Glossary

See Return Product Authorization (RPA).

See Return to Vendor (RTV).

In warehousing, the wireless communications and associated collection devices that use radio frequency (RF) to transmit data to the host system.

The transmission of data from a device attached to an object to an RFID receiver. RFID holds more data than barcodes and allows changes to the stored data.

In sales, the time for a new hire to become fully productive. Also, how quickly a business can grow or expand its operations.

The allocation, when goods are in short supply, of product among customers or internally of components for making manufactured goods.

Commodities, unfinished substances or unrefined natural resources, used in the primary production or manufacturing of goods. Ex: steel, oil, grain, lumber, etc.

Transmitting data as an event occurs, as opposed to storing data for input later (as in batch processing).

The tracking of vessels and knowing where they currently are located. Usually done electronically, with the assistance of connected devices, and special software.

Software tools that track and trace assets, their location and status, throughout the supply chain – both their current live locations and projected ETAs.

All functions related to the physical receipt of material, including the inspection of the shipment for damage, item count, system entries, and transfer to storage.

Storage facility location where the goods transported by the carrier are unloaded and the actual physical receipt by the consignee occurs.

Rethinking and redesigning business processes with the objective of improving performance. A process designed to make major revisions to business processes.

Carriers that use a trailer with a cooling unit designed to maintain a temperature controlled environment and protect goods from the extremes of heat or cold.

The time gap, used for support activities like moving items and line changeovers, from when manufacturing receives an order to the start of the production process.

The point when you need to reorder inventory to avoid running out of stock. The minimum inventory level that triggers an order to be placed.

The movement of inventory items from a reserve storage location to a primary picking location or to another mode of storage in which picking is performed.

A document used to gather information about a product or service from suppliers. May be used prior to or be included as part of an RFP.

A document which outlines requirements and solicits proposals from potential suppliers to outline how they can meet the needs and the cost to do so.

A document which specifies the item or service needed and solicits prices from potential suppliers. Less detailed and simpler than an RFP.

Businesses that are between the manufacturers and customers in the distribution chain. They buy in bulk and sell to others after marking up the products.

In accounting, the measure of the quantity of resource consumed by an activity. Example: the percentage of total square feet of space occupied by an activity.

Anything used in the performance of activities or to directly support cost objects, such as people, materials, supplies, equipment, technologies, and facilities.

A business that buys products from a manufacturer or wholesaler and sells them to end users or customers.

The financial charges associated with the disposal or recycling of products that have been returned due to customer rejects, end of life, or obsolescence.