inside

The following is a general outline of some of the key features and/or options of Metropolitan’s distribution and fulfillment capabilities. They are designed to address three critical components of card fulfillment:

1. Store Fulfillment
2. B2B Fulfillment
3. Consumer Internet Fulfillment

Store Replenishment

The first component deals with the distribution and inventory management of client products to their store locations. These orders are sent directly to the stores via USPS, Fed Ex. or UPS, and can be ordered in a variety of ways:

Stores order through their company Intranet site
Stores order directly through the a designated website
Stores order direct to Metropolitan using email or fax
Corporations order for their stores, based upon the recorded store sales

We also have the ability to receive orders via our FTP for those clients that prefer to control the product being shipped to the store locations. A daily or weekly report can be provided that details the card ranges shipped to the store locations as well as the tracking number for each shipment. This file can be sent to the corporation or any third part designated by the client. When using the order system designed for the stores, the store receives a confirmation that their order was received, a confirmation number is established and a final email is sent to the store providing the tracking number when the shipment leaves the building.

The system allows the corporate office to access the activity levels from our system directly, providing the corporate office with the ability to generate their own activity reports, as well as to track and monitor their inventory levels.

Business to Business

The B2B Fulfillment services are broken down to the following service levels:

Bulk Fulfillment – Cards are sent in bulk to the corporate office for further distribution to their client, or to the client’s corporate office for distribution to their employee, or customer base.

Direct Fulfillment – Cards are sent to the client’s employee or customer from a supplied data base.

Direct Personalized Fulfillment – Cards or carriers are personalized with names, addresses and/or messages from the customer to their employees or client base. A data file is provided to the customer that identifies the card data range sent to each client. Customized carriers can be produced and utilized for this service

We provide 100% accurate card fulfillment, providing no gap numbers or duplicate numbers on all projects that we encode internally. A file would be provided to the client or the processor for the purpose of activating those cards shipped each day.

Consumer Internet Orders

The Consumer Internet service allows the client to host a website that allows the consumer to order gift cards on line and have the cards shipped anywhere in the Continental United States. Cards are shipped within 24 hours of receipt of the order (normal business hours), and can be shipped using a variety of shipping methods predetermined by our client.

In most cases, a client identifies the service levels and establishes appropriate fees to be posted on the website and the consumer selects the service levels and agrees to pay for the services identified. Order confirmations can be sent to the consumers’ email address or to a client site as directed. Card data ranges are provided on a daily basis for the purpose of activating the cards shipped directly to the consumer

In all cases identified above, our client will have the ability to monitor the activity of their program directly through our website, using a password to gain access to their information only. A full range of reports can be accessed by the client in a data file or report format, that includes card data range, store number, denomination or product code.

We will also manage ancillary items associated with the client’s gift card program for any of the above options, allowing all associated products to be shipped from a single source. MCS offers a full range of project management services for the printing, die cutting and secure storage of all related products.

Fulfillment

Managing a campaign, print production, and fulfillment from start to finish takes a team of talented, motivated, experienced individuals; just the type of individuals that makes up Metropolitan’s production teams. These teams are committed to quality and satisfaction on each and every program we do for you.

Below are some FAQ’s

1. Can orders be placed on the web, fax or via phone?

Yes!

2. Can cards be a assigned a unique card number and/or PIN?

Yes!

3. Cards are affixed to customizable collateral (letter, carrier, etc.)

If a customer has multiple items in their order, we must be able to personalize the gift message for each card. We require the ability to laser image or ink jet an optional gift message, initial card value and order detail information onto collateral. We do this on our “order form” which currently an 8 ½ x 11 sheet – the size can be modified; design of form can be custom. Inserting the card(s) to the carrier(s) is normal practice, with the order form accompanying the collateral. We also have the ability to add an optional messages and information based on file protocols, pre-determined placement and approved templates.

4. Cards need to be sent in sequential order and no gaps allowed.

Assuming the cards received are in sequential order – if we encode, we can guarantee this.

5. Any number of cards can be ordered.

We receive orders ranging from one card to tens of thousands of cards. Comply – we see this now, especially for the business to business orders

6. Need orders to be picked/packed/
shipped within 24 hours of receipt?

This is normal practice, we will of course need to review exact specifications, details prior to blanket acceptance of this.

7. Need flexible access to different shipping methods, including next day – ground options, delivery confirmation and (possibly) insured?

Our system currently offers a variety of shipping methods and options need to meet this need.

8. We need inventory reporting.

We need to understand what type of inventory reporting you can offer and how you would communicate shipment confirmations, tracking information, card numbers, etc to Client ABC. We offer a full range of reporting functions, either in report formats or in a data file format for internal dissemination. We can offer reports by store, item number, date range, etc. We offer tracking numbers and shipping confirmation on all electronically placed orders.

9. Need to ensure invoicing is conducted in a timely manner.

Currently detailed invoicing is done monthly or at the completion of a particular project.

10. Fulfillment services that can provide direct to store distribution and auto-replenishment, and inventory/warehouse capability?

Via the program (Fulfillment Manager) web site, fax or phone, locations and/or customers will be able to order program materials that will be shipped directly to them. Once the order is received, we will immediately begin to pick and pack the ordered items for each individual and/or location and then ship as per a predetermined method and carrier.

11. Shipping cards directly to our customers and activated later?

Cards can be shipped with no value directly to a customer were they will be able to activate the card via the web and/or IVR.