The retailer can elect to provide the supplier with sell through information. This is transmitted electronically to the supplier. Supplier’s can now find how their products are selling in the retail environment.

The electronic Advanced Shipping Notice document can be requested by the retailer once the supplier ships an order. The ASN will provide the retailer with the tracking information and the contents of each container. The employee receiving the order will be able to scan a barcode on the outside of the container and will immediately know the contents of the container including individual serial numbers. This can save the retailer countless dollars in time savings during the receiving process.

The retailer can click a button in AIM requesting outstanding invoices from a supplier. The Accounts Payable invoice will be automatically created in the AIM software. This saves the retailer time and mistakes over manual data entry. It also helps the supplier to get paid quicker as dealers are then able to take advantage of early pay discounts.

Retailers can electronically transmit a purchase order to the supplier. The supplier will return an electronic acknowledgement document. This virtually eliminates input errors from the supplier re-keying order information into their systems. Many retailers have reported faster product turnaround time after going electronic.

Suppliers can provide a Stock Availability service to active-e. Retailers will be able to see if a supplier has a product available before submitting a purchase order. The suppliers request will come in the form of an electronic purchase order with an element indicating stock check. The supplier will return an electronic document indicating if the sku is in stock, discontinued or out of stock.

Suppliers that provide catalog information to active-e can also provide a longer description that is suitable for display on a retailer’s website. This will enhance the product listing and increase search engine hits to the retailer’s website.

Suppliers that provide catalog information to active-e can also provide images. The image can be provided to active-e by file or URL link. Either way, the image will be hosted on the active-e servers. Retailers can access the image from the AIM software or from their e-commerce shopping cart.

Suppliers can provide their catalog information to active-e. Active-e will format the suppliers data so that it is compatible with the AIM software. Retailers can load the catalog information into their system. This will keep the retailer up to date with new items, price changes and discontinued items. This saves the retailer many hours in data input and database management.