Synonyms

Users are not limited to entering product IDs or attribute values to select the desired product; synonyms may also be used to access product information. Synonyms are alternative descriptions for product IDs that are recognized by the system. Synonyms are words or codes that are commonly used in the work place to identify a product. For example, a particular user may assign a synonym of "sbts" to a small, blue t-shirt. When sbts is entered, the system will recognize that the user is referring to a small, blue t-shirt and provide the proper product ID.

Trax Distribution:Solutions allow multiple synonyms to be created for each product. Each user can create a personal set of synonyms to uniquely identify any product. Additional synonyms can be assigned such as customer part numbers, supplier part numbers, bar code information, names, or other identifiers to be used as synonyms. Customers who prefer to use their own part numbers to refer to products are able to place orders with these numbers, have the operator key in that identifier, correctly assign inventory, and have the customer part number appear on the invoice.

There are six special types of synonyms that can be designated at any time in addition to an unlimited number of standard company-wide synonyms:

• Bar-Code Synonym
  Defines a code that can be printed conditionally or scanned for quick product identification, shelf labels, and price tickets.
• Report Synonym
  Defines the product ID that will print on all reports and price lists.
• Invoice Synonym
  Defines the product ID that will print on all customer invoices unless otherwise specified with a specific customer synonym.
• Manufacturer Synonym
  Defines a code that represents the manufacturer's product ID.
• Supplier Synonym
  Defines a product ID that represents the supplier's product ID. This synonym can print on purchase orders.
• Customer Synonym
  Defines a product ID that represents your customer's identifier. This synonym can print on customer orders, packing slips, and/or invoices without affecting any other customer's documents.

The assignment of synonyms is very flexible. Synonyms can be created to refer to product groups, products, or any combination thereof. For example, a synonym for shirts in the system could be shirt. A synonym for all t-shirts in the system could be t-shirt. If a user commonly enters orders for t-shirts but the color and size vary, then a synonym can be assigned to call up all t-shirts and the color and size attribute values would be requested. Additionally, a synonym can be created that answers any number of attribute values and the operator would be prompted for any values not yet determined.

When users press the help key, they are prompted for a Product-ID and a list of products would be displayed. It should be noted that when the system asks for a Product ID, it accepts any valid synonym. Customized synonyms can be added to the system by any authorized operator that appears in the product list.

In conclusion, synonyms and attributes save valuable time and increase efficiency within an organization. With the ability to search for products by synonyms and/or attribute values, your user can enter products without memorizing special codes or flipping through inventory tables and catalogues. Attributes increase customer satisfaction with the order desk's overall productivity.