IDII Software Newsletter Volume 2 No. 5 April 2nd 2001 ISSN 1533-435X

To assist the professional dealing with software in Warehousing Distribution, Logistics, and the Supply Chain.
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FREE Educational Materials - Keep Learning

• FREE WHITEPAPER - Collaborative Logistics (PDF) white paper by Dr. John Langley.
  
  
• FREE WHITEPAPER - 7 Immutable Laws of Collaborative Logistics (PDF) white paper by Dr. John Langley.
  
  

• BarControl Systems & Services (WMS, B2B, ASP, Asset, Oracle, DB2) releases new higher end product, BarControl Enterprise Manager (BEM),a comprehensive software program of over 27 plug-and-play modules, each of which can be operated independently on the same system, or in conjunction with each other as required.
  
  Of the many optional modules available, key ones include: a warehouse management/order fulfillment module for production facilities or product storage facilities, a visibility module for remote access via a web browser over the Internet, an Intranet, or a wireless connection, a fixed asset-tracking module, and a consumable and non-consumable goods tracking module. Users also have available the capability to track and schedule preventive maintenance on all of their equipment assets.
  
  
  
• eSYNC International (Consulting and software developer, NT, Unix, Oracle, 3PL) Launches cBILL, a Web-Based software tool for third party logistics services providers used to effectively capture, rate and invoice for billable events. cBILL automatically creates client-specific invoices by communicating directly with a company's distribution software. "cBILL changes this (outdated paper & spreadsheet modes) by communicating with a client's warehousing, transportation, order management and other execution systems to receive event data automatically, rates the events and generates client and customer-specific invoices. Moreover, accessorial charges not captured through systems can be input through web screens. cBILL is a powerful tool with tremendous bottom line return to our clients," said David B. Scott, Principal and Chief Technology Officer of eSYNC.
  
  cBILL gives companies the flexibility to set up their own user fields and parameters by customer - important for 3PL companies who often have numerous clients in one facility. The cBILL software consists of an operational data definitions tool, a configurable rating engine with extensible business rules, a document design and generation module and an interface handler. An optional module for imaging is also available to electronically store verifying documentation and provide inquiry capabilities for customer service representatives.
  
  
  
• FirstLease Selects Enrich Leasing Management System from Richer Systems Group Inc.(ERP, TMS, ASP, Private Fleet) . Enrich suite of products includes modules for truck rental and leasing business: Maintenance Management and Inventory Management, Asset Management, Lease/Rental, Fuel Tax Processing, Fuel Billing, Electronic Time Keeping, Financials (A/P, A/R, G/L), Ad Hoc Report Writer, Payroll, and Human Resources. All modules come pre-programmed with the Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS) codes as defined by the American Trucking Association (ATA).
  
  
  
• i2 Technologies (TMS, B2B, Nasdaq: ITWO) buys Rightworks(e-procurement).
  
  I2 Technologies complete acquisition of Trade Service Corporation and EC-Content. Trade Service Corporation is an international provider of standardized product information to the electrical, plumbing and mechanical industries. Trade Service Corporation has been the leader in the areas of content, publishing, and distribution since 1931, offering a variety of products, services, and systems which bring accurate data, pricing, and product content to the over 24,000 manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and distributors which subscribe to its services.
  
  EC-Content, Inc. is a provider of e-catalog content solutions. EC-Content adds value to the detailed product and pricing information from thousands of suppliers and manufacturers in its multi-million-item product content library. In addition to creating new e-catalog content for its customers, EC-Content also licenses quality content libraries that cover 95 percent of all office products, 70 percent of all electrical, plumbing and HVAC/R items and 95 percent of all automotive aftermarket parts.
  
  
• Intentia International (ERP, CRM, SCE, Product: Movex, Stockhold: INTB) and Manhattan Associates (WMS, Nasdaq: MANH) signed a strategic alliance agreement to provide customers with a fully integrated suite of ERP, supply chain planning and supply chain execution solutions. The pact allows continued joint development on a certified interface. The two companies are signing a global reseller agreement, which calls for Intentia to resell Manhattan Associates' leading warehouse management system PkMS(r).
  
  
  
• Kewill (TMS) announces that Streamline Solutions (ERP, Direct Mail, Printing, Publishing Verticals) will integrate Kewill’s Clippership shipping management applications and TracerX integration software into its PrintStream fulfillment product suite. Kewill’s shipping solutions will give Streamline’s clients core functionality for automating multi-carrier compliance, including rating, routing, bar code labeling, and electronic manifesting. Kewill’s TracerX middleware software also will allow these customers to integrate Kewill applications with virtually any other enterprise application.
  
  
  
• Metiom (B2B) and Logility (TMS, APS, B2B, WMS) forge alliance to create Complete B2B Solution. The combined solution will offer customers the ability to plan, source, optimize and collaborate with supply chain trading partners in both private and public marketplaces." Metiom's ConnectTrade product suite includes purchasing, marketplaces, bid & quote, transactions, and their patented Supplier Managed Content (SMC) catalog technology. SMC catalogs reduce the total cost of ownership for e-marketplace sponsors because they eliminate the costly and time consuming content aggregation process that other providers are bound to.
  
  
  
• NxTrend (ERP, WMS) and Acorn Systems establish partnership for Acorn's profit management solution will be integrated with NxTrend's product line. Acorn Systems Inc. - Founded in 1996, Acorn Systems is a software and services company that provides profitability management solutions. Acorn Systems aligns client organizations around profits by helping clients understand in real-time the profitability impact of their operational decisions. Acorn's proprietary simulation systems automate the analysis and ensure access across the organization to optimize profits. Acorn's Enterprise Profit System (EPS) analyzes historical data to identify profitability trends and Scorecards for suppliers, products, facilities, customers and orders. Companies in distribution, manufacturing and service industries who have a large number of products, customers, orders and value-added services are ideally suited for Acorn's solution. Editor's note: Good move! Every business needs these types of trend & analysis tools "integrated" with the ERP system!
  
  
  

• PeopleSoft (ERP, CRM, HR) -Delivers PeopleSoft MarketPay - internet-based global financial settlement solution designed for B2B marketplaces. By automating the invoice reconciliation and payment process, PeopleSoft MarketPay addresses a critical need for traditional electronic marketplaces. The solution enables companies to manage invoice approvals and disputes online.
  
  ``PeopleSoft MarketPay provides a complete procure-to-pay financial settlement process that allows buyers and sellers to collaborate directly in the settlement process,'' said Dominique Engasser, chief executive officer of answork, ``With answork, PeopleSoft becomes the first enterprise resource planning software vendor to formally recognize the opportunity (in electronic settlement services) by delivering an order-to-cash financial settlement process built specifically for internet-based B2B trading exchanges,'' said Avivah Litan, vice president and research director of Financial Services Payment Systems at Gartner Group.
  
  
  
• Provia Software (WMS, TMS, APS) and Celarix, Inc., a provider of collaborative logistics solutions (with expertise in facilitating international shipping processes, providing in-transit visibility and creating collaborative networks). have signed a partnership agreement that will link Celarix’ collaborative logistics solution with Provia’s execution and fulfillment collaboration suites. This partnership will provide Provia's clients with a solution that delivers real-time, end-to-end visibility to orders and inventory, enabling action and reaction during the order fulfillment process. The partnership will compliment and extend visibility to inbound shipments and order information for Provia’s customers from the company’s ViaView collaboration and visibility product.
  
  Return Logistics International Corporation (RLI), provider of reverse-commerce solutions, announced the launch of its newest returns portals, www.PharmacyReturns.com, the drug returns site serving a nationwide network of pharmacies and wholesalers, and www.ReturnLogistics.com, the site designed to help pharmaceutical manufacturers streamline and manage their returns, and credit/data requirements. These sites represent the first and only online service of this kind. Editor's note: we hope that RLI will work with the government & manufacturers to donate drugs to countries that have a great need of medicines and can not afford them.
  
  

• "Life is not always what one wants it to be,
  but to make the best of it, as it is, is the only way of being happy."
  --Jennie Jerome Churchill."
  

"Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): The Dynamics of Operations Management"
Shtub, Avraham	See reviews and more information on this book at Amazon.com

"What To Look For In Warehouse Management System Software"
Obal, Philip	See reviews and more information on this book at Amazon.com

"Warehouse & Logistics Software Directory"
Obal, Philip	See reviews and more information on this book at Amazon.com

Valuable Future Events

April 2-4, 2001 - Supply-Chain World North America Conference and Exposition - Hilton New Orleans Riverside - New, Orleans, Louisana, USA. Conference by the Supply-Chain Council. For more information, call 412-781-4101 or visit www.supply-chain.org or www.supplychainworld.org.

MAY 9 TO 11, 2001 - E-LOGISTICS EXPO - The Logistics Institute at Georgia Tech, GFB, Announce an Educational Conference and Team-focused Tradeshow in Atlanta, GA. Responding to the need to bring leading-edge education and world-class solutions providers together in a "team environment," the e-Logistics Expo announced today the creation of a new "knowledge tradeshow" to be held next May in Atlanta. The Expo will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center. The Expo features a full three-day educational conference led by The Logistics Institute at Georgia Tech. Contact Carrolyn Prescott at GFB at 404-524-7777, or e-mail to cprescott@gfb-expo.com

June 10-13, 2001 - Exciting ASRS - AGVS - Carousel Users' Conference at Columbus, Ohio. Excellent speakers are making presentations, two plant tours, and special interest groups will convene during the conference to discuss ASRS, AGVS, and Carousel plans, ideas, and issues. Contact Sam Powell of the 2001 ASRS AGVS Users' Conference for details and brochure.



About This Newsletter - ISSN 1533-435X

We educate and share news on software for warehousing, transportation, shipping, packing, slotting, loading, optimization, and enterprise wide software solutions. This free newsletter is published twice a month. Feel free to forward this newsletter to others that you know. One may quickly subscribe by accessing our website at www.idii.com/esn/index.htm.

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© 2001 Industrial Data & Information Inc. All Rights Reserved.. Trademarks belong to respective trademark holders. Information accuracy is not guaranteed due to variety of sources.