JDA software provides today’s rapidly changing business environment with sophisticated supply chain software that are quick to deploy and present exciting new opportunities for manufacturers to optimize operations, address new market challenges, and to reduce costs. Kelly Thomas, senior vice president, manufacturing, JDA Software said, “Cloud computing provides manufacturers new ways to benefit from a fast return on their supply chain management investment while avoiding hefty upfront hardware and infrastructure costs.”

The quick deployment is a result of the hosted-delivery model, template-based dashboards and workflows, and the robust reporting and analytics capabilities. Manufacturers are able to leverage the benefits of JDA’s supply chain software within their organization without the additional procurement and installation of hardware.

By leveraging the benefits of JDA’s cloud supply chain management solution, companies can see vast improvements in the supply chain through reports that analyze items such as the annual operating plan and outlook, the forecast water-fall, on-hand and projected end of quarter inventory and delivery performance, among others.

JDA Planning on Demand offers cloud supply chain management tools and analytics in a non invasive way that will show fast results in overall profitability by improving sales, reducing costs of goods sold, increasing asset throughput, and a decreasing inventory.

Technorati Tags: cloud supply chain management, jda software, Supply Chain Software

Oracle’s ERP solution will help pharmaceutical manufacturers ensure compliance with electronic pedigree initiatives and global regulatory requirements. Ultimately, the solution is going to reduce risk for companies related to drug counterfeiting or product diversion. Across the supply chain, Oracle’s solution will automatically authenticate serial numbers and ePedigree data. The software will also generate, store and transmit the serial data. The Oracle Pedigree and Serialization Manager will even use its analytics software to detect potential threats.

Oracle’s Manager will help improve the efficiency within pharmaceutical company business processes. Companies will be able to increase the accuracy of returns management as well to reduce associated losses. The Oracle Pedigree Manager will also reduce revenue leakage. Return on investment will increase as a result.

IDC Health Insights is excited about the Oracle Pedigere and Serialization Manager’s release. Its Research Manager, Eric Newmark, said, “Oracle Pedigree and Serialization Manager is well positioned to quickly capitalize on the present solution gap in the drug pedigree space. It delivers all the bells and whistles you’d expect in a serialization and pedigree solution.”

The Oracle Pedigree and Serialization Manager was built to integrate with all other Oracle systems and third party systems for shipping, receiving, manufacturing and packaging. It has an interactive interface and it supports web services and features. Oracle’s Manager was also built to help companies comply with global regulatory mandates for product serialization.

Oracle’s Vice President of SCM Product Strategy commented on the product. He said, “Ensuring supply chain integrity is not only about compliance and protecting your brand, it’s also about protecting your bottom line. By definitively identifying your products in the supply chain and providing a broad set of analytic insights on that data, Oracle Pedigree and Serialization Manager will deliver both. The result is a safe and secure pharmaceutical supply chain, combined with a strong ROI.”

Oracle’s Pedigree and Serialization Manager will ensure that companies’ supply chain is secure and that they will avoid all threats and business risks. Businesses will be able to comply with requirements better and easier. Company revenue will increase as a result.

Technorati Tags: Oracle, Oracle ERP, pedigree and serialization manager, pharmaceutical ERP

SEAM3 extends the highly-effective SYSPRO implementation methodology with Business Process Management, Enterprise Analysis Modeling and Work-Flow Management. This addition greatly enhances the implementation methodology by improving efficiencies, tightening controls and effectively increasing the ROI and lifetime value of SYSPRO software.

SYSPRO USA President Joey Benadretti accepted the award on behalf of the company, “This national award is a testament to the emphasis that we continue to place not only on delivering world class software, but also providing exponential value to our customers through a best-in-class implementation methodology. In today’s fast-paced business environment this SYSPRO methodology allows customers to leverage best practices and maximize long-term return from the SYSPRO software.”

SYSPRO’s recognition by TechAmerica is the latest in a series of honors bestowed upon the company in 2010. SYSPRO is also a finalist in two categories for the American Business Awards. The company was named to the 2010 Supply & Demand Chain Executive Magazine 100 list of Innovative Supply/Demand Chain Vendors.

Technorati Tags: supply chain ERP, SYSPRO, SYSPRO ERP, SYSPRO SEAM3

Less than a week ago, The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC), a research institute based in Seattle, Washington, has chosen SciQuest Inc., an on-demand business solutions provider, to improve the efficiency of its supply chain management system for obtaining medical supplies.

FHCRC is among several other healthcare facilities that have upgraded their business applications through SciQuest’s on-demand solutions.

An incentive for FHCRC to work with SciQuest is the provider’s ability to integrate its solution with FHCRC’s existing PeopleSoft-based ERP. The research center will be able to maintain its current user log-ins and security preferences.

Says Mark Burch, Director of Material Management at the FHCRC: “SciQuest replaces a number of other methods of product ordering, allowing us to make this key function more streamlined and cost effective. SciQuest completes my vision of having one complete electronic procurement-to-pay cycle system at the Center.”

SciQuest advances customer ERP to improve business efficiency and eliminate overhead costs. Its online procurement solutions give a clean method of supply chain management, of bringing the goods and services necessary for the enterprise. The ERP solutions provider has helped clients achieve savings of 5% or more on procured goods and services.

“Today’s economic realities demand that healthcare facilities and research centers, such as Fred Hutchinson, make every effort to save money without compromising patient care or groundbreaking research,” says Krista Fuller, Director of Healthcare for SciQuest. “We are delighted to be playing a key role in helping the Center streamline the ordering process. We believe to improvements in accuracy, timeliness and cost savings will pay dividends for medical professionals and the patients they serve.”

Recent pushes toward universal health care compounded with the economic climate have forced many medical institutions to pursue business efficiency solutions that will cut costs. Because medical supplies represent a large portion of health industry expenses, effective supply chain management can dramatically reduce medical organization costs.

Features of SciQuest’s ERP solution include the ability to order from multiple vendors on one cart, all-electronic order processes with email confirmations, and package tracking throughout the entire shipping process.

Also in recent news for SciQuest, the company is a sponsor at the Healthcare Industry User Group (HIUG) Interact 10 Conference running from June 27^th to June 30^th. The conference will serve as a discussion forum for healthcare organizations running Oracle/PeopleSoft applications.

About SciQuest:

SciQuest is a leading on-demand supply chain management solutions provider that connects customers with their suppliers to improve goods and services transference. The company specializes in aiding organizations in higher education, life sciences, healthcare, and government. Each business solution is customized to suit the needs of each organization. SciQuest has over 160 customers around the world.

Technorati Tags: e-procurement, ERP, Oracle, peoplesoft, Supply Chain Management

“This acquisition will allow us to provide our current and new customers with even greater access to reliable and efficient perishable shipping routes across North America. As one of the largest perishable-oriented 3PLs in Canada and a CN wholesaler, IPD has a strong relationship with that country’s national railroad, which will be a great asset to NFI’s Intermodal division.” said Sid Brown, Chief Executive Officer of NFI.

IPD President Rob Rusnov added, “As part of NFI, we will now be able to provide even more customers with the nonstop door-to-door service on which our clients have come to rely, without any breaks in the supply chain. IPD shares NFI’s commitment to excellent performance, strong management and dependable ‘Just in Time’ customer service.”

“IPD’s non-asset based transport services, specializing in inbound and cross-border routes, offers a perfect complement to NFI, with its strengths in outbound transport and dedicated fleets, and its widespread distribution and warehousing network. Our logistics and transportation brokerage services will further enhance NFI’s already wide range of offerings,” said Rusnov. “Now all of our clients and potential clients on both sides of the border will have access to our combined expertise.”

Last financial year, NFI’s gross revenue was roughly $50 million. With this expansion, among other recent acquisitions and developments, the supply chain management company’s executives expect annual revenue for 2010 to reach $900 million.

NFI is a fully integrated supply chain management solutions company that offers logistics, distribution, transportation, intermodal, and real estate services across the United States. The company has over 5,500 employees and operates over 18 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space.

Technorati Tags: NFI, Supply Chain Management Software, supply chain management solution

Manhattan Associates Inc. follows their SCOPE module, which is supply chain optimization from planning to execution. Manhattan Associates Inc. researches options for companies to allow them to obtain higher profits, develop a more efficient distribution process, optimize inventories, and manage the order life cycle allowing companies to save money and be more productive.

Urban Outfitters Inc. is a growing company that represents five major retail brands, including Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, Leifsdottir, and Terrain. Their increasing sales forced them to reevaluate their sales processes, which is what made them decide to hire Manhattan Associates. Ken McKinney, executive director of Logistics at Urban Outfitters said, “We needed the capacity to handle high volumes, increase process efficiency, improve supply chain visibility and obtain meaningful performance measures.”

Manhattan Associates has helped Urban Outfitters optimize their supply chain and save. Urban Outfitters reduced its total labor by 35 percent, 80 percent in manifesting and invoicing processes, 66 percent in turn turn time through receiving. Their efficiency increased by 60 percent. “We had no idea how valuable the Supply Chain Intelligence solution would be to our business,” said McKinney. “Its analysis capabilities and detailed reports were a nice surprise.”

The decision to support their growth by implementing Manhattan Associate’s WMS was a wise choice as Urban Outfitters has already seen significant results.

Technorati Tags: manhattan associates, SCOPE, Supply chain, Supply Chain Optimization, supply chain optimization from planning to execution, urban outfitters

While the century-old 19 East Chocolate Avenue facility is a significant part of Hershey’s history, the company realized that it will save them money and time in the future if they move. The East Avenue facility will still be occupied by Hershey office employees, but production will move to the other location. David West, president and CEO says: “The 19 East Chocolate Avenue factory is a proud part of our heritage, but the facility simply cannot be modernized to meet the manufacturing needs of a 21st century business.”

This long-term project, entitled the Next Century Project, will initially cost Hershey Co. between $250 million and $350 million, but by 2014 the company will be saving an annual $60 million to $80 million because of the updated supply chain efficiencies. Hershey anticipates that their net sales will rise %6-%7 in 2010.

“Next Century will ensure that we continue to make the world’s best chocolate and are well-positioned in the marketplace,” said David J. West, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hershey Company. “Our investment will create a highly flexible, cost-effective manufacturing facility that will enable us to remain competitive with global players while satisfying the needs of retail customers and consumers.”

The new facility will produce Hershey’s Kisses, Hershey’s syrup, Hershey’s milk chocolate, and milk chocolate with almond bars.

While Hershey is modernizing their supply chain and moving forward, many employees will be left behind. Between 500 and 600 jobs will be cut, which ultimately is part of Hershey’s savings plan.

Technorati Tags: ERP, hershey co., next century project, Supply Chain Management Software

“By embedding product and process innovation in supply chain operations and consciously managing and shaping demand from a customer, production and fulfillment standpoint, the companies included in our Top 25 are doing a lot more than just shipping,” said VP at AMR Research Kevin O’Marah.

“Twenty years ago, a typical product company had supply chain reporting to manufacturing, with responsibility mainly for inbound materials management and outbound shipping,” said AMR Executive, Debra Hoffman. “New data shows that supply chain reports to manufacturing in only 6 percent of companies surveyed, while 61 percent have the head of supply chain reporting directly to the CEO, general manager or president of the business. It seems clear that supply chain has grown up and the business has taken notice.”

Here’s a list of the Supply Chain Top 25 from AMY:

“Many companies focus primarily on supply chain execution,” said Hoffman. “With ever-increasing unpredictability of demand, leaders also focus on improving their ability to sense changes and patterns in their environment–changes in demand, design, supplier risk and more-earlier than their competition.”

AMR designed the Chain Supply Top 25 is designed to draw attention to the importance of supply chain software implementation. The Top 25 are businesses that have optimized their success thanks supply chain software usage. The rankings are based on financial and public opinion.

Technorati Tags: AMR Supply Chain Top 25, Supply chain, Supply Chain Management Software, Supply Chain Software, Top 25 supply chain

This year, the magazine themes were ’supply chain excellence’and ‘preparing the supply chain for the post recessionary return to growth’.
“As the economy makes tentative steps toward recovery and growth, our readers are turning to Supply & Demand Chain Executive to learn about solutions and best practices for enabling business expansion through supply chain excellence,” said the editor of Supply & Demand Chain Executive, Andrew K. Reese. “With this year’s Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100, we highlight a broad range of supply chain solution and service providers that are helping to position their customers for the ‘New Normal’ economic environment.”

The supply chain software magazine is well-known for identifying leading providers of supply chain services and technologies that achieve supply chain excellence. The list is based on submissions to the magazine company by end users and supply chain software providers.
“Our goal with this year’s 100, as in the past, is to highlight a broad range of solutions and services targeted at a variety of industries, addressing the needs of companies of varying sizes, and assisting in the transformation of a diverse mix of the functions that make up the supply chain,” added Reese.

The final recipients of the Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100 will be featured in the May/June 2010 issue. Look out for it! The list can also be viewed online at: www.SDCExec.com.

Technorati Tags: best supply chain management, Supply & Demand Chain Magazine, Supply & Demand Executive 100, Supply chain, Supply Chain Management Software, Supply chain vendors

After following business software news for a while, we’ve noticed a predominant trend. Business solutions providers have their ‘heads in the clouds’. Meaning, software companies are focusing their attention on cloud-computing, on-demand solutions. Recent acquisitions in the ERP industry show that companies are realizing the value of expanding their cloud-based solutions.

CDC Software Corporation recently acquired TradeBeam for an undisclosed amount. CDC is an enterprise solution and supply chain management software provider that has both on-premise and on-demand solutions. TradeBeam is a San Mateo based on-demand global trade management and supply chain visibility software vendor. The acquisition serves to expand CDC’s supply chain software portfolio of cloud-based solutions by leveraging TradeBeam’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology.

CDC plans to integrate TradeBeam’s SaaS supply chain visibility software into its own CDC supply chain product line. The merging of technologies will help CDC users improve supply chain visibility and automate their trade management processes. TradeBeam and CDC have several common customers who will benefit from the acquisition and CDC’s product portfolio expansion.

TradeBeam offers cross-sell opportunities for CDC users who source and sell globally. TradeBeam customers will enjoy access to the CDC Ross ERP and CDC Factory’s manufacturing software solutions, CDC Activ Plant’s enterprise manufacturing operations management solutions, and CDC eCommerce platform. TradeBeam offers CDC users SaaS solutions for import and export compliance, global sourcing, forecasts and inventory visibility, global trade finance, and supply chain management.

The supply chain software vendor will also benefit from the acquisition by using TradeBeam to become a relevant solutions provider in the global trade industry. Global trade management is a growing field due to economic globalization, increasing trade volumes worldwide, and new markets in developing countries that offer low cost material and labor resources. Recent ERP research found that global trade practices accompanied by automation will result in increased profitability by 10-40 percent.

“This is a very synergistic combination on many fronts,” said TradeBeam’s CEO, Edward Flaherty. “Our solutions are a great fit for CDC Software’s growing installed base, especially with its CDC Supply Chain and CDC eCommerce products and their market presence in complementary vertical industries such as automotive, medical device and retail industries. We expect that TradeBeam and its customers will benefit immensely from the global breadth of CDC Sotware’s technology and business infrastructure, especially their extensive operations in China, and the company’s broad portfolio of complementary solutions.”

“We believe the global trade management market will continue to see strong growth and offer us numerous revenue opportunities since companies are selling more and more of their products globally and increasingly moving their manufacturing and sourcing offshore,” said CEO of CDC Software, Bruce Cameron. “Like many of our past acquisitions, TradeBeam fits into CDC Software’s disciplined acquisition criteria and is expected to be earnings accretive immediately.”

The acquisition highlights two important trends in the ERP world. ERP vendors, like supply chain software company CDC, are turning towards on-demand solutions as well as focusing their attention on expanding into the global trade market. These two ERP trends are exemplified by the CDC-TradeBeam acquisition.

Technorati Tags: CDC acquisition, CDC Software, CDC Supply Chain Management, global trade management, global trade management software, Supply Chain Software, TradeBeam, TradeBeam Software