What is Flash?

In the simplest terms, Flash is a sales application used to sell products manufactured and sold by Cooper Lighting Solutions. The partners of CLS can place orders for one or more products - otherwise known as Bill of Materials or BOM - and sell them to customers on behalf of CLS for a commission. Essentially, Flash is the interface between CLS and their partners: on the CLS side, we have the Product and Pricing Analysts in charge of negotiations and on the other side, we have the partners (aka agents.)

How It All Works

The below highlights how Flash is used by its end users:

1. The distributor sends an RFQ to the agent.
2. The agent enters the BOM into Flash
3. If the materials and prices meet the CLS criteria, the order can be submitted to SAP
4. If the product or prices deviate from the CLS criteria, agents can negotiate with the product and pricing analysts. Once an agreement is reached, the order can be submitted
5. In SAP, the order is processed; if the materials are Made to Order (MTO), they are manufactured in the plants on-demand. Once the items are ready, they are shipped to the customers.
6. For every order placed with CLS, the agent receives a commission.

How Flash Works

On a high level, Flash allows agents to create Projects, or Sales Opportunities, where they may enter the BOM for one or more prospective customers. From the project, the agent may generate a quote specific to a customer, which in turn may be converted into an order (on the customer's request) and submitted to SAP.