Middleby Corporation expands TransLution implementation to manage returns

The Middleby Corporation is a world leader in three business segments: commercial cooking, industrial baking and processing and residential appliances. Middleby Corporation has long used TransLution™ Software, integrated with SYSPRO, for supply chain logistics, and has recently expanded TransLution™ to manage returns from customers.

The most common reasons for returns are restocking programs, materials returned for warranty or refurbishment, freight damaged goods, erroneous shipments, or defective goods. They key problem with Returned Materials Authorization (RMA) is communication between the office staff who can authorize a customer return in SYSPRO, and the physical process of receiving, inspecting, and managing returned goods when they arrive at the receiving dock. With COVID restricting work in the office, having a software facility that supports the RMA process when some participants are working remotely is of special value.

TransLution™ Returned Materials Authorization provides a dashboard presentation for RMAs pending in SYSPRO and a very simple step-by-step process to be followed at the receiving dock using a mobile scanner or tablet. This effectively creates a real-time dialog between the warehouse and office for disposition of returns as they arrive. Paper and emails are eliminated, and each participant has everything they need to fulfill their role.

How it works

• When returned items are delivered to the dock, warehouse operators have the SYSPRO RMA details available to them on their hand-held device. They will know which customer made the return, what part numbers are authorized for return, the reason for return, and the number of each item to be returned.
• TransLution™ then provides a step-by-step process to assist the user to record if the item is fit to be transferred to put away for restocking and resale. For items that meet the restocking standard, the credit note authorized in the SYSPRO RMA is automatically created by TransLution™ and an RMA receipt is processed to return the item to stock.
• If there is any reason the item is not in condition to return to stock, it is logged as a “problem receipt” with comments and photographs that are stored with the RMA record in TransLution™.
• Problem receipt details are immediately available those responsible for deciding on disposition and customer credit. Once a decision is made, the RMA dashboard is updated with instructions for the warehouse to dispose of the goods as scrap, ship them to a supplier for credit, or send them to repack for boxing before going back into stock.
• Credits are issued, restocking charges are assessed, and freight credits are included as needed, and TransLution™ manages processing of the relevant transactions in SYSPRO without further effort from the staff.
• Provisions have been made for dealing with returns that do not have a SYSPRO RMA as well as return of items not listed on the RMA. Data logs are retained in TransLution™ for all activities for audit and performance KPI’s measurements.

About

Middleby Corporation

The Middleby Corporation is a world leader in three business segments: commercial cooking, industrial baking and processing and residential appliances. The company prides itself on consistently delivering new award-winning innovation to the marketplace. They are known for disrupting the industry with advanced innovation and new processes across all business platforms. These innovations deliver speed, labor reduction, energy savings and green operating benefits to their customers. To read more about Middleby visit https://middleby.com/

TransLution™ Software

TransLution™ Software was developed to assist manufacturing, warehousing and distribution companies better manage their business processes and reduce cost of operation. The TransLution™ product is particularly focused on robust integration to customers’ existing ERP, accounting and stock management software for a wide range of transactions. TransLution™ is distributed in North America, Africa, Europe and Australasia.