Software helps to track product delivery Database, BangkokPost, May 12, 2004 Hosted version for SMEs available Ascent Communications, a Bangkok based software house, has introduced a distribution management system (DMS) for transportation groups and enterprises to manage their logistics. It has also teamed up with SiamMandalay to develop a Thai version of the software as well as a hosted version for small and medium enterprises. Ascent managing director Bob Turner said the software was developed using his own experience in the e-commerce business, namely 30 years with courier service FedEx. The company was founded last year with two million baht in capital. Mr. Turner said one of the challenges of marketing products here was the delivery to customer. If firms cannot tell the custimer when a product will be delivered, it will hurt their business. The DMS software aims to help companies manage their domestic product pick-up and shipment times. "With our software they can estimate the time of delivery to their customers," he said, adding that the company had also showed the system to Thailand Post and a government agency here. Based on Microsoft's .Net technology, the DMS software is a web-based application that comes with four modules. The first module is for customers to book a pick-up service, calculate shipment cost, and access track and trace capabilities. DMS will help companies to manage their distribution outsourcing partners because they can trace and track their service over the Internet, Mr Turner noted. Other modules cover sales and marketing, operations and accounting. The software supports English, Thai and Chinese languages.