SWIVEL POM aligns all parties on the same platform for coordinated PO management. Below are some of its functionality highlights.
Flexible, Neutral Platform
Importers may work with several logistics providers having their own systems. This forces each buyer into using multiple systems to get answers. With SWIVEL POM, all parties can be on one “neutral” systems platform controlled by the importer. This approach allows for consolidated reporting and universal exception notifications.
Electronic Booking and Document Management
Once all the shipping documents are ready, the buyer can book the shipment online. A packing list, commercial invoice, and other documents can be uploaded and shared with the customer and freight forwarder at the same time. SWIVEL’s “copy booking” function saves time for frequent shipments. SWIVEL POM can also serve as an electronic document management system (EDMS) making all requisite documents available online, which helps expedite customs clearance and special permit needs.
China Developed System
SWIVEL is headquartered in Hong Kong, so its systems are well versed in both Mandarin and Cantonese. In addition, SWIVEL POM institutes “plug & play” features for manufacturers. If an operation cannot except POs via EDI, they can be upload via MS-Excel using SWIVEL POM. Each PO file can also be defined or customized without any programming changes. Built-in automated advance ship notices (ASNs) and permission to ship notices also help vendors in using the system.
Product Visibility – Detailed Product Tracking
All parties to the order can get the latest shipment status using a PO number, house bill number, container number, or via a keyword search. The system will show the status from booking to delivery for multiple modes: ocean FCL/LCL, air freight, or domestic transportation. SWIVEL POM has the capability to track products at the item, each, and component level.
Exception Alerts
POM can automatically send email alerts to trading partners when shipments get delayed, product is short shipped, or if a PO doesn’t make a ship-by date.
SWIVEL WMS (Warehouse Management and E-Commerce)
SWIVEL WMS is an integrated warehouse management system for managing inventory across multiple locations, processing sales and purchase orders, performing order fulfilment, managing cross docking operations, and supporting cross border operations.
The WMS supports picking by:
- First in, first out (FIFO) methods
- Expiration date
- PO
- Batch number
- Pallet location
It has the functionality to view multiple warehouse and container freight station inventory levels in real time on a global basis.
The WMS supports EDI transaction sets and can connect with other systems via EDI, API, or via Excel or XML uploads.
Below are some of its functionality highlights.
Stock Allocation and System Directed Putaway
The SWIVEL WMS generates stock by location allocation reports. Operations can perform system directed putaways, or using other criteria as needed, replenish stock locations. When interfaced with radio frequency (RF) devices, the SWIVEL WMS provides inventory management allowing warehouse workers to scan each location code in real time, or key in the location code after a location is replenished.
Customer Driven Release Instruction
Customers can place a release instruction against real-time inventory within the system. Advance release instructions for an expected booking can also be processed to facilitate shipment planning and distribution planning.
Expedited Cross Docking
SWIVEL WMS supports mission-critical expedited shipments in a cross docking environment by allowing for stock in and stock out processing via uploaded MS-Excel files.
Bar Coding
The WMS supports both bar coded items and not scannable items. If bar code is not available, the system has functions to support bar code label printing and assignment.
Multiple languages
User defined fields support multiple languages.
Bill Of Material or Product Grouping
The product grouping function allows the user to handle promotional items where inventory can be seen both at detail item level and also at the product ID level.
Report Generator
SWIVEL WMS has a straightforward adhoc report generator allowing users to develop and generate reports without extensive training. Numerous report templates and easily customizable reports make it easy to satisfy customer reporting requirements.
SWIVEL 360 (Control Tower Collaboration Portal)
The SWIVEL 360 control tower collaboration portal was developed to provide visibility and transparency between all trading partners. With SWIVEL 360, all parties can get real-time alerts and search the status of a shipment based upon SKU or item code, purchase order, bill of lading, container, or customer. By providing a customer portal offering online order and shipment tracking, instant messaging, and online booking, SWIVEL improves overall communications saving time and reducing the need for shooting emails back and forth.
Parties included on the 360 collaboration platform can include:
- Importers
- Buyers
- Sourcing Departments
- 3PLs/Freight Forwarders
- Vendors
- Manufacturers
SWIVEL 360 provides an operational metric dashboard providing a high-level view of branch performance, year-over-year analytics, and other customizable reports. The customer portal facilitates simple tasks such as searching airline and sailing schedules, communication with factories overseas, booking freight to logistics providers and carriers, and performing other tasks. Its core functionality includes:
- Online Customer Booking Portal
- Neutral – Multiple 3PLs can be Invited into the System
- Shipment and Order Track and Trace
- Manage by Exception – Through Milestone Alerts
- Vendor Scorecard Capabilities – Fill Rate, Lead Time, Ship Window
- Easy Factory Adoption
- Centralized Document Repository
The screenshot below is of 360’s customizable dashboard. It can be customized to show different views for each party within its trading relationships. The dashboard can help drive exception handling workflows to facilitate next steps in problem resolution.
