March, 2005

CBI-AR New Features

Bar Code Data Entry

Explicit Return Application

Multiple Customer Databases

CBI Report Service Extension

Core Pricing Enhancement

Graded Return Processing

Windows® Authentication Security

CBI on the Corporate Web Site

Core Supply Queries

Image Acquisition - Future Feature

SAP Integration Support - Future Feature

Bar Code Data Entry

CBI-AR supports ANSI compliant bar-coded entry, normally used for the entry of part numbers during the receiving/acceptance process. In addition, extended character use can be used to support automatic field-to-field navigation with a single scan, such as the Windows® tab and enter commands, dependent on the barcode reader capabilities.

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Explicit Return Application

Return authorization for capital goods items often is on a unit-for-unit basis (explicit application). This means that the return authorization is tied to the serial number of the unit sold, the invoice number, or some other return authorization number. The automatic rules based FIFO application processing upon core acceptance has been expanded to allow for additional options:

Serial Number - During acceptance, the serial number can be entered and validated for a match and cause that return to be applied to that specific invoice. If no match is found, a list of open return records with invoice numbers are presented which allows manual selection in the case of invoice number errors, which then ties the return serial number to the invoice serial number for tracking purposes.
Manual Application - As in the case with the serial number mismatch, the return records can be presented and application made upon record selection of a specific invoice.

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Multiple Customer Databases

In a single CBI-AR database, a core is only allowed to be a member of one group. In the Multiple Customer Database, the core part hierarchy can be structured differently by customer group. This structure is invisible to users. The difference is the addition of a menu item to "select" the Customer Group before maintenance or review. Once the customer group is selected, only that customer's parts and part groups will appear in any data displayed or allowed for data entry. In addition, this allows each database to have its own billing/valuation and application rules structures.

This feature can be used when companies with different customer groups that purchase similar products, structure the core groups differently for core return application purposes.

Another use may be to control cross channel sales: Distributor A vs Distributor B, where the return policy is to issue credit only if the entered/scanned reman part number is associated with the sales channel. Under this setup, reman part numbers become unique to each customer group and acceptance processing occurs only when it is valid for that return customer.

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CBI Report Service Extension

This enhancement to Microsoft's® recently released, report development and distribution environment provides integrated FAX and Print to the available e-mail functionality. Reman Software offers fee-based development services for SQLServer 2000 Report Services.

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Core Pricing Enhancement

Core Group Pricing The powerful CBI-AR core pricing logic that includes price codes to establish pricing at the part/customer group, includes Core Group pricing. The Group price now defaults to all cores within the group eliminating the need to individually maintain detail core pricing when all items have a common price (as is typical in unit-based banking). Therefore, entry of core pricing is only required on items that require different prices than the Group price.
Premium Pricing This allows a separate price over the current return value price for use in issuing a premium on exceptional quality returns, or a "bounty price" to encourage additional returns. This allows crediting the customer with a value higher than the selling core price for exceptional returns. This option can be disabled by customer, or customer group.
Obsolete or Superceded Items The entry of a "zero" price on any item or group allows them to remain in the database and automatically inhibit acceptance processing.

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Graded Return Processing

This feature provides an alternative to the core return acceptance and valuation process where defective cores receive deduction values or rejection based on the selection of a reject/defect code at time of inspection/acceptance entry. This option presents four fields, labeled A - D, to enter quantities according to the grade or quality of core returns. ("A" is the highest value, and "D" equals rejection.)

Example: 90 returned cores can be entered and processed as the result of the entry of one core return line/part number; i.e. 50-A's, 30-B's, 10-D's. Access to the Graded Returns entry is through the standard Acceptance routine, where defect/reject code use is also available, or one dedicated only to its use.

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Windows® Authentication Security

Now, CBI-AR security, takes full advantage of the Windows® Server Integrated Security features to support both anonymous and secure login control. Access to CBI data is controlled by three factors: access to the web site, access to the database, and access to CBI functions. CBI enhances SQLServer "roles" definition by increasing its capability to establish additional roles based on job-based functions. The new roles are:

CBIVIEWER - users with this role can log into and view displays and reports but cannot change any data;
CBISENDER - this role adds the ability to record cores placed in transit;
CBIUSER - this role adds the ability to receive and accept cores;
CBIMANAGER - this role allows the user to manually add core tracking, return records, and manually apply cores.

All roles include the privileges of each previous role. Additionally, all data validation routines protect against unauthorized hackers attempting cross-site scripting and SQL injection.

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CBI on the Corporate Web Site

The security enhancements described above support secure access to CBI from corporate web sites for customers, whether by anonymous or site log-in. The CBI-AR Login Control determines what menus/programs are available for use and imposes external user "Restricted Access" controls, inhibiting access to only their specific customer code or group records.

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Core Supply Queries

Several new queries are available to help define core supply, including open In-Transit, Receiving, and Acceptance quantities netted against open return records to produce a "potential" core supply quantity. When open return quantities exceed open return records, a negative results indicating potential excess returns to core management before acceptance.

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Click the button above to request more information or to schedule a demonstration.

CBI-AR Future Features

CBI-AR Image Acquisition

This feature provides seamless image integration between digital cameras and CBI. It supports on-demand image capture, automatic naming, and secure storage of images of damaged, returned cores. CBI Acceptance routines present an "image" selection option whereupon camera connection image(s) are intelligently named and read to the CBI Image Database. This is the front-end to the "CBI Image Display" feature.

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SAP Integration Support

The first SAP-customer integration effort commenced in October of 2004 with a target for completion of December, 2004. Depending on timing, several other prospective customers may join in this effort toward a Reman Software-maintained standard SAP integration plug-in.

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