Reverse Logistics Portal Empowers the Supply Chain...

Perceptant, the cloud computing integration, messaging and supply chain specialist, has developed a Reverse Logistics Portal to allow manufacturers and 4PLs to control returned and refused stock.

The Reverse Logistics Executive Council (RLEC) estimates that Reverse Logistics costs account for approximately one-half of one percent of total GDP. Therefore, Reverse Logistics is becoming an increasing area of focus for retailers and manufacturers looking to improve profitability and competitive positioning.

No area is this more apparent than within grocery logistics where sustainable distribution is a hot topic, and refused deliveries are commonplace. In practice, product refusals are normally due to damaged or miss-picked goods – leaving the driver needing to drop off the refused goods quickly in order to get to the next job. This means taking them to the provider’s nearest depot.

Logistics providers running national distribution will therefore have refused product scattered across not just their own depots but also those of their subcontractors’. The job of the logistics provider is to identify and manage the return of these products to the original manufacturer or arrange their authorised disposal. In sectors with perishable goods, for example the food and drink sector, a delay in this process will result in goods being written off that would otherwise be saleable. However reverse logistics is often a neglected area in the systems used to manage transport companies, which leaves the logistics companies and their customers exchanging spreadsheets to keep track of the stock.

Perceptant (www.perceptant.com), a pioneer of cloud computing supply chain collaboration and electronic data interchange (EDI) solutions, has developed a Reverse Logistics Portal, aptly named RLP, to give manufacturers, and the logistics service providers delivering their goods, better control and visibility of returned and refused stock without resorting to supplier access to ERP systems. Designed to compliment SAP, Epicor, Infor, Unit 4, Microsoft Dynamics and Warehouse/Transportation Management Systems, Perceptant RLP, includes a secure log-in and product code verification suite that supports secure processes while promoting efficiency across all parties.

“With a foundation of world class messaging capability we are able to ensure that the portal is efficient for all parties”, says Matthew Slinn, CEO and founder of Perceptant “Users only enter the data that cannot be interfaced from their existing systems. The portal supports users with all levels of sophistication and can therefore be rolled out to entire communities, with the only prerequisite being an internet connection”.

Perceptant has used the services of Labyrinth Logistics Consulting to specify the portal. “Where transport is contracted out separately from warehousing, the management of return and refused stock is difficult using Transport Management Systems, as access to data such as product codes is not normally part of their functionality”, says Jo Godsmark, Director of Labyrinth “Perceptant’s portal plugs this gap and gives 4PLs working on any contract, but particularly those involving perishable goods, a tool to reduce their customers’ stock losses.”

About Perceptant

Perceptant provide software solutions that drive the integration, synchronisation and collaboration of supply chains. Available via cloud computing and simple monthly charging tariffs, our fully managed supply chain management, SaaS Integration and EDI 2.0 solutions help companies of all sizes automate B2B transactions, integrate enterprise software applications and implement collaborative business applications. Perceptant has its headquarters in Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK.

Improve Your Accounts Payable Process to Boost Cash Flow and Profitability

There are few initiatives these days that deliver double-digit returns but the accounts payable (AP) process is a very good example where substantial efficiency improvements can be made, and quantifiable bottom-line savings achieved!

With the demands placed on global supply chains to exchange more and more data, current inefficiencies can often be linked to slow, inaccurate, and poorly defined paper-based workflow and capture processes. The result is: re-work when processing duplicate invoices, 'lost' vendor payment discounts, poor working capital management, and a poor vendor feedback and experience when querying the status of an invoice. The question is – where to begin?

1. Eradicate paper

Purchase orders, invoices and credit notes are often received in paper format, even though we all know that the use of electronic documents have many advantages over paper. Of course, vendors should be encouraged to send invoices in electronic format by rewarding them through speedy feedback, processing, and payment. Where organisations do not have the 'luxury' of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems, other, less costly solutions are available! It must be noted that it is best practice to scan and capture all received paper invoices and credit notes as early as possible in the AP process.

2. Scan, capture, and identify duplicates as early as possible

Vendors often send the same invoice via multiple channels (in their enthusiasm to be paid). This can be the cause for a lot of unnecessary re-work as part of the AP process before discovering that an invoice is a duplicate and discarded. The early capture of fields that uniquely identify the invoice, such as the invoice number and vendor number, enables duplicates to be identified at a very early stage in the AP process.

3. Make use the invoice information that you have in the capture and validation process

Information that you already have in the back-end accounting system such as outstanding PO numbers, and anticipated invoice amounts from a specific vendor, can be used to increase the accuracy and reliability of the captured invoice information. In the case of manual capture processes, this information can be used as default values or selection lists to minimise the impact of human error. When capture automation is used, such as Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and the automation technology is closely integrated with the back-end accounting system, this information can be made available to the automation technology and used to increase accuracy - this lends to faster AP processes and less human error!

4. Provide immediate feedback to the vendor

Feedback to the vendor at appropriate stages in the AP process is crucial for improving the vendor experience, decreasing vendor queries and duplicates received, and assisting the vendor to identify issues as these arise. Feedback can be typically via SMS or e-mail. The vendor information must be maintained to ensure that the correct people or systems receive the feedback in the desired format, again lending to faster and more improved AP processes.

5. Don't underestimate the AP process

The AP process is a little trickier than it may seem at first. Some of the curveballs that you may encounter, and which should be catered for by the AP solutions, are:

* Multiple PO numbers on a single invoice

* “Standing” PO numbers that are to be used many times for an indefinite final amount

* Partial deliveries where the PO number may, or may not, be received again from that vendor

* Invoices to be paid without PO numbers such as consignment stock invoices

All of the above can and should be managed by the AP process solution, thereby ensuring integrity and speed within the AP process.

6. Don't underestimate change management and the culture of the organisation

Culture, or “the way we do things around here” is not easily changed, and yet the human factor is often ignored - to the detriment of efforts to implement and anchor process and technology changes. Those who find security in paper are not easily convinced to give it up. For example, there are a wide range of organisations whose staff print and courier memos internally and do not know what scanning is, to those that insist on the use of workflow, content management, and scanning technologies. It goes without saying that the change management efforts in these organisations should be and are worlds apart. Often when an AP management solution is implemented, the important 'people-aspect' is ignored and the success of an AP solution is hugely dependent on whether or not the solution is used!

Perceptant (http://www.perceptant.com) is a leading provider of software and services that drive the integration, synchronisation and collaboration of supply chains. Our hosted, on-demand supply chain management, application integration and electronic data interchange (EDI) solutions process millions of business-to-business transactions, integrate leading enterprise software applications and help seamlessly connect the demand chains of many complex trading communities. Perceptant is headquartered in Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK.

Free Global B2B Exchange from Perceptant Hits the Supply Chain…

Perceptant, the SaaS Supply Chain Integration Software Company, today announced the availability of B2B Express 2.0, its latest internet EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) & XML solution for supply chain principals, suppliers and their trading communities.

Designed for businesses involved in the electronic receipt of purchase orders and the transmission of invoices and advanced shipping notices, B2B Express 2.0 is free to use for low document volumes, however can be cost effectively scaled to deliver fully integrated B2B messaging with SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Sage, Infor, Epicor, Unit 4 and most leading back office and accounting systems.

“EDI and XML based B2B messaging has so far failed to reach the masses due to high costs, technical complexity and lack of integration”, says Richard Clover, director of supply chain integration at Perceptant. “B2B Express 2.0 removes these barriers to entry, not only because it’s delivered as a fully managed service over the internet but can be configured and operational within minutes”.

Pre-configured with UN EDIFACT, ANSI ASC X12, TRADACOMS, EANCOM and ODETTE EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) messages, including their XML equivalents, B2B Express 2.0 can also be tailored to use variations of these messages as used by leading retailers (e.g. Walmart, Carrefour, Tesco, Metro AG, Home Depot, CVA Caremark, Kroger, Costco, Target and Groupe Auchan SA), chemical & pharmaceutical companies, electronics, logistics, motor manufacturers and conglomerates.

“Existing users of EDI and B2B messaging more often believe there isn’t an alternative to their current supplier whereas companies under pressure to trade electronically often take the solution recommended by their customer”, says Richard Ward, COO of Perceptant. “Many of our current customers have switched over from a competitive solution, which is a seamless process and on average drives cost savings of 53%”.

About Perceptant

Perceptant (http://www.perceptant.com) is a leading provider of software and services that drive the integration, synchronisation and collaboration of supply chains. Our hosted, on-demand supply chain management, application integration and electronic data interchange (EDI) solutions process millions of business-to-business transactions, integrate leading enterprise software applications and help seamlessly connect the demand chains of many complex trading communities. Perceptant is headquartered in Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK.

The Universal Supply Chain Management Language

During the 1970’s and early 80’s many of us believed that supply chains would seamlessly communicate with each other via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Unfortunately, due to multiple standards, clunky translation software, expensive teams of technicians and the requirement for rooms full of super computers this eNirvana turned in to a debacle.

Large hubs demanded suppliers’ trade with them electronically, often forcing them to take archaic software that sat on a standalone PC. Periodically, the supplier would check the PC for new orders, print them out and manually rekey them in to their own computer systems.

This eNirvana (every buzz word back then remotely related to EDI started with an e) spurned a myriad of software and value added network suppliers who quickly got fat from their spoils. IT Directors professed the world of Supply Chain Management was now electronic and Financial Directors rejoiced at the resultant business benefits and cost savings.

Through the 1990’s things were still progressing well until one very well respected and high profile technology executive questioned the validity of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Why were there so many sub-standards, why were the costs prohibitive, why was it restricted to just one or two documents, why weren’t any suppliers integrating the messages and how come it took so long to go-live.

It came as no surprise to some of us though when this same respected individual proclaimed to have the answer. A software product and data set so ahead of its time that it made EDI look prehistoric. Call it middleware if you will, that threw caution to the wind and embraced a new phenomenon called XML.

The panacea of business to business (B2B) collaboration was we were led to believe now called XML and that it would solve all of the drawbacks associated with EDI.

The bandwagon was rolling and many jumped starry eyed on to the shirt tails of our new saviour, who many likened to Obi-Wan Kenobi. The more cynical (or should that be sane) individuals and companies saw fundamental flaws in this new approach. Flaws that explain why a single Global messaging standard, be it XML or EDI will never work. You see, not one messaging standard or technology will ever become the de facto method for B2B communication, period. From a technological standpoint, what is needed is akin to a universal spoken language convertor, something that in real time allows people from France, Spain, China, Japan, England and Germany to hold a flowing conversation with each other in their native tongues.

Because of this, there are now a new and emerging range of companies that quietly over the last few years have developed the answer to our prayers and are able to demonstrate universal business translators. Translators that sit within a supply chain, taking XML, EDI, flat-files and many other electronic file formats and in real-time converting these in to a format that is understood by the computer systems of connected parties. SAP can now talk to Infor, SAGE can communicate with Epicor and CODA can interpret Microsoft Navision. Now whilst this may have been technically possible with predecessors, none of us would argue that costs, timescales, speed and overheads would have grounded the project before it even began.

People have finally accepted that no one B2B language will rule the World, failed supply chain projects litter news desks and archaic technology has been banished to the broom cupboard. Dare I say it but eNirvana has finally arrived and it’s a fascinating to see how the landscape has evolved over the last few years to bring us to this point.

A handful of software companies that dared to buck the “one size fits all” trend are now leading the universal business to business translation market. Their solutions are delivered on-demand via low, fixed cost pricing models, managed and hosted on behalf of customers and operate in real-time. The killer blow though is their ability to enable supply chains to collaborate, synchronise and integrate, immaterial of their Mother tongue. Viva la supply chain!

Perceptant is a recognised expert in Supply Chain Management & Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and has been linking supply chains for over 20 years. For a limited period companies can get a free review of their supply chain by visiting the Perceptant online B2B Collaboration and Integration Forum, which can be found on their homepage.

Logistic & FMCG Companies: How to Profit from a 21st Century Supply Chian

Major retailers are under tremendous pressure to go green and reduce their carbon footprint. To achieve this, they first turned to initiatives close at hand, including the reduction of energy consumption at the store level, product packaging resizing and the more efficient construction of new stores.

Some would argue however that their supply chains represent the biggest source of carbon reduction and as close to home initiatives begin to dry up, retailers are now turning their attentions towards suppliers.

FMCG companies for example are being placed under tighter and tighter scrutiny to deliver on-time, with full loads that aren’t rejected. This can have a major impact on sustainability, as full loads mean fewer lorries on our roads, fewer rejections equal less waste and on-time deliveries reduce bottlenecks and returns.

As if suppliers weren’t being squeezed enough, now comes a whole raft of new initiatives that, unless automated, will place margins under greater and greater pressure.

Nevertheless, supply chain’s can fight back, to not only deliver the carbon reductions retailers seek, but turn these initiatives in to an opportunity to improve profitability.

Picture, if you will, a supplier faced with a mandate from a major retailer to reduce its carbon footprint by 25%. That’s not a 25% reduction in its own internal footprint but the footprint it creates in trading with the retailer. Understandably, all eyes turn to logistics and product returns as two major areas that can achieve this. But how and at what cost?

The answer lies in the redesign and integration of business processes between the supplier and its hauliers that, if done correctly, can not only help them deliver major improvements in carbon footprint but also improve cash-flow and reduce costs.

For example, by exchanging delivery requests, load plans and despatch advices in real-time, suppliers and their logistics providers can increase the number of full loads and decrease the number of incorrectly timed deliveries. Furthermore, by equipping drivers with simple mobile-phone based text messaging (SMS) or Apple iPhone applications, proof of delivery (POD) messages can be sent back to the supplier’s computer system immediately the goods are received. This not only allows the supplier to invoice more quickly (sometimes by weeks) but also has a dramatic impact on reducing invoice queries.

In summary, there are many such initiatives that if implemented can help suppliers and their hauliers drive improvements to margins, cash-flow and customer service, whilst in tandem delivering the sustainability returns their customers demand.

Perceptant is a recognised expert in Efficient Logistics, Supply Chain Management & Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and has been helping companies seamlessly collaborate for over 20 years. For a limited period, organisations can have a free review of their logistical supply chain by visiting the Perceptant’s Solutions Forum, which can be found on their homepage.

Perceptant Unveil Global Import-Export Solution for Freight Forwarding, Third Party Logistic (3PL) and GTM Companies

"Perceptant iHUB Import Export (IE) 2.0 brings Freight Forwarders, Third Party Logistics companines and Global Trade Management providers an on-demand, fully-mapped messaging solution for the global exchange of import and export documentation".

Perceptant, the on-demand supply chain management company, today announced the availability of iHUB Import Export 2.0, its latest suite of supply chain management solutions and services for freight forwarders, global trade management companies and third party logistic providers.

Designed for businesses involved in managing and maintaining import and export documentation for customers, iHUB IE 2.0 is a fully-managed, on-demand suite of mapped import and export messages and complimentary Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) transactions that are hosted, and maintained by Perceptant and made available to customers via Software as a Service (SaaS).

Integrated in to existing software applications, via simple web calls, iHUB IE 2.0 equips partners with a range of fully-mapped EDIFACT, X12, IATA and EANCOM messages that are externalised in any format via AS2, VAN, P2P or FTP.


"Freight forwarders, GTM and 3PL providers have for many years' maintained costly IT departments to support the messaging requirements of their customers. In addition, the sheer complexity of import and export documentation has also hampered their growth and profitability", says Matthew Slinn, CEO and founder of Perceptant. "By partnering with us, customers gain immediate access to a silo of pre-mapped messages that can be tailored if required to their specific needs. Furthermore, our solutions are offered as a fully-managed service, maintained and hosted by staff with decades of experience in Electronic Data Interchange EDI, XML, Supply Chain Management and Application Integration".


Customers opt to either contract directly or resell the solutions and can elect to have the applications rebranded with their corporate identity if required.


Europe's largest business-to-business industry exchange, encompassing thousands of companies and millions of business transactions is delivered in this way, which has not only proven to be of great benefit to the market but also of significant commercial benefit to the contributing members.

"For the first time, comprehensive and complimentary business applications are now available, on-demand, via cloud computing and companies involved in import and export are beginning to realise that build versus buy or buy and spend months implementing are arguments that no longer stack up" says Matthew Slinn, CEO and founder of Perceptant. "Within weeks, our partners have an integrated suite of complimentary applications that drive new routes to market, provide competitive differentiation and generate significant incremental revenue".

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is Dead, Long Live EDI…

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) during the 1970’s and 1980’s professed to being the holy grail of business to business communication. However multiple standards, clunky translation software, expensive teams of technicians and the requirement for rooms full of super computers saw it never realise its full potential.

On the premise of receiving Purchase Orders at the click of a button, suppliers were often cajoled by large customers to adopt archaic software that sat on a standalone PC. The supplier would then periodically check the PC, print out the orders and manually rekey them in to their back office applications.

The “new-world” of electronic trading saw software and value added network (VAN) suppliers rejoice at their “sophisticated” solutions and ever growing profits. IT Directors professed the world of trading was now “e-lectronic” and Financial Directors regaled the resultant business benefits and cost savings.

All was well until one very well known and respected individual asked whether the emperor had actually any cloths. Why were there so many standards (and sub-standards), why so costly, why was it restricted to only one or two business documents, why was there such a lack of integration and why did it take so long to implement.

We should have all seen this coming but the same individual who asked the emperor what had happened to his cloths claimed to have the answer. A software product so ahead of its time that it made EDI look prehistoric, a middleware if you will that threw caution to the wind and embraced a new phenomenon called XML.

The new world of business to business (B2B) communication was now known as XML, which (so we were lead to believe) would become the universal standard for supply chain integration and had the power to overcome all the frailties associated with EDI.

Many jumped on to the bandwagon although a few some would say more sane companies decided to tread their own path, a path towards many messaging standards that worked in harmony. You see, not one messaging standard or technology will ever become the de facto method for B2B communication, period. From a technological standpoint, what is needed is akin to a universal spoken language convertor, something that in real time allows people from France, Spain, China, Japan, England and Germany to hold a flowing conversation with each other in their native tongues

Because of this, there are now a new and emerging range of companies that quietly over the last few years have developed the answer to our prayers and are able to demonstrate universal business translators. Translators that sit within a supply chain, taking XML, EDI, flat-files and many other electronic file formats and in real-time converting these in to a format that is understood by the computer systems of connected parties. SAP can now talk to Infor, SAGE can communicate with Epicor and CODA can interpret Microsoft Navision. Now whilst this may have been technically possible with predecessors, none of us would argue that costs, timescales, speed and overheads would have grounded the project before it even began.

It’s fascinating to see how the landscape has evolved over the last few years to bring us to this point. People have finally accepted that no one B2B language will rule the World, failed supply chain projects litter news desks and archaic technology has been banished to the broom cupboard.

A handful of software companies that dared to buck the “one size fits all” trend are now leading the universal business to business translation market. Their solutions are delivered on-demand via low, fixed cost pricing models, managed and hosted on behalf of customers and operate in real-time. The killer blow though is their ability to enable supply chains to collaborate, synchronise and integrate, immaterial of their Mother tongue. Viva la supply chain!

Perceptant is a recognised expert in Supply Chain Management & Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and has been linking supply chains for over two decades. For a limited period you can get a free review of your supply chain by visiting their online B2B Collaboration and Integration Forum.