IDII News - New Website Features

• Warehouse & Logistics Software Directory (Edition 6) is Published! This expanded edition includes detailed solution information - Solution Description - Type (WMS, ERP, YMS, etc.) - First Installation Date - Number of Installations - Number of Customers - ASP Option - Operating Systems Supported - Databases Supported - Standard Interfaces Supported - Vertical Industries that solution targets and supports - BEST FITS Companies with Revenue & Warehouse Size, and much more! See Sample Pages. Order Directory Now
• Need help in software selection and implementation? IDII Can Help. Call Phil Obal of IDII at 918-464-2222. We also have products to assist you in your search.
  

• New White Papers!
• New - WMS Market Outlook - Excellent!
• New - Dynamic Carrier Selection
• New - The Logistics Modeling White Paper - from TLI
• In the last newsletter, IDII announced these white papers:
• New - Selecting - Keeping Warehouse Employees - Great Points to Ponder!
• New - Inventory Efficiency in the Supply Chain
• New - Performance Measurement - Connecting Strategy, Operations, and Actions
• New - Customer Service Improvement: It's Mission Critical To Your Future
• New - Demand-based Flow Manufacturing For High Velocity Order-to-Delivery Performance
  

Software Company News

• Apriso Corporation (ERP, MRP, SCE, FY2000 USD 21 million) received a $14 million equity investment led by 75 Wall Street Technology Partners LP, a New York-based technology fund of Dresdner Kleinwort Capital, with CMEA Ventures of San Francisco, California. Additional investors include LogiSpring Investment Fund SA of Brussels, Belgium, one of the funds managed by LogiSpring Management Company Sarl of Geneva, Switzerland; and Brentwood Venture Capital of Los Angeles, California, which is making its second investment in Apriso. The company will use the funds to accelerate product research and development, expand its global marketing activities and develop multiple sales channels in each of the vertical markets it serves.

  Apriso Corporation (ERP, MRP, SCE, FY2000 USD 21 million) releases CIM+ Workflow Manager Built With Microsoft Visual Studio .NET. CIM+ Workflow Manager automates business workflows and responds to changes on the plant floor, in real-time. Workflows consist of tasks that are assignable to agents such as employees, work cells, machines and equipment. Communication between CIM+ Workflow Manager and the agents occurs asynchronously. The architecture distributes workloads optimally between multiple agents, and dynamically tracks and redistributes workloads as necessary, using business rules and an expert system to generate optimal solutions. This approach minimizes cycle times and maximizes industrial throughput by allowing complex production, warehousing and logistics tasks to be undertaken in parallel. CIM+ Workflow Manager is also capable of setting alarms and alerting personnel whenever human intervention is necessary.

  Workflow Manager utilizes Microsoft .NET Enterprise Servers, ADO.NET and XML Web services to support transactional and data access mechanisms that are flexible. Apriso developers report numerous benefits from Microsoft Visual Studio.NET, including the utilities for deployment of Microsoft .NET assemblies; enforcement of coding standards; intelligent real-time definition of classes and class references; wizards for automatically generating ADO database interfaces; and tight integration with Microsoft Visio, allowing round-trip engineering between design and implementation. Apriso developers also reported ease of use for development applications in Microsoft Visual C# .NET.
  

• Catalyst International Inc. (WMS, Nasdaq: CLYS) signed an agreement with Irish systems integration company, Blackbird Data Systems Limited, to support Blackbird's Harvest Warehouse Management System (WMS). In 2002, Blackbird decided to focus on its core Auto ID and ERP integration activity and announced that it would cease to support the Harvest WMS. Blackbird selected Catalyst to support their Harvest WMS customers because of the proven level of service Catalyst provides and because Catalyst could offer Harvest WMS customers a viable upgrade path to the full CatalystCommand Supply Chain Suite.

  Catalyst will serve as a one-stop-shop for all Harvest WMS-related support calls, software and hardware support. Catalyst has committed to supporting Harvest WMS for at least the next three years, allowing the Harvest WMS customers to realize their return on investment. Harvest WMS customers are based in the UK, Ireland, Spain and Mexico, and include Braun, Butterworths, Creative Labs, Novartis, Roche and Smurfit.

• Delfour Corporation (WMS, TMS, YMS, 3PL) announces e-Vista 1.2 visibility product. e-Vista Release 1.2 is a web-enabled Supply Chain Execution component that enables third-party customers 24-hour visibility and secured access to their inventory, orders, receipts, items/products and invoices. In addition to tracking inventory, the new features and improvements of e-Vista 1.2 include:
  

  · Search Inventory, Orders, Receipts, Invoices, as well as all related historical information
  · The ability to print and/or e-mail search results in HTML and CSV formats
  · Enter inbound receipts and outbound orders online from anywhere utilizing the web
  

• Delfour Corporation (WMS, TMS, YMS, 3PL) announces WarehouseLogic 1.2.1. Among other capabilities, WarehouseLogic Release 1.2.1, enables organizations to manage the billing, receiving, stock locating, stock piling, order verification, order packing and shipment of products in complex distribution fulfillment centers. WarehouseLogic is designed to optimize fulfillment operations by increasing inventory turns, reduce inventory levels, improve inventory accuracy, increase labor productivity, and increase customer service levels. WarehouseLogic 1.2.1 new features and improvements include:
  
  
  • Customer Relationship Management, Appointments, Carton Adjustments, Allocations, Billing, Location Profiles, Pallet Management, Maintain Programs
  • Delfour Active Desktop ("DAD"): An industry leading application for supply chain navigation. This tool supports a single point access to the complete Delfour product suite as well as non-Delfour applications. DAD is also the interface to Delfour's unique system enterprise monitoring, alerts and events management as well as web enabled links, enterprise news and broadcasting
  • Enterprise reporting with Seagate's Crystal Enterprise: empowering users and the Enterprise reporting environment, a scalable solution for delivering interactive reports to end users via email, fax, printing, and interactive scheduling.
    
    
    

• EXE Technologies, Inc. (WMS, TMS, 3PL, Nasdaq:EXEE) introduced its collaboration solution, the EXceed(TM) Collaborate Suite. It consists of:

  EXceed Sentinel - EXceed Sentinel provides extensive tracking of products through the manufacturing and distribution network by tracing product down to the lot and individual item levels. This high degree of granularity is critical for the efficient identification and isolation of suspect products in the event of a recall.

  EXceed Portals - EXceed Portals leverages the accessibility of the Internet to provide supply chain partners real-time access to EXceed WMS inventory data, shipment order information, and advanced shipment notice (ASN) information. EXceed Portals reduces operating costs by removing the burden of providing periodic and one-time snapshots of inventory data to supply chain partners. In addition to checking ASN status, EXceed Portals allows suppliers to add, change, and delete ASN information. Customers can perform similar actions on shipment orders. The EXceed security model has been enhanced to ensure that users can view and act upon only their relevant inventory, order, and ASN information.
  

  EXceed Insight - EXceed Insight provides the vital supply chain event information needed to effectively monitor and analyze supply network activity. By leveraging EXceed Insight's extensive inventory and order event visibility, companies can gain a comprehensive view of their entire enterprise-wide supply network.
  
  
  Frontstep, Inc. (ERP, MRP, Nasdaq: FSTP) releases Frontstep Capacity Promiser. Frontstep Capacity Promiser provides realistic CTP dates that consider manufacturing constraints such as materials, parts production, family production, shift schedules and business priorities. Using industry standard Web-enabled technology, Frontstep Capacity Promiser provides a practical, easily-implemented method that allows manufacturers to make promises they can keep. Frontstep Capacity Promiser provides:

  * Real-time availability information based on unallocated inventory, planned supplies and capacity
  * Comprehensive constraint representation for accurate availability information
  * 24x7 visibility for accurate promise dates for orders entered not only during the day, but also at night or over weekends
  * Minimal data entry needs, supported with a simple spreadsheet upload using Microsoft Excel
  Additionally, depending on the customer's requirements, Frontstep Capacity Promiser will report either the date that the requested quantity of an item is available, or the quantity of an item that is available by a requested date. Frontstep Capacity Promiser provides companies exactly what they need to represent their ability to deliver on time.

• GEOCOMtms, Inc.(TMS, Optimization) DELIVERS ITS NEWEST VERSION OF CONSTRAINT-BASED FLEET OPTIMIZATION SOFTWARE A.MAZE 2.0 The release of A.MAZE 2.0 delivers constraint-based, genetic algorithm optimization and high quality maps, enables companies with large fleets to implement, automate and reap value from optimizing their operations.

  The new capabilities include Real Time Feedback and Response (RTFR), fast geocoding and cartography access as well as the ability to handle an even larger number of constraints. These advanced functionalities enable the management of highly dynamic and complex logistics models. For example: when a courier receives notice of a thousand new pickups scheduled ASAP, the GEOCOMtms system will dynamically accept, re-optimize and provide the most efficient schedules to the vehicles. "RTFR is the future of fleet optimization," said Bernard Têtu, President and CEO of GEOCOMtms, "GEOCOMtms is helping companies break free from the disconnected static planning model and move fleet route optimization into the real world. This will allow them to get the ROI that they have always sought."

• i2 Technologies, Inc. (TMS, APS, Nasdaq:ITWO) announced new inventory visibility and exception management capabilities to its i2 Five Two solution. The i2 solution includes industry-specific processes like Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR) and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) for retail, RosettaNet for high tech, and just-in-time (JIT) for the automotive industry. i2's solution enables trading partner collaboration spanning long-term planning to near-term execution, and provides visibility into capacity, demand, orders and inventory across the value chain.

  Exception detection and management for effective control: The i2 Collaboration and Inventory Visibility Solution enables users to set alerts that are critical to their business roles. Any critical exceptions pertaining to the status of inventory, orders or shipments will automatically send alerts to appropriate personnel and ensure that they are resolved before they become customer issues. If the inventory for a critical item falls below the minimum level, an alert will automatically be sent to the company buyer and trigger the replenishment process from the supplier to prevent stockouts. This management by exception is key to efficient coordination and control of business processes to drive high customer satisfaction.
  

• PeopleSoft (Nasdaq: PSFT, ERP, CRM) Announces ISO 9001:2000 Certification. Peoplesoft has received ISO 9001:2000 certification for its product development, customer support, and product services at 23 PeopleSoft locations across 13 countries. This certification demonstrates that PeopleSoft has established a superior quality management system throughout its global operations.
  
  
• Radical Logistics (TMS) delivers Transportation Rating ANALYSIS Products called "Radical Tools". Tim Brown, Principal with IBM's Business Innovation Services, says, "I'm impressed with the speed and ease of use of Radical Tools. I can compute distances and transportation costs for thousands of shipments in seconds as opposed to hours. Its integration with Excel makes it easy to quickly develop a wide variety of logistics models without having to import and export data from a multitude of standalone applications."
  
  Radical Tools provides a set of tools for calculating distance and rates - multi-point - multi-mode - the foundation of any analysis for inbound and outbound transportation. The product comes packaged with sample spreadsheets demonstrating the power of the tools. Radical Tools are add-ins to Microsoft® Excel® that can be called from within any spreadsheet just as you access other Microsoft® Excel® functions. The product is priced with the Distance and Parcel Rating at $775 each and the LTL Rating product at $2,500. The entire Radical Tools suite can be purchased for $4,000.

• Savi Technology (RFID, Software, 1989) and Microlise (WMS) have formed a partnership that initially provides inter-linked hardware and software solutions to a major Europe-based retailer for real-time visibility and security of conveyances within their mutual customer's own logistics network.

• Savi Technology (RFID, Software, www.savi.com, 1989 releases new web-based software, called Savi Asset Management System for Reusable Transport Containers (RTCs), which provides management and security solutions for the full life cycle of conveyances, such as Intermediate Bulk Containers, pallets, totes, roll cages and dollies.

• SSA Global Technologies, Inc.(ERP) ACQUIRED the supply chain management, financial management and human resource management PRODUCT LINES of interBiz, a division of Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE: CA). Products covered under this transaction include CAS, interBiz Logistics, interBiz Online, interBiz Reports, KBM, MANMAN, Masterpiece/Net, MasterPiece/Net HRMS, MAXCIM, MK Logistics, MK Manufacturing, PRMS and Warehouse BOSS.
  

Quotes to Ponder - List of Quotes to Ponder from prior issues.

• ""It's better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared."
  -Whitney Young
  

• "But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. "
  - 2 Timothy 2:23
• "The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not so."
  - Proverbs 15:7
  

"Warehouse Management Handbook" See Reviews & Order From Amazon
"Warehouse & Distribution Automation Handbook" See Reviews & Order From Amazon
"Warehousing Tips" by Ken Ackerman See Reviews & Order From Amazon

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

"ADVANCED WMS RFI Search Bundle" Available from IDII only
Obal, Philip	Advanced Version is available only from IDII

Valuable Future Events - List Your Event or Convention

The 20th annual Distribution/Computer EXPO is the largest trade show featuring software and systems for Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Distribution, Transportation and Warehousing. Over 1,000 information management system for those applications will be exhibited. 61 Educational Seminars on using software and systems and the Internet for those applications will take place on May 21-22. The EXPO exhibit is on May 22-23. For complete EXPO and Seminar details go to http://www.logistar2.com/THESHOW.htm

ASRS/AGVS Users' Association 2002 Annual Conference - "Integrating ASRS/AGV's/Carousels Into Facility Operations" - June 9-12, 2002 - Hyatt Newporter, Newport Beach, CA

The ASRS/AGVS Users' Association will host its annual conference in Newport Beach, California in June. Twelve presentations, plant tours, numerous breakout sessions and special interest sessions will offer many opportunities to meet with fellow ASRS – AGVS – Carousel users and system suppliers to hear the latest information regarding technology advances and warehouse management systems, and to see solutions to operational and management problems for your organization. Special features of the 2002 conference are the keynote breakfast, plant tours and lunch that follows, and the annual conference vendors' night. Past attendees have said that the ASRS/AGVS Users' Conference is like no other in that it gives all attendees, both users and vendors, many opportunities to discuss common problems, company system needs, etc., and to hear what other users have done to implement their systems of ASRS – AGV's – Carousels into their operations. More information at www.ASRS.org
www.ASRS.org