MACS Software - Latest News

As the lead developer for this exciting new project, I am delighted to announce that MACS Software is about to launch a new software platform for both Microsoft® and Apple Mac systems that offers a rich internet application for our customers.  When released later this year, the new system will provide global access and greater flexibility for all warehouse operators using MACS software.  The new system will also allow our customers to migrate to a cloud-based system in the future should they choose to do so.

The new system, which has yet to be given its product name, is a direct evolution of the MACS for Windows® software that has been providing robust warehouse management for over 10 years.  The key difference is that the new product operates as a browser-based system, using Microsoft Silverlight®, and as a robust desktop system - simultaneously.  This means that operators and managers can access the system through their office-based desktop systems in the normal way; and take advantage of working on the same system, but via a browser, when they are away from the office.

Nowadays, many logistics professionals are not permanently office-based and so greatly value the opportunities for global access, by both themselves and, if required, their clients.  With our new system we are providing the best of both worlds: the flexibility and convenience of browser access with the confidence of a more traditional desktop-based system.

During the development process we have taken the opportunity of updating what will become our core product to make it easier and faster to install, use and support.   We have also made the system compatible with both Microsoft® and Apple Mac products.  The information screens have been greatly simplified and make use of pop-up menus for field entry.  They are also much more intuitive, thereby reducing training times for new staff and significantly reducing the opportunity for mistakes resulting from human error.

I am very confident that users will find themselves using the browser system out of preference when they became familiar with the product. It will make no difference whether you enter information via the browser or on the desktop, it all ends up in the same place.  Anyone who travels for business will soon be able to access all their MACS warehouse systems and information remotely and they'll soon wonder how they ever managed without it.

Apart from the MACS team wanting to offer cutting edge technology, the new product is a direct response to requests from clients who want the benefits of a more flexible system. They need the flexibility of global access and also want to be able to give their customers remote access to their unique information whenever they need it. That’s precisely what our new system will provide.

The new system is 100% backwards compatible with the existing MACS systems used by our current customers. The new system is currently undergoing thorough beta testing with Mini Clipper Logistics in Leighton Buzzard, an established high quality storage and distribution company operating 160,000 square feet of warehousing. The formal launch of the new product is expected towards the third quarter of this year.  We hope all of our existing customers will be operating on the new system by the middle of 2013.

- Mini Clipper Logistics (Leighton Buzzard)

Following a devastating earthquake and subsequent cholera outbreak, MACS sent in reinforcements to get the SCMS (a delivery partner for USAID) warehouse, which despatches vital antiviral drugs, back to full operational capacity.

As a result, Richard Miller (MACS Implementation Director) recently completed a four month stint in Haiti supporting the MACS WMS site.

Richard shared some of his thoughts and experiences with us.........

What stands out the most from your trip?  The people I worked with, an amazing amount of determination even after devastating events.

What proved to be difficult? The most basic things.......often we were left with no electricity and the cost of a basic item in the supermarkets was extortionate!  A lettuce retailed at £8! It was also the rainy and hurricane season. Luckily (apparently) we only had one hurricane!!

What were the highlights: I was formally invited to attend the 40^th Anniversary of MSH (Medical Sciences for Health). This was a high profile island event with the Prime Minister of Haiti and Minister of Health (and me of course!) joining in the celebrations. Unfortunately, the Vice President of the United States could not attend at the last moment.

However, the goodbye party from the warehouse and management team meant the most to me. I was presented with a 2ft x 3 ft cake with the comment “Merci Richard” (see picture attached). 

We wish the team over in Haiti – working very hard in extremely difficult conditions - all the very best.

With a hint of Spring in the air and Easter only around the corner, I can't quite believe that we are where we are in the year, so to speak. Companywise, its been a whirlwind of activity so far this year.

The migration of customers to the Windows-based MACS Bond module continues apace, hopefully being complete in the next month or so. Following on from the new MACS Dashboard, our super-brained technical team are steadfastly engaged in the transfer of our class leading functionality into a class leading, superior user experience. Certainly by the end of the year our customers will be introduced to the next generation of MACS software solutions!

In the year to date, we've started the phased replacement of legacy systems (belonging to another supplier) in a leading third party logistics provider (installing a combination of both paper-based and rf systems across two warehouses) and the implementation of rf-MACS (interfacing with SAP) in a leading manufacturer and distributor of cement, bitumen and resin products. One of our existing customers has also taken the opportunity to improve its operational efficiency by upgrading to rf-MACS from a paper-based system.

I think the action being taken reflects the mood of many of our customers (and our own views) that now is the time to really stand out from the crowd by investing in better technology for more efficient process, easier access to key management information and reduced costs. That's why we, in addition to the massive investment in our own software solutions, are also in the process of working towards ISO 9001 accreditation. With the arrival of new project management and helpdesk systems also, we are in no doubt that our investment will benefit us and our customers for years to come. 

I'm really pleased with the simplicity of our new Dashboard module. Its's so easy to use, yet an extremely powerful management information tool. Its been specifically designed to communicate critical information to users at a glance, often by distilling inherently complex data down to a summary level, which can in turn be drilled-down on for more detail as necessary.

Dashboard can summarise and analyse information in a series of graphs, charts, speedometers and KPIs, enabling both decision makers and other personnel to access key information.

The addition of the Dashboard to our management reporting product suite is an exciting new development as we continue to improve the functionality of our systems to offer world class, value for money solutions to our clients.