• MANY NEW & EXCELLENT White Papers
• New - Process Optimization of a Sorter-Based Operation - Informative
• New - Why Batch Pick? - Excellent
• New - Static, Dynamic and Virtual Batching - Excellent
• New - E-Commerce & Online Ordering = Ebuy Center - Informative

• White Papers Announced In Last Newsletters
• Software for Supply Chain Management - Excellent
• The Modern Logistics Service Provider - Excellent
• Managing Real-Time Supply and Demand Chains - Excellent
• Top 10 Considerations For Buying A Bar Code Printer - Very Good
• Thoughts on Dead Stock Management - Excellent
• Solving the Supply Chain Connectivity Nightmare - Excellent
• Warehouse Management Systems Perspective - Excellent
• Justifying Warehouse Management Systems - Excellent
• ELPIF: An E-Logistics Processes Integration Framework Based on Web Services - Excellent
• Logistics Execution Systems Perspective - Excellent
• WMS Planning, Design, and Procurement - Excellent
• Supply Chain Metrics - Excellent
• Measuring and Selling the Value of Logistics - Excellent
• Ten Best Practices for Motor Freight Management - Excellent
• The “Network Effect” in a Collaborative Shipping Model - Excellent
• Voice Technology - Good
  

IDII News

Have Excess Inventory? - Consider donating them to Charity & Non-Profit Organizations

Technology & Software Product News

• ADONIX unveils new ERP System, Adonix X3 Process Suite, for the Process Manufacturing Market. Adonix X3 Process combines the features of the company’s flagship product, Adonix X3 (a Web-native ERP suite that fully integrates manufacturing, distribution, warehouse management, customer relationship management (CRM) and finance functionality), with application features that address the unique and specialized needs of the process manufacturer.
  
  The latest release features with the following capabilities:
  • Formula management for handling variable units of measure, weight calculations, raw material potency and other attributes, packaging variations, cost analysis, expected yield and by-product management
  • Lot control and tracking, with expiration date management
  • Quality management to meet customer-defined
  
  
• EXE Technologies (WMS, Nasdaq: EXEE) and Manugistics Group, Inc. (Optimization, TMS, SCM, SCP, NASDAQ:MANU) are offering Manugistics Global Logistics Management solutions together with EXE's EXceed Warehouse Management System, providing a combined capability to manage end to end Sales driven replenishment. Utilizing these proven technology solutions, grocery retailers can create a backbone that links into the corporate replenishment warehouse management and transportation infrastructure - for end-to-end optimization.

  The combined solution can help grocery retailers address their critical needs by combining advanced store-level forecasts with true Perpetual Inventories. This enables dynamic replenishment plans, generation of store orders, execution and fulfillment of orders in the warehouse, and tracking of replenishment plans to store level through the management of perpetual inventory.

  
  
• Loftware connects enterprise applications to label printing with the Oracle Connector. Administrators will find the Oracle Connector interface familiar and easy to use. The new Oracle Connector by Loftware connects Oracle applications (8i and above) to bar code label printing operations by providing direct communication via TCP/IP. Any operating system that supports TCP/IP can communicate directly to the Loftware Print Server using the Oracle Connector.
  The Oracle Connector installed on an Oracle Database Server connects via a socket interface to the Loftware Print Server, which resides on a Windows Server. This java-based application, initiates the label using a stored procedure. Data is pushed from the Oracle database and sent to the Loftware Print Server (LPS). Once LPS receives the data, labels are printed at high speed and the Oracle application is notified of print status.
  
  Scalability testing included over 60 users printing to 600 different printers. In exhaustive testing, the Oracle Connector showed no degradation in quality or speed when used in large scale printing environments. The Oracle Connector feature is included in the Loftware Print Server, Enterprise Edition, Version 7.1.
  
  
• Logility Delivers Completely Automated Transportation Management System. Transportation Solution includes Event Management, a Private Freight Exchange, and Performance Management for Greater Supply Chain Visibility. Logility Voyager Transportation Planning and Management 6.5 Highlights:

  - Event Management and Alert Notification: New event management and alert notification capabilities allow companies to receive notification of specific business conditions. As orders and shipments flow through Voyager Transportation Planning and Management and EDI transactions and web-based communications take place with trading partners, exceptions can occur which trigger alerts to notify users or trading partners. This alert capability supports the unattended operation of Voyager, and enables logistics professionals to focus on the exceptions. To maximize productivity, users need only subscribe to the exceptions relevant to their responsibility. For example, a customer service representative might subscribe to exceptions such as “Appointment Changed” or “Estimated Late Delivery.” When an alert is received they can quickly drill down to review the detail and resolve the issue. With automated process workflows and exception-driven management, Voyager Transportation Planning and Management will elevate a company’s logistics operations to a new level of operational excellence.

  - Private Freight Exchange: Web-based capabilities allow companies to synchronize operations with their trading partners and service providers so that carriers can accept or reject loads, bid on loads, schedule shipments, provide in-transit information, record actual delivery information, communicate equipment availability, and check payment status over the web. Now, smaller carriers, armed only with a WEB-browser, can provide the same information as their larger competitors who use EDI. More importantly, with technology no longer an issue, companies can be assured of compliance from their entire base of carriers.

  
  - Greater Visibility across the Supply Chain: New Web-based track and trace feature provides customers and suppliers secure inquiries into the Voyager Transportation Planning and Management database to view both historical and current order/shipment status information. For example, customers can inquire on orders they expect to receive, while vendors can check the status of their shipments. Additionally, customers can drill down to SKU-level detail of purchase orders, customer orders, or shipments for manpower planning, production scheduling, or delivery confirmation.

  - Performance Management: Voyager Transportation Planning and Management also includes performance management tools to assist logistics professionals in analyzing and evaluating their operations. Voyager’s modeling subsystem can help evaluate new distribution strategies, customer service policies, sourcing strategies, customer profitability, and carrier pricing proposals. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can provide a daily or weekly pulse of the transportation operations, while the flexible reporting system can generate useful historical performance and activity reports.

  - Enhanced Integration Capabilities: Supports real-time integration with order management systems, warehouse management systems (including Logility WarehousePRO®), and shipping systems using XML messaging. For example, as an order is changed in the order management system, the updated information is immediately reflected in Voyager Transportation Planning and Management.

  Voyager Transportation Planning and Management supports TL, LTL, rail, inter-modal, parcel and air shipping. Voyager’s rating engine is supplemented by a library of industry databases that are provided by Logility and which include carrier and CZAR Lite LTL tariffs, LTL transit times and points served, rail routes, parcel/air rate information, and an extensive geographic database. Voyager’s rating engine is fully integrated with PC*Milerâ from ALK Associates, Inc. and Milemakerâ from Rand-McNally for mileage computations. Offered also as a standalone module, the rating engine is called from many of the functions within Voyager where carrier cost or carrier alternatives are needed for a shipment.

• Manhattan Associates (WMS, TMS, LMS, Nasdaq: MANH) has multiple important announcements:
  
  • A jointly developed "RFID in a Box" solution for retailers. The "RFID in a Box" solution contains a bundled package of RFID technology from Alien Technology Corp. and supply chain execution applications and professional services from Manhattan Associates that will facilitate implementation of RFID technology. With the remote RFID tag generation capability, retailers will be able to track inventory using RFID tags and experience some of the key benefits of RFID immediately within their facilities. These benefits include increasing inventory accuracy and labor productivity while decreasing human error and labor costs. In addition, Manhattan Associates and Alien Technology Corp. will provide customers with professional installation services including three months of services covering pilot to proof-of-concept as well as assistance with business case documentation, if needed. These services will further streamline implementation and compliance for customers.
  • A strategic partnership with Alien Technology Corp. (RFID) that more closely aligns the two companies' RFID initiatives. This partnership brings together the leaders of their respective industries at a time when supply chain execution is being revolutionized by the growing momentum behind RFID technology to provide the market with tightly integrated and holistic RFID solutions.
  • Manhattan's Associate intent to deliver its RFID Middleware solution, which will provide the technology and implementation services required to integrate RFID hardware into third party supply chain management software packages, including Manhattan Associates' SCE Solutions. This stand-alone solution will be compliant with the most recent Electronic Product Code (EPC) specifications as well as have the ability to support hardware that is not EPC compliant. Currently scheduled for commercial availability during the third quarter of 2003, the RFID Middleware solution will enable customers to streamline the integration of RFID technology into their supply chain - allowing them to reap the benefits of RFID such as tangible ROI.
  • Manhattan Associates announced the availability of its Labor Management solution . Delivered as either a component of Manhattan Associates'Warehouse Management System (WMS) Application suite or as a stand - alone Labor Management application, the Labor Management solution provides users with detailed information and analysis of employees'activities and work performed in the warehouse. Through a Web user interface, users can analyze this information against various standards and initiatives. Built as a self contained application with a standard set of application program interfaces (APIs), Manhattan Associates'Labor Management solution can be extended to other applications within the warehouse and across the enterprise. Labor Management functionality includes:
    • Support for a wide range of standards from simple throughput such as 'cases per hour'to finely tuned engineered standards;
    • Real-time browser based reporting for the management of current-day issues;
    • Facility reporting for enterprise-wide warehouses as well as individual warehouse reporting; and
    • Comprehensive tracking of an individual's activities from clock-in to clock-out, both on and off standard, for full accountability.
      

• Manugistics Announces Markdown Optimization Solution for Retailers. An embedded market response modeling (MRM) algorithm can enable clients to build a precise and holistic view of consumer anticipated response, projecting sales down to the SKU/store level. The unique, powerful algorithm will incorporate complexities including consumer price elasticity, seasonal demand variations, inventory costs, product life cycle, and vendor funding.
  
  
• PeopleSoft Inc. (ERP, CRM, Nasdaq:PSFT) rejects the $5.1 billion unsolicited takeover offer from Oracle Corp. (ERP, Nasdaq:ORCL) calling the bid inadequate and citing antitrust concerns. PeopleSoft had announced plans to buy J.D. Edwards & Co. (ERP, Nasdaq:JDEC) prior to Oracle's bid, which is rejected.
  
• SAMSys (RFID) announced: -SAMSys' MP9210 short-range high-frequency (HF) reader now supports the draft high-frequency Electronic Product Code (EPC) Class 1 protocol at 13.56MHz. The MP9210 reader will enable retailers and producers to utilize tags in inventory management and smart-shelf applications.

  SAMSys has also introduced a new 13.56 MHz Conveyor Reader to its comprehensive RFID reader portfolio. This new RFID reader is designed to increase efficiencies and lower the cost of ownership within warehouse and manufacturing work-in-progress environments such as assembly lines.
  

• TECSYS Inc. (WMS, ERP, TMS, Distribution, TSX: TCS) announced the release of EliteSeries Enterprise Transportation Management System (TMS) version 7.1. EliteSeries Enterprise TMS also delivers: Web-enablement, providing visibility and application sharing wherever you need it; multi-site operational support, with a single centralized system; automation functionality designed to eliminate the shipping step entirely; and tools to substantially enhance carrier planning and routing and more.
  
  
• TRANSPORTGISTICS (ASP, TMS) RELEASES NEW PRODUCT: "Traids – TRACKING, RECEIVING And INTERNAL DELIVERY SYSTEM" TransportGistics today introduced new technology that automatically tracks shipments from the moment a carrier picks them up until they are delivered to the final recipient, whether the recipient is a person or location (warehouse bin, stock room, etc.). The product, TRaIDS.net, also confirms delivery and electronically stores that confirmation for full accountability. This is the latest addition to TransportGistics’ strong portfolio of web based transportation and logistics management solutions.

  Using a combination of EDI, XML, PDA’s, automatic data collection devices, RF and the web, TRaIDS enables existing material handling processes to be accommodated with no change to existing processes other than imposing the discipline of compliance. TRaIDS collects shipment data along the supply-chain such as purchasing, vendor shipping, carrier operations, receiving and internal delivery and makes it instantly available to authorized users through the web.

  
  

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

• “Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way,
  ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future."
  - Deepak Chopra
  
• "A mind that is stretched to a new idea
  never returns to its original dimension."
  - Oliver Wendell Holmes

• "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you."
  - Matthew 7:12

• http://www.change-management.com - Change Management Learning Center
  - One of the most complete resources on the web for managing change, including a directory of books, articles, tutorials, benchmarking reports and more.
  
  

Online Book Catalog - Intuitive Categories

Books on Freight & Transportation, E-Commerce, Shipping, Warehousing, Distribution, Operations, WMS, ERP, MRP, Production Planning & Scheduling, CRM, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Logistics, Facility Layout & Design, Metrics & Measurements. Software Providers SAP, Peoplesoft.

IT & Project Management Books: Software Project Management - IT Management - Software Testing - RFP Development - Proposal Writing.

Essential Guide to Peoplesoft Development and Customization Order From Amazon

"Warehouse & Logistics Software Directory" Order From Amazon or IDII

MRP II Standard System : A Handbook for Manufacturing Software Survival Order From Amazon

"Supply Chain Management Based on SAP Systems" Order From Amazon

Valuable Future Events - Event Calendar is now online!

  July 15, 2003
INTERNATIONAL CARGO SECURITY SUMMIT - Workshops
The Sutton Place Hotel, Chicago, IL, USA. Those involved in Cargo Security are encouraged to reserve their places early. Visit our website www.wcbf.com/security/6002 or US delegates call TOLLFREE 800-959-6549 or 312-466-5774, European and ROW delegates call: Freephone 0800-1958 601 or +44-207-872-5891 Ask to speak to Customer Services or the Summit Director.

  July 16, 2003
INTERNATIONAL CARGO SECURITY SUMMIT - Conference
July 16-17. The Sutton Place Hotel, Chicago, IL, USA. Those involved in Cargo Security are encouraged to reserve their places early. Visit our website www.wcbf.com/security/6002 or US delegates call TOLLFREE 800-959-6549 or 312-466-5774, European and ROW delegates call: Freephone 0800-1958 601 or +44-207-872-5891 Ask to speak to Customer Services or the Summit Director.

   July 21, 2003
Maximizing Warehouse Space: The Key to Productivity (WERC Seminar)
July 21-22, 2003
Princeton, NJ
Radisson Hotel

Warehouse space is—or at least should be—a hot topic in every facility. After all, you make daily decisions about product location, picking, putaway, shipping and receiving that all revolve around the layout and design of your facility. So how is your facility doing? Although dock doors and columns can’t be changed, there are some fundamental rules of thumb that will help you maximize the space in your warehouse. You’ll examine all of the elements for planning space on day one, and then on day two you’ll work in a group to redesign a fictional DC using the information you learned.

For all the details, visit http://www.werc.org/seminars/seminars.asp?SEMINAR_ID=30

September 21, 2003
CLM Conference - Council of Logistics Management
Sept 21 to 24, 2003 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. CLM is an educational organization for the logistics professional. Well worth it - High Educational Content. See http://www.clm1.org/ to register.