Outsourcing

HOW DOES PDI INFOSERVE WORK?

PDI InfoServe focuses on delivering the "business basics" to its customers. These basics can then be built upon to further tighten controls. The functional processes included in the core business basics include:

Store

  • DSD/Store Receiving
  • Inventory Control
  • Store Accounting
  • Store Manager Workbench/Reporting
  • Time and Attendance

Merchandising

  • Sales History and Analysis
  • Pricebook Maintenance
  • Vendor Performance

Fuel Management

  • Inventory Management
  • Environmental Certification

Store Automation — The business basics of PDI InfoServe’s services begin with automating store level functions. PDI begins by ordering your store hardware and configuring the system to address your company’s reporting requirements. We then test the system to ensure it meets your needs. System configuration may include information on all employees working in each store, authorized vendors, hose and tank configurations, and/or daily reporting formats. PDI InfoServe consultants then teach store managers how to enter their paperwork, print store level reports, and submit data to PDI InfoServe’s Processing Center.

PDI InfoServe automates your stores by placing a back office computer in each store. PDI’s software has built-in validation and auditing to ensure specific screens properly balance prior to managers submitting daily information to the PDI InfoServe Processing Center.

Pricebook Maintenance — If the pricebook option is selected, PDI begins by setting up your pricebook with authorized products and vendors. Updates to pricebook files are made through the host system at the PDI InfoServe Processing Center and then downloaded to each location. Changes in the pricebook, such as price changes, promotions, and the addition of new products and/or vendors, are handled by either the merchandising team negotiating new vendor deals or the changes are communicated directly to PDI InfoServe for entry into the system.

Information Processing — To ensure timely reporting of information, each company establishes an operational time frame in which store managers must complete all paperwork and submit electronically to PDI InfoServe. Once store information is received by PDI InfoServe personnel, it is reviewed for "reasonableness" and thoroughness. That is to say, our staff looks for signs that information was not "forced" to achieve balanced entries and that key data is not missing.
If we identify a mistake, we contact the location in question and help the manager work through correcting the paperwork. The information from all stores is then updated and management reports are placed on the network for pickup by designated employees within your company. Each operator is able to review exception reports highlighting activity in their stores the previous day! Operators using PDI’s Enterprise system are able to see near real time data. PDI InfoServe personnel process paperwork Monday through Friday. This means an operator may enter their store’s paperwork seven days a week, however PDI InfoServe processes Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s information on Monday.