DemandBridge is excited to report a new development we have been working on this past quarter, related to product enhancements and new integrations. We strive to provide constant improvements to products, services, and customer support.
In this quarterly review, we’ll highlight the following:
- Prepayments & Invoice Utility in DB Distributor – A new utility program is available in the Accounts Receivable module of DB Distributor that allows existing AR invoices to be matched up with qualifying prepayment entries, and at the same time, allows these invoices to be paid off with these matching prepayments at the user’s discretion. The cash receipts gateway has also been enhanced with the ability to import prepayments.
- New EQ Commerce Customization Options – EQ Commerce customization was just made easier with the latest enhancements added to the site customization options. We have expanded the use of Primary and Secondary colors in EQ Commerce Setup throughout the site to allow for a uniquely branded look to match your company’s brand standards.
- DB Reporting: Core DB Distributor Operational Reports Have Been Redesigned Using Power BI, Are Now Available Via DB Sourcing – This latest development effort was aimed at reimagining some of the most sought-after and commonly used DB Distributor reports…and making them accessible from anywhere on the web, right from within our DB Sourcing product. Beyond just simply replicating the existing row-and-column-based reports, we took this opportunity to design the reports in such a way that key metrics are called out, and data is visualized using interactive widgets that help to inspire new insights.
- Global Manufacturing Solutions – DemandBridge is excited to share that we have partnered with a leading global print/fulfillment provider to enable clients to think globally about their print logistics. Because of this partnership, clients and customers will soon be able to run their global print needs through a single DB Commerce site.
Prepayments and Invoices Utility
A new utility program is available in the Accounts Receivable module of DB Distributor that allows existing AR invoices to be matched up with qualifying prepayment entries, and at the same time, allows these invoices to be paid off with these matching prepayments at the user’s discretion.
The Cash Receipts Gateway has also been enhanced with the ability to import prepayments. This is especially useful to record payments for customers when the corresponding orders and invoices are not yet present in DB Distributor. This is often the case when distributors use external eCommerce systems that allow credit card orders. The “Prepayments and Invoices Utility” is available under the Accounts Receivable > Cash Receipts section of the DB Distributor application menu.
When the utility is selected, the user is presented with a selection screen where the range of customers and invoices can be specified. The utility will limit the search to within the specified range of customers and invoices. To include the entire set of open AR invoices across all customers, use [FIRST – LAST] as the desired range for both customers and invoice numbers.
The Fiscal Year, Accounting Period, Bank Code, and Deposit Number are required to be able to initiate the search for invoices. If the search does find matches in the next screen, these values are used for creating a Cash Receipts entry batch where the prepayments can be applied to the matching invoices.
The criteria used to match prepayments and invoices are:
- The prepayment must not have any “Cash In Progress” and must have a non-zero open balance.
- The invoice must also not have any “Cash In Progress” and must have a non-zero open balance.
- The value in the Cust PO field of the prepayment entry matches one of the following: -The DB/d order number of the invoice entry -The Cust PO number of the invoice entry
The user can select and de-select matches from the list to control which prepayments should be applied to the corresponding invoices.
Clicking “Apply Payments” will result in a Cash Receipts Entry batch containing the selected prepayments applied to the matching AR invoices. The user will be expected to review the Cash Receipts journal and update the batch as per usual.
The “Prepayments and Invoices Utility” can be used in combination with the Cash Receipts Gateway to import prepayments in bulk and then apply the prepayments to the matching invoices later in a convenient manner.
Before applying prepayments:
After applying prepayments:
New EQ Commerce Customization Options
EQ Commerce customization was just made easier with the latest enhancements added to the site customization options. Take advantage of these new options to deliver a completely branded site to your customers. Continue reading to learn how recent improvements have advanced the customization options for our EQ Commerce users.
We have expanded the use of Primary and Secondary colors in EQ Commerce Setup throughout the site to allow for a uniquely branded look to match your company’s brand standards.
Start customizing your site with these new customization options:
- Select a primary and secondary color to update the entire site in seconds
- Choose from three different color display options for the header navigation bar
If you are currently using the EQ Commerce platform, you can take advantage of these new customization settings now by logging into Distributor Admin.
If you do not have EQ Commerce and are interested in these features, please reach out to productinquiries@demandbridge.com.
DB Reporting: Core DB Distributor Operational Reports Have Been Redesigned Using Power BI, Are Now Available via DB Sourcing
We’re pleased to announce an expansion of our DB Reporting offering, powered by Microsoft Power BI data visualizations. At DemandBridge, we’ve been touting our decision to convert many of our reporting solutions using various underlying technologies to Power BI reports for some time now. From the ability to export report contents to Excel, a common means of warehousing data, modern dashboarding techniques, the potential to take advantage of other Microsoft capabilities (e.g. Machine Learning), and more, the benefits of building our reports using Power BI are endless. Not to mention, we’ve opened the door to new partnerships with Power BI experts in our industry whom we can entrust to execute customer requests and build new reports, thus freeing up our in-house engineers to focus on developing our core products.
This latest development effort was aimed at reimagining some of the most sought-after and commonly used DB Distributor reports… and making them accessible from anywhere on the web, right from within our DB Sourcing product. Beyond just simply replicating the existing row-and-column-based reports, we took this opportunity to design the reports in such a way that key metrics are called out, and data is visualized using interactive widgets that help to inspire new insights.
We’re continually looking for ways to strengthen the integration between the DemandBridge products to bring as many critical functions under one roof as possible. To that end, DB Sourcing emerged as a logical home for these new and improved DB/d reports given its ability to display embedded Power BI content, but also because of an increasing share of our customers’ order volume flows through that product.
Additionally, DB Sourcing offers the ability to place users into “groups”, and now, the ability to restrict certain reports to select groups. These security features help to ensure that potentially sensitive data is only exposed to the intended audience.
See below for a list of reports (grouped by their respective DB/d modules) that are now available within DB Sourcing:
Accounts Receivable
Open/Aged Invoice Report
Sales Tax Payable Report
Commissions Payable Report
Accounts Payable
Open/Aged Invoice Report
Order Processing
Order History Report
Open Orders Report
Open Purchase Order Report
Print Management
Customer Summary Bill
Warehouse Release Report
Inventory Control
Stock Status Report
Valued Inventory Report
General Ledger
Balance Sheet
Income Statement
Trial Balance Report
To learn more or to see these reports in action, please contact productinquiries@demandbridge.com.
Global Manufacturing Solutions
DemandBridge is excited to share that we have partnered with a leading global print/fulfillment provider to enable clients to think globally about their print logistics. Through providing an integrated eCommerce and global print network, DemandBridge will offer localized printing, procurement, and local tax compliance for international orders. Because of this, clients and customers will soon be able to run their global print needs through a single DB Commerce site.
Distributor Benefits at-a-glance
- You will not have to establish Nexus in every country
- Experience the ease of currency conversion through the joint integration
- Eliminates dealing with VAT and other international taxing issues
- Opens international markets that are deterred by the above
- Reduces shipping and logistics issues due to international shipping within the origin of production
- Reduces time spent on customer service issues regarding border logistics
- You will capture a larger share of clientele’s (international) business while protecting against losing additional share to other vendors who may enter through supplying unmet dead spots in coverage
- Get outsourced global procurement power for setting up new offerings and developing new markets
- Access to centralized global vendor management, contracts, billing, SLA’s, and POC with a single organization
Customer Benefits at-a-glance
- Experience a more predictable cost structure
- Have a greater possibility of a single storefront for all print needs
- With more predictable delivery or supply chain times
- Eliminate customs risks
- The products being ordered are produced in the country or region close to demand
- There will be less order follow-up time for customer service
For further information on our developing global manufacturing solutions, please reach out to service@demandbridge.com. More information about this new feature will follow in upcoming promotions.
