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Anvil International, Inc. believes strongly in electronic commerce. We believe the use of technology both internally as well as interactively with you, our customers, are a great investment for us.
With this in mind, we have wrapped up all of these technologies into a program we call AnviLink. This provides us with the opportunity to promote our electronic commerce initiatives as a "whole package" and therefore we are better able to define the benefits available. We use this strategy on our website as well as in our literature.
AnviLink can be defined as all of the electronic commerce initiatives available from and used by Anvil International, Inc. to make the supply chain most efficient.
Electronic Commerce is defined as a method of communication between a manufacturer and a wholesaler. This can also extend to the end users as well. Electronic Commerce includes EDI, VMI, Data Synchronization, Bar Code Technology, Website Initiatives, and any other methods of communicating electronically.
Using electronic commerce we can together communicate in the most effective manner. By taking advantage of these technologies we can share in the benefits of all or any parts of the following ideal electronic commerce relationship:
Your Needs Identified----------------------------------- Vendor Managed Inventory
Your Order Created-------------------------------------- Vendor Managed Inventory
Your Order Entered-------------------------------------- EDI
Your Order Reviewed----------------------------------- Electronic Pricing
Your Order Processed----------------------------------- Instantly
Your Order Picked--------------------------------------- Using Bar Code Technology
Notification of Shipment Details----------------------- Advanced Shipping Notice
Our Invoice Sent------------------------------------------ EDI
Transaction Settlement---------------------------------- Remittance Advice/EFT
In addition to these direct electronic commerce transactions, we use technology to provide you with the most accurate and efficient shipments of our products.
The Anvil International, Inc. Warehouse Management System is a strategy used in all of our Regional Service Centers (RSC) to provide for the most accurate and efficient movement of products into and out of those facilities. We use bar code technology together with systems integration to maintain high levels of effectiveness in processing your valuable orders. The result is the most accurate shipment of products to you and the timeliest information as to the availability of our products.
Using fork truck mounted computer applications and bar code technology, our warehouse associates are directed to the correct locations to retrieve or put away the items. Then, the WMS technology provides for the verification of the actions taken to make sure the products you receive are correct and as you ordered them.
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Our Vendor Managed Inventory Program is designed to use technology to streamline product replenishment by using historical trends and strategies to generate stock orders in the most timely and efficient manner.
Using VMI, you will realize significant savings in the areas of purchasing and warehouse planning. In addition, inventory turns and levels will be at maximum effectiveness without costly resources but with full control of the procurement process. Using this valuable technology we are together able to foster the best possible relationship and confidence.
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Anvil International, Inc. uses UPC Numbers to identify our products. Every item we manufacture has a UPC Identity assigned to it. In addition, UPC Numbers are represented by bar codes printed on the labels of all of our cartoned products.
We use the hierarchical scheme for UPC numbering as developed by the Uniform Code Council. With this in place, we identify the item and the carton quantity regardless of whether the container is an inner box or a master carton. These numbers are all available to you from us in a variety of formats. (See Data Synchronization)
Each of our Regional Service Centers (RSC) uses bar code technology within the warehouse operation. This provides us with the most accurate information in our receiving, picking, and shipping processes. See the WMS section for more details.
Our Transportation Management System has been developed and put into use in order that the information regarding the shipment being made is accurate and available to our customers and our own customer service representatives.
Anvil International, Inc. has developed a program to provide customized labels for our customers in certain applications. The Customer Label Program provides for a consistent format and may include several pieces of information necessary for the users benefit.
The Standard Customer Label offers the following fields:
Anvil Item Number
Anvil Description
Customer Part Number
Customer Bin Location
UPC Identity
In order to take advantage of these labels, we require that the data be provided in an EDI Purchase Order transaction. We then take the information electronically and apply it to our label software to ensure accurate information on the labels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What do I have to do to take advantage of AnviLink?
Simply contact Anvil at anvilink@anvilintl.com.
- How much does AnviLink cost?
Like most computer-based technologies, it is almost impossible to attach a realistic dollar amount to the cost. The ultimate cost depends upon your system capabilities and strategies. Keep in mind that your investment into these technologies is not a proprietary environment. You have the capability to communicate with all of your vendors and/or customers who use these technologies.
- How long does it take to be connected with AnviLink?
Once you have the capability of EDI, the time necessary to “go live” is very short – a few days typically. Initial steps such as Data Synchronization take a little bit longer. VMI relationships also take some time, but that time will be well spent as it is used in communicating information that will result in the best possible solution.
- How can I get electronic files to download into my system?
The first step is Data Synchronization. Either Anvil will cross reference your part numbers to ours, or you can load our UPC Numbers or Item Numbers into your system. Once this is done, contact anvilink@anvilintl.com with the details of the information you would like to have and we will get it to you immediately.
- How can I get labels to my specifications?
Anvil can provide custom designed labels for you as described in the section “Custom Labels.” Contact anvilink@anvilintl.com with the information you want on your label, and we will provide you with a sample label for your consideration.
- How can I get literature about AnviLink?
Send an email to anvilink@anvilintl.com or contact your sales representative and ask for the AnviLink brochure.
- Are there any security issues with electronic commerce?
Generally, transmissions do not penetrate the systems of either party. Therefore each party’s internal security programs are sufficient.
- What is my obligation if I want to taking advantage of AnviLink?
There is no obligation to taking advantage of these programs.
- Does Anvil International, Inc. offer an incentive for electronic commerce?
Anvil does not offer a financial incentive program for electronic commerce. However, we believe that the benefits of electronic commerce are its own incentive.
- Do you have a Help Desk for AnviLink?
Yes, contact anvilink@anvilintl.com.
- Who do I contact with other questions regarding AnviLink?
Send an email to anvilink@anvilintl.com, and we will contact you within 24 hours.
EDI Partnership Program
Our EDI Partnership Program is designed to provide for the most accurate and efficient communication of business documents possible. Together with our other electronic commerce initiatives, we are able to process, pick, and ship your orders more accurately and faster than ever before. EDI plays a major role in this strategy.
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is the transmission of common business documents from computer application to computer application in a standard processable format.
In more general terms, EDI is the mechanism that allows trading partners to trade documents while not changing the way either party uses their own computer systems. EDI Translation Software converts the language of each computer application into a usable format available to both.
Once a trading partner has established EDI within their system, EDI can normally be used with any other EDI capable customer or vendor.
The most common EDI Transactions are:
Purchase Order
Purchase Order Acknowledgement
Advance Shipping Notice
Invoice
Electronic Remittance Advice/Funds Transfer
Data Sharing
At Anvil International, Inc. we believe in providing as much data as possible to our customers. We do this in a variety of methods and are open to just about any need you may have.
- Electronic files providing product attributes for our product lines. This information includes Item Numbers, Descriptions, UPC Numbers, Carton Quantity information, Product Weight, UOM, and now carton size information. This information is available in spreadsheet or text file formats and can be emailed to you.
- Electronic files provided at the time of List Price changes to provide you with a fast and useable file for updating your systems.
- Website information to assist you in your relationship with Anvil International, Inc.
In addition, we can provide your part numbers in the electronic files once data synchronization has been completed.
Data Synchronization
Data Synchronization is the key element for the success of many electronic commerce communications.
Data Synchronization is the matching of your part numbers to our part numbers in order that when we communicate that information we are certain of the identity of the products involved. There are a variety of methods used for data synchronization and there are also a variety of benefits:
- One way to synchronize the data is for us to cross-reference your part numbers to ours within our System. This provides for a permanent match and allows us to receive your part numbers and know exactly what they represent. In addition, with that accomplished, we have the ability to print your part numbers on our packing lists in order, in some cases, to make the receiving process easier in your facility.
- Another method of data synchronization is for the wholesaler to store our UPC identities in the wholesalers system. The UPC numbers could be cross-referenced to the wholesaler’s part numbers resulting in the same certainty of identity. This is also helpful if the wholesaler is using bar code technology for receiving products into the warehouse.
- Some wholesalers store the Anvil International, Inc. item number in their systems in the same manner as the UPC Number is stored.
Whichever method is selected, we believe that data synchronization is a key to present and future communications and opportunities. Call us today for more information.