Inventory, Warehousing and Logistics

Comprehensive Inventory, Warehousing and Logistics features and processes.

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Inventory

Abel’s inventory management is built to handle the complexities of modern warehousing and manufacturing, with a powerful mix of core and advanced features, Abel gives you the control and flexibility to manage stock efficiently across multiple locations.

Core Inventory Features

Abel’s core inventory and stock control capabilities are designed to suit a wide range of business needs:

Configurable Stock Types Manage standard types like Stock, Raw Materials, and Packaging, or define custom types such as Purchase Items, Loan Stock, or Consignment Stock.
Flexible Pricing Structures Set cost and sell prices by category, supplier, or customer. Support for alternate units of measure, quantity breaks, and pricing history.
Smart Reordering Configure reorder settings by stock location, including minimum/maximum levels, economic order quantity (EOQ), order multiples, lead times, and supplier.
Multiple Reorder Methods Choose from various reorder calculations for internal replenishment or to suit Materials Requirements Planning (MRP).
Bulk Order Generation Use reorder and replenish screens to review recommended quantities and generate supplier or internal orders in bulk.
Inventory Costing Options Support for standard, average, and batch costing methods.

Advanced Inventory Features

For businesses with more complex inventory needs, Abel offers advanced functionality to support traceability, compliance, and operational efficiency:

MRP & MRP II Use forecasts to manage inventory and plan production for just-in-time operations.
Bin Management Configure bins by location and control which items require bin tracking, including default bins for stock movements.
Batch Tracking & Traceability Track raw materials and finished goods for quality control, recalls, customer support, and warranty compliance.
Inventory Use-by Dates Manage expiry-sensitive inventory.
Country of Eligibility Classify batches of inventory as to their suitability for the destination country to assist with batch selection.
Bill of Materials Management Support for Bills of Materials (BOMs) and BOM-based pricing.
BOM Version Control Manage changes to Bills of Materials (BOMs) in a structured fashion with BOM version control.
Parts Catalogue Store supplier part numbers for use in purchasing and sales workflows.
Part Substitution Identify BOMs using unavailable parts and substitute with alternatives.
Kitsets Manage finished goods that are made up of multiple inventory items.
Customer & Supplier Owned Stock Track third-party stock within your system.
File Attachments Attach documents or images to inventory items for easy reference.

Inwards Goods

Abel’s inwards goods functionality gives you full control over stock receipts, whether you’re receiving from suppliers, transferring between stock locations, or managing international shipments. It provides visibility, supports traceability, accuracy, and efficiency from the moment goods are ordered until the goods arrive.

Core Features

Supplier Deliveries Record deliveries with both supplier and internal batch numbers, serial numbers, or unique identifiers.
Internal Deliveries Manage stock transfers between stock locations or companies within your Abel system.
Inwards Shipping Visibility Track goods in transit (e.g. on ships) to support fulfilment and reordering. Optionally create supplier delivery documents upon arrival.
Stock Transfers Receive stock from other stock locations or warehouses with full traceability.
Supplier Returns Process returns for goods that are incorrect, damaged, or otherwise unacceptable.
Putaway Reporting Generate reports showing which customer orders or manufacturing jobs are waiting for received stock.

Optional Features

Outwards Goods

Abel’s outwards goods functionality helps you manage stock issues with speed, accuracy, and full traceability. Whether you’re fulfilling customer orders, or transferring stock internally, Abel supports efficient despatch workflows from warehouse to customer.

Core Features

Customer Despatch Process and track outgoing goods for customer orders.
Internal Despatch Manage stock transfers between warehouses or companies within your Abel system.
Open Despatch Management Maintain visibility and control over partially completed or pending despatches.
Back Order Handling Manage and fulfil back orders as stock becomes available.
Touchscreen Integration Use touchscreens connected to label printers for streamlined warehouse operations.

Optional Features

Order Consolidation Combine multiple customer orders into a single despatch for efficiency and cost savings.
Country of Eligibility Shows country of eligibility for batches of inventory to assist with batch selection.
Stock Allocation Reserve and allocate stock with full visibility over inventory and batches assigned.

Outbound Containers

Abel’s Export Container Management streamlines the despatch of customer orders via shipping containers, air freight, or similar transport methods. It gives you full visibility and control over containerised logistics, from booking to delivery.

Core Features

Container Booking Capture and track containers as soon as they are scheduled.
Order Linking Link customer orders to containers and allocate eligible stock.
Scheduling Integration Link container despatches to production completion dates.
Advance Stock Allocation Assign and reserve stock to containers ahead of time.
Full Container Despatch Generate despatches for entire containers in a single process.
Internal Container Tracking Monitor internal containers through to delivery at the destination warehouse.
Export Documentation Produce standard export documents and EDs as required.
Document Attachment Link export documents to both containers and customer orders.

Reorder and Replenish

Abel’s Reorder and Replenish tools help stock controllers make informed purchasing and manufacturing decisions. By analysing current stock levels, demand, and predefined reorder settings, Abel provides recommendations to keep your inventory flowing smoothly.

Core Features

Interactive Reorder Recommendations Review, adjust, or remove suggested reorder lines directly from the screen.
Bulk Order Creation Generate supplier purchase orders or internal manufacture orders in bulk from a single screen.
Grouped Material Requirements Consolidate material needs from multiple orders or manufacturing jobs into a single purchase order line.
Stock Replenishment Use the replenish process to request stock from other stock locations for inventory items set to a “replenish” reorder method.

Optional Features

Stock Transfers, Movements and Adjustments

Abel gives you real-time control over inventory movements across your warehouses, stock locations and bins. Whether you’re moving stock or making adjustments, Abel ensures accuracy, traceability, and auditability at every step.

Core Features

Stock Transfers Move inventory between warehouses or bin locations with full traceability.
Internal Despatch Transfer stock between stock locations or companies within your Abel system.
Stock Takes Perform stock counts by stock location, group, bin location, or inventory item. Supports batch, serial, or unique number tracking. Includes count sheets and post-count variance reporting.
Stock Usage Adjustments Record stock write-offs for waste, spoilage, or damage using reason codes and General Ledger codes for visibility and analysis.
Quality Control Transfers Manage quality release processes with security-controlled stock movements.
Pre-allocated Batches Allocate batches to manufacturing jobs weeks in advance for better planning and control.
Cycle Counts Perform rolling inventory counts to maintain accuracy without full stocktake disruptions.
Stock Revaluation Make adjustments to the value of inventory as needed.

Stock Enquiries and Reporting

Abel provides real-time visibility into your inventory, helping you make informed decisions with confidence. From historical transactions to future demand, Abel’s enquiry and reporting tools give you a complete picture of your stock position.

Core Features

Stock Enquiry View historical transactions, forecasted demand, expected delivery times, and goods in transit (including goods on ships).
Stock Turns Reporting Monitor inventory efficiency with detailed stock turn reports and enquiry screens.
Stock on Hand Check current stock levels and batch availability at a glance.
Demand Forecasting See forecasted and manufacturing-driven demand to support planning.
Test Results Access quality test results linked to inventory batches.
12-Month View Review activity over a rolling 12-month period.
Shortage Insights Identify inventory shortages early to avoid disruptions.
Inwards Goods Visibility Track goods on order from suppliers including goods on ships.
Outwards Goods Management Track customer orders due and manage timing of despatches.

Abel Mobile Warehouse

Abel’s Mobile Warehouse App brings key warehouse functions to the palm of your hand. Designed for Android® handheld devices, the app connects directly to your live Abel database, enabling real-time inventory operations on the warehouse floor.

Core Features

Live System Connection Operate on handheld Android devices with a direct link to your Abel database.
Customer Despatch Processing Select and process existing despatches from the device.
Stock Picking Perform pick and pick return operations with ease.
Bin-to-Bin Movements Move stock between bins — single items, multiple items, or full bin transfers.
Stock Counting Conduct stock counts by bin location.
Manufacturing Completion Complete and close manufacturing jobs directly from a handheld device.

Interfaces

Abel supports a range of optional interfaces to third-party software providers and specialized hardware, helping you extend your inventory and warehousing processes with the tools and services your business relies on.

Available Interfaces

Freight Providers Interface with freight companies such as Mainfreight for streamlined logistics.
Courier Integration Connect with courier integration software that Abel supports.
Weighing Scales For stock issues that require weighing. Capture weights directly from weighing scales that Abel supports.
Electronic Orders Accept electronic orders from your website or large customers such as supermarkets. If required, Abel can build the despatch automatically for your Warehouse team to action.
Third Party Warehouses Integrate third-party logistics providers (3PLs) for services such as distributed warehousing and despatch.
Label Design & Printing Integrate with third-party software for label design and printing.