Astra System

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The Astra System - The Right Solution for Your Distribution Needs

Powerful and Complete Foundation - a World Class Open Database
Designed to change with company needs, not be an obstacle to change, the Astra System not only uses the most advanced tools in the computer software industry today, it is ready to operate in the environments of tomorrow, protecting a company's software investment.

This is achieved because the Astra System uses the reliable, secure IBM Informix Relational Database as its foundation, to ensure clients always have the power to access information in the way they need it, when they need it. This world class database is SQL based for easily accessing information through many standard Report and Query tools. It's integrated client/server architecture takes advantage of new Symmetric Multiprocessors. And, data integrity is ensured via advanced features such as transaction logging and automatic rollback, so if a problem arises, critical information is saved. Operating with a graphical user interface (GUI), the Astra System is very flexible -- capable of running in Windows, X Windows, the Web (Java & HTML) or character-based.

Key Astra System Features

Astra Information Systems offers the most advanced features and tools in the computer software industry to ensure that companies can use their system to its utmost potential. Features such as a responsive "natural" order entry system with a powerful Order Guide to increase sales productivity; instantly accessible look-up windows with complex query; and user-friendly Information Centers which put information at your fingertips, drill down displays and online Help screens together allow companies to effectively manage their business.

Productivity tools that provide integrated solutions to optimize data collection include bar-coding; integrated scales; scanners; Internet-based access to data; and wireless networking. Of special interest is Astra's Point of Scale, which seamlessly integrates digitally capable scales to the Astra software system. Using a flexible set of programs, it captures weight data automatically, instantly, and accurately, eliminating the need for weights and labels to be manually written. Paper handling decreases, inaccuracies are eliminated and processing productivity improves.

To better access and analyze critical data, the Astra System allows users to take advantage of effective reporting and analysis tools such as Excel or Lotus; the Executive Information System (EIS), a powerful sales tool that easily analyzes large amounts of historical sales data in a Windows graphical environment eliminating the need to wade through extensive paper reports; and Crystal Reports, a premier reporting environment which provides a more effective method of writing financial and operational reports.

Astra System Modules

Using a modular design, the Astra System allows companies to make the most of their critical information. It helps businesses get answers fast, work naturally with the flow of the sales process, take control of inventory management and processing efforts, as well as efficiently and accurately handle daily operations.

The Sales and Operations Modules provide: effective sales order processing; a powerful sales Order Guide that can cut the time it takes to enter an order by 50% or more and has proven to increase lines per order; lot tracking which helps keep complete lot, cost and sales information on perishables; flexible pricing capabilities; sales analysis and commissions; and specialized options such as import and shipment tracking, hold-product ability, and a telemarketing module that offers online displays to prompt salesreps to make calls, tracks which customers need to be called and records responses.

With its Purchasing and Inventory Management Modules, the Astra System offers multiple levels of inventory management for single or multiple warehouses, providing the opportunity to grow into more sophisticated techniques as business grows. The Astra System handles up to three discrete units of measure per item allowing absolutely accurate tracking of whole cases, broken case quantity, and catch weights. Lot tracking is enabled on an item basis and may be manually or automatically assigned. The modules include:

Inventory Information Centers for instant access to all your data

Physical Inventory Solutions that help make counting your inventory easier than ever

Purchase Order Processing with an order guide that helps buyers accurately order products to achieve the best pricing, and balance the company's cash control needs with customer ordering requirements

Astra's Options for Processing create and maintain Production Orders in Astra's Food Processing application system. They include:

Multiple product processing to help achieve more efficient processing for items that simultaneously produce a variety of finished products with different market values. This also works well for bulk product grading applications for items such as shrimp or lobster.

Large fish grading module which handles the quality grading of products like tuna and swordfish. It provides instant label printing for the boxes or pieces, and allows grading detail information displays in the system’s Inventory Information Center, with a complete audit trail.

The Astra System's Accounting Modules include Accounts Receivable and Collections that offer, in addition to the tools that produce all the standard reports you would expect, a powerful cash receipts system and inquiry that redefines productivity in A/R administration. The Astra Accounts Payable module is completely integrated with Purchase Order Processing, Inventory, and the General Ledger, with Vendor Information Centers that allow easy access to needed vendor information. The Astra General Ledger module is extremely flexible and forms the hub of the system, collecting key information from other operational modules in order to present management with timely, accurate financial and operational data to use in the decision making process.

To learn how your company can benefit and grow from using the Astra System, contact Astra Information Systems, Inc. at (954) 233-5500.