Company Review Updates

   The March issue of Pallet Enterprise carried detailed reviews of many leading inventory/ERP systems for sawmills. Below are a few more that were not included in the original article.

Alliance Interactive

   Specializing in Web-based solutions, Alliance Interactive has developed DTAILS™, a comprehensive lumber inventory control software package. It meets the need of sawmills and resellers. It can track from tree to finished product, in multiple companies, without costly add-on packages.

   Written using PHP with a SQL database, DTAILS allows authorized users to access information from anywhere over the Internet. DTAILS includes purchasing, shipping, sales, point of sale, accounts receivable, work orders, reporting, and product management modules.

Key Features

   • DTAILS is cooperative development software where interested companies work with Alliance Interactive to develop new features that are then circulated to all users.

   • Advanced accounts receivables module will accommodate multiple currencies, pro forma invoices, tax exemptions, returns, restocking fees, etc.

   • Sales system supports aliasing products per order, different units of measure, gross tallies at a shrinkage factor defined per order, etc.

   System Type: Web-based

   Ballpark Price Range: Varies depending on package and options selected. Convenience package starts at $100/mth (based on sales usage). Elite package starts at $60,000.

   Primary Integrated Third Party Solutions: NA, can do custom integration on request.

   Typical Implementation Schedule: 4-16 weeks

   Headquarters: Tillsonburg, Ontario

   Web site: http://www.dtails.ca/

   Phone:  519/488-1514

Innovative Data Systems

   Recognized as a leader in tracking systems for pallet lumber mills and operations, Innovative Data Systems, Inc. (IDS) offers a wireless tracking system for sawmills. It has many features of high-end Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems at a much more affordable cost.

   IDS wireless sawmill solution can calculate values and costs of logs and grade lumber. It works by timber tract or gate values and can provide full accountability of foresters. It can adjust inventory in real time and has an easy-to-use graphical interface according to IDS. Data can be captured through kiosks, handhelds or other methods.

   IDS just entered into a software alliance with Automated Machine Systems. You can read more about it on page 64.

Key Features

   • IDS’s system is geared toward sawmills that produce pallet lumber, especially integrated companies that operate both pallet and lumber operations. It seamlessly integrates with Pallet Track products for pallet lines.

   • Compares values of logs cut to the value of material produced, to determine success of sawmill run.

   • Attaches true cost of lumber produced by the cost of logs cut, less a pre-set cost of cants and railroad ties.

   • Logs are scaled automatically in both International ¼ and Doyle by entering the length and diameter of logs

   • Special routines for nailing machines allow labor and cost of overhead to be passed on to pallets produced

   • Detailed reporting capabilities.

   System Type: Client server/single user application not Web-based system.

   Headquarters: Sayville, NY

   Web Site: www.pallettrack.com

   Phone: 631/244-0069