iZap for Distributors Customers are placing increased pressure on their OEM suppliers and industrial distributors to deliver value-added services in addition to the products that they sell.  Vendor managed inventory and bin stocking programs, consignment arrangements and on-site vendor "stores" are a reality of today's customer demands and an opportunity for suppliers with the right tools. iZap is a simple tool that will enable OEM suppliers and industrial distributors to automate and improve vendor managed inventory programs.  Common applications include "breadman" delivery route automation and remote order entry processing. The iZap system includes barcode scanners and secure access to our Internet-based processing platform.  No specialized on-site software is required.  Set-up and management of your trading relationships is accomplished through iZap's on-line tools and utilities. Suppliers of industrial "fast flow" items, such as fasteners, seals, gaskets, fittings, cutting tools and electrical components will significantly reduce their internal transaction costs as well as deliver order processing cost savings to their customers.  Fast accurate orders are received electronically into your business system concurrent with your customers receiving electronic confirming purchase order information.  Orders may be sent by electronic data interchange (EDI), FTP, electronic mail or fax. Benefits: Reduces order processing costs Minimizes purchasing time and paperwork Lowers on-hand inventory Eliminates ordering errors Provides Internet-based ordering history Gives suppliers a competitive advantage Applications: Vendor managed inventory (VMI) - iZap offers suppliers the tools to automate vendor managed inventory programs.  Breadman delivery route automation - iZap offers your sales staff and route drivers the tools to automate and execute inventory replenishment orders. Automated remote order entry - iZap enables customers to electronically transmit orders directly to your business system eliminating the need for manual order entry. Bin management - iZap provides suppliers with tools to automate and enhance bin management programs. FAQ's: What is iZap? iZap is a system designed to automate and improve vendor managed inventory programs for OEM suppliers and industrial distributors.  Common applications include "breadman" delivery route automation and remote order entry processing. What are the applications for iZap? iZap's two most common applications for suppliers are "breadman" delivery route automation and remote order entry processing.  The "breadman";often a supplier's delivery route driver or field sales rep; identifies items that need to be reordered and uses a barcode scanner to electronically reorder items at designated customer locations.  He then either fills the bins with his mobile stock or transmits the data from his scanner to the Sonic Chain server, initiating orders for multiple customers simultaneously.  In the case of remote order entry, the customer scans barcodes and transmits the order to the supplier. What are the benefits of iZap for suppliers? iZap reduces order processing costs, minimizes purchasing time and paperwork, lowers on-hand inventory, eliminates ordering errors, provides Internet-based management and reporting tools, and gives suppliers a competitive advantage in the sales process. How can I use iZap to increase my product sales? iZap can be used as a competitive advantage in the sales process by positioning it to your customers as a way to reduce ordering processing costs through automation.  Remote order entry users will make iZap the tool of choice making you the vendor of choice. What do I get when I buy iZap? iZap is a subscription-based service that includes secured, password-protected access to iZap's Internet-based transaction platform.  The transaction platform provides the management tools, utilities and reporting features needed to establish item databases, print barcode labels, manage trading relationships, define communication protocols, send orders and receive order confirmation.  System implementation and set-up assistance as well as on-going support is available from the Sonic Chain customer service staff.  Appropriate iZap enabled barcode scanners, PDA scanners or Keychain scanners are also required and priced separately.  Barcode label printers, label supplies and part storage systems are also available.  What do my customers and I need to use iZap? You and your customers will need a browser-based Internet connection to access the iZap transaction platform. Some scanners require an analog telephone line for data transmission.  What services does iPower provide to assist me in implementing and using the iZap system? iPower offers comprehensive services tailored to meet your needs. Services include parts database set-up, barcode label printing, implementation and user training, technical support and system integration. What do I need to do to implement iZap? Identify the parts and customer locations that you wish to include in the program.  Build or export a simple parts database and upload to the iZap transaction platform.  Print and apply barcode labels.  Start scanning! How long will it take me to implement iZap? Once you have identified the items that you want to manage using iZap, the system may be implemented in a matter of days. Will iZap be integrated with my business system? iZap currently supports ANSI X.12 EDI transaction sets as well as export formats to most common ERP and distribution software packages.  For suppliers not wanting to integrate into their back-end system iZap supports fax and electronic mail delivery. How does iZap handle purchase order numbers? The iZap system supports several types of purchase order numbering options including entering a PO number at the time of scanning, incrementing PO numbers, blanket PO with incrementing releases, site based blanket PO with release and item based blanket with releases. Who maintains the supplier's parts database? Suppliers maintain their respective parts databases via a secured browser-based interface and file upload utilities.