This project was initiated by Peter Ross and was implemented by Dmitri Ostapenko to handle preordering of model cars by our wholesale clients around the world. It started in October 2018 with a goal of alleviating some order processing headaches associated with previously used archaic tools and practices that don't scale up very well. This is modern web-based tool with centralized database, multiple access roles and powerful on-the-fly reporting. Easy to use and accessible from anywhere by users of different categories it allows for effective collaboration within our geographically diverse team. Our clients can now preorder their products online and follow their order fulfillment. Inventory management and packing lists for shipping are supported.
Another example is setting product prices. We use 'price rules' based on product attributes like scale, brand, category and type. Staff can add these price rules into the system and then set new prices, both european and international, for all product/client pairs with a click of a button. Changing prices using this method is a breathe and allows for flexiblity in using different prices for different geographic locations.
System has online self-testing tool to check data integrity and help staff to find and fix possible attribute problems and correct missing information. If, for example, product does not have associated picture or is not covered by price rule, this tool will show this particular deficiency in online report.
Up-to-the minute reports with different levels of detail can be generated by staff and clients on the fly and downloaded in PDF or CSV format. Both product and client reports are supported. Clients have access to their own reports only.
Dedicated staff person has access to inventory functions. Inventory template is downloaded and filled out, then uploaded back to the system. Product availability will then be updated with a click of a button.
Packing list pages handle all shipping related functions. Packing list contains numbers of shipped pieces per product/client. Once packing list is uploaded, all corresponding orders will be updated to include information on which placements were shipped.
The project is still a work in progress and will evolve over time. Many thanks to Peter Ross, Andreas Mueller, Susanna, Sandra, Jana and many others who provided input and suggested changes. We hope that APDOMS will one day become an indispensable tool for efficient ordering and all related accounting functions. We currently have 1552 products in the system and more than 200 clients around the world.
-- Oct 2023