Despatch Management - Introduction

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One of the unique features of TOPS is its batching system. There are two types of batches - packing batches and payment batches. These systems make the management of packing and despatch on the one hand, and payment processing on the other, much easier to handle, especially as your business grows. Here we will look at packing batches which constitutes the despatch management system.

You will have noticed that when you are entering order details, you are asked to assign the order to a packing batch. You have the option to assign later. However, depending on the nature of your business you might already have set up a packing batch.

Please bear in mind that if you don't want to use the batching system, you have the option of creating arbitrary batches. However, we always encourage you to get into the habit of creating appropriate batches because the long term benefits are so great. The system originally evolved as a response to the need to provide packers with lists of items requiring similar packaging so that they could process orders much more efficiently than being given random instructions.

For example, suppose you are selling a certain jewellery item which requires a small box, and teddy bears which require a larger box, and you get several orders in one day for each. It would make sense to assign all the jewellery items to one batch and the teddy bears to another batch. Alternatively, you might have a set of items which need to go out today, and another set which need to go out tomorrow. You might choose to assign all today's deliveries to one batch, and all of tomorrow's deliveries to another batch. You have complete freedom in how you choose to assign items to packing batches. You will find over time that you evolve a system that works well for you.

The assignment of items to packing batches also allows you to utilise the auto-packaging feature if all the items in a batch require the same packaging. You can also individually package the items within a batch if they require different packaging. What the packaging system does is to provide your packers with instructions as to which kind of package they should use for each delivery. Ideally, you will already have set up TOPS to recognise certain sizes of commonly used packages - small, medium, large boxes, padded envelopes etc., etc. The packing batch system generates packing lists - reports - which you can then send to your packers. It also generates labels for your carrier - again presuming that you have entered your carrier information in the TOPS system.

Despatch Management: The intial screen - reviewing unassigned deliveries.
Despatch Management: Creating a new packing batch.
Despatch Management: Editing a packing batch.
Despatch Management: Adding deliveries to or removing deliveries from a packing batch.
Despatch Management: Reviewing the results of the above.
Despatch Management: Editing a Package.
Despatch Management: Reviewing the results of the above.

Needing further help with this part of the tutorial? We are always delighted to hear from you. If you need help ASAP please call our support line on 0845 408 4632.

You are also welcome to submit your questions using the form below. We will endeavour to respond as soon as we can. All fields are optional. However, please do include as much contact information as you can, especially your telephone number so that we can contact you most quickly. Don't forget to use the "submit" button at the bottom once you have entered the information you want.

Please note that currently we only deal with UK businesses. We regret that our area of expertise does not extend beyond the UK - yet!

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NEW BROOM SOFTWARE LTD
Sea View, Dundonnell, Ross-shire, IV23 2QZ
Tel: 01854 333833 Fax: 0871 264 2067
Registered in Scotland. Company Number: SC245658
Registered VAT Number: 814 0949 33

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TOPS SOFTWARE LTD is the registered trading name for an order processing software programme provided by New Broom Software Ltd. Registered in Scotland. Company Number: SC 271869. Registered VAT Number: 845 5391 06

Simone Nelson is a member of the following trade and professional associations:
Federation of Small Businesses - 1228089, Inverness Chamber of Commerce - 1406, Ullapool Tourism & Business Association, Highland Business Women's Club, SCDI, Fusion

For information and advice, please contact today.

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