fully Licensed' in VendorNet and vice versa. The session concludes with a brief review of the hardware configuration needed for your VendorNet environment to support the Reporting-Only function, and how it should be maintained. Find out why and how Reporting-Only is appropriate for some vendors and when it makes sense to convert them to a full implementation of VendorNet and vice versa
Stock PO Business Users Track
Rules of the Game for Configuring Stock PO Vendor Set-up Options
A complete review of the best methods for setting up a Stock PO vendor in VendorNet including discussions on how to determine individual vendor requirements. Details will include the most effective and commonly used vendor control switches in Vendor Maintenance for Stock PO vendors, and a demonstration on how to use Vendor Templates to fast-track vendor set-up. Leave this session with the knowledge to improve efficiencies in bringing new vendors live in VendorNet including customizing the set-up to meet the individual needs of the vendor correctly the first time.
Maneuvering your Orders through the Order Acknowledgement and Order Approval Buckets in VendorNet
This session will provide an overview of the numerous ways the Acknowledgement and Order Approval functions in VendorNet can be customized to your requirements. Topics include controlling when an order goes to the Acknowledgement bucket, restrictions on what changes a vendor can make, various system display options such as highlighting changes or only displaying changed items, email options, acknowledgements by file and EDI, and controlling when your order management system is updated with the changes made in VendorNet. Best practices used by retailers and vendors in communicating order changes will be presented. The session wraps up with a sneak peak at new features coming down the pike that will further enhance the order acknowledgement and order approval processes. Don’t let a purchase order get bogged down in a change cycle. Find out how to leverage VendorNet with time-saving techniques that streamline the order acknowledgement and approval process.
Optimizing your Use of Ship Dates and Required Dates in VendorNet
A review of all the different ways to use ship dates and required in-house dates in VendorNet at the order and line-item level, and the best method for obtaining expected shipment/required dates from vendors. Learn how to implement ship or required date calculations during order import, obtain ship dates from vendors during the acknowledgement process, use the standard browser-based ship/required date maintenance function, run ship/required date reports, and how to use the Date Review bucket to audit changes. Also to be reviewed are the e-mail communication options available to buyers and Bill/Ship-To customers to alert them of PO date changes made, as well as emails to you and the vendor about upcoming or missed ship dates. This session will help you manage to PO lead times that align with your vendor’s capabilities, and monitor their shipping progress to avoid missed shipments and negative impact to sales.
Capturing Visibility of Vendor WIP Using VendorNet Event Manager
An introduction to the new Work in Process (WIP) capabilities of VendorNet’s Event Manager module. WIP features provide visibility and control into a vendor’s production environment for user-defined events prior to an order shipment such as item production initiated, prototype shipped, color swatch approved, QC approved, production complete, etc. WIP functionality tracks the various production events that occur, and all events can be user-defined by vendor and/or by vendor product. A step-by-step review on setting up a sample production event schedule will be provided along with a discussion on the various system controls, delinquent email alerts, and production reports available. Also included is instruction on how vendors and other third party facilitators can interact with VendorNet to keep you abreast of your orders and production schedules. Learn how to keep your customers satisfied by minimizing out-of stocks and backorders by using WIP information to effectively manage your product offerings.
Shipping and Invoicing Tactics for your Stock PO Vendors
A detailed review of the different options available for configuring Stock PO vendors to ship and invoice orders in VendorNet. This includes options for shipping and invoicing together or separately, displaying line quantities, or forcing manual entry. The session will also detail the new option to ship and invoice by Bill of Lading (BOL) or Container load. Various cost and shipment quantity controls and tolerances that can be established on a vendor basis will be reviewed. You will leave this session knowing how your vendors should be shipping and invoicing for your company, and ways to establish shipping and invoicing guidelines to allow you to more effectively address and enforce compliance.
Identifying your Pieces Using VendorNet's Product Labels
This session will provide an overview of VendorNet’s Product Label functionality, and how it benefits both retailers and vendors. Discussions include the various setup options for usage, and the information available for display on the product label. Samples of various product labels and formats used by retailers will be shared, as well as a demonstration of the various points during the order processing cycle in VendorNet when vendors can print product labels. Learn how to use product labels to improve operational efficiencies in your warehouse for both you and your vendors.
Automating 'The Endgame' for Vendors with VendorNet's Invoice Matching and Approval Functions
A detailed overview and demonstration of the Invoice Hold and Invoice Matching functions in VendorNet including the different payment options: Approval/Close, Approve/Open, Close, and Auto-Approve. The new Research bucket will also be reviewed, which allows you to segregate invoices with discrepancies that are in the process of being researched. Procedures for managing your international versus domestic vendor invoice payments will be compared and contrasted. This session will help you take invoice processing to the next level with functionality to automate the invoice-to-inventory receipt matching process, reduce errors, decrease labor processing time, and deliver faster and more accurate payments to your vendors.
Analyzing Vendor Moves with VendorNet Stock PO Reports
A comprehensive review of VendorNet Reports for tracking stock purchase orders, identifying exception
conditions, and reviewing vendor performance. A complete list of report descriptions and their purpose will be
provided, including a discussion of the top three Stock PO reports that should be reviewed before a
scheduled meeting with a vendor. Report selection options, including the advanced reporting functions
will also be discussed, along with the ability to customize and save favorite reports on a personal or global basis.
Several work stations will be provided to enable participants to confidentially run reports during the session
using your own VendorNet system. Arrive early to ensure you get a workstation. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to fully leverage VendorNet’s extensive reporting capabilities, including a hands-on opportunity to apply your new-found knowledge.
Keeping all your Vendors in Play Using VendorNet Reporting Only Functionality
An overview of VendorNet’s Reporting-Only (RO) functionality including its purpose and benefits. Items to be covered include: how orders are transmitted to vendors, how shipping and invoicing updates are performed, and how to segregate reporting and management of RO orders. Also included is a brief review of how to switch/configure a vendor from 'Reporting-Only' to 'Fully Licensed' in VendorNet and vice versa. The session concludes with a brief review of the hardware configuration needed for your VendorNet environment to support the Reporting-Only function, and how it should be maintained. Find out why and how Reporting-Only is appropriate for some vendors, and when it makes sense to convert them to a full implementation of VendorNet and vice versa.
Transportation Business Users
Tracking Global Shipping Moves Using VendorNet Event Manager
An introduction to the transportation management capabilities of VendorNet's new Event Manager module. The transportation controls are designed to facilitate the tracking of various events that occur throughout the transportation process from domestic outbound freight shipments to international inbound receipts. VendorNet can track the various stages of a shipment from container booking request by a vendor, to destination of the container at the import city in the U.S., to your warehouse dock door. Step-by-step instruction on setting up a transportation event flow, and the various system checks available will be provided. Learn how vendors and other third-party facilitators such as freight forwarders, brokers, etc. can interact with VendorNet to keep retailers abreast of the status of shipments.
U.P.C and Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) - 101 for Novices
Learn about the most widely implemented global standards in the retail supply chain -The Universal Product Code (U.P.C.), Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), and their respective barcodes. The identification of products with GTINs is the most fundamental concept within the GS1-US (formerly Uniform Code Council) System. There is more to understanding the GTIN than the U.P.C. This "Get the Basics" session is a must for all those involved in bar coding and electronic commerce. Topics covered will include: what is a GTIN, is every U.P.C. a GTIN, what is a GS1 Company Prefix, how are GTINs constructed, what bar codes can contain GTINs, how are GTINs identified in electronic commerce, and how are GTINs stored in databases. Get the basics on GTINs, and how they can positively impact your supply chain.
U.P.C. and Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) - 201 for Masters
Moving beyond the UPC/GTIN fundamentals, this session will enhance your knowledge about the GTIN by exploring details about GTINs including bar code symbols that carry GTINs, symbol quality and placement, elements of GTIN (GS1 company prefix, item reference, and check digit), assigning GTINs for your products, GTINs containing industry-specific numbers, and numbers that act and feel like GTINs, but are not. Find out everything you need to know about using GTINs, and how they can make your company more successful and profitable.
The Facts on GS1-128 (formerly UCC-128) Case Labels in Black and White - Fundamentals of Using the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)
The SSCC is used on pallets, cases, and cartons to enable increased efficiency in logistics. Join us to learn about the current application standards, terminology, bar code symbology, various segments of the number, relationship to the GTIN, examples of the most common SSCC labels, and how SSCCs work in conjunction with the Advance Ship Notice (ASN) and e-commerce messages, such as the EDI 856 transaction. Real-world examples highlighting the benefits of the SSCC will be featured. Find out how the combination of SSCCs shipping labels and ASNs provide auditable and accountable supply chain tracking, and expedite product through a DC to the sales platform and ultimately to your customer.
Making the Jump from Shipping to Receiving with GS1-128 Case Labels and ASNs in VendorNet
An in-depth look at the various options in VendorNet to implement shipping, ASNs and case labels to provide your warehouses with accurate carton-level details to make inventory receiving a smoother and more efficient process. Explore the Assign Shipment functionality, and various configuration options in VendorNet that define and drive how your vendors prepare shipments and print case labels. Sample case label formats and content will be reviewed, including discussing their significance in matching up with the data sent to your warehouse system in the ASN. Learn how to more closely align shipping and receiving processes with VendorNet to improve accuracy and operational efficiencies for both you and your vendors.
Determining if Carrier Integration is the Right Move For you and your Vendors
This session will provide an overview of VendorNet's carrier integration module including its benefits, and when it makes the most sense to use it. A discussion on how vendors can use it, examples of generated shipping labels, status differences with orders that are carrier integrated, a review of current and future integrated carriers, creating custom carriers to integrate with non-standard carriers, and using the ship confirm bucket to manage physical shipments, including what to do when the carrier did not receive a package, how you are alerted, and how it can be managed in VendorNet. Learn why the Carrier Integration Module could be the right move for you and your dropship vendors.
One Player's Approach to Carrier Integration; A Case Study from RedEnvelope
Red Envelope delivers real-world examples and business cases for using the carrier integration functionality in VendorNet. Nothing beats proven practices. Find out how and why carrier integration helped RedEnvelope move ahead.
A Retailer's Approach to Making the Right Moves with Case Labels in VendorNet
A before and after glimpse of why and how one VendorNet retailer implemented case labels and ASNs with VendorNet for more than 1,000 vendors. A recap of the process from training to implementation will be reviewed including the results from its warehouse operations 30 to 90 days out. Leave this session with practical and actionable information, an understanding of what works when undertaking a major implementation, and an appreciation for benefits realized by the retailer and its vendors.
Information Technology Users Track
Protecting your Castle with VendorNet's Latest Security Options
A complete review of VendorNet's enhanced security functionality related to usernames and passwords. This session will show how to establish password coding conventions, minimum strength levels, and optionally encrypt the passwords in your database. Attendees will find out how to automate password assignments with vendors and force scheduled updates. Additional capabilities to be reviewed include: implementing password history, password expiration, and locking accounts. Protect your user environment with easy-to-implement practices to establish secure, PCI-compliant user accounts including automation techniques to facilitate password maintenance.
Mastering VendorNet's Email and Calendar Functions
A complete review of email set-up in VendorNet including the new email set-up features. Attendees will learn how to use the new email templates to simplify the set-up for new and existing vendor contacts. A complete list of all actions and conditions that can generate e-mails at both the individual order and group level will be provided including a review for all possible email recipients. Learn how to incorporate user-defined content into emails utilizing order data from VendorNet, and use the calendar to adjust the date that pending and delinquent emails are sent by defining working and non-working days. You will leave this session knowing how to streamline email set-up, eliminate emails from being sent on non-working days, and maximize email content of VendorNet generated data for effective and efficient email communication.
An Introduction to Standard EDI Maneuvers
Detailed information about EDI including an introduction to the files and file processes. A review of the individual EDI maps and how they can be maintained in VendorNet. Communication options for trading EDI files via FTP, AS2, or a VAN, and the advantages and considerations of each method. The latest on AS2 communications, and how you can take advantage of its features. Don’t miss this EDI primer to learn the ins and outs of EDI, and what will work best for you and your vendors.
A Retailer's Approach to Deploying EDI (Onlineshoes.com)
Onlineshoes.com, a VendorNet client since 2004 will provide real-life discussion on how it has facilitated EDI with its vendors allowing easy management of dropship orders in VendorNet. Attendees will learn how to communicate the EDI layouts and terms with vendors, how to keep vendors on your schedule as it pertains to EDI set-up and ’go-live‘ target dates, and how Pending Buckets help manage data differences and quickly identify problem vendor items or orders. The scoop on EDI - what really works best from an experienced EDI-enabled retailer.
VendorNet Mapper for Novices
A comprehensive review of how to utilize VendorNet’s file mapping utility. This utility facilitates host system integration and allows for data exchange with vendors in their desired format. Review a sampling of file formats, and learn how to read and build maps in VendorNet. An invaluable starter session for retailers wishing to manage system-to-system integration with vendors.
VendorNet Mapper for Masters
Building on the starter session to VendorNet Mapper, this session discusses advanced features including: field and record termination, combining and removing fields, manipulation of fields with scripts and functions, working with repeating records (looping), and using the Dictionary to store and retrieve data. Attendees will master advanced VendorNet Mapper functionality to maximize system-to-system integration capabilities.
Speeding up the Game with VendorNet's Auto-Processing Options
Learn how to set-up and manage the unattended file exchange process (autoextract, autoship, autoinvoice, etc.) with your vendors in VendorNet. Using scripts and establishing FTP processes in VendorNet will be discussed, as well as best practices for establishing FTP communications with your vendors, and when to archive files. The option of faxing or e-mailing orders to vendors as part of VendorNet's scripting options will also be reviewed. This session will help retailers improve operational efficiencies by automating key file exchange processes with vendors.
Capturing and Resolving Blunders in your Vendor's Shipping and Invoicing Files in your ‘Pending Buckets’
A comprehensive review of your ‘pending buckets’ that contain ship and invoice files received from vendors that have order errors (i.e. cost discrepancies, sku discrepancies, etc.). Find out how to identify the problem orders, and efficiently process those files. A comprehensive list of possible error conditions along with suggested resolutions will be provided. Attendees will learn how to track an order when errors are ignored and not processed. Procedures for communicating with buyers and vendors regarding exception order conditions, and determining the root of the issues to minimize future file errors will be discussed. Don’t let problem orders in your Ship and Invoice files from vendors result in a delayed ASN to your warehouse or shipment updates to your host Order Management system. This session breaks down the barriers to communicating and resolving order exceptions with vendors.
System Maintenance Strategies to Ensure you Stay in the Game
An overview for maintaining and securing your VendorNet servers. This session covers database backup options, system and hard disk redundancy, preparing for disaster recovery, and implementing system security measures. Your data is KING. Learn proven techniques and procedures to safeguard your information assets.
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