The Shipping menu contains all of the power of commercial shipping software in a fully integrated MAS90 application.  It features the fastest performing Shipping Entry program available, which performs order validation as the operator scans item numbers.  It has been highly optimized for bar code scan to ship operations, from single item, pre packaged cartons, to pick and pack operation, including collection of bar code lot or serial numbers.  It automatically generates the UPS "1Z" tracking number and all necessary service codes, and features a user configurable electronic scale interface.  The forms printing programs produce MaxiCode compliant UPS shipping labels with no external printer drivers required, along with all of the typical shipping documents, including the packing list, shipping labels, compliance or contents labels, COD tags, and a bill of lading properly categorized by NMFC class.  It provides full rates, services and accessorial charge tables, invoice generation, electronic Host Manifest Upload over the Internet.

The Receiving menu provides scan to receive functions for Purchase Orders (requires the P/O module to be installed) with automatic thermal label quick print functions.  You can scan the vendors' UPC code and immediately get your custom thermal labels for the item at hand.  There is a Receiving Entry Audit Report and link to the P/O Receipt of Goods Register/Update.  This menu also includes two of the most versatile item thermal label printing programs available anywhere.  It combines the power of MAS 90 / MAS 200 Forms Maintenance with the proprietary Digital Thermal Label Format Maintenance - giving you the ability to design any label for any commercial thermal direct or transfer label printer.  Of course, it works just as well with impact and laser printers.

The Shipping and Receiving programs utilize a Vendor Item cross reference to automatically substitute your inventory, special or miscellaneous item numbers for a vendor item or UPC number.  With MAS 90 / MAS 200 levels 3.3x and above, you also get automatic inventory item numbers from the I/M Alias Item Number file.

The Inquiry menu provides comprehensive shipping inquiry, into open shipping or manifest history, with detailed drill down into individual package contents.  It also includes a receiving inquiry program for a quick view of receiving in progress.  Also included are links to the core module inquiry programs: Customer, Vendor, Invoice History, Purchase Order History, and Inventory Inquiry (you must have the associated modules installed).  An additional bonus is the Digital Graphical Inquiry program, which allows you to create unlimited file browse / search / list informational display screens.

The Reports menu contains two shipping history reports, print programs for standard and hundredweight rate tables, zone charts, and a Manifest History Reprint program.  All D/S data files are defined in the Report Master Data Dictionary so that you can create any custom report you require.

The Period End menu contains a Manifest History Purge program, but you may retain detailed shipping history indefinitely.

The Setup menu contains the most comprehensive series of options and maintenance programs which enable you to setup any carrier and taylor the system to model your shipping and receiving procedures.

The Best of Both Worlds

This module is designed for serious warehouse operations where speed of execution is of paramount importance.  It was developed before graphical MAS90® was reliable, and much of it was written in the Character User Interface (CUI).  Programs in this environment simply run faster - in most cases much faster - than any comparable Graphical environment program.  The CUI also allows reliable scan-ahead functionality - if you scan item numbers faster than your server can process them, the system will not lose your input.  In the Graphical environment, you must wait for your workstation to put focus on the data entry field or the system may not receive your scan correctly.

Several inquiries have been made regarding converting the D/S module to a graphical format.  There has been some consideration of this, but since the character interface contributes significantly to the speed of the program, there is simply no compelling reason to make drastic changes to exceptionally fast and reliable software.  If it ain't broke - don't fix it!

This system is supported on MAS90 • MAS 200® at level 3.60 through 3.71 - Level 4 has not yet proven reliable enough for mission critical operations.  On systems with sufficient power to run the all graphical MAS 90 • MAS 200®, this module runs incredibly fast.  That's the bottom line in the real world production environment.  Speed and Accuracy.  The management and sales staff get the point and click graphical programs they want, and the warehouse personnel get the fast and accurate programs they need to get their work done.  It just doesn't get any better than this.

Hardware Considerations

Bar Code scanners should be of the keyboard interface type when connected to a PC, and may be either keyboard interface or serial port interface for dumb terminals.

Electronic scales are typically connected to a COM: port on a PC workstation.  An additional local scale driver program is available for MAS 200® client/server workstations for scales connected to a workstation serial port.

In the Unix® and Linux® environment, the preferred operating systems of larger and mission critical installations (although no longer supported by Sage Software, Inc.) printers and scales are typically connected to serial ports, serial multiport devices, or network print servers.

General

All search and display windows, and data entry dropboxes are powered by the Digital Lookup Engine - a unique and powerful universal search and list engine, and may be customized by the user.

The D/S module is password protected and licensed by installation.  Modified A/R, I/M and S/O programs are not password protected - any developer may integrate the D/S into your customized system, and continue to modify your software.