Lighthouse

www.editrack.com

Lighthouse
Software Product Description
Revised: 28th September 2010

Background
Lighthouse is a package solution which is made up of a series of modules. These modules utilise the ediTRACK core technology to make business processes visible and to expose their dependencies and relationships across the entire end to end supply chain. Lighthouse offers complete visibility of the supply chain from the sourcing and manufacturing of products through to the shipment, storage and delivery, as well as providing a platform for global communication, supplier performance management and real time decision making. Modules are based on a generic set of business processes, which have been defined through ediTRACK and its partners extensive knowledge and experience of retail and supply chain management. All modules are configurable to allow for customer specific variations in terminology, language, currency or business practices. Lighthouse modules can be deployed independently of one another or plugged together allowing data to be transferred from one module to another. Data can also be captured from all the systems that are used throughout the multiple organisations in the Supply Chain, including manual and ad-hoc applications (e.g. spreadsheets) this is then presented in a process-centric view.

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Lighthouse Structure
The modules which make up Lighthouse are shown in the diagram below and are explained in more detail throughout the rest of this document.

Sourcing & Product Development

Order Management

Shipment Management

Document Management

Delivery

Supplier Portal

User Control Centre

Dashboards

Management Reporting

Chart Analysis

Instant Alerts

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Sourcing & Product Development Module

Context & Scope
The Sourcing & Product Development Module enables collaboration between event owners such as buyers, merchandisers and technologists and their agents and suppliers, through a centrally integrated solution. The module provides complete critical path tracking and management from design or request for quotes and cost analysis through to final product seal. The module provides a single repository for information giving cross company visibility, alerting to slippage against the critical path and enabling advanced supplier performance analysis.

Process Flow
Design Specifications

Prototype Development

Sample Management

Quality Exceptions

Sealing Management

Quality Exceptions

Approve Production

Orders Raised

Dependencies
The Sourcing and Product Development Module can be run as a standalone module.

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Features
Holds product specifications and track changes. Details product requirements including design, packaging, sizing, fabric, trims and costs. Issues requests to multiple suppliers and to track responses. Compares quotes to determine best product features & costs against requirements. Benchmarking of supplier responses to requests for quotes. Tracks critical stages of production to ensure the critical path is met and products are manufactured on time. Tracks the sealing process and holds QA details and results. Defines and tracks testing and sampling requirements.

Benefits
Improves efficiency & compliance through a common sourcing approach. Enables access to global suppliers for lower cost, higher quality goods. Ensures clarity of product details through collaboration with suppliers. Reduces lead-times through proactive management & issue alerting. Improves ability to analyse and compare quotes for vendor negotiations. Draws supplier into a continuous improvement process. Empowers all parties to make decisions based on accurate information.

Management Information
Configurable dashboard reporting to critical activities. Automated alerts to pending and late events. Automated email alerts to specification changes. Supplier score card and KPI reporting. Historical sourcing reporting by supplier. Department/range/supplier performance reporting.

Integration
The Sourcing and Product Development Module can be integrated with Planning and Order Management systems.

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Order Management Module

Context & Scope
The Order Management Module provides a definitive version of orders by managing the distribution, controlling versions and tracking amendments. Orders can be raised manually within the module or received through integration with ERPs or other Purchase Order Management systems. The module can help reduce lead times by ensuring that suppliers and freight forwarders have the commitment required to begin production and ship on time.

Process Flow
Order Data POs

Order Confirmation

PO Exception

Priority Orders

PO Status

Dependencies
The Order Management Module can be run as a standalone module.

Features
Controls order version management. Automates the order distribution process and provides a single definitive version of the order to the appropriate parties. Proactive alerts of amendments to orders for both suppliers and buyers. Orders can be submitted, reviewed and accepted or rejected by suppliers. Automatically raise orders based on predefined required stock levels and intake figures. Defines order permission levels to control the spend of an individual or group of people based on pre-defined permissions.

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Benefits
Provides a single definitive version of the order which is visible to all. Enables proactive management of orders to ensure critical path dates are met. Improves communication by alerting suppliers, buyers and freight forwarders of amendments to orders. Enables supplier performance measurement by tracking exceptions against both original and amended orders.

Management Information
Stock commitment reporting. Alerting to order amendments. Purchase order status reporting. Priority order alerting.

Integration
The Order Management Module can be integrated with ERPs and other Order Management systems.

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Shipment Management Module

Context & Scope
The Shipment Management Module manages the movement of goods from Cargo Booking or Shipment Request through to Arrival and Customs Clearance and provides alerting and reporting to enable Supply Chain optimisation. Real time visibility improves decision making and enables a quicker response to market demands by fast tracking priority items or holding up goods which are no longer required.

Process Flow
Fowarder Integration /ASN Order Details

Cargo Booking

Shipments Shipments Due Due

Shipment Auhtorisation

Container Container Utilisation Utilisation

Shipment Manifest

Carrier Allocation

Advice of Despatch

On Time On Time Shipping Shipping

Forwarder Reference

PO Exceptions PO Exceptions

Confirm Arrival

UK Part Exceptions

Customs Clearance

Customs Status

Onboard Advice

Shipment Status

Shipment Status

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Dependencies
The Shipment Management Module requires the Order Management Module or equivalent data.

Features
Online supplier shipment requests and cargo booking with forwarders. Automates shipment authorisations based on predefined tolerances. Provides visibility of consolidation receipt & despatch of goods. Provides visibility of shipment manifest data at item level. Allows for the routing of multi leg shipments on feeder vessels at origin and destination. Allows for the routing of goods to any location e.g. reprocessors, offshore hubs or direct to store. Confirms arrival at destination. Flags priority items for fast tracking. Monitors supplier & forwarder performance. Monitors container fill and air freight volumes.

Benefits
Improves decision making through greater visibility and automatic alerting to issues. Enables web access to real time information on shipment progress. Increases availability due to greater speed to market and fast tracking of priority goods. Reduces markdowns due to improved availability of stock. Reduces costs and increases margins through Supply Chain optimisation. Enables objective supplier and forwarder performance measuring and score carding.

Management Information
Objective supplier and forwarder performance reporting. Goods in transit reporting. Real time shipment status reporting. Unconfirmed shipment requests alerting. Amended shipment requests alerting. Dashboard reporting for: Unbooked Orders. Awaiting Authority. Awaiting Shipment. Shipments in Transit. Goods awaiting shipment action lists.

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Container utilisation reporting. Forwarder allocation reporting.

Integration
The Shipment Management Module can be integrated with forwarder systems.

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Document Management Module

Context & Scope
The Document Management Module ensures that the correct documents are available to the correct people at the correct time thus avoiding any delays and bottlenecks in the Supply Chain. The module manages the despatch and receipt of documentation and provides a portal for the storage of scanned documents. Users are alerted to late documentation enabling action to be taken before a delay occurs.

Process Flow

Fowarder Integration /ASN

Export Documents Sent

Supplier Performance

Export Documents Received

Missing Documents

Document Status

Dependencies
The Document Management Module requires the Shipment Management Module or equivalent data.

Features
Holds status information for all required document types. Confirms despatch of individual document types at origin. Confirms receipt of individual document types at destination. Alerts to missing and late documentation. Stores scanned individual or sets of documents as PDF files to enable quick and easy visibility and printing of documents for all parties. Tracks document status by courier reference. Configure required document types to be country of origin specific.

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Benefits
Increases visibility and communication of shipment documentation by attaching scanned documents to a shipment. Improves document quality through the standardisation of document templates. Improves the timeliness of documentation despatch from suppliers. Alerts Supply Chain to missing or late documentation. Alleviates bottlenecks in the Supply Chain caused by missing or late documentation.

Management Information
Dashboard alerting of late or missing documentation. Supplier/forwarder on-time documentation performance reporting.

Integration
The Document Management Module can be integrated with forwarder systems.

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Delivery Module
Context & Scope
The Delivery Module provides early visibility of goods in transit and on-quay and facilitates the sequencing of intake based on stock needs, resource availability and on-quay time. The module generates warehouse efficiencies and reduces demurrage charges through automated capacity planning for space and resources based on booking requests. The module can also capture positive proof of delivery and put away for performance monitoring and improved availability.

Process Flow

Booking Diary

Booking Request

Delivery Booking Tool Fowarder Integration/ ASN Booking Confirmation Tool

Booking

Booking Confirmation

Delivery Confirmation Tool

Delivered

Goods Received

Shipment Status

Dependencies
The Delivery Module requires the Shipment Management Module and Order Management Module or equivalent data.

Features
Manages warehouse bookings based on pre-defined capacity plans. Allows for the routing of deliveries through cross dock or direct to store. Identifies items flagged for priority receipt into warehouse

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Monitors warehouse resources utilisation. Calculates demurrage costs. Provides visibility of free slots and enables forwarders to request dates/times. Tracks and alerts to warehouse booking amendments. Generates pre-advance information for warehouse receipt. Records receipt to warehouse quantity at item level and identifies discrepancies between ordered, shipped & received.

Benefits
Increases availability through the sequencing of warehouse intake based on needs, resource availability and time. Increases sales through the fast tracking of priority stock. Reduces demurrage charges through increased visibility of stock flow. Maximises warehouse resource utilisation through intake and capacity planning. Enables positive confirmation of goods receipt and put away.

Management Information
Priority bookings alerting. Booking declined alerting. On-quay goods alerting. Amended ETA alerting. Intake discrepancy reporting based on expected and received quantities. Warehouse dwell time reporting based on receipt and put away times.

Integration
The Delivery Module can be integrated with both client WMS and forwarder systems.

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Supplier Portal Module

Context & Scope
The Supplier Portal Modules provides a secure interface for communication through which Suppliers, Buyers, Merchandisers and Supply Chain Managers can exchange information and interact to ensure that timely and informed decisions are made regarding the production and shipment of goods.

Process Flow
Fowarder Integration/ ASN Shipment Request Booking Authorisation

Supplier Exceptions

Exception Alerting

Electronic Packing List

Document Exceptions

Supplier Performance

Exception Status

Dependencies
The Supplier Portal Module requires the Shipment Management Module and Order Management Module or equivalent data.

Features
Enables online supplier permission to ship requests. Enables supplier access to standard shipment document templates such as Electronic Packing Lists. Enables supplier reporting of exceptions against orders e.g. delays in production, quality issues etc and receive instruction from supply chain Automated alerting to supplier exceptions for both customer and forwarders. Provides a central portal visible to all to store supplier information such as supplier manuals, training material, and for the communication of important alerts and messages.

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Benefits
Improves supplier performance through a consistent approach to communication. Web-based access makes real time information easily accessible to all parties. Improved efficiency through the reduction of queries which arise due to poor standards of document quality. Efficiency gains through proactive management of supplier exceptions avoiding the need for costly airfreight.

Management Information
Automated email and dashboard reporting to exceptions. Automated email and dashboard reporting to new or amended supplier request to ship.

Integration
The Supplier Portal Module can be integrated with forwarder systems.

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Appendix A Lighthouse Adaptability

The functionality delivered within the Lighthouse modules is built upon industry standards and best practices as well as our years of experience working with retailers and freight forwarders. Lighthouse is built using the ediTRACK core technology which provides the flexibility to create integration and visibility across global supply chains of disparate companies and systems. Lighthouse modules capture information from anywhere and present it in the context of a business process, thus allowing more informed decisions to be made, alerts to be raised when tolerances are exceeded and giving a performance record of internal and external metrics. While Lighthouse is designed to fit your processes and provide you with visibility across the end to end Supply Chain a real differentiator of the product is its ability to use utilise ediTRACKs core technology to adapt to your business specific needs. Using ediTRACKs Rapid Application Design delivers agility to the solution and means that additional bespoke functionality can quickly and easily be developed to integrate with and bolt on to the core Lighthouse functionality. Solutions can be modified or new tools and modules added quickly and easily in order to respond to changing business needs and conditions. This allows new processes to evolve and breaks the cycle of unending legacy maintenance delivering faster, more cost effective applications. It is common that the implementation of such a flexible and adaptable solution results in our customers achieving savings of several million pounds. By its very nature Lighthouse makes these savings visible and measurable.

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