Courier software

The custom-built Client/Courier Management System (Courier System), hereinafter referred as to the Product, is the software application built to the requirements of the Customer.

The Product is a MS Windows desktop-based application with some network features described below.

The Product will be built for and utilise the MS Access database of Clients and Enquiries.

The main purpose of the Product is to automate process of registering enquiries, to ease management of the Client’s data and eliminate charging errors.

Logical parts of the system are:

• Customers/ Orders/ Couriers database.
• Order taking (mileage/price auto-calculation).
• Courier assignment (for radio control).
• Dockets screen.
• Reports screens (courier earnings reports, client activity reports, error reports).
• Invoice processing and printing.
• Contract jobs screen.

Roles:

Currently the system has 3 types of security roles built-in, as follows:

• Control - can view and manage all facilities, except Book-keeping, Admin and Invoices.
• Admin - can view and manage all features.
• Accountant - can view mostly Book-keeping and Invoices screens.

System requirements:

• Windows 2000 / XP operating system.
• Sufficient hard disk space (800Mb for routing software). However this can be implemented on the server, as an option.
• 256Mb RAM, 800MHz is recommended for good performance (however the system has been tested and proven to work on Windows 95 / 200MHz / 128Mb RAM for client)

Part of the system is still under development.

Screenshots

Major features / benefits:

• Integrated with a routing software (InfoMap 7.0 Pro, GPS ready). We can integrate to any other routing software as long as such third party software allows integration.
• Calculates distance/price rapidly and accurately during order taking (street-to-street or postcode-to-postcode). Example: within the city distance/price is calculated in about 2 seconds; large distances for direct drive i.e. Edinburgh address to Manchester address are calculated in about 6-8 seconds.
• CTI integration (proprietary modules for analogue and ISDN lines are available). For analogue operation we use "Pegasus" caller ID unit and a headset by Crucibal Technologies.
• Automatic invoice processing (invoices can be generated manually or automatically for all "un-invoiced" jobs for all clients at a click of a button)
• Contract jobs management.
• Can be setup by using a server or by only using workstations (Windows 2000 or XP, where one of workstations will act as a server and a database host (based on COM+)).
• Can run standalone, on a single computer.
  Identify "bad accounts" (accounts with outstanding invoices over a pre-set credit period) at a point of a phone call.
• Has an "Error screen", where executives can check up on any jobs taken, which have parameters edited manually and differ to those which should have been there if calculated according to the application.
• Prints Invoices together with Activity sheets. Printing can be setup to take headed paper for invoices from 1st tray and a plain paper for attachments from 2nd tray.