Total Order Control^SM (TOC) is a vital application for an efficient and profitable electronic commerce system. TOC integrates proven technologies into a solution that enables supermarkets to turn customer grocery order fulfillment into a new revenue and profit source. TOC is a cost-effective automated system for handling, picking and processing grocery orders received via the Internet, telephone or facsimile. TOC provides supermarkets with a rich set of system features tailored to meet  their needs:

• TOC is the most efficient order handling application for incoming electronic orders
• A handheld terminal is used to pick, scan, bag and checkout in a single process
• TOC is the most productive method for picking multiple orders simultaneously either in the supermarket aisles or at a warehouse facility
• TOC and the hand held terminal offer outstanding customer service for curbside pickup
• TOC provides accountability and accuracy in the order fulfillment process

RETCOM and ateb, a division of Synectics, Inc., have developed two TOC offerings: TOC Level A provides the basic application to manage order fulfillment. TOC Level B includes the integration of handheld terminals to provide optimum efficiency and automation.

TOC Level A manages each order through the complete fulfillment process. An electronic order picking map is created for each picking location. Incoming orders are evaluated against this order picking map and an optimal picking list is created. TOC Level A uses paper reports to provide picking lists and allows pickers to pick one or more orders simultaneously. Pickers use the paper reports to reconcile what was actually picked against the original order including any customer approved substitutions. TOC also generates a pick list bar code report which can be scanned at a POS terminal. TOC provides additional menus and screens to handle payments, modifications and adjustments including coupons.

TOC Level B provides the same basic features of TOC Level A; however, the steps required to pick, scan and reconcile each order are automated using handheld bar code scanners. Pickers are led through the process by screens on the handheld terminals instructing what to pick and where the item is located. This method provides for more efficient simultaneous picking of a greater number of orders while maintaining high accuracy. Screens guide the picker in selecting approved substitutions when an ordered item is out of stock. When the picking is completed, the "actually picked" list is uploaded back to TOC and automatically reconciled against the original order. Optionally, TOC level B can be integrated to the picking location's POS to automatically generate sales receipts.

With TOC, handheld terminals can be used to manage traditional checkout features for at-the-store curbside pickup (analogous to express rental car check-in) or home delivery. The curbside checkout features provide added customer convenience and outstanding service, especially for order pickup customers who want to go into the store to select last minute items.

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