Apthorp Pharmacy, located on the Upper Westside in Manhattan, recently installed ECRS’ CATAPULT system to increase day-to-day efficiency and achieve IIAS-compliancy in their busy retail pharmacy. The main goal of this project was to create front-to-back pharmacy store automation by providing the following: bi-directional EDI integration between retailer and supplier, seamless integration for outsourced management of private store charge accounts and two-way POS integration with the store’s existing pharmacy system. The above components merged to create a successful, complete store solution able to meet the demands of Apthorp’s sophisticated clientele.
We save hours every week with automatic reordering, and our stock levels are now efficiently maintained.
One of the first pieces needed for successful project implementation was an adaptor for the ECRS Gateway™ platform to provide a real-time, two-way interface with Apthorp’s primary supplier, Kinray. The resulting technology enables Apthorp Pharmacy to automate front end management and inventory control. ECRS Gateway allows CATAPULT to communicate directly with Kinray for oneclick PO transmission, electronic receiving & invoicing and automatic price updates. This helps Apthorp manage the most time consuming tasks of front-end inventory replenishment and ensures sales are not being lost due to out-of-stock items. To extend this automation further, ECRS is completing development of a ECRS Gateway adapter with Solgar, Apthorp’s Vitamin and Supplement supplier
The Newtek/ECRS interface automates the entire process and frees Apthorp staff to spend more time with customers.
“We save hours every week with automatic reordering, and our stock levels are now efficiently maintained,” explains Front-End manager, Darren Marcell. “Our orders are also spread more evenly now. We avoid getting huge shipments all in one day so it saves us time in unpacking and checking in merchandise.”
Apthorp outsources the management of its private store charge accounts to save the time and expense associated with billing and collections processes. ECRS worked with Newtek Business Services to develop an automated twoway interface between CATAPULT and Newtek’s A/R management system. This application transmits daily house charge transactions and customer demographics to Newtek and updates account balances in CATAPULT when payments are posted. The Newtek/ECRS interface automates the entire process and frees Apthorp staff to spend more time with customers.
“Charge accounts are an important part of our business model because they provide our clientele with added convenience and allow for easier home delivery service,” explained Apthorp Owner, Russell Gellis. “We enter the customer’s information at the POS and everything is automated from there. House charge accounts are regulated perfectly with the Newtek/ECRS integration.”
To help automate their prescriptions, Apthorp utilizes the CATAPULT Rx system integration with HBS. The two-way advanced Rx interface allows for integrated signature capture, will-call management and prescription tracking from the POS.
Because Apthorp’s clientele demand the highest level of service, easy and fast check-out is extremely important.
Russell Gellis
Owner, Apthorp
The point-of-sale component allows for improved customer service and assists in control of manual price input error. After working with ECRS consultants on database development strategies, Apthorp was able to operate at a 99% scan rate immediately following installation. Apthorp is also able to accept health benefit debit cards seamlessly at the POS with no customer inconvenience. CATAPULT automatically sorts the FSA/HSA eligible items at time of purchase and payment is tendered like a normal debit/credit transaction. Apthorp is operating under full IIAS compliance in accordance with IRS guidelines.
“Because Apthorp’s clientele demand the highest level of service, easy and fast check-out is extremely important,” said Gellis. “Time wasted at the POS can result in lost sales and dissatisfied customers especially during peak times.”
“Efficient retailers, such as Apthorp Pharmacy, help us create a better product and bring awareness to issues faced by retailers in the pharmacy industry. ECRS was founded on user input and direction, and our ability to respond continues to be our most valuable asset. We value true partnerships with our customers, one in which all parties, including consumers, benefit from new technology and idea sharing,” said ECRS President, Peter Catoe.
