StockM Update 2020.08.06

Additional functionality of the right mouse button in StockM.

Additional functionality has been added - new options can be seen in any window by calling up the menu and right-clicking on any row:

• Mark / Unmark selected / outlined rows (if there is no column for the selection in the table, such as in the Periods window, these selections will remain in the menu window, only will be off / in gray color).

It is possible to select all lines of one page, which can be marked / unmarked by calling the menu, by pressing the combination “ctrl + a” in the keyboard.

• 4 new links to windows:

1.  “Inventories” (with filters: SKU code, Warehouse code). The link will be visible between the options if there is an option to select the SKU code and the Warehouse code in the window where the menu is called;
2. “Suppliers schedule” (with filters: Supplier name, Supplier code). The link will be between the selections if there is an option to select the Supplier name and the Supplier code in the window where the menu is called;
3. “Suppliers card”. The link will be between the selections if there is an option to select the Supplier name and the Supplier code in the window where the menu is called;
4. “SKU card” - product card. The link will be between the selections if there is an option to select an item code in the window where the menu is called.

If the menu is called up in the Inventory window, the Inventory window will not be visible between the selections (same logic as with the Suppliers schedule). The menu item will also not be visible if the user does not have permission to see a specific window.

StockM Update 2020.07.23

1. Entering of the Safety buffers with expiration date (SBX) into StockM.

Until now, safety buffers with dates could be transferred from accounting system to StockM during the data exchange in the file sbx.csv.

Since this update, it is possible to create / edit / delete safety buffers with the expiration date in the StockM window: Time Intervals -> Safety Buffers. They can also be loaded via an excel template.

Creating a New SBX: Time Intervals -> Safety Buffers -> New.

• Only one active combination is possible at a time: SKU - Warehouse - Type (there are 3 types of safety buffer - SBX1, SBX2, SBX3). If you want to load / create an additional period for the same “SKU - Warehouse”, you need to select another type.
• If the combination “SKU - Warehouse - Type” is loaded, which is already active in StockM, it will be changed to the new one.
• When loading items to the window Time Intervals -> Safety Buffers -> New, a maximum of 3 items with the same combination “SKU - Warehouse” can be loaded (or copied) simultaneously, as there are 3 types of safety buffers to date.
• In the window Time Intervals -> Safety Buffers -> New, it is possible to download the template of Safety Buffers. If there are added items in that window, those items will be added to the downloaded template.
• It is possible to load items into the "New safety buffer" window from excel according to the Warehouse code or Warehouse level.

Editing SBX:

• Before the Safety buffer has started - all fields can be edited: Type, Value, Begin date, End date, Remark to safety buffer.
• When the Safety buffer has started but has not expired (or not canceled) - only the fields can be changed: End date, Remark to safety buffer.
• When the Safety buffer has expired or has been canceled - no fields can be changed.

Delete SBX:

• If the Safety buffer has started - after deleting the record, today's date is entered in the "Canceled" column and the validity of the safety buffer is suspended (the Safety buffer remains in the history).
• If the Safety buffer has not yet started - after deleting the record, it is completely deleted from the table, without even leaving it in the history.

2. Transfer of the information of the supplier supplied items (SKU) during data exchange.

So far editing of the information in the window “Supplier info -> Supplier SKU information” took place only in StockM.

Since this update it is possible to transfer information of the Supplier supplied items (SKU) to StockM during data exchange using new file supplier_SKU.csv.

Information transferred to StockM via file is:

• supplier code;
• item code (SKU);
• SKU code in the supplier's ERP;
• SKU name in supplier's ERP;
• SKU unit of measure (dimension) is the supplier's ERP;
• Supplier's minimum ordered quantity - MOQ (by supplier's unit of measure (dimension));
• Quantity of Supplier's minimum unbreakable packaging - USQ (by supplier's unit of measure (dimension));
• Conversion ratio to the supplier's unit of measure (dimension);
• Supplier's purchase price - the price offered by the supplier without VAT per one unit of measurement (dimension) of the supplier, in the base currency. If there is no offer, 0 is displayed;
• Supplier's balance - the free quantity of item in the supplier's warehouse in the supplier's units of measure (dimension).

StockM Update 2020.07.09

Changes in the "Supplier SKU info" window.

In StockM window: Suppliers info -> Supplier SKU info:

1. No warehouse information left in the window. Supplier's product (SKU) information (SKU code in the supplier's system, SKU name in the supplier's system, Unit of measure in the supplier's system, Conversion type and coefficient of Unit of measure) is specified only for a specific SKU and cannot be different in individual warehouses.

2. There are additional information columns for information from the supplier's system: Supplier's MOQ, Supplier's USQ, Supplier's balance, Supplier's purchase price. This information can be entered manually.

StockM Update 2020.06.18

1. New menu window.

A new menu window “Time intervals” has been created in StockM. Moved to it:

• Periods

• Promotions

• Security buffers

2. User activity.

In the SM Admin module is specified activity for the created users (by ticking /or unchecking). Only an active user can log in to StockM.

You can also assign user to a user group Disabled. By indicating this group, the items remained assigned to the person until someone indicated otherwise, but the user himself could not log in to StockM.

Since this update:

• All Disabled users became inactive (one-time change when installing this update);

• All inactive users lose the items (the items are assigned to the Unassigned Manager or to the manager responsible for the incompleted SKU data cards of Unassigned Manager). This can happen both when changing the manager on the items card - during card saving, and when receiving the code of inactive manager during data exchange.

Recommendation for the users:

• When the user no longer works with the program, he needs to be deactivated and all his items will be assigned to an Unassigned Manager or indicated responsible manager instead of Unassigned.

• If you want user to be disconnected temporarily, but the items must remain assigned to him, then assign the user group Disabled.

StockM Update 2020.06.04

1. NEW mover calculation.

NEW mover - a new item mark, which is automatically assigned to all new items that have entered the system (by default, the new items mark is assigned for 3 months after the item appears in the system). It is not logical to assign the same NEW mark when different delivery times are.

Since this update, it is possible to set the method for assigning the New mover mark. In the SM Admin module you can choose:

• how many days after the product card is created in the warehouse it is considered as new (NEW) or

• how many delivery periods (OLT - order lead time) of the item / order it must be considered with the NEW mover mark.

The setting can only be made on a company-wide basis.

2. Zoom function in report graphs.

In the dynamics of buffers and inventory, there was no possibility to zoom / exclude the desired period, as can be done in the item (SKU) graph.

Since this update, this feature was added to the report graphs in StockM in Reports window: Inventory Dynamics, Buffer Dynamics, and Availability (DTA).

When saving to Excel, the period shown in the graph is downloaded.

After selecting the fields you want to see, in order to see the updated axes you have to press one of the 'zoom out' buttons (depending on whether you want to see X or Y or X and Y updated axes).

3. Standard order forms for suppliers.

In StockM supplier card, two new pdf forms in Lithuanian, Russian and English were added to the list of standard order forms:

• Form F1 replaces the standard rdlcform pdf form.

• Form F2 additionally includes price and sum.

StockM Update 2020.05.28

1.     Resend orders.

There are situations when you need to resend the order to the supplier, even the order has been already sent and is in the Placed orders window now.

It is possible to resend the order by e-mail in the Placed orders window. Clicking on the green envelope in the list next to the desired order will open a window asking if you want to forward it. After confirmation, the program will forward the order according to all its settings.  

This function is also available to resend multiple orders at once – place the checkmark on the desired orders and click „Resend orders“. If the e-mail cannot be sent, the red envelope will light up.

2.     Inventory Dynamics report: percentage of lost sales and overstock.

Percentages of lost sales and overstock are showed in Inventory dynamics for easier data tracking.  

When you enter with the mouse over a group of columns, a window with values pops up. Next to lost sales and overstock you can see the percentage in parentheses now:

·        lost sales from sales;

·        overstock from inventory.

This information, like the other fields, can be saved in Excel.

StockM Update 2020.05.21

1. New user right: see only your items.

Until now the user had a right to see a certain warehouse without limitation to see the items of all other users / managers in it.

Since this update it is possible to set user to see only his items (which he controls) in a particular warehouse.         

The setting can be done in the SM Admin module: Settings > users > user card > check the box “Show managed items only”.

• The user will see the items assigned to him in the StockM windows: Inventory, Buffers to increase, Buffers to decrease, Incompleted SKU data, Questionable buffers, Supplier SKU info.
• In the Inventory window, when creating new SKU cards, user will be able to select only himself as the assigned manager.
• This restriction will not work in the windows Promotions, Periods, Orders, SKU groups – the user will see the items of all managers because in these windows information can be entered for the items of more than just one manager (for example, an order to the same supplier can contain items belonging to several managers).

2. Autoplace, when creating regular orders in StockM manually.

When autoplace is specified in the Suppliers order formation schedule, regular orders are sent automatically during data exchange.

If user created regular orders in StockM manually (Orders -> Create orders) and placed a checkmark "Today’s orders only", the orders were created but autoplace did not work, they were not sent automatically (even autoplace was indicated in the Suppliers schedule).

Since this update there is a possibility to set regular orders to be send automatically as soon as they are created manually.

In the order creation window (Orders -> Create orders) there is an additional checkbox “Autoplace” next to the “Today’s orders only”. The checkmark “Autoplace” can be placed only if a checkmark “Today’s orders only” is placed.

If you select “Autoplace”, the program will check additionally whether this checkmark is placed on the Suplier order formation schedule:

• If placed, the order will be sent automatically as soon as the regular order is created. If the order cannot be sent due to the optimization settings to the supplier, it will appear the “New orders” window to be reviewed and sent by the responsible user manually.
• If not placed, the order will be moved to the “New orders” window to be sent manually.

StockM Update 2020.05.14

1. Display of spec. orders (PTO) and reservation on the item chart.

There are two types of reservations in StockM: from the current stock in the warehouse and special orders (PTO) of customers. In the item chart, these reservations were visible together in one curve.

Since this update, the reservations are showed separately: reservation and PTO.

2. Assigning a second manager.

A responsible manager is assigned to the item in StockM. If several managers were dealing with the same item (eg. in the marketing department and in the purchase department), only one of them could be assigned as responsible manager.

Since this update, it is possible to assign a second manager. In StockM windows it appears in the column “Manager 2”.

• The second manager can only be assigned in StockM. It can be loaded via Table L11.
• After selecting on the dashboard (Home):
  • “All Users” – data is filtered by the first manager, as it was before;
  • A specific manager – shows all the items where that manager is assigned as the first or the second manager. Where amounts are calculated, they are visible only under the first manager (because the product sets of the first and second managers may overlap.
• On the taskbar a user who is logged in sees all the tasks where he is assigned in any way (as the first or the second manager), if the setting “show on dashboard” is active for him.
• In the window “Taskboard”:
  • A particular user sees all the tasks where he or she is assigned in any way (as the first or the second manager);
  • In the case of “All Users”, the data is filtered by the first manager (as it was).
• Manager 2 is visible in the reports.

StockM Update 2020.05.07

PTO orders (pto.csv) validity period.

PTO orders in StockM can be entered manually or received via pto.csv from accounting.

The pto order received so far in StockM could be closed only if it was removed from StockM or if the pto.csv file was not received from accounting.

Since this update, it is possible to specify the number of days of validity of the pto order „Delete after X days“. The number of days can be entered in StockM, in the PTO orders window, or uploaded via pto.csv file. After the specified number of days after the „Delivery date“, the pto order / quantity will be removed automatically or no longer included in the orders to the supplier. If the field „Delete after X days“ is empty, the order has no expiration date.

StockM Update 2020.04.30

1. New setting for calculating buffer by coefficient.

In the Periods or Inventory window when calculating the buffer according to the specified coefficient, the buffer is calculated according to the formula:  

New BUF = (BUF - MOQ) * coeff. + MOQ

Since this update, this buffer calculation method has a selection / checkbox “Take into account MOQ” that allows you to select to take into account MOQ or not:

• By default, the check mark is placed and the new buffer calculation formula remains as it was.
• If the check mark is not placed, new buffer formula is:

 New BUF = BUF * coeff.

2. Calculation of average sales for lost sales.

Lost sales are only calculated for DTA items with a balance ≤ 3% (buffer + safety buffer). It is checked how many days a week the items met this condition and the number of days obtained is multiplied by the average daily sales. Average sales are calculated at purchase prices.

Until now, average daily sales have been calculated by taking sales over a three-month period and dividing them by a number of days of 3 months without evaluating whether there was a balance in stock during these days. Average daily sales were inaccurate because there was no balance of some items in stock for the entire period. In other words, they could have counted smaller.

To make the calculation of average daily sales more accurate, after the update, they will be calculated by taking sales for a three–month period and diving them by the number of days when the balance or sales were available.

StockM Update 2020.04.23

1. Reservations by date (pto.csv).

There are 2 types of reservations in StockM: from the existing stock in the warehouse and special orders from customers (received in StockM via the pto.csv file).

Since this update, StockM immediately included received pto order in the nearest order to supplier, the date when the order had to be fulfilled was not estimated. In other words, program did not take into account the fact that the customer / buyer does not need these goods now and they can be delivered later with next orders.

Now StockM will check what delivery date of pto is. In the separate field “Activate before X d.” the number of days before the necessary delivery date can be specified, i.e. when the order must become active and can be already fulfilled. If in the field “Activate before X d.:  

• nothing is specified, the field is empty, the pto order will be processed immediately and it will be included in the nearest order to the supplier;
• 0 is entered, the goods will be ordered with the last order, which will arrive before the specified delivery date;
• certain number of days is entered, the order will become active in such a number of days before the “Delivery date” and will be included in the next order to supplier after this activation.

2. Verification by uploading data to StockM via Table L11.

When uploading data to StockM via table L11, the information was loaded only when there were no errors. If the program found errors, the information was not loaded. A list of items was displayed to the user and errors had to be corrected.

Since this update, information will be loaded from those rows that do not contain errors, and a list of errors will be shown to the user (errors can be exported to excel as before). Once the errors are corrected, the data will have to be uploaded for specified rows once again by entering information into a new / separate L11 table template.

3. New filtering operator in StockM windows.

An additional text field filtering operator has been added to StockM. It allows to specify / enter several values via a semicolon.

StockM Update 2020.04.09

1. Combining of items into a group of alternative (ALT) items.

Until now, when combining items into the ALT product group, the main item had to be in all active warehouses, and the ALT product was not necessarily present.

This situation created problems in the distribution of items from the central warehouse to the branches. When it was necessary to order a product from a central warehouse, an ALT product was offered to be transported to the branch if there was a sufficient ALT product balance in the center and it was not checked that the branch does not sell the ALT product.

Since this update, the main and alternative items’ codes must be in all storage locations to combine ALT items.

A warning has been made in the confirmation window of combining when saving settings that both main and alternative items will be distributed through the warehouses. Distribution takes place through all warehouses containing at least one product involved in the ALT combination. The message after combining of items will show how many new items (SKU) cards have been created through the warehouses.

     2. New setting in SM Admin “Divide product order amount”.

If orders for the supplier are formed frequently, but the delivery / delivery time is long, there is no need to order the entire buffer immediately with the first orders. It is possible to create several orders in one delivery time and thus reduce the amount of ordered goods. In other words, “fill the buffer” not immediately, but in several deliveries (divide the ordered quantity of one item in time over several orders).

After the update, it is possible to enable the setting so that in case of frequent but long deliveries, the entire buffer would not be ordered at once in one order. If at least 2 regular orders can be formed during the delivery time, then a maximum limit is applied to the ordered quantity, which is calculated according to the ratio of delivery frequency and duration and buffer. The maximum quantity also includes a PTO and a reservation so that ordered quantity was not restricted for special needs.

Important: The possibility to use this function has to be agreed separately and setting of this function works company-wide. If necessary, contact the project manager.