Q. Is there software to install with BASIX®?
A. No. BASIX hosts all of the supply chain data collection and reporting tools that we supply on your behalf. Users access the BASIX systems through the web. There are only some minimum software requirements (minimum Excel and Internet Explorer versions) and Internet connection speeds (high-speed access) that are needed to ensure user compatibility with our system.
Q. What is the start-up time?
A. Once a contract is signed, we will work together to understand your data needs and begin customizing a BASIX system for you. The start-up process typically takes about three months once your customized data needs are finalized.
Q. What type of supply chain data reporting information will BASIX provide for me?
A. Through our ANALYZE® Data Reporter, BASIX will provide you with all of the data intelligence you need to manage your supply chain more effectively. This includes - but is not limited to - distribution center purchases, inventory levels, pricing, credits, purchase order status and case sales of every product distributed on your behalf.
Q. Who owns the data?
A. With BASIX, you always own your supply chain data.
Q. Once I obtain BASIX data, how can I forward the information to others?
A. The information available in BASIX systems can be exported in various formats, including PDF, HTML and Excel. This flexibility allows you to easily communicate information to your internal personnel and supply chain partners in a timely manner.
Q. I use a national distribution company that allows me access to web-based reports that include up-to-date sales, purchase and inventory data. What is the benefit of using BASIX for my supply chain data reporting?
A. As a non-biased third party, BASIX acts in an objective manner to provide you with the clean, consistent data you need to make proactive business decisions. We put you in the driver's seat to control the type and timeliness of the data you receive. With BASIX collecting and maintaining your supply chain data, you also have greater flexibility to make changes in your distribution network - without any loss of historical information.
Q. We need a way to manage and track products with a specific shelf life. How can BASIX help?
A. With the Lot Tracker tool that's included in our ANALYZE Data Reporter, you have real-time access to the product expiration/use-by dates currently in inventory at each distributor location as well as those associated with each product shipment to each of your foodservice locations. (The availability of this information is dependent upon the abilities of your individual distributors to report product expiration/use-by dates in the data files they submit.)
Q. Our products and suppliers change frequently. How often can we get the new information incorporated into the database so that our reports reflect the most current conditions?
A. BASIX will work with you to establish a customized schedule for submitting updated product and supplier information that meets your needs. Updates typically are generated weekly, and the new information is reflected within a few days. This generally is well in advance of when your distributors begin reporting any purchase or sales activity on the new or changed products.
Q. One of my responsibilities as a purchasing agent is to communicate routine contract price changes to our distributors. Can BASIX streamline this task for me?
A. Yes, our CATALOG & COMMUNICATE® Product Manager enables you to enter price change information only once, and then the system will automate the communication of your new prices to all affected distributors.
Q. How do I know if my distributors are receiving the correct contract price and if they are charging each foodservice location the correct price? Can BASIX provide a more efficient alternative to our current verification methods?
A. Yes. Our Price Checker tool automates contract price validation and compliance monitoring of all products in your system based on the contract price information you provide us. Your contract price information is compared with each distributor's case sales data to validate that the correct prices are being charged on each invoice. The prices on distributor purchase orders from suppliers are also reviewed automatically. The resulting exception reports enable you to take action immediately.
Q. Can BASIX help me collect and maintain current price lists (order guides) from my distributors?
A. Yes. BASIX can leverage the communications channels that we have with your distributors to collect electronic order guides. Using contract price information that you provide to BASIX, our tools will enable you to quickly review each distributor's order guide for pricing inaccuracies and take action to notify them of required corrections. Our tools also facilitate the subsequent review of individual distributor invoices to verify that the requested corrections were made.
Q. I use five independent distribution companies, each with different product numbers for the same products. Reconciling monthly reports is time-consuming due to the cross-referencing required to evaluate the data correctly. Can BASIX help?
A. Yes. BASIX will cleanse and map all of your product data so that it is categorized consistently utilizing your preferred numbering system. The data is summarized for a high-level product view, but drill-down capabilities enable review by regions, suppliers or even foodservice locations.
Q. I'm responsible for the test and promotional products in our units. Due to inconsistent sales activity on these products, there are times when I do not have the proper amount of inventory positioned at the right distributor to satisfy demand. How can BASIX help me?
A. With our Inventory Viewer tool, you can monitor current (24-hour delay) inventory across your entire supply chain - along with supporting usage and purchase data - to quickly determine product availability at each distributor. This will proactively give you real-time information and allow you to manage and control proper inventory levels in each test and promotional region across the country.
Q. We periodically receive notice from our suppliers of a product recall. What tools does BASIX offer that would help us determine the presence of impacted inventory at our distribution centers?
A. Our Lot Tracker tool enables you to track shelf-life-sensitive products across your supply chain based on the lot identity number (i.e., expiration or use-by date). As a result, you can quickly identify the points in your supply chain affected by a recall event. (The availability of this information is dependent upon the abilities of your individual distributors to report product expiration/use-by dates in the data files they submit.)
Q. Is BASIX able to tell me what my sales are at each POS location?
A. Not directly. BASIX will be able to tell you what your distributors' case sales are to individual foodservice locations and will work with you to integrate this information with your current POS system.
Q. We are a heavily franchised organization. How can BASIX help me target purchasing compliance?
A. With BASIX, you have the tools to identify the food spend of each of your foodservice locations. This will give you visibility into all contracted products purchased by each franchise location and organization.
Q. As a marketing executive, I'm often looking at a lot of historical data when evaluating current marketing initiatives. How much historical data can BASIX provide?
A. As soon as your distributors begin submitting data to BASIX, we will make it available to you. We also will work with your distributors to obtain any historical data that they may have in their systems for activities prior to the time they began submitting data to us on your behalf. Data will continue to accumulate in our system and be made available based on the scope of our contractual agreement with you.
Q. What other forms of supply chain analysis can be performed once we have a BASIX data collection and reporting system in place?
A. Once our systems are in place to capture your supply chain data, we can provide you with the expertise you need to analyze the efficiency of your supply chain and identify opportunities for cost reduction. For more information, please refer to the Beyond the Basics section of this web site.
Q. What's unique about BASIX?
A. BASIX is part of the Armada Supply Chain Solutions Group, which features more than 100 years of foodservice supply chain management experience and brings a wide range of supply chain services to you. Our sole focus is delivering a web-based business intelligence solution for multi-unit foodservice operators, and our supply chain expertise is evident in the diversity and utility of the tools we provide you.
Q. How do I learn more about BASIX?
A. You can contact BASIX through the following link, and a BASIX representative will be in touch with you soon. Contact a BASIX supply chain expert now.