Version 1 of this application was developed by another organization and was plagued with problems. Allergan hired ViaComp to rewrite the program. We redesigned and developed v2.0 of the application in one-third of the time that the original version took. The resulting application was robust and easy-to-use, and enabled Allergan to clear the two-month backlog of returned goods within a couple of days.

Some of the features and benefits of Computer Assisted Returns (CAR) v2.0 include

• Warehouse staff could search the CAR database for Returned Goods Authorizations (RGAs) that had already been pre-entered by customer service staff. Once the RGA record was located, the items that were shipped back from the distributor could be scanned into the system and an appropriate refund could be applied to the distributor's account. 
• Returned items are scanned into the system using a barcode reader. As the item is scanned, the product information is retrieved from Allergan's AS/400 product database. Users are instructed, by means of a flashing number, what should be done with the returned product. Some products can be used for demonstration, some can be restocked, and some must be sent away for destruction.