Web Site and Portable Application

Objectives

BrokerScan provide businesses with a retail audit solution; the program is designed from the ground up as a tracking tool, providing easy user interface that empowers sales people to get started quickly and work more effectively. The tool tracks goods in warehouses, by allowing to scan items quickly using a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and barcode collection software. The tool syncs the data with the server using wireless internet connection.

Solution

TDS was involved in the product development in the Alpha release stage. The customer hired TDS to fix defects in the PDA BrokerScan application. Not only did TDS find and fix defects in the source code in a remarkable short time, but we also optimized the performance of the application and added new features as requested.

Result

The PDA BrokerScan application has been released due to TDS's efforts. TDS has provided the customer with the list of further performance and feature improvements that will be implemented in subsequent versions of the application.

Software Features

Scan
The BrokerScan solution allows companies to quickly scan and collect item information including:

• Set Size
• Shelf Price
• Number of Facings
• Shelf Placement
• Information About Competitor SKUs
• Additonal User Defined Fields

Sync
The PDA is securely synchronized with the BrokerScan server using any available wireless Internet connection. Syncs can be done at Hotels, Libraries, even Coffee Shops!

Report
Upon sync, distribution data can instantly be accessed via any desktop computer using the library of pre-built distribution reports.

• Actual Store by Store Distribution as Compared to Your Master List
• Store Distribution Comparison to Retailer Authorized List
• Distribution Progression (are you gaining or losing distribution since the last audit)
• Dates of Last audit or Stores Missing Recent Audits
• Price Comparison Reports (minimum and maximum prices)
• Competitive Brand Reports

Data Security
The data is protected and is secured by SSL connections and password protection. Daily server backups are automatic so the data is always centralized and safe.

Companies are able to produce reports on demand that would currently take days or weeks to compile. Because BrokerScan is dynamic, the distribution changes can be logged, and reports instantly updated to reflect the changes.

Benefit Overview

• BrokerScan automates key areas of reporting. This cost reduction for all parties involved mean better data and more time for sales related activities.
• Dynamic storage of data means robust reporting can be compiled and compared across date periods to show distribution gains and losses.
• Because data is centralized and standardized, multiple departments can access reports in order to compile “the big picture”.
• Reports from one territory or all territories can be compiled and summarized in minutes into a single master report.
• An extensive library of pre-built reports means that the manufacturer can literally be producing their first report in minutes.