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Dimaps has developed a unique software solution for handling and controlling newspaper- and magazine-distribution. The software is continuously developed to adapt to changes in needs and demands from users and environment.
The program is a complete solution for managing carriers, routes, newspapers, keys, salary calcuations and production runs – all with a logical and intuitive presentation to the users.
Our solution is based on the Progress and MapInfo databases, both popular standard-tools, but is also compatible with other databases such as ORACLE. Dimaps has developed a unique software solution for handling and controlling newspaper- and magazine-distribution. The software is continuously developed to adapt to changes in needs and demands from users and environment. Description PDF-format (938 KB)Features The program has the following features: - Support for Salt2 and Salt2 v2 transactions to and from publishers.
- Support for varying route coverage ("net"), taking into account weekdays, holiday-periods or public holidays.
- Support for special deliveries, where the ordinary carrier or route is not to be used.
- Integration with the MapInfo GIS system, where subscribers displayed in maps and routes can be maintained with ease.
- Print of district lists with additions/deletions and subscribers per route.
- List for follow-up on complaints, top lists, repeat delivery lists manually handled deliveries.
- Advanced but easily used system for managing salaries for carriers, routes and charges.
- Management of carriers, routes, production runs using logical and intuitive screens.
System setup and main modules The distribution program contains several modules, including a system setup user management, group –level management and the privledges/authorities to be associated with them in the individual modules. For each user or group it is possible to setup and adapt the structure specifically for their needs and uses.
It is possible to create and modify each user’s environment, so specific modules automatically open when they log in.
Security features include a log displaying which users have used which modules and menus, including the time and parameters used. Additionally, changes are saved including the before and after values.
Basic databases In order to use the distribution system, the basic databases have to be adapted to the distributor. The basic databases contain information on what publications are distributed, base salary for carriers, streetnames and pickup points. The remaining data is usually delivery by Dimaps and can later be adapted. Here is a sample list of the newspapers and fees/charges setup in the system.
Street names in the system can either be delivered by Salt2 transactions or through the MapInfo GIS system. It is possible in both scenarios to redesign routes and integrate the resulting route structure in the program via MapInfo.
Routes The Route module is used to maintain basic information on individual routes, displaying the carriers servicing routes and manage absence from routes.
In addition the Route module is used for: - Displaying route description.
- Displaying subscribers for route.
- Managing complaints on the route.
- "Free papers" on route.
- Basic salary used for route.
- Typical newspapers for route.
- Specific messages and comments for the route.
- Messages to carriers on the route.
Carriers The Carrier module is used for maintaining information on carriers and manages, as the Route module, also information and absence registration for the route..
Furthermore the Carrier module is used for: - Displaying"free papers" for the carrier, with optional priority.
- Complaints for individual carrier.
- Salaries in effect for the carrier.
- Listing of equipment handed out to the carrier.
- Listing of keys delivered to the carrier.
- Salary-statistics for the carrier.
Subscribers The Subscriber module in the system is primarily used to display subscriber information. This is typically received from a subscription-system. Data is loaded using Salt2, Salt2 version2 or other protocols.
The following information is available:
- Basic information about the subscriber.
- Deliveries for the subscriber split on net/grid.
- Subscriber complaints.
- Notices regarding subscriber.
- Special deliveries for subscriber.
Keys The Key database delivers a general view of keys handed out to carriers and for which routes a given key is relevant. It is possible to note to whom and when a key was delivered.
Production The Production module is the focal point for production runs, and delivers an overview of newspapers, carriers and salary costs for a given day.
It is possible to have several production runs with different products/newspapers on the same production day – for example morning, midday and afternoon.
For each production day, the Production module delivers an overview of: - Newspapers to be delivered.
- Updated subscribers, for whom a transaction has been received from a subscription system.
- Display subscribers with errors that have to be resolved before beginning distribution.
- List of carriers, with salaries and delivery adresses.
- Number of newspapers per day per route.
- Display of delivery tickets.
- Enter complaints and follow- -up on complaints.
- Supervise complaints.
- Notices of scheduled future corrections from subscription system.
- Special deliveries for subscribers.
On production day, it is possible to printout the following:
- Available routes.
- Districts (individual/all routes).
- Complaints to be followed up.
- Redeliveries.
- Lists of most common complaints for carrier, route or complaint code.
- Packaging list.
- Delivery books.
- Delivery tickets.
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