Alex Imports Ltd.

Alex Imports was among one of Jamaica’s leading Auto Parts Dealers before fire destroyed their most prolific store. Upon rebuilding, Alex Haber, Managing Director decided to push the new concept of a Self Serve Auto parts store. This approach had been highly successful in transforming the Hardware and Home Improvement stores, but did not find traction among the more conservative Auto Parts Retailers.

Their plan called for Inventory to be placed in open aisles to allow customer’s to shop for parts, additionally an area was reserved where customers would be receive further assistance. Since inventory was now kept in the retail space, which also doubled as the warehouse, optimization of the inventory levels and range of products kept was important. Bar Code technology was requested to speed the flow of customers and goods moving in and out of the store.

One of the difficulties encountered was that many parts originating from China and other Far East Countries did not come labeled with the Universal Product Code (UPC) Bar code standard as is the norm for products sold in the supermarkets and other retail environments. In addition Alex wished to utilize existing product numbers, familiar to in-house staff.

Tangent identified Point of Sale equipment to support Bar code printing and Scanning, as well as thermal printers for quick receipt printing. Automate Software was modified to directly produce Bar Code Labels using Code-128 standard for labeling products and shelves. Tangent sourced equipment, provided data conversions from the existing proprietary system into Automate, training, installation and hand holding support.

With over 60 years of experience in the field of Information Technology, Tangent was able to develop a complete framework for Bar Code processing from label printing to scanning of codes at the Point of Sale. All this was seamlessly integrated into the Automate Platform.

Automate’s extensive reporting keeps Alex abreast on slow moving stock, lost sales, fast sellers and projected orders.