Tom Zosel Associates, Ltd. (TZA) has combined its deep distribution operations and workforce management experience to launch a Training Division.

Available on-site at the client’s facilities or at TZA University in Long Grove, IL, the programs focus on the integration of logistics best-practices with human resource management and development and are targeted for associates, supervisors and managers. The curriculum has been designed, developed and facilitated by training specialists with extensive consulting and operational experience to provide participants with the tools they need to achieve the optimal performance levels. Through live presentations, case studies, thought-provoking exercises, and guided discussions, participants will be exposed to new tools, strategies and concepts that they can implement immediately on return to their businesses.
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Integrated payment solutions leader Payment Processing, Incorporated (PPI), has announced a partnership with supply chain management software developer ASC, Inc., to offer a comprehensive POS and e-commerce solution.

ASC’s partnership with PPI offers ASC Trac customers a safe, secure and reliable payment processing solution that integrates seamlessly with the ACS solution. The combined solution has demonstrated capabilities for high volume credit card transactions in mission critical environments. (more…)

Data Sharing Partnership: Unilever Partners With RedPrairie In EPCIS Data Sharing Trial
11/20/2006
RedPrairie Corporation announced a partnernership with Unilever in the company’s trial of EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Service) to collect and access information from within the company’s logistics environment and from trading partners in the supply chain. Highlighting more effective data exchange and simplified interoperability, Unilever anticipates enhanced value in the areas of promotion management, supply chain visibility and metrics and RFID readability through RFID enablement and its integration with EPCIS.
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Oracle customers worldwide can now extend the capabilities of Oracle’s existing Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) suite through the two new modules, Oracle Strategic Network Optimization and Oracle Production Scheduling. Through a long-awaited marriage of Oracle’s JD Edwards and PeopleSoft Supply Chain Planning suite with Oracle’s Supply Chain Management applications, manufacturing companies can now optimize supply and distribution networks, mitigate risk, maximize shop floor throughput and dramatically reduce supply chain costs.
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Manufacturers can gain competitive advantage within the supply chain through product design and lifecycle management strategies

Quite often a small- or medium-sized business (SMB) that is looking to gain a competitive advantage within its supply chain will do so by improving its products and streamlining operations. Decision makers often look toward product design technology such as product lifecycle management (PLM) to support these changes. By implementing a product lifecycle management system, companies can simplify and shorten each phase of the product development process. Selecting new technology is a challenge for any organization but can be especially difficult for the SMB, since most software (particularly PLM software) is designed to meet the needs of a large enterprise. (more…)

By Sarah Murray and Andrew K. Reese

Years of surveying and conversations with readers have shown that busy executives turn to an industry magazine like Supply & Demand Chain Executive for essentially two reasons: to learn how to solve problems that they know they have, and to learn about solutions for problems they didn’t even know they had. The mission of this magazine, then, is to provide targeted information to help corporate executives and other supply and demand chain management professionals as they enable their supply chains for competitive advantage.

As part of this mission, each year the magazine uses its Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100 feature to make its readers aware of those enablers that are leading the way in providing cutting-edge solutions and services to help enterprises address pain points in their supply chains through the application of new technologies and new processes.
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Alcoa Inc.’s mile-long rolling mill south of Budapest seems like a throwback to the Soviet era. The sun struggles to penetrate smudged skylights. Massive Russian-made machines from the 1960s grind away amid clouds of steam. Forklifts the size of flatbed trucks rumble by, stacking coils of aluminum sheeting like giant rolls of toilet paper. (more…)

Does your supply chain strategy include Mexico? It should!
By Al Brown, president of SupplyMex
Purchasing November 16, 2006

Mexico’s position as a world-class manufacturer of moderate to high value-added goods continues to strengthen. Mexico offers a strategic competitive advantage over other Low Cost Countries in the world. It shares a 2,000 mile border with the U.S., offers a highly developed logistics infrastructure that facilitates global trade, has 12 free trade agreements with 42 countries, a stable currency and economy, a healthy climate for investment and a strong competitive labor force. These factors make Mexico a logical choice for sourcing and OEM outsourcing supply chain strategies.
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Quit Giving It Away! The quickest way to lose margin and money? Pricing quotes.By Louis Columbus

Manufacturers are leaving money on the table by not paying attention to bringing more accurate and timely pricing into their quotes.

In discussions with dozens of manufacturers, a simple truth emerges: Quoting systems, even the most manual, are the lifeblood of any sales pipeline. Pricing has become the competitive weapon of choice in many industries; however, it’s the last differentiator in several consolidating markets.
With such a critical role in defining profitability, pricing is getting much attention this year, from the CEO level down.
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John D. Schulz, Contributing Editor
Logistics Management November 14, 2006

WASHINGTON—Longer and heavier trucks may be out. Environmental issues may be in, and more physical inspection of air cargo could be in as well. Labor may get a friendly ear in Washington again. And, some might be working for more freight security measures.

The first session of the 110th Congress that convenes on January 3 will be the first since 1994 in which Democrats control both the House of Representatives and Senate. Business, transportation, logistics, and lobbying interests are spending their hours until then dusting off the “D” section of their Rolodexes—renewing old ties with Democrats, who are back in power in Washington.
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“After participating in the beta program, we are eager to use the new capabilities in PeopleSoft Enterprise 9.0, especially XML Publisher,” said Kentucky Community and Technical College System Lead Systems Analyst Patrick Wells. “This release has the potential to deliver improved usability, increased productivity and streamline business processes which is always of great interest to our organization.”
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Implements ClearOrbit’s Xtended Process Control (X.PC) suite to manage its global supply chain, order fulfillment operations
By Editorial Staff – Supply & Demand Chain Executive

Austin, TX — November 9, 2006 — Herbalife, which sells weight management, nutritional supplement and personal-care products in 62 countries, has implemented ClearOrbit’s Xtended Process Control (X.PC) suite to manage its global supply chain and order fulfillment operations.
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