Palm Purchasing solves the problem of manual order books in field. Running on simple and inexpensive pocket devices it allows the collection of purchase order and subcontract data by Project Managers and Site supervisors completely remotely from any IT infrastructure.
Purchase orders are entered on the Palm with complete access to lists of vendors, jobs, extras, cost codes, categories, equipment and standard items. Blankets orders can also be entered subject to authorization. Order limits are implemented to limit the value of any particular order.
Orders from the Palm device are then added to a palm management area in Timberline Purchasing when the palm is next synchronized. At this stage any corrections that need to be made can be done. The process pending orders function in Timberline Purchasing is then typically used to commit the orders. The order number originally created on the Palm becomes the requisition number in Timberline Purchasing.
The whole process is quick and simple and with Palm technology the whole process can be completed without the palm ever returning to the office.
Each user has their own Palm profile which determines which vendor jobs and items they get access to. Their profile will also determine their numbering sequence as well as their ability to buy from previously unused vendors.
When the benefits of Palm purchasing are considered along side the benefits of providing site staff with remote access to their email and diaries the cost justification of this useful technology becomes easy.
