Returns Module The Returns module is designed to complement Exchequer's Stock Control and Distribution modules, and can cope with the widest possible range of Goods Return scenarios. As well as the Stock Control and Distribution modules, the Returns module has also been designed to integrate fully with Exchequer's Works Order Processing and Financial modules.  Within the Returns module there is support for both sales and purchase return processes, ensuring that the Returns module can support either the role of manufacturer, customer, or both in the case of distributors. Throughout the system, the ObjectDrill ® feature now incorporates both sales and purchase returns, providing excellent traceability and true to its long drill-down pedigree, is available from all areas of the system. Although the Returns module has been designed to cover the return of stock, it will also manage stock repairs and can work equally well with the Product Lookup module (Description Only Stock). In keeping with Exchequer's tradition for full traceability, the exact status of a return can be seen visually at any time, with support for the handling of expected returned stock against actual, especially useful in a sales return environment. Flexibility Due to the variety of possible scenarios that a returns system must inherently cope with, an intuitive wizard-based returns process controller allows the management of written off, repaired or returned stock outcomes on a stock item by stock item basis. The Returns module has been designed to cope with some or all of the above possible goods return processes. A database of user-defined 'reason codes' supports comprehensive reporting on returns, aiding the identification of trends or catastrophic failures at stock line level. Impressive Integration The look and feel of the Returns module has been carefully designed to mirror the functions in existing modules. It has also been seamlessly grafted into all the other modules it interacts with, such as Sales Purchase Order Processing, greatly reducing the learning curve for anyone with existing knowledge of these modules. The Stock Control module now records against each stock record the quantity of stock currently being held on both sales and purchase returns. Corresponding entries in the Stock Ledger allow easy interrogation, as well as automatic entries for stock valuation within Exchequer's General Ledger. In addition, a new Return Accrual General Ledger code has been incorporated for the inclusion of the Return valuation effect on Stock. Full support for serial/batch, multi-bins and multi-locations is also provided, including the generation of sales or purchase returns directly from a serial/batch item. As well as manual returns, both sales and purchase returns can be fully created directly from existing transactions, or on a line-by-line basis, considerably automating the process, whilst at the same time recording the full history of how the return came about for subsequent analysis. A return document can also be derived from multiple source transactions in the event that a consolidated return is required. Support for automatic warranty checking, and restock charges has also been incorporated. One of the most complex scenarios to manage is the back-to-back repair, where a customer's returned stock is returned to a manufacturer for repair and subsequently returned to the customer. A special back-to-back repair mode has been provided to cater for this within the Returns module. Typical Return Choreography One of the most common return scenarios is a customer returning stock to their distributor, and the distributor sending out replacement stock.  The following step-by-step example demonstrates how easily this can be achieved with the Returns module. In this example the Exchequer user is acting as the distributor. Step 1. Customer contacts distributor to request partial stock return from a recent sales order Distributor locates original sales invoice or sales delivery note via Sales Daybook, Customer or Stock Ledger. Whether the entire sales invoice is to be returned or only individual lines will determine from where the sales return is generated. In this case, we are returning only one line of the sales invoice, so it is done from inside the Sales Invoice itself. Step 2. Confirm the details for the Sales Return The original quantity can be varied (but not exceeded), and set as the quantity expected to be returned. At this stage, the expected quantity has no effect on the system, and can be likened to a place holder awaiting the stock to be physically received.  A reason can be set, as well as a default location into which the stock will be received. Step 3.  Generate the Sales Return At this stage, the SRN reference can be given to the customer allowing identification of the goods as returned goods once received. This will increase the quantity of sales returned.  When the returned items are received, the actual returned quantity can be set. There will then follow a process where the returned stock is inspected and a decision made as to what action to take: either to repair the same stock and send it back, or write it off, and optionally send replacement stock. This is achieved by either setting the quantity repaired, or quantity written off on the returned items line. Step 4. Actioning a return The Sales Return Action Wizard allows you to determine the process of return, as well as the action to take with the returned stock, which, although rejected by the customer, may well be fit for resale. Full control of the return action is available. Replacement stock can be sent via a sales invoice or sales delivery note if the SPOP module is available. Step 5. Credit note and replacement stock sales invoice automatically created In this example the Sales Return Action Wizard will automatically generate a sales credit note and allocate it to the original sales invoice the sales return originated from, and then generate a sales invoice to cover the despatch of replacement stock. ObjectDrill ® contains a sub matching section (ObjectRet) showing the interrelationship between the entire return process.