Media - A Newspaper and Magazine Distribution Control System for H H Saudi Research & Marketing
The principal activities of HH Saudi Research and Marketing are the provision of services for the publishing of high quality newspapers and magazines, and information and distribution services. With a wide range of publications, the company is able to reach almost all reader categories of interest to advertisers in Europe, the Gulf and Arab world.
Macaw developed a worldwide Distribution Control System for the circulation department, starting with the production of a Functional Specification. The system replaces the original software for managing the subscriptions, production quotas and worldwide distribution of the publications. The application was designed to run on an NT network using SQL on an Access database.
We are now providing ongoing support and maintenance.
Vending Machines - A Mobile Service Solution for First Vending Services
First Vending Services, servicing over 14,000 vending machines, required a solution to the paperwork bottleneck and reconciliation problems generated by 120,000 service and restocking visits a year. Field operators were sending record cards to Head Office where the information was re-keyed into both an operations database and an accounting system.
The company required a rugged handheld computer solution for field operators to capture and transmit visit data, and receive call instruction information. Head Office required a tightly linked application that would receive, send and manage operational and management information, and process money collection data straight through to the existing accounting system.
The touch screen applications on the rugged handheld based solution include visit recording, site and machine details maintenance, plus automatic calculations.
The integral scanner on the handheld computer scans bar codes on the vending machines and information is recalled to the screen including type and products dispensed. The user enters counts of unsold items, new stock is added and cash counted. A timed receipt is printed as required and the data transmitted via GSM to Head Office for processing.
Back at Head Office, the corporate applications accounts for cash, makes reconciliations and controls operators' tasks. Data for sales, commissions and rentals is posted into the accounting system for timely invoicing and improved cash flow. Management reporting supports tight internal and operating controls.
The field and back office systems have worked seamlessly together since 2002.
Please see the First Vending Services case study (which is at the UK website of Itronix at http://uk.itronix-europe.com/upload/casestudy/UK/Matrex_Macaw.pdf.)
