Star-Link
The Star~Link Enterprise edition offers companies with multiple sites the
ability to communicate inventory information, sales transaction data, and
promotional events between stores. Star~Link allows for centralized management
of the product file for all stores within the entire chain. Pricing strategies
can vary across regions or zones and can be controlled by headquarters.
Depending on company strategy, the individual sites can be given partial or full
control over the product file, or the system can be locked down with
headquarters maintaining complete control. Whatever the business model,
Star~Link has the flexibility to meet your requirements.
Star~Link communicates with either the Star~Lite or Star~Plus POS systems used
by the individual stores. Sites connect to Star~Link via an existing WAN or VPN.
Real-time communication from site to head office gives you up-to-the-minute
sales history, inventory levels, and transaction detail in each of your stores.
If you find stores overstocked you can use the Store Transfer feature to
transfer inventory from one site to another.
Star~Link also incorporates centralized purchasing and receiving for companies
looking to take advantage of economies of scale. The Star~Link warehouse feature
allows stores to transmit orders to the warehouse for fulfillment and then
forward the remainder of the order to the wholesaler for completion.
Core Features:
Centralized Product File Maintenance
- Add new items and update existing items at the Branch, Store Group, or Store
level
- Download item file additions and changes to applicable sites immediately or via
a batch update at night.
- Maintain companywide product descriptions and product categorization, ensuring
accurate reporting across the chain.
- Maintain vendor costs for all stores
- The Universal Import program gives head office the ability to import vendor
files to create new items or update existing ones.
Centralized Promo Maintenance
- Create and maintain promotions at head office and download these promotions for
activation at applicable stores.
- Take advantage of bulk buys and special deals from vendors by combining all
store orders with the Call-For-Order feature.
- Analyze your promotional events using built in reporting tools.
- The Universal Import program gives head office the ability to import vendor
files to create promotional events, speeding the creation of your promotions.
Web Based Flexible Reporting
- Implement and manage Internet based reporting throughout the enterprise
- Utilize Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services
- Deploy built-in reports, build your own or use an on-line report builder
- Easy to use drill-down based interface through Internet Explorer
- Export reports to PDF, native Excel and web archive files
Centralized Data Cubes and Data Mining
- View data for some or all stores dynamically
- Utilize data analysis and mining through SQL Server Analysis Services
- Query the entire business quickly and efficiently on multiple dimensions (Time /
Stores / Departments / etc.)
- Aggregate data and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Browse data in interactive applications such as Microsoft Excel
Additional Features:
In addition to the numerous core features offered with Star~Link, you may select
any of these modules to enhance your operations:
Centralized Accounts Receivable
This feature allows your customers charge privileges at all locations via one
centralized A/R account. Since all sites use a centralized file, each store has
identical information and monthly statements can be generated and sent from the
headquarters.
- Maintain customer information and pricing for all stores
- Add or modify customer information at each store and update head office
- Customers can charge or pay on account at any linked store
Centralized Loyalty Program
Similar to Accounts Receivable, a customer can generate loyalty points in all
applicable stores and totals will be recorded and maintained centrally.
- Maintain customer information and loyalty points for all stores
- Add or modify customer information at each store and update head office
- Customers can redeem points at any linked store
Centralized Purchasing and Ordering Booking
Star~Link maintains the flexibility to allow stores the option to continue
purchasing products directly from distributors or through centralized
purchasing. Orders can be consolidated, transmitted, and drop- shipped to
individual sites or orders can be received at one site and parceled out as
appropriate.
- Amalgamated Orders -
Combine all store orders into one to take advantage of vendor bulk buys and
special pricing.
- Call For Order -
From Headquarters you can request stores place an order for items on an upcoming
promotional event, allowing you to take advantage of special price allowances.
Order Desk for Warehouse Operations
Star~Link maintains the flexibility to allow stores the option to continue
purchasing products directly from distributors or through your warehouse. The
system has many options depending on your needs. You can require specific items
to be purchased from the warehouse while allowing others to go directly to the
distributor. Orders can be consolidated, transmitted, and drop shipped, or
orders can be received by a warehouse and parceled out as appropriate.
- Stores can electronically order directly from the
warehouse with out of stock items being forwarded to a
secondary vendor for completion
- Generate warehouse picking sheets automatically
- Electronically invoice stores, updating their original
purchase order automatically
- The warehouse can maintain inventory levels and use
purchasing and receiving functions
