Leading Perishable Goods exporter relies on iNTIGRATE.
“iNTIGRATE MX" is a fast, robust and reliable system and it can be configured to meet my client’s and suppliers specific needs and that gives us an edge in the market” says Ingrid Hofma, Managing Director, Le Fresh International (NZ) Ltd.
Overview
Being a leading exporter of highly perishable goods to international markets, Le Fresh International (NZ) Ltd needs complete traceability for all products it handles from growers and supplying pack houses, via freight forwarders to end clients in Europe, USA and Asia. Le Fresh also needs a completely integrated accounting system with multiple currency and multiple location ability to tie into a comprehensive inventory management system to control it's fast moving business. This all needs to happen across all sorts of Internet networks including remote locations on variable quality dial up connections in real time.
Integrated Business Accounting Solution
Ingrid Hofma is a highly respected international marketer of perishable crops such as Cherries, Apricots, Capsicums, etc. Her company has been a leading exporter for over 15 years and works on a very lean administrative structure, utilising unsurpassed accounting information systems provided by
iNTIGRATE MX.
Needing access to product
inventory information the moment her company takes control of the highly perishable goods is critical to the success of her business. As a result Ingrid demanded inventory control from the point of supply whether at a growers pack house in Cromwell or the moment the high value goods arrive at the Freight Forwarders cool stores in Christchurch. The
suppliers stock details are entered into the
iNTIGRATE MX accounting system,
inventory control module, either by bar code or
fast data entry when the temperature sensitive products arrive. The goods are then inspected by
Quality Control officers and all data is entered into the product database, for later retrieval if required.
Quick decisions based on factual information
In the company offices in Auckland, Ingrid and her team market Cherries and other crops to demanding clients across the globe. The team work out supply deadlines and match these to the various freight options available from airline's and shipping companies, to meet the client’s expectations, while keeping an eye on the associated costs. In addition to this, Ingrid and her team must be aware of which products are suitable for which countries due to pest or potential residue restrictions. All of this is happening on a constant basis, often 7 days per week and over 18 hours per day, during the season and quick decisions based on factual information from within the
iNTIGRATE MX system are necessary to eliminate expensive errors.
Accurate, robust and reliable System
iNTIGRATE MX provides Ingrid and her team with the exact information they need to convert their client's requirements (which are received at all hours of the day and night) into load outs which are communicated straight back to the various freight forwarders, instructing them exactly what to pick, where to send it, on which plane or vessel at which time, all via the
iNTIGRATE MX system. The freight forwarder then confirms the product has been picked, packed and shipped. The system retains this information and can generate all of the
export documents, send the client a pre-alert of what is being shipped and then generate the invoice in what ever
currency the goods were sold in.
Excellent Inventory Control
iNTIGRATE MX retains all of the information to generate the
supplier payments, and captures all of the expected third party charges, ie shipping and domestic freight charges, and calculates all applicable industry levies to be paid and any rebates, discounts and or promotional allowances the client expects or may deduct, so an assumed profit can be calculated in real time and then checked months later to see if the numbers were achieved.
iNTIGRATE MX also provides the 3PL service providers with full
inventory control, so they can check on what stock they should have on hand, by pallet card number, supplier details, product and pack details. This enables them to undertake, quick and comprehensive stock takes, at any time of the day or night at any frequency required. This ensures accurate picking has been completed and also confirms no highly perishable product remains on hand. The fact that
iNTIGRATE MX is a thoroughly accurate, robust and reliable system increases the productivity and accuracy for all parties in the supply chain, enabling them all to perform to the highest levels of customer service possible in a cost effective and timely manner.
Integrated and User Friendly
Once the goods are shipped, invoices can be posted to the
accounts receivable system in the currency of sale and the
Forex rates are entered (either via treasury rates and or retained as a spot rate to be closed out on the day funds are received or paid for). From here
Debtors can be monitored and or terms of trade can be established for clients individually, by country, by area, or any other parameter needed.
iNTIGRATE MX has a comprehensive
accounts payable system and a separate sophisticated supplier payments module for trading companies like Le Fresh, requiring customised payments options and methods suitable for specific industries or individual companies. Payments can be held awaiting confirming invoices from third party service providers or receipts from clients if goods are sold on consignment and can then be posted to the supplier payments module where they are batched and prepared for
direct credit payment on the agreed supplier terms of trade, with appropriate deductions shown in detail or as required.
Fast and intuitive
The
iNTIGRATE MX dictionary is one innovation developed in house, enabling industry jargon and terms to be integrated into the operating system to make data entry extremely fast and intuitive. It also allows third party users to be quickly trained and are often effective and accurate after a few hours using the software.
Reporting
Ingrid also has access to extensive reporting whether for inventory control, debtor management, financial performance against budget, creditor management and has a complete set of financial accounts prepared each month out of the system, while GST and other returns are also generated directly from the system. No data is entered more than once but it can be checked and validated several times as goods and data transits through the system following the physical movement of goods or services.
Le Fresh is a surprisingly large business, operated by a few highly skilled staff. The secret to maintaining tight control and low administrative costs has been the use of the
iNTIGRATE MX system for the last 15 years. It has grown to meet the needs of Le Fresh and has helped the company maintain it's leading edge in dealing with Suppliers and clients all over the world.
Peace of Mind
Le Fresh International (NZ) Ltd works in a very tough uncompromising business with no room for error. Ingrid is a no nonsense business person and she wanted a system to give her the tools to make her business as easy as possible with real time accurate information on which to make instant decisions. She also needed to track every cent accurately, in a high pressure time sensitive situation 7 days per week and often over 18 hour days.
iNTIGRATE MX has provided her that peace of mind and the system has been
audited by the tax authorities and
external accountants a number of times over the years and has passed inspection with flying colours.
Work with people who know what they are doing and can deliver.
To find out more or to arrange a demonstration
contact us now.
