The importance of EDI in E-commerce and warehouse logistics

April 8, 2020 by

Blog provided by Act Data Services, Inc. 1-800-ACT-DATA

There are many logistical details that go into running a successful retailer or E-commerce business. One of those details is communication between providers of goods and the businesses that sell them. Translating data from one information system into another can be a needlessly complicated affair. However, new technology has made this part of doing business much easier through EDI or electronic data interchange. EDI has allowed almost instantaneous translation of data so that all information is compatible with your business partners’ records.

The benefits of EDI also spill into the area of warehouse logistics. In order to facilitate a smooth, efficient supply chain, warehouses need to have all relevant product information in a timely manner. This allows them to plan and organize the distribution of goods so that warehouses are safer, quicker, and more productive. A good EDI provider can make information such as incoming items, items in shipping, and inventory counts easily accessible so you won’t have to worry about confirming whether or not your information is accurate. You should have the freedom to focus on selling your products without obsessing over the minutiae of how your warehouses are being run.

ACT Data has been a global leader in EDI and warehouse logistics for many years. They also offer VAN services in addition to their duties as an EDI provider. If you need the best EDI solutions for your business, see why brands such as Wal-mart, Gap, and eBay have made ACT Data one of their trusted partners. Contact Act Data Services, Inc. 1-800-ACT-DATA.

Filed Under: Technology

Web-based EDI: The easy EDI solution

January 14, 2020 by

If you run a retail business in the 21st century, you may have heard of EDI (electronic data interchange) and its benefits for commerce and exchange. However, setting up EDI software can seem complicated to some newcomers. There is a need for quick and simple EDI methods that can help retailers keep up with their competitors. Luckily, web-based EDI is one of the most beginner-friendly solutions on the market.

With web-based EDI, you won’t have to do any data mapping or install any EDI software. You only need to fill out online forms with your transaction information, and your EDI provider will make it compatible with your business partners’ systems. Web-based EDI fulfills the essential function of translating transaction information into digital form, which eliminates the time and money spent on paper and document filing.

However, if you’re not a newcomer to EDI, you might want a more robust solution than web-based EDI. Web-based EDI tends to be less secure and slower, since a third party (your EDI provider) manages it. If you’d prefer the quicker route, you can always make EDI transactions directly with your business partners. You’d just need the technical know-how to set up and manage your own EDI data.

Filed Under: Technology

Coding on your morning commute

December 16, 2019 by

Many find that coding on the train during their commute is an excellent way to get some extra work done. Dev Randhawa suggests it’s also a great way to earn freelance income while you travel. However, there are security risks to be aware of. Consider three common risks and the measures you can take to mitigate them.

  1. Hacking via public WiFi

This is one of the biggest risks to coding on the train, as hackers will often try to use public WiFi to connect to your device and steal your information. Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce the risk. If possible, use a VPN when connecting to your business network. Only visit websites that offer SSL connections. Turn off sharing when connected to a public network, and keep your WiFi turned off when not in use.

  1. Breach of confidentiality

A less common but nevertheless real risk is that someone looking over your shoulder will view confidential information on your computer or mobile device. To counteract this risk, avoid working on anything sensitive when in public (if you can help it). You might also consider privacy shields, which come in a variety of models and often help prevent snoopers from see things they should not.

  1. Physical theft

This is perhaps the least likely risk, but it is one to be concerned about nonetheless. Never underestimate the damage that can be done if your laptop or other device is stolen out of your hands. Keep it within sight at all times, and use a strong password in case the worst happens.

Filed Under: Technology, Travel Tagged With:

Top Things You Might Not Know About Google Maps

November 8, 2019 by

Article by : Pierre Zarokian

Summary: Google Maps provides users with access to functionalities that you might not have heard of.

Most of you are already familiar with Google Maps. And, most of you probably use it to calculate the fastest route for your trip or view a panorama from the street. What you might not know is that Google Maps can let you travel in time, calculate global distances, and walk through foreign cities as if you’re actually touring the area. Here are some hidden features that you can play with the next time you’re using Google Maps.

Time Travelling Features

You’re probably already aware that Google Maps has Street View, which allows you to look around the designated area in a 360-degree panorama from the street level. Since 2007, Google has added millions of locations from across the globe.

So, you’re probably wondering how you can go about with time travelling. Well, if you search for a specific location and click on the Street View, Google Maps allows you to click on a time frame at the exact spot from year-to-year (it may not be up-to-date to the latest year). By doing this, you’ll be able to take a look at the location from back to 2007 all the way to the present time.

Measure Distances Globally

Google Maps also allows the users to measure the distance from between two points on Earth with a click of a button. Simply select Measure Distance and drop a new point on the map. Next, click on another section of the map and the distance between the two points will be calculated. You can tap on the map to add more dots. A footnote at the bottom of the map will also show you the total area and total distance in both US and Metric measurements. It’s essentially a customized map that you can edit freely at any time.

About the Author: Pierre Zarokian is a digital marketer that runs and SEO company and social media marketing company. He is a contributor and Search Engine Journal and Visibility Magazine.

Filed Under: Technology, Travel Tagged With:

The Benefits of Portable Power Supplies

October 22, 2019 by

Long gone are the days when you had to be glued to the wall in order to use a laptop or other electrical equipment.  Today there are many options with solar chargers and portable power supply products.  Therefore, you can easily use personal electronic devices outdoors or while on the public bus or train.

The power source creates power storage and eventually power use.  You have to have an original energy source to charge a battery pack.  Next, the portable battery pack stores energy and then you can easily use an electronic device which can also be recharged.

There are various power sources that can be used to charge up a power storage unit.  You can use AC power (a wall outlet), a 12V DC (car charger), a USB (any source: wall, car, or computer), a solar panel, kinetic motion or hydrogen fuel cell.  When far away from wall outlets or some of the other outlets like a diesel electric hybrid gpu, you have to have a pack that can be charged in a different way.

Today, solar energy packs are a great source of off-the-grid power.  Solar energy is a great choice for long trips if you need to recharge a device multiple times.  There are a few variations when it comes to solar chargers.  You can select one that only has panels (rigid or semi-flexible), panels with integrated storage batters, or panels with independent storage batteries.

When selecting a solar panel, you should pay attention to the size.  Larger solar panels can collect sunlight quicker which translates into battery power being converted quickly.  Smaller panels can take longer to charge.  Solar panels chargers can take anywhere from 4 to 16 hours to charge.  Solar panels are measured in watts.  The higher amount of watts, the more electricity is generated.

While solar energy can store battery efficiently, it’s not always best to use to charge the electronic device directly.  The reason for this is that these power sources don’t always contain the proper circuitry which helps to control the flow of electricity into the electronic device.  Sometimes these power sources can actually lead to damage of the device.  It’s a good idea to always check the manufacturer’s guidelines before using a product with a specific type of charger.

When selecting a charger, pay attention to the storage capacity, the power output and the battery technology.

 

Filed Under: Electronic, Goods and Services, Technology Tagged With:

Important features to look for a shopping cart

February 16, 2019 by

Article by Total Merchants.

Here are some important features that should be a part of any shopping cart services you select for your e-commerce operation:

Payment options

Consumers are no longer hesitant to use their credit cards online, and every shopping cart system supports cards. However, what you need to look for a is a system that supports other online payment methods. PayPal and Google Checkout are just two examples of services that consumers like to use as a security precaution against credit card fraud. Some providers can give you a merchant account in as little as 24 hours.

Search

When you use a shopping cart system, the user moves off-site and is within the store. Any search operations are now part of the store and not the main website. The quality of the search engine is important since there should be as little friction as possible for customers to find what they want.

Reviews

Studies show that sites with user-generated reviews generate more sales than sites do not. The increase in sales does come at a price. When users can enter their reviews, the system is then open to abuse. Preventing comment spam and abuse requires comment and review moderation teams. If you have the time and resources, then user moderation is a killer feature.

Real-time inventory

The worst thing that can happen from the perspective of a customer is to find a product, go through the long process of placing the order, only to be told that the product is no longer available. The chances are that customer will never return and encourage people to avoid the site for that same reason. Real-time inventory management is critical, especially for larger stores.

 

Filed Under: Business Services Tagged With:

The difference between a microsite and a website

December 11, 2018 by

You hear the term microsite a lot, but what is the real difference? A website is your regular website that contains all the information you want to present to your visitors. A microsite is a site that you create for a specific purpose, be it marketing or for focus. You will probably host them in the same place, your Los Angeles data center. Here are some of the main criteria when defining a microsite:

A microsite is usually a temporary construct that only exists for the period of its purpose. If there is a marketing campaign that is focusing on a niche or product, it is often a good idea to create an accompanying microsite for the duration of the campaign. Please remember that a microsite is not a landing page and has more information.

The microsite also does not need to be small. The micro component of the name is more about its purpose than its size. It is as big as it needs to be. It might be a

subdomain or a subfolder of the main site but has to function as a standalone site and should only have a cursory reference to the main site.

You will also find that microsites have its own social media profiles, email address, and forms. According to Rack Alley, even video and text content will exist purely for the microsite, for the duration of the campaign, or as a permanent resource for the niche.

Filed Under: Web Development and Hosting

Ergonomic Furniture Can Improve Operator Efficiency

December 10, 2018 by

Summary: Ergonomic furniture can help operators work at a more efficient rate.

Running a command center comes with its caveats. For one, you’ll have to ensure that your operators are engaged at all times – not to mention ready to handle any emergency situations. One approach you can take to help improve efficiency in your EOC building is to invest in ergonomic furniture.

Helping Posture and Increased Comfort

Ergonomic chairs are designed for those that require a more comfortable chair and can help keep their spine aligned and postured. Simple furniture pieces like these can have a direct impact on performance. For instance, if an operator is suffering from chronic back pain due to those cheap office chairs, swapping out to an ergonomic alternative can help mitigate this pain, and in turn, improve the worker’s efficiency.

Boosting Morale

A psychological factor that can impact efficiency is making your employees feel special and welcome. If they are treated fairly and given even an ergonomic piece of furniture, it can improve their productivity and they may also feel like their owner cares for them. Studies have shown that happier employees are more efficient when working on the job.

While it’s great to provide your employees with a gift or two every once in a while, be sure to consider the limitations as well. The purchase isn’t going to turn your command center into an industry-leading command center, but the gesture definitely helps. Listening and changing the environment around your employees can improve productivity and may even reduce the feeling of sluggishness and resentment.

Filed Under: Technology

Factors to Consider When Buying a Portable Power Supply

September 28, 2018 by

Generally speaking, it’s not difficult to sell most people on the benefits of a portable power supply. The versatility and convenience of various types of power supplies and generators speak for themselves. Before springing for just any old model, you need to ask yourself a few questions. Be sure to mull the following when making any auxiliary power unit purchase.

Source of Power

Firstly, you should think about where your power supply’s juice will ultimately come from. Some portable generators use gasoline while others rely on diesel fuel. Quite a few models are diesel-electric hybrids. Some units are merely compact arrays of lithium batteries that store energy generated elsewhere. A few even create their own electricity using photovoltaic panels.

Type of Current

Without a doubt one of the most important decisions you can make in regards to a portable power unit is whether it’ll deliver AC power, DC power or both. Most portable power pack models are DC-only. Larger generator-style power supplies tend to give users the option of outputting either AC or DC power on demand.

Voltage & Power Output

A power supply is only as good as its ability to meet the demands of any given job. Popular models range from 12 volt jump-starters all the way up to 28 volt power supplies that can deliver up to 2,000 peak amps. Ensure that your chosen power supply can deliver the wattage you need at the right voltages.

Intended Usage & Compatibility

In the portable power supply arena, compatibility with a variety of gear is a critical concern. Most generators and power supplies boast standard sockets that will be compatible with most tools and appliances. If you need a power supply for a specialized purpose such as jump-starting aircraft, you’ll need to pay close attention to connector compatibility.

Size and Mobility

Nowadays, external power supplies come in all shapes and sizes. Where you plan on taking a power supply will inform your decision to a great extent. Clearly, smaller power packs can be taken pretty much anywhere. Larger, high-output models must be equipped with wheels and handles to provide an acceptable level of mobility.

Something for Everybody

If you’re looking for a portable power supply, your decision won’t hinge on a single factor. You’ll need to take all of the aforementioned considerations into account when weighing the pros and cons of any given option. Fortunately, the perfect power supply unit for your purposes is out there if you do your research.

Filed Under: Technology

How Emergency Management Activities Are Structured

March 3, 2018 by

Summary: EOCs are designed to facilitate ongoing high-risk events and manage them quickly and effectively.

 

EOCs exist in a variety of forms – similar to that of a NOC design. There is no single organizational structure that can define an Emergency Operation Center. Each jurisdiction requires a variation of an EOC that fits the need. The key is to maximize the staff’s efforts in decision making at the lowest practical level.

 

An EOC needs to be organized with the intent of facilitating a smooth operation with documenting, collecting data, and making executive decisions to ensure public confidence. This is done through efficiency, organization, and flexibility.

 

Management Activities Structure

 

The organizational structure of EOCs vary based on design and community need. For instance, one of the more utilized management activities structure comes in the form of an emergency management operations group, which houses representatives from any agency that handles a specific incident for a tactical assignment such as fire, law enforcement, public works, medical services, and more. The advantage to using this model is that the organizational structure is relatively simple – straight lines of communication.

 

The Pros of an Emergency Management Activities Structure

Additionally, using this model, key problem solvers and representatives from participating agencies can contribute to making key decisions and allocating resources to wherever necessary. Most custom manufacturers designer will look to address what specific type of station the EOC will be before starting work on it. By doing so, the appropriate space for foot traffic and equipment can be considered when creating the entire center. This is an important task that must be considered

Filed Under: Technology
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