VICS Trading Partner Alignment & Compliance Committee (TPAC) in partnership with Katzscan has launched a series of foundational e-courses.
What is TPAC?
TPAC is a VICS committee dedicated to reducing the cost of quality in the retail supply chain through initiatives that include education and standardization.
Why Is The Cost Of Quality So High?
Disruptions in the retail supply chain – especially those that are contrary to established industry guidelines – result in exceptions which have to be managed outside of the normal processing procedures and automated systems, causing a higher cost of quality for the retailer and the supplier. This threatens the ability to achieve the ultimate retail supply chain goal: To ensure products are available when consumers want them.
What’s The TPAC Committee’s Solution?
Educating suppliers (preferably) prior to and also during their participation in the retail supply chain will reduce incidences of disruption, lower operating costs, drive down exceptions, boost performance, increase consumer purchases, and decrease consumer dissatisfaction with both the retailer and the supplier’s brand.
Everyone Benefits!
Collaborative efforts between retailers and suppliers will increase as suppliers become more knowledgeable with the basics of retail supply chain participation. Retailers and their outsourced service & solution partners will be less burdened in hand-holding suppliers through the on-boarding process and throughout their retail supply chain participation. Suppliers can gain a competitive advantage by excelling in their supply chain relationship and showcasing their desire and ability to be closely collaborative trading partners. Ensuring products are available when the consumer wants them helps to increase sales, benefiting all retail supply chain participants.
The Foundation Course Outline
In partnership with Katzscan Inc., a series of foundation courses has been developed for launch on the VICS website. The foundation courses provide solution-neutral and non-retailer specific information on how to be a successful supplier in the retail supply chain.
The series of courses are: - An Executive Overview Of Vendor Compliance – A high-level overview that is intended to advise suppliers considering the leap into the retail supply chain.
- Key Aspects Of Vendor Compliance – A detailed look at how vendor compliance impacts all aspects of a supplier’s business, from operational procedures to technology, and including floor-ready guidelines and documentation such as the VICS Bill Of Lading.
- An Introduction To Electronic Data Interchange – An overview of what EDI is and how it works, including an examination of documents typically used in the retail supply chain.
- An Introduction To Barcode & RFID Label Printing – An overview of what barcodes and Radio Frequency Identification is and how they work, including the pro’s and con’s of various print methods, how specific barcodes are used, and an introduction to the new global barcode terminology.
- EDI Integration Tips & Techniques – A common source of confusion and frustration for suppliers, this course highlights some best practices for integrating EDI into sales order processing, distribution, and accounting applications (though typically found in Enterprise Resource Planning systems).
- Common Vendor Compliance Chargebacks & How To Avoid Them – A look at common vendor compliance chargebacks and how – with proper investments in technology and a dedication to operating in an organized manner – suppliers can avoid these mistakes and financial penalties for non-compliance.
Registrations
VICS TPAC Foundation Course 1 - An Executive Overview Of Vendor Compliance
VICS TPAC Foundation Course 2 - Key Aspects Of Vendor Compliance
VICS TPAC Foundation Course 3 - An Introduction To Electronic Data Interchange
VICS TPAC Foundation Course 4 - An Introduction To Barcode Labels & RFID Tags
VICS TPAC Foundation Course 5 - Electronic Data Interchange Integration Tips And Techniques
VICS TPAC Foundation Course 6 - Common Vendor Compliance Chargebacks And How To Avoid Them
About Katzscan
Started in January 1996 by Norman Katz, Katzscan is a consulting firm located near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that specializes in selection & implementation of barcode applications and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) solutions, and the integration to Enterprise Resource Planning systems. With a unique focus on supply chain vendor compliance, Katzscan helps suppliers minimize disruptive practices, and helps buying companies drive efficiencies to their own down-stream supply chains. Katzscan also assists with turnaround situations and in the detection and reduction of fraud via Sarbanes-Oxley compliance frameworks. For more information, please go to www.katzscan.com
