The tool is intended to help clients reduce the cost of their aftersales supply chains, boost service levels and improve reverse supply chain decision-making, the vendor said. It analyzes data produced by the reverse supply-chain cycle to uncover patterns and issues that can be corrected to cut down on the amount of product being returned. ModusLink sets up a company-branded site which customers access when beginning the returns process. Simple questions determine why the product is being returned, and help to prevent a return if nothing is wrong, or determine the facility to which it should be sent. Encoded return information identifies the product, why it is coming back and which steps should be taken, whether in the form of recovery, repair, refurbishing or remarketing. The application also reports on the ultimate customer resolution of the return issue.
