Archive for the ‘Partner integration’ Category:
Gen2 RFID Tags Being Used By Kimberly-Clark
In an effort to enhance efficiency, Kimberly-Clark has been using Gen2 RFID tags over the past few weeks to ship products to Wal-Mart. These tags are cheaper than the tags that were available so far and possess the ability to work on broader frequencies. CRM Buyer reports:
The immediate benefit for companies deploying Gen2 tags is relatively lower cost, compared to the earlier technology. The longer-term benefits, however, remain unclear — largely because the industry has not yet been able to fully leverage the data yielded from RFID technology.
Subscribe to the comments for this postDenver To Join Hands With HK Systems For SCM Solutions
According to reports, Denver Newspaper Agency would be taking the services of HK Systems, Inc. (Milwaukee), manufacturer of automated material handling equipment and supply chain software, for its facility expansion. The services would include providing solutions across the entire supply chain.
Material Handling Management reports:
The project includes an integrated turnkey two-aisle automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) and material tracking and control (MTC) system. The end-to-end solution will provide complete inventory accountability and control of free-standing inserts (FSI) and packages to Denver Newspaper Agency.
Retail Systems Acquires Supply Chain Manufacturing & Logistics
It was recently outlined that Retail Systems Alert Group a Proximus B2B company, and Helmers Publishing, Inc. of Dublin, New Hampshire, have went in for the acquisition-sale of Helmers Publishing’s Supply Chain group. According to Helmers Publishing, the talks of exploring this partnership with the Retail Systems show for a co-exhibiting opportunity with their conference, the Manufacturer-Retailer Connection was evaluated several months ago. This partnership is likely to benefit both the entities as it would allow the companies to expand their reach into the front end of the manufacturing process. Tmcnet reports:
The group includes: Supply Chain Manufacturing & Logistics (SCML), a monthly publication; SCML’s website; Chief Supply Chain Officer, a bi-monthly publication; SCML Buyers Guide (print edition); SCML Buyers Guide (online edition); Chief Supply Chain Officer Insights, an e-newsletter, Chief Supply Chain Officer’s website; Supply Chain Pick of the Week, an electronic newsletter; and the Manufacturer-Retailer Connection Event.
IBM Opens New RFID Facility At Ireland
IBM recently opened an RFID centre that is currently its largest dedicated RFID facility worldwide, in Ireland. This facility will help local business owners in optimizing the efficiency of their supply chain. ZDNet UK reports:
IBM has around 1,400 people working on RFID worldwide and invested $250m (£140m) in the technology in 2005. The company has another European facility in La Guade Centre in France and a total of ten similar sites worldwide.
Intuitive Acquires SCM Firm
Intuitive Manufacturing Systems Inc., the Washington-based mid-market ERP software supplier has reportedly acquired supply chain management technology firm SupplyWorks Inc for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition is line with Intuitive’s aggressive growth strategy that launched this year. Cbronline reports:
SupplyWorks’ technology helps multi-location manufacturers collaborate better with their suppliers. The technology will be absorbed into Intuitive’s core ERP suite which is geared up for mid-market discrete manufacturers. Integration isn’t thought to be a problem since both technologies are built on Microsoft’s .NET foundation.
Seminars to enhance SCM efficiency
To enhance the skills and the knowledge base of suppliers in the area in order to improve supply chain efficiency, the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce would now be offering quarterly educational seminars. These seminars would address issues and cover topics that are pertinent to functioning in this area. NWA News.com reports:
The seminars are free to all suppliers in the area, and membership in the Chamber is not required to attend. The beginning of the endeavor started with a seminar on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) that was led by Marc Osofsky, vice president of marketing and product management for OatSystems.
Next Generation PLM Solution by Dassault
Dassault Systemes, is introducing ENOVIA V5 Collaborative Enterprise Sourcing (CES) that is an advanced Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution. This product brings engineering and sourcing functions together to enhance the efficiency of the supply chain.
The product has been developed by a special research and development team and is based on Dassaults V5 PLM platform and embeds sourcing technology components from i2 Technologies. It offers four key functional areas that enable the engineering and sourcing departments to collaborate when choosing, introducing or managing components, suppliers and manufacturers. These areas include cross-functional enterprise catalog, sourcing immersed in 3D design, supply for design and design for supply, and comprehensive component management processes. TMC Net reports:
CES is based on cross-functional component and catalog management, the foundation of most sourcing functions, enabling cross functional visibility and unmatched collaboration between the engineering and sourcing departments within a company. To enhance efficiency sourcing considerations are brought to the engineer’s desktop, and engineering criteria and 3D digital mockup are brought to the sourcing specialist.
Scope of Supply Chain Management Software
Well before the Internet created ripples through the business community, the functionality of supply chain software was limited to improving a businesses ability to predict demand from customer data and in turn make their own supply chains run more smoothly. However, with the internet being such an inexpensive medium, omnipresent nature of the Internet, along with its simple, universally accepted communication standards, the scene has vastly opened up for supply chain management software to have greater functionality. Now, it very easy to connect your business’ supply chain with the supply chains of the suppliers and customers under a single network. This network would essentially optimize costs and effort throughout the supply chain.
Well this factor can be attributed to the B2B explosion; the idea that everyone you do business with could be connected together is really a huge value add. However, the real scenario is not all that rosy and hunky dory. Nowadays most companies share at least some data with their supply chain partners. And the main motive or goal behind these initiatives is surely greater supply chain visibility. The typical nature of a supply chain entails that most players would not like to share the details about the structure or mechanism of their supply chain - even to their partners and vendors. The fact is that none of the players trust anyone else with the information.
However, how we view the whole matrix is that if each of the supply chain players share their information with each other. It would be of mutual benefit to all the parties involved. This would remove any guessing game when it comes to order size of raw materials, and manufacturers wouldn’t have to order more than they need from suppliers. Further down the supply chain, the retailers would have lesser empty shelves.
RedPrairie Makes Second Acquisition
RedPrairie Corp, a supply chain and logistics software company, has made its second acquisition in as consecutive months. This time the company has acquired MARC Global Holdings Inc, an Atlanta-based developer of supply chain execution technology. Cbronline reports:
The combined company will generate around US $172m in revenue and employ over 730 people across 21 countries worldwide. Milwaukee-based RedPrairie says the acquisition of MARC Global’s broad solutions suite of will help sharpen its focus on several verticals through deeper functionality in the area of complex supply chain execution and intelligence.
UPS Supply Chain Solutions Bags Hitachi GST Award
The world’s leading package delivery company UPS Supply Chain Solutions, the supply chain unit of UPS has been reportedly awarded the “Excellent Partner Award” by Hitachi Global Storage Technologies. Hitachi is a technology leader and manufacturer of hard disk drives. Fibre2fashion reports:
The award is the company’s highest award for suppliers, which recognizes UPS SCS for its global logistics services. UPS SCS was the only logistics company cited among award recipients. UPS SCS has provided a single point of contact for Hitachi GST’s finished goods distribution network since Hitachi GST was founded three years ago.