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.

Michael Droske, a skilled educator in developing leaders and managers in both “blue collar” and “white collar” environments, leads the TZA Training Division.

“Michael and his team have developed a high level of technical expertise in a wide range of distribution issues, coupled with the ability to explain technical topics at almost any level of detail. Their unique combination of skills is an essential element as we launch this new venture,” said Evan Danner, TZA’s President.

More information about TZA’s new training programs and consulting offerings are available at the TZA website.

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.
The PPI PayMover payment gateway integrates with ASC’s warehouse management suite, ASC Trac V6, a modular software solution that supports functions in warehouse distribution, manufacturing and third-party operations. The integrated solution provides both POS and e-commerce functionality -enabling full credit card support for both card present and card not-present transactions as well as off-line debit card and batch settlement payments. The solution manages ACH transactions through a single clientless solution. Enhanced security functionality has also been added to the PPI PayMover for ASC Trac V6 solution. PPI PayMover is PCI compliant and ASC customers receive free consultation and fraud monitoring from PPI’s in-house Risk Management Team

The PPI PayMover integration provides a comprehensive solution allowing ASC to easily integrate real-time payment processing into its application. By optimizing its order processing through a single resource technology, merchant account services and extensive technical support strategy, ASC expects to streamline its operations and reduce its support costs. Addition expected benefits includes relief from the challenges and cost of maintaining, upgrading and troubleshooting an in-house transaction processing application.

ABOUT PAYMENT PROCESSING, INC.
Payment Processing, Inc. (www.paypros.com) is the industry leader for integrated payment solutions. PPI provides software developers with a full range of services for integrating electronic payments including gateway services, integration support, merchant support and services, and PABP/PCI security assistance. Additionally, PPI provides software developers with the ability to generate additional revenue while substantially reducing their support costs for integrated payments.
Today, PPI is the most successful company in the world focused on integrated payment processing, supporting over 600 software developers and more than 15,000 merchants with efficient, cost-effective payment solutions. In 2006, PPI anticipates processing over $3 billion in Visa® and MasterCard® payments.
ABOUT ASC, INC.
Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, ASC, Inc. (www.ascsoftware.com), develops and supports state of the art software and hardware solutions including warehouse management systems, manufacturing systems, route delivery systems and other custom wireless tracking applications for customers seeking supply chain solutions. Their customers include General Mills, Daimler-Chrysler, Ford, Dean Foods, Standard Register, Consumers Energy, and GlaxoSmithKline.
In 2005, ASC won a Microsoft Pinnacle Award for Innovation at the Microsoft Convergence show for their ASC Trac WMS software customer website.
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Commissioning Tags – during picking, the RedPrairie warehouse management solution, DLx® Warehouse, will commission the RFID tags that are required for each item on the order. DLx Warehouse will generate the EPC numbers for each case and pallet in the correct format and will relate them to a bar-coded license plate number, if necessary. These RFID-enabled labels will be applied to the appropriate cartons on the pallet. Similarly, an RFID-enabled pallet label will be generated.

Tag Aggregation – RedPrairie solutions aggregate case-level tag information for each case on a pallet and associate it with the pallet-level tag. This helps to reduce the amount of data that needs to be read at the reader portals. By reading the pallet tag and a definable number of case tags, the user can get a positive confirmation when moving pallets in the warehouse. This aggregation of tag list data is also passed in standard EPCIS format to the database that is shared with the retailer for data analysis. This analysis capability benefits both Unilever and the retailers.

Shipping Verification – At shipping, DLx Warehouse will physically read the tags that move through the reader portal at the shipping dock. The GLN (Global Location Number) will be assigned to the pallet depicting the pallet’s site location. This is the final step in capturing the tag list data and ensuring that the order was identified correctly.

“By replacing manually intensive data exchange tasks with automated processes, more time is available for analysis and value creation,” said Simon Ellis, Supply Chain Director at Unilever. “As RFID begins to proliferate, EPCIS will serve as the foundation for manufacturers like Unilever to gain valuable insight, predict needs and problems before they occur, and improve our business operations and responsiveness to each of our partners within the supply chain.”

Comments Tom Kozenski, RedPrairie Vice President, “Manufacturers and Retailers can share vast amounts of item data by accurately tracking RIFD tagged products. RedPrairie’s RFID capabilities help Unilever sift through the raw data and analyze store level promotional success within their EPCIS business analytics.”

Source: Red Prarie

Oracle Production Scheduling helps manufacturers to optimize process, semiconductor and discrete manufacturing shop floor operations through out-of-the-box integration with Oracle Discrete Manufacturing, Oracle Process Manufacturing, and Oracle Shop Floor Management. Customers can create highly detailed shop floor schedules that automatically detect floating bottlenecks, simulate corrective actions and measure shop floor performance improvements. This gives companies the ability to pre-empt supply chain disruptions and maximize shop-floor efficiency and throughput while minimizing cost.

Oracle Production Scheduling and Oracle Strategic Network Optimization can be leveraged as part of the Oracle E-Business Suite or as a stand-alone product.

Source: Oracle 27-NOV-2006

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.

To begin the selection process the SMB first needs to understand what the PLM system should accomplish for its organization. PLM can provide key functionality to streamline each phase of a product’s lifecycle, from product conception and design to manufacturing and support, while improving communication across both internal and external constituencies.

Case in Point

Fabric7 Systems, which designs and builds enterprise servers that integrate computer and networking technologies into a dynamic fabric of information technology resources for the core of the datacenter, implemented a PLM system to accelerate new product introduction, decrease product costs and reduce waste and rework.

Once a company determines that PLM software will address the challenges within its organization, the question then becomes which PLM software is best suited for the company. For Fabric7 Systems, the company needed a PLM system that would alleviate the challenges of its start-up environment of heavy workloads and limited resources. “We were a small team wearing many different hats,” stated Wayne Firsty, vice president, Manufacturing Operations for Fabric7. “Putting a discipline in place to establish a single point of data for engineering releases and product builds across our internal and external sites was a crucial process.”

Typically, since the SMB operates with a smaller cash flow, develops fewer products, and has a smaller customer and supplier base as compared to a large enterprise, the PLM system needs to be tailored for these distinct requirements. The increasing emphasis on outsourcing has dramatically changed the operational landscape of the SMB and must be a key consideration when choosing the correct PLM system. The SMB must select a solution that allows secure yet easy access to product data for its outsourcing partners. For Fabric7 Systems, a method to relieve the communication obstacle with its manufacturing partner was imperative. Since Fabric7 outsources its manufacturing to a contract manufacturer (CM) the company needed to ensure the CM no longer received inaccurate bills of materials (BOMs) and outdated product data that resulted in lengthy new product turnaround time.

Too often the SMB will select a PLM system that includes broad functionality but fails to drill down into the daily challenges of engineers and developers, and also embrace the need to share product data outside the SMB’s four walls. Fabric7 Systems knew this challenge all too well, which is why the company sought out and purchased a solution that would allow its engineers and developers to manage product data in a single, secure location and could be easily accessed by multiple sites within Fabric7 and with external vendors and partners, particularly their CM. “The ability to manage our detailed BOMs, all engineering changes and vault documents in a single repository was a necessity,” said Firsty.

PLM solutions designed for the large enterprise often overlook the need to automate tasks and address challenges that the SMB faces early in the development/design process, such as with new part requests and design component selection. The PLM solution should also provide an environment that understands the dynamics of the prototyping phase. For the smaller business looking to improve products, the process must begin with the engineers who face issues with data management, obtaining the best design elements and easily accessing essential product data to ensure specifications are met. In order to manage complex hardware design and to share reliable information with its manufacturing partners, Fabric7 Systems selected a PLM product that could manage all of its BOMs, engineering changes and documentation, as well as offer secure access for its internal and external teams. “We now have an environment to capture engineering changes in a disciplined manner and ensure our CM has access to clean documentation,” stated Firsty.

Another key factor to consider in today’s compliance-driven market is the ability of the PLM solution to inherently support evolving regulatory compliance and quality standards. Compliance with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) mandate has become a major concern for all manufacturers shipping products into restricted regions. The impact is more profound on smaller manufacturers, who generally do not have the same amount of resources to dedicate to sourcing all of the required compliance data, and whose product costs will have a greater impact due to the volume and margins on which the SMB operates. Small companies need to rely on a PLM solution that can store complete part classification information and vendor-supplied documentation, provide full product analysis features, and allow users to easily extract the necessary data during audits.

A common misconception is that large PLM vendors with monolithic software systems are the only vendors that can address all product development needs. In reality, many of these large systems, which have been designed with large enterprises such as automobile manufacturers in mind, include functionality that is irrelevant to the development needs of a small organization. Further, the SMB, with its limited cash flow, is paying for functionality that will likely never apply to its product design process. “In our search for a PLM solution, we found that many offerings were too complex for the quick implementation and training required by a fast-paced company like Fabric7,” added Firsty.

SMBs should be equally attentive when considering an on-demand or hosted PLM solution. Although on-demand solutions are an appealing option due to the “instant on” capability and attractive price point, the SMB should consider the functionality, scalability and security issues associated with on-demand solutions. Fabric7 Systems researched on-demand PLM solutions and found that they presented security risks to which the company did not want to expose its sensitive intellectual property.

According to an AMR report “Midmarket Manufacturing Needs PLM” by Kevin O’Marah, only 8 percent of mid-market companies now have a PLM system from a large enterprise software vendor. What this means is that many smaller companies are beginning to look toward implementing PLM software designed for their market segment.

Many large PLM and ERP vendors are attempting to “scale down” their products to address the PLM needs of the SMB. Unfortunately, because these systems are typically built on legacy foundations, their heredity does not allow them to adapt easily to the evolving needs of the smaller organization. Moreover, these systems still require lengthy (and costly) implementation phases. For Fabric7 Systems, constraints on time and resources demanded a PLM system that was easy-to-use, quick to implement and required a short learning curve. As a result of limited IT staff, they sought a PLM solution built on the Microsoft SQL Server platform for easy and cost-effective maintenance. “We require that our I/S solutions are best of breed and integrate with SQL, which is less cumbersome and expensive than Oracle,” continued Firsty.

A flexible solution that can easily integrate with a small company’s existing environments is essential. Most large vendors cannot share data “out-of-the-box” with the engineering tools and/or business systems that are already in place. This capability typically requires an additional product or consulting purchase that increases the acquisition price for the SMB.

Implementation time and costs are critical factors for the SMB to consider when selecting a PLM system. SMBs cannot afford to reassign their valuable resources to long PLM implementation projects. Most software designed for the large enterprises have considerably lengthy implementation processes of more than six months. Alternatively, software designed for the SMB has a quicker implementation process and can have the company up and running within days or weeks, depending upon the vendor and level of integration with other systems. Quick training and implementation time allowed Fabric7 engineers to continue designing product with minimal interruption in their work. “We selected a very intuitive PLM system that is easy to use and learn — new users were up and running with less than 30 minutes of training,” continued Firsty.

SMBs often have a competitive advantage over their larger competitors when it comes to customer support and responsiveness. They can often react quicker to the evolving needs of their customers and target market, with intimate support and new or enhanced products. This should also be an important consideration for the SMB when choosing a PLM system. SMBs should consider such purchases to be a “partnership” with the vendor. For the SMB, a PLM system needs to be easy to use, have a low total cost of ownership (TCO) and be from a vendor who is dedicated to the success of that SMB.

Finally, companies frequently overlook the importance of employee buy-in when selecting a new PLM application. If it is necessary for employees to learn an encyclopedia of information before using the software there will be more pushback from staff, and improving the product development process will be a greater challenge. In order to see a quicker return on investment (ROI) employees need a user-friendly PLM tool that requires limited ramp-up-time. Within a smaller business employees are expected to take on multiple functions, so it is likely they will need to understand many aspects of the software. If a software is easy to learn and easy to use on a daily basis companies will see a greater and quicker transformation across the development process.

Selecting a PLM system can be a challenge if a company is not aware of the options available within the marketplace. But if an organization starts the process by understanding what the technology should address, and further understand the needs of its unique business and market segment, it can select a PLM tool that will allow the organization to develop products more efficiently. “Due to the efficient processes put in place via our PLM solution, Fabric7 has been able to develop and deliver more products in a timely fashion and grow sales without having to make any additions to personnel in either the hardware development or manufacturing operations functions,” concluded Firsty

About the Author: Chuck Cimalore, chief technology officer, Omnify Software, is an expert in business-ready PLM solutions and has helped original equipment manufacturers streamline development cycles, accelerate product innovation and improve bottom-line profitability. Cimalore can be reached at 978-988-3800 or ccimalore@omnifysoft.com.

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.

This year the magazine focused the criteria for its “100″ feature on innovation. Based on the submissions for the “100″ from end users and technology companies themselves, our judging committee looked for solutions across 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. The result is a comprehensive listing of leading providers of supply chain services and technologies who are at the forefront of innovation.

The solution providers that follow are listed in alphabetical order, and this article provides a brief description of why each enabler was included in this year’s “100″ listing. We suggest scanning through the article and noting those solution providers that enable those segments of the supply chain (Sourcing, Logistics, etc.) that are current priorities at your enterprise, as well as consulting the additional online resources available at SDCExec.com — including the Interactive Global Supply & Demand Chain Map, the Global Enabled Supply & Demand Chain Directory and our Best Practices Forum — in order to assemble a list of appropriate solution providers who can assist you. In this way, the “100″ listing can provide a vital first step on your supply chain enablement journey. Bon voyage!

Common abbreviations: PLM — Product Lifecycle Management; CRM — Customer Relationship Management; ERP — Enterprise Resource Planning.

4flow AG (Berlin, Germany; Enables: Sourcing, Fulfillment/Logistics, Decision Support/Consulting). First integrated, standard software for supply chain design. Web-based planning engine allows users in different countries to work collaboratively on planning projects.

Aankhen Inc. (San Jose, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management; Procurement; Sourcing; Decision Support/Consulting; Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP; Payment; Fulfillment/Logistics; PLM). Solution automates the in-context computation of “should be cost,” allowing enterprises to manage what should be the spend and reducing financial leakage and uncertainty.

ACQUIREX (Long Beach, Calif.; Enables: Procurement; Payment). Web service integration technology allows customers to integrate electronic purchasing to existing technology infrastructure and MRP/ERP solutions; smaller companies gain benefits of e-procurement without the upfront professional service fees.

Adonix (Pittsburgh, Pa.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, CRM, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP). Revamped X3 app enables companies to extend ERP information infrastructure to accommodate key business partners as if they were internal users.

ADR North America LLC (Ann Arbor, Mich.; Enables: Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Payment, PLM, Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics, Sourcing, Order/Demand Management). Creating practical, sustainable solutions that clients use to achieve cost savings and competitive advantage through their purchasing and supply chain operations.

Agistix (Redwood City, Calif.; Enables: Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics). First carrier-neutral heavy freight shipping solution to automate freight shipment processing and provide visibility into global freight shipments.

AIM Computer Solutions Inc. (Fraser, Mich.; Enables: Procurement, Order/Demand Management, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting, CRM, PLM, Fulfillment/Logistics). First to integrate billing, shipping, ASN transmission and release accounting with AIAG labels.

Arena Solutions (Foster City, Calif.; Enables: PLM). First to bring the benefits of on-demand – faster deployment and more cost-effective solutions – to PLM market. Customer Strida Bicycles implemented the Arena solution in two days and doubled its business within one year.

ARGO Tracker (Tucson, Ariz.; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics). Combining GPS and wireless communication technologies with add-on sensor capabilities to enable real-time asset tracking and visibility of goods in transit throughout the supply chain, resulting in reduced costs due to damage, vandalism and spoilage.

Ariba (Sunnyvale, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Procurement, Sourcing, Fulfillment/Logistics, Payment, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting). Leader in solutions transforming procurement. Provides technology, services and expertise on a single, integrated platform.

Avendra LLC (Rockville, Md.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Procurement, Sourcing, Decision Support/Consulting). Formed to deliver leveraged procurement to the hospitality industry, determining specifications and ordering economically.

Avnet Logistics (Phoenix, Ariz.; Enables: Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting, Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics). Provides specialized supply chain and logistics services in the global electronic components industry.

Axway (Paris, France, and Scottsdale, Ariz.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP). Partnered with McKesson Corp. to develop an electronic pedigree solution allowing customers to meet regulatory mandates.

Baxter Planning Systems (Austin, Texas; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics, PLM, Decision Support/Consulting). Integrated inventory planning software collects data from various consumption points and makes strategic recommendations, freeing users from manual data and transaction entry and providing visibility.

BigMachines, Inc. (Deerfield, Ill.; Enables: Sourcing, CRM). Leader in transforming the demand chain by enabling manufacturers to leverage on-demand Web technology to automate their entire customer facing processes.

Business Objects (San Jose, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, Procurement, Decision Support). Business intelligence solutions provide built-in functionality particular to supply chain processes such as procurement, logistics or manufacturing, streamlining information flow across the organization and the supply chain.

CGI Group Inc. (Montreal, Canada; Enables: Sourcing, Procurement, Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Payment). Solutions designed to improve the procure-to-pay process. Have been used for statewide spend management in Delaware and Oregon, curbing off-contract purchasing and ensuring correct pricing for on-contract purchases.

Chainalytics (Atlanta, Ga.; Enables: Decision Support/Consulting, Fulfillment/Logistics). Pioneered a statistical model-based benchmark of transportation rates and the impact of operational policies on those rates.

Choice Logistics (New York, NY; Enables: Sourcing, Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, Procurement, PLM). Helps such companies as EMC, HDS and Avaya manage their inventory assets, facilitating on-time operations and improved performance.

Click Commerce (Chicago, Ill.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Sourcing, Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics, Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, PLM, CRM). Among the first to identify benefits of offering software-as-a-service in the supply chain management space. Uses a service-oriented architecture to link return forecasting and planning solutions with dynamic decision-making capabilities.

CombineNet (Pittsburgh, Pa.; Enables: Sourcing, Procurement, Decision Support/Consulting). Optimization technology enables “Expressive Commerce”: buyers provide open-ended requests for proposals online; suppliers respond with pricing, alternate items, contract and payment terms, bundled bids and conditional offers based on factors like market share/volume.

Comergent Technologies (Redwood City, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, CRM). eBusiness System provides support for inbound channel and addresses flexibility in the presentation of information across various user roles; offers an industry model for order capture processes, order routing, tracking and fulfillment.

Corporate United (Cleveland, Ohio; Enables: Sourcing, Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics). This group buying organization requires all members to participate in commodity committees to hammer out effective national contracts that save millions of dollars for participants.

Cube Route Inc. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics). On-demand logistics management solutions for last-mile logistics — ideal for companies that want to improve service and achieve real-time visibility into delivery operations.

D.W. Morgan Co. (Pleasanton, Calif.; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics, Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP). Blends logistics and supply chain solutions to free customers to focus on strategic goals. Works with clients to position their supply chains globally and competitively.

Demand Management Inc. (St. Louis, Mo.; Enables: Decision Support/Consulting, Procurement, Sourcing, Order/Demand Management). DS Collaborate creates a synchronized collaboration network for planning complex multiple promotions. Service Level Optimizer offers alternative way to determine safety stocks by measuring demand, not forecast error.

DSSI LLC (Southfield, Mich.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, Procurement, Sourcing, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting, Payment). Leader in purchasing business process outsourcing (BPO) space, developing a Web-based e-procurement infrastructure that links the client, DSSI and suppliers together for integrated procurement.

E2open (Redwood City, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Procurement, Sourcing, Fulfillment/Logistics, Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, PLM, CRM, Payment). On-demand software to address critical supply chain processes such as inventory management, forecast collaboration, order management.

EC Sourcing Group Inc. (Morristown, N.J.; Enables: Sourcing). First enabler to have eight different question formats within its request for information (RFI) module, and also the first provider to have request for proposal (RFP) variable labels technology, allowing all spend categories to be sourced within its e-sourcing software.

Edge Dynamics (Redwood City, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management). Pioneer in channel commerce management solutions for the life sciences industry, allowing manufacturers to more effectively manage and enforce inventory management agreements (IMAs) and ensure inventory availability at the right place and time to prevent stockouts.

Emptoris (Burlington, Mass.; Enables: Procurement, Sourcing, Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, CRM). First vendor to offer a single suite and support across the entire supply management process. First turnkey solution integrating source-to-contract processes to SAP’s Materials Management Procurement solution.

Enigma Inc. (Burlington, Mass.; Enables: Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP). 3C Platform is the first fully integrated enterprise support chain management solution that has the ability to seamlessly link OEMs, operators and maintenance, repair and overhaul organizations (MROs), and high-tech industries through the Web, offline media (CD-ROM/DVD) and wireless.

Enporion Inc. (Tampa, Fla.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Procurement, Sourcing, CRM, Payment, Fulfillment/Logistics, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting). Supply chain management technology tools and services for electric and gas energy companies. Enhancing its customers’ competitive advantage in the marketplace and driving significant savings throughout their supply chains, winning a highly enthusiastic client base.

Epicor Software Corp. (Irvine, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, Sourcing, Procurement, Payment, CRM, PLM, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting). Portal solution is satisfying need for collaboration among consumers, suppliers, partners and employees, while delivering better management of distributed information.

Eqos (Burlington, Mass.; Enables: Sourcing). Offers companies and users working on complex sourcing projects a Web-based collaboration platform and “rapid application development” (RAD) environment that is configurable and flexible to change as processes change and as business grows.

FORTE (Mason, Ohio; Enables: Decision Support/Consulting). Distribution consultant and system integrator offering single-source design/build methodology. Software has developed into a Distribution Intelligence System that organizes, accesses and manipulates distribution performance information for current and future-state performance analysis.

Global eProcure (Clark, NJ; Enablex: Sourcing, Procurement). Pioneered the bid optimization feature in the reverse auction tool, allowing clients to view different savings scenarios before making their final award decision. Helping lead “insourcing” trend, enabling clients to supplement existing procurement resources with external personnel and resources to match procurement needs over time.

GXS (Gaithersburg, Md.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, PLM, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Payment). Providing low-cost, easy-to-use solutions that bring B2B e-commerce to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

Hand Held Products Inc. (Skaneateles Falls, NY; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Payment, CRM). Offers data collection technology capable of reading any bar code, including damaged and poorly printed labels, plus capture digital images and signatures — all with one solution.

Hewlett-Packard (Palo Alto, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Procurement, Sourcing, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Fulfillment/Logistics). Currently has a customer-driven supply chain model consisting of just five supply chains, each providing unique capabilities to meet different customer needs. This “portfolio of supply chains” strategy serves as a model for other companies looking to streamline the supply chain.

HighJump Software, a 3M Co. (Eden Prairie, Minn.; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics). With a belief that no two supply chains are alike, HighJump develops and provides configurable supply chain execution solutions. Ensures all applications are integrated to support the real-time flow of information between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and transporters.

Iasta.com Inc. (Carmel, Ind.; Enables: Sourcing, Procurement, Decision Support/Consulting). Iasta brings what it calls “Fortune 500″ sourcing technology to any size company at affordable prices. Building on self-service decision optimization tools.

IBX (Stockholm, Sweden; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Sourcing, Procurement, Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Payment, Fulfillment/Logistics). In addition to its “green-yellow-red” methodology of designating suppliers, IBX focuses on making customers self-sufficient as soon as possible.

ILOG (Mountain View, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting). CPLEX and PowerOps Suite integrate manufacturing’s planning and scheduling functions, synchronizing planning departments and the plant floor.

I-many Inc. (Edison, NJ; Enables: Decision Support/Consulting, Procurement, Sourcing). Contract management solutions employ a centralized repository of contracts with terms and conditions that is accessible to all supply chain participants. Visibility and control of contractual commitments help ensure regulatory, obligation and transaction compliance.

Indus International Inc. (Atlanta, Ga.; Enables: Sourcing, Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, CRM, Payment). Drove evolution from computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to enterprise asset management (EAM) solutions, expanding asset management to suppliers, service personnel and other outside partners.

Inovis (Alpharetta, Ga.; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP). Business activity monitoring technologies enable companies to optimize collaboration with their worldwide trading communities, gain control and visibility of B2B transactions.

INSIGHT Inc. (Manassas, Va.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Sourcing, Fulfillment/Logistics, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting). First software for strategic supply chain design with a built-in set of options that uncover vulnerabilities and suggest designs and provide the relative costs of various strategies.

Integrated Warehousing Solutions (Downers Grove, Ill.; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics). Encouraging companies to continue through the last mile of supply chain operations by advancing best practices and connecting production to the customer through the warehouse, creating demand-driven operations.

Intuit Inc. (Mountain View, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, Payment). Uses customer data to develop business solutions that address specific industry needs. QuickBooks Enterprise aimed at growing businesses within the manufacturing industry seeking a new choice for production automation.

IQNavigator (Denver, Colo.; Enables: Procurement). Offers a configurable platform, giving users the versatility to handle the unique needs of various purchased services categories. As a software-as-a-service solution, IQNavigator can respond to individual user requests for changes or additions to the platform and then make those available to all customers without charge.

JPMorgan Chase (Dulles, Va.; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics). With the acquisition of Vastera, JPMorgan Chase has become the first financial institution to sell solutions that simultaneously address both physical and financial events on one supply chain.

Ketera Technologies Inc. (Santa Clara, Calif.; Enables: Sourcing, Procurement, Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP). Leader in the on-demand movement, offering spend management applications and promoting software-as-a-service trend in its offerings.

Kewill (Marlborough, Mass.; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics). Innovator in transportation management, international trade logistics and visibility solutions for global trading communities. First to deliver the NCAP module in the U.S. to importers and customs brokers, allowing them to participate in the C-PAT security measures.

Kinaxis Inc. (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, PLM, Decision Support/Consulting). Leading market niche for response management, giving users tools to meet the challenges of unplanned and unexpected demand changes. On-demand service simplifies adoption.

LeanLogistics (Holland, Mich.; Enables: Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, CRM, Payment, Decision Support/Consulting, Fulfillment/Logistics, Procurement, Sourcing). Among first to offer a transportation management system solution in an on-demand environment. Its solution, combined with a long-term program of continuous improvement, offers a holistic strategy for reducing freight bill and transportation operations costs.

Logility Inc. (Atlanta, Ga.; Enables: PLM, Fulfillment/Logistics, Sourcing, Order/Demand Management). Built performance management capabilities into its solutions that allow companies to manage supply chain processes on an exception basis.

Management Dynamics Inc. (East Rutherford, NJ; Enables: Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics). Synchronizes the flow of information among trading partners, manages trade regulatory compliance, minimizes border delays, streamlines logistics processes and reduces transportation costs throughout the entire supply chain, reducing risks and costs associated with global trade.

MCA Solutions (Philadelphia, Pa.; Enables: Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting, Fulfillment/Logistics, Order/Demand Management). Software allows planners to consider multiple what-if scenarios to evaluate the business impact of specified changes in the service supply network, helping transform the service supply chain into a driver of competitive advantage.

Model N (South San Francisco, Calif.; Enables: Decision Support/Consulting, CRM, Order/Demand Management). Integrates the key pricing and revenue relationships that link suppliers, channels and end customers, providing visibility to customer and contract commitments. Solutions help mitigate revenue exposure and regulatory compliance risk while enabling competitiveness.

Nextance Inc. (Redwood City, Calif.; Enables: Procurement). Contract performance management technology provider Nextance is the only industry player with fully XML-based solutions. Targets smaller companies’ supply chains with its Contract Insight with QuickStart Deployment.

Optiant (Burlington, Mass.; Enables: Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP). Solutions allow customers to create models that show real-world uncertainty, helping them create dynamic supply chains that can respond and adjust.

Plexus Systems LLC (Auburn Hills, Mich.; Enables: Decision Support/Consulting, CRM, Payment, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, Procurement). Manufacturing performance system that integrates and streamlines the manufacturing process.

PowerTrack (Minneapolis, Minn.; Enables: Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Payment, CRM, Decision Support/Consulting). Web-based electronic payment network creates links between physical supply chain events and back-end financial processes.

PrimeRevenue Inc. (Atlanta, Ga.; Enables: Procurement, Decision Support/Consulting, Payment). Supply chain finance solution applies supply chain management principles from product and information flows to financial flows and allows real-time monitoring and tracking of accounts payables transactions and cash flows.

Procuri (Atlanta, Ga.; Enables: Sourcing, Procurement, Decision Support/Consulting). Helped pioneer the on-demand delivery model for supply management and offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive solutions for managing supply management processes.

Prorizon Corp. (Kennesaw, Ga.; Enables: Procurement). Pioneered the Procurement Service Provider, or Managed Procurement Services, trend. Working to create one process for managing client order fulfillment by providing business process optimization consisting of middleware and resources to manage global daily transactional processes.

PurchasingNet Inc. (Redbank, NJ; Enables: Procurement, Sourcing, Payment). Credited with the first PC-, LAN- and Web-based purchasing systems, delivering first solution in 1983. Latest generation procure-to-pay solution is recognized as a leading solution and a value-conscious choice in the marketplace.

QAD (Summerland, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Procurement, Sourcing, Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Fulfillment/Logistics, Payment, PLM, CRM). Envisions the future of manufacturing as a perfect lean market where the right information in the right place at the right time enables the supply chain to respond seamlessly to change.

Quadrem (Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Enables: Procurement, Sourcing, Order/Demand Management, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Payment, Decision Support/Consulting). Delivering value to buyers and suppliers by marrying procure-to-pay functionality with new value drivers that speed the payment process, deliver payment visibility and improve working capital management.

Real Time Freight Services LLC (Chicago, Ill.; Enables: Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics, Sourcing, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP). Web-based solution that allows carriers and shippers to exchange information both within and across companies in real time.

Remstar (Westbrook, Maine; Enables: Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting, Fulfillment/Logistics). Solutions to split case picking applications have decreased London Drugs’ picking labor by 50 percent while keeping efficiency at 100 percent.

Sage Software Inc. (Irvine, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, Procurement, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, CRM, Decision Support/Consulting). Innovative services designed to meet specific accounting and business management needs in selected industries.

SAS (Cary, NC; Enables: Sourcing, Order/Demand Management, Procurement, Decision Support/Consulting, CRM, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP). Helping customers see their supply chain as a strategic business issue. Remodeled its supply chain software to incorporate a modular SRM solution that allows companies to customize the way they manage supplier relationships.

SeeControl Inc. (San Mateo, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, PLM, Fulfillment/Logistics). Providing on-demand visibility and control over inventories of parts, maintenance supplies and consumables around the world.

Selectica Inc. (San Jose, Calif.; Enables: Procurement). Recognized leader in sales configuration technology. Plans to advance supply chain transformation by creating a more unified contracts management environment for buy- and sell-side users.

Servigistics (Atlanta, Ga.; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics, Order/Demand Management). Helping advance supply chain transformation with its service parts management solution, enabling companies to achieve their revenue, profitability and customer service level goals. Solution includes the optimization of service parts prices.

Silvon Software Inc. (Westmont, Ill.; Enables: Decision Support/Consulting). Enterprise performance management (EPM) applications enable users to continually assess customer demand and the drivers behind it and plan, monitor and manage performance.

SLIM Technologies (Boston, Mass.; Enables: Decision Support/Consulting). Innovative solution approach that used Systems Dynamics Modeling together with Mixed-Integer Programming to allow inventory deployment decisions to be embedded in network optimization models.

Smart Software Inc. (Belmont, Mass.; Enables: Order/Demand Management). Invented a unique method to forecast hard-to-forecast items with “intermittent” demand.

SmartOps (Pittsburgh, Pa.; Enables: Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Fulfillment/Logistics, Order/Demand Management). Technology lets users employ systematic, scientific approaches to manage and account for the inherent uncertainty of supply chains in planning and execution.

Source One Management Services LLC (Willow Grove, Pa.; Enables: Sourcing, Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics). Online procurement tool has a dashboard that can be used by buyers to manage multiple requests for proposals and view history of all RFPs and bids placed, especially important for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.

SPS Commerce (Minneapolis, Minn.; Enables: Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP). Offers EDI as software-as-a-service (SaaS) with low cost of ownership, enabling small and midsize suppliers to comply with retailers’ EDI requirements.

Staples Contract Division (Framingham, Mass.; Enables: Procurement). e-Procurement innovator that has helped its customers understand and achieve lowest total delivered cost.

Stellent Inc. (Eden Prairie, Minn.; Enables: PLM, Payment). Content management solutions help manufacturers streamline core business processes that tie into the supply chain. Customers now collaborate on engineering specifications with international partners via secure extranets.

Supply Chain Consultants (Wilmington, Del.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Decision Support/Consulting, Fulfillment/Logistics). Provides supply chain planning software and consulting services that help manufacturers optimize the supply chain. SCC’s Zemeter software provides collaborative planning, demand management, inventory management, supply planning and finite scheduling.

Supply Chain Solutions Inc. (Grand Rapids, Mich.; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics). Has enhanced inventory visibility and replenishment with exception-based alerts to perfect inventory control, enabling the management of complex inbound material flow and outbound distribution.

SYSPRO (Costa Mesa, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Procurement, Sourcing, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting, CRM, PLM, Fulfillment/Logistics, Payment). Pushing the boundaries of technology to extend core ERP product and enable smaller to midsize manufacturers and distributors to successfully compete with larger establishments in their respective markets.

Technical Services Associates Inc./Puridiom (Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Enables: Payment, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, PLM, Decision Support/Consulting, Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics, Sourcing, Order/Demand Management). First procurement application available for the PC and Windows. Led push to integrate suppliers via EDI and later by cXML. Has promoted the use of blanket agreements to enable self-service procurement strategies.

Teradata, a division of NCR (Dayton, Ohio; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics, Decision Support/Consulting, PLM, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Payment, CRM). Solution provides visibility, accurate monitoring, analysis and proactive alerting across entire supply and distribution chain while decreasing costs.

Terra Technology (Norwalk, Conn.; Enables: Order/Demand Management). Introduced Real-Time Forecasting (RTF) solution in 2003 and Real-Time Inventory (RTI) in 2006, helping clients decrease forecast error by 50+ percent and cut safety stock by 20+ percent.

The Mpower Group (Oak Brook, Ill.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, Procurement, Sourcing, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, PLM, CRM, Payment, Decision Support/Consulting). Focused on change management and transfer of skill and knowledge. Working with companies on an advanced Supply Chain/Sourcing Maturity Model, changing sourcing groups to Value-creating Organizations.

TradeBeam (San Mateo, Calif.; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics, Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Payment). On-demand, end-to-end global trade management suite addresses such thorny challenges as supply chain visibility, global logistics and import and export compliance.

TradeStone Software (Gloucester, Mass.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, Procurement, Sourcing, Payment, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, PLM). Pioneered Unified Buying approach, helping companies streamline international and domestic supply chains, source opportunistically and globally and make more intelligent purchasing decisions.

Transplace (Plano, Texas; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics). Believes capacity will be the key issue plaguing the logistics industry for years to come, and says ideal solution is collaboration, which can be achieved through on-demand solutions.

TrenStar Inc. (Denver, Colo.; Enables: Sourcing, Fulfillment/Logistics, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting). Mobile asset management pioneer that tracks millions of assets daily. Its pay-per-use model supports the pooling of common containers and other mobile assets.

Verian Technologies (Charlotte, NC; Enables: Sourcing, Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics, Payment, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP). Meeting mid-market requirements for robust e-procurement functionality, capturing and managing 100 percent of non-payroll spending.

VeriSign Inc. (Mountain View, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting). Helping the consumer goods, retail and pharmaceutical industries access and manage data that translate into real-time visibility of product location, supply and demand by enabling information exchange and collaboration among global supply chain participants.

Verticalnet Inc. (Malvern, Pa.; Enables: Decision Support/Consulting, Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics, Sourcing). Verticalnet’s greatest innovation over the past year has been the push to put into operation it’s “on-demand” service.

Vinimaya (Shelton, Conn.; Enables: Procurement). First software-based solution for enabling suppliers on e-procurement solutions much faster and less expensively than traditional methods.

Vision Chain (Washington, DC; Enables: Order/Demand Management). Supply chain managers at consumer product companies use Vision Chain for a single location to feed daily point-of-sale (POS) data into demand forecasting apps, tie purchase orders to retailer trade deductions, combine RFID read events with demand data and monitor inventory from point of shipment through the warehouse to the retail store.

Vitria Technology (Sunnyvale, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting, Fulfillment/Logistics, CRM). Solutions provide real-time visibility of inbound/outbound orders. Helps actuals vs. historical trends comparison by the hour, enabling companies to react to problems that could result in loss of business.

Vue Technology (Lake Forest, Calif.; Enables: Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP). Offers scalable, item-level RFID solutions for retailers and their supply chain partners. Enables a small number of RFID readers to network across thousands of antennas, increasing the number of zones a typical reader can support and eliminating many cost barriers associated with item-level RFID rollouts.

WhereNet Corp. (Santa Clara, Calif.; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP). Through its active RFID Real-Time Locating System technology, WhereNet has connected mobile assets with the people and information systems charged with managing those assets on a minute-by-minute basis.

Xign Corp. (Pleasanton, Calif.; Enables: Payment). Automates the financial flows between buyers and suppliers on the back end of the supply chain. Xign’s electronic settlement network manages working capital, helping buyers tap early payment discounts to reduce corporate spend while suppliers accelerate collections and reduce their days sales outstanding.

2006 SDCExec “Companies to Watch”

This year’s “100″ feature includes a supplemental list of “Companies to Watch” that includes solution providers implementing innovative projects to help their customers achieve new levels of supply chain performance. Among the many entries submitted for this year’s “100″ list, the “Companies to Watch” stood out for their ground-breaking work within their particular segments of the supply chain.

Acquirex (Long Beach, Calif.; Enables: Procurement, Payment) Developed innovative web service integration technology that allows customers to tightly integrate electronic purchasing to their existing technology infrastructure and MRP/ERP solutions

CDC Software (Atlanta, Ga.; Enables: Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Customer Relationship Management) Case study for Wise Foods shows the company reduced inventory while maintaining a 99.6 percent service-to-sales level;, cut labor costs by predicting needs more than 24 hours in advance, saving $600,000 annually; and decreased changeovers by 35 percent across packaging and processing lines.

EntComm Inc. (Los Angeles, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Sourcing, Procurement; Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP Customers save over 4.5 percent of their supply chain costs within the first year by automating procurement, planning data and invoicing with over 90 percent of supplier base.

eWork Inc. San Francisco, Calif.; Enables: Procurement, Sourcing, Decision Support/Consulting) Provides vendor-neutral business process outsourcing strategies and solutions for the contracted workforce. Also integrates enterprise-class apps, outsourced managed services, and a consultant supplier network.

Global4PL SCM Consulting and Software (San Ramon, Calif.; Enables: Sourcing, Procurement, Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Fulfillment/Logistics, Payment) Global4PL is a consulting company and technology broker that helps small to large sized companies that do not have the time or the experience to negotiate confidently with their vendors.

Infravio (Cupertino, Calif.; Enable: Product Lifecycle Management, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP) The creator of Service Delivery Contracts for enabling customization of Web Service/SOA style integrations. Users attribute it to a 95 percent reduction in the cost of integration and a 20-time improvement in integration speed.

InStream Financial (Huntington Woods, Mich.; Payment) Company’s product developed to integrate with B2B networks as Web-based financing solution. Requires no contractual commitment from buyers, leverages many lenders to fund its transactions and purchases supplier receivables.

Intervolve Inc. (Raleigh, NC; Enables: Customer Relationship Management) Intervolve pioneered providing on demand supply chain software using web and mobile technologies for the beverage and overall consumer goods markets.

Liaison Technologies (Alpharetta, Ga.; Enables: Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP) Liaison Technologies’ offerings are delivered as managed services and are causing manufacturers to revaluate the competitive advantages that on-demand and managed services can bring to global businesses.

MFG.com Inc. (Atlanta, Ga.; Enables: Procurement, Sourcing) MFG.com is an online marketplace serving the manufacturing community with a focus on customer experience to help companies compete in a commoditized market with thin margins and tough competition.

National Logistics Management (NLM) (Detroit, Mich.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Procurement, Sourcing, Fulfillment/Logistics, Payment, Customer Relationship Management, Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP) NLM determines optimal shipping modes and coordinates shipments based on best price and quality. Its techniques have transformed how manufacturers order urgent shipments of components, resulting in reduced costs and improved quality of service.

Nulogy Corporation (Toronto, Canada; Enables: Decision Support/Consulting, Product Lifecycle Management, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Order/Demand Management, Sourcing, Fulfillment/Logistics) Nulogy has developed a platform of operational intelligence software tools that enables supply chain managers to make decisions more intelligently, more quickly, and with more focus.

One Network Enterprises (Dallas, Texas; Enables: Fulfillment/Logistics, Sourcing, Procurement, Order/Demand Management, Decision Support/Consulting, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Customer Relationship Management, Payment) One Network Enterprises pioneered real-time Web-based appointment scheduling.

OnVantage Inc. (Santa Clara, Calif.; Enables: Procurement) MeetingView is about to launch the first real-time electronic marketplace for purchasing meeting rooms and associated groups of sleeping rooms that includes real-time “best practice” guidelines, enabling users to make sourcing decisions.

Precision Industries Inc. (Omaha, NE; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Fulfillment/Logistics, Procurement, Sourcing, Payment, Customer Relationship Management,; Decision Support/Consulting) Company’s collaborative approach to expanding traditional supply chain models includes service parts management and a centralized storeroom offering.

Technology Group International (Ohio; Enables: Decision Support/Consulting, Product Lifecycle Management, Customer Relationship Management, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Order/Demand Management, Sourcing, Fulfillment/Logistics, Procurement) Provides enterprise software solutions for small to medium size companies with such features as user-specific dashboards, MapPoint, VOIP and increased functionality to allow users to remain fully compliant for the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 and 21 CFR Part 11 rulings.

Transzap Inc. (Denver, Colo.; Enables: Decision Support/Consulting, Payment, Sourcing) SpendWorks, by Transzap, is an e-payables service that simplifies the tasks involved in procuring and paying for goods and services. Transzap innovatively addresses three key issues: accessibility, mobility and simplicity.

2006 SDCExec Vertically Focused Solution Providers to Watch

This year’s “100″ feature includes a supplemental list of “Vertically Focused Solution Providers to Watch” that includes enablers implementing innovative projects to help their customers in specific industry segments achieve new levels of supply chain performance. These companies stood out for their pioneering approach to supply chain challenges in their target industries, but they are worth a look for supply chain executives in any sector.

Deacom Inc. (Wayne, Pa.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Fulfillment/Logistics, Product Lifecycle Management) DEACOM ERP software remains the only business software system for building component, prefabricated housing, process and mixed-mode manufacturers to integrate all functional areas of a manufacturer, thus providing a comprehensive view of the entire operation.

eSchoolMall (Horsham, Pa.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Sourcing, Procurement, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP, Decision Support/Consulting, Payment, Fulfillment/Logistics) eSchoolMall is a leading provider of online procurement software and services for K-12 Schools.

Instill Corporation (Redwood City, Calif.; Enables: Procurement) A pioneer of on-demand for the food service industry, Instill automates the collection, translation, and standardization of unit-level invoice data from distributors and presents the information in applications that identify contract price variances, order guide non-compliance, and opportunities for SKU rationalization that drive measurable reductions in food costs of 2 to 5 percent.

Provide Commerce Inc. (San Diego, Calif.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics, Payment, Supply Chain Integration & Infrastructure/ERP) Provide Commerce started Proflowers.com, using technology to eliminate warehouses and importers. The company continues to branch out into other high-quality perishable goods markets and plans to launch a new subsidiary every year.

Webb/Mason (Baltimore, Md.; Enables: Order/Demand Management, Procurement) Webb/Mason embraced the Internet providing customers with a non-traditional online print ordering solution that produces tangible and measurable results. In 1998, Webb/Mason developed Enterprise Print Management Online.

Is there a company you’d like to nominate for the 2007 Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100? e-Mail Andrew Reese: areese@sdcexec.com.
From Supply & Demand Chain Executive, June/July 2006

Yet the 65-year-old factory in the city of Szekesfehervar isn’t the dinosaur it appears to be. Those brutish Russian machines, long since retrofitted with computer controls and precision rollers, need just 15 minutes to reduce an ingot the size of a sofa to a roll of sheeting a few millimeters thick. In fact, Alcoa Inc. is so pleased with its Hungarian operations that it’s spending $83m to add more modern equipment to the plant and make more sophisticated products. “The investment projects show our long-term commitment,” says Bela Forgo, Alcoa’s country manager for Hungary.

Across Central Europe, U.S. companies are getting great mileage out of old factories they bought on the cheap. That these soot-stained giants are worth something may come as a surprise to anyone who has spent much time in the former Warsaw Pact region. The countryside is still littered with the carcasses of factories that didn’t survive the transition to market economics. But some were always more competitive than they looked.
Business Week

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.

Logistics infrastructure

Mexico’s logistics infrastructure has improved significantly over the last 10 years due to the privatization of maritime ports, railroads, airports and toll highways. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by global logistics companies has played a major role in these developments. Most of the world’s largest logistics companies already have significant assets and operations in Mexico. This competitive environment has served to reduce the costs of transporting goods.

Free trade agreements

Mexico has signed 12 free trade agreements with 42 countries over three continents. Well-known NAFTA covers the U.S. & Canada, while LAFTA covers Latin American countries, and FTA covers the European Union. These FTAs offer companies that source from and/or have operations in Mexico preferential access to 870 million consumers worldwide. Mexico has become one of the world’s primary trade hubs.

Global production and quality standards

Mexico’s increasing productivity, efficiency and quality standards have transformed the country into one of the world’s leading manufacturing nations. Manufacturing labor productivity has averaged 4.98% during the years 1987–2005. Productivity growth in 2005 was 4% according to Banco de Mexico.

Stable economic and political environment

Economic figures indicate a well established and sustainable economic program aimed at growth. Mexico offers a liberal government policy toward FDI, while macroeconomic policies provide a stable economic, social and political environment sought by investors worldwide. Mexico received over $18 billion in FDI in 2005, making it the number-one recipient of FDI in Latin America.

Skilled workforce

Mexico’s labor forces is young (60% under age 25), abundant, skilled and well educated (90% of the population is literate). The working population has consistently demonstrated that it can perform any job it has been asked to perform by foreign investors. The Mexican government is committed to satisfying industries specialized needs by structuring and funding training programs and working in close coordination with businesses.

Source: SupplyMex, Inc. an International Trade consultancy

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.

Amazingly even CIOs who have at times fought re-defining selling systems in favor of spending IT money and time on consolidating ERP systems, databases, or portals, are being driven to make selling systems a priority by CEOs, Sales VPs, and General Managers who all see margin being sacrificed due to pricing inaccuracies and disconnects on quotes. The combination of accurate pricing and quoting is emerging as a priority in 2006, and it’s because so many manufacturers realize that thousands if not millions of dollars are being left on the table due to pricing inaccuracies.

The First Step: Re-defining Quotes With Pricing in Mind
When sales are up and times are good, it’s easy to ignore the occasional pricing
mistake on a quote, or solve it through a quick phone call or even a follow-up visit.
When times get tough, pricing gets micromanaged because margin on every deal
needs to deliver in order for a manufacturer to stay profitable. In reality,
manufacturers experiencing rapid growth yet complacent enough to let pricing be
managed some of the time, checked for accuracy maybe once a month, and
rationalizing all this with “we’ll make it up on volume or that big OEM deal” doesn’t
cut it anymore.

Their competitors can sense this on deals where prospects share pricing data and
pounce when they find you, their competitor, maybe out of sync with the going price
by even 5% to 7%. Competitors are watching, your prospects and customers are
watching, and if you’re publicly held in the United States, even the SEC is watching
through Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. All of these factors and more are making
pricing the competitive weapon of choice in selling and also the most important but
least managed part of a quote.

The Second Step: Knowing a Good Deal When You Sell It
For those fortunate manufacturers that have growing businesses, there’s a tendency
to use rules of thumb, or what many call the assumption base of their companies to
make quick decisions on what price to put on quotes as well. This is different than
pricing accuracy, which is the point of the first step, as this step deals with analyzing
the mix of customized products, services, and margin to determine if the deal the
quote is meant to bring in will in fact be profitable or not. When it comes to this
point, manufacturers need to quit relying exclusively on the intuition of their sales
managers and executives and truly know if the deal they are trying to get through a
quote is truly profitable or not. Only by integrating quoting and pricing along with the
necessary tools to figure out margin can a manufacturer hope to charge prices that
will deliver the highest margin possible.

The Third Step: Unleashing Pricing on New Products
Manufacturers spoken with regarding the payoff of bringing pricing into quoting
remark that their biggest payoffs come from being able to quickly launch new
products and pricing together, even into their dealer and distributor channels. Once
the connection between pricing and quoting systems have been made, one truck
manufacturer has been able to both define custom configurations of its products and
pricing for each component within five weeks – a remarkable accomplishment when
one considers these trucks are highly specialized and have thousands of parts and
components. The lag time for one storage products vendor in pricing updates for
their quoting and online sales systems was solved through brute force on the part of
marketing directors spending all weekend long every three months loading up pricing
tables and ensuring they were loaded and working right.

New product introductions are very tough to align with pricing, especially in to-order
customized products sold through channels where each channel partner has a
different pricing table. Yet if you are looking for a reason to get your quoting systems
aligned with pricing, product strategies and turn them into a selling competitive
advantage, the next product introduction is reason enough to look for improving how
these systems work in your company. Quotes are literally just the beginning, and the
integration of pricing and product customization, when managed to a series of goals
is what helps to transform how companies are profitably selling today.

The Bottom Line: When sales drop off, many companies put their prices into freefall,
sacrificing millions in margins. When sales are up, margins aren’t looked at
closely and as a result, even greater opportunities for profits are lost. What’s needed
isn’t the start of a price war or premium pricing. What’s needed is the synchronizing
of quoting, pricing and product strategies, making selling the competitive strategy
and not just price.

About Louis Columbus: Former Senior Analyst at AMR Research and manager at Gateway
and Ingram Micro, Louis Columbus has published 15 technology books. Currently a manufacturing business consultant with Cincom Systems, Columbus is a weekly columnist for CRMBuyer.com and
Informit.com and gives graduate-level international business and marketing courses for Webster Loyola-Marymount University. He can be reached at lcolumbus@cincom.com.

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.

“The bottom line for the business community on the 2006 elections is this: We will continue to work with and support members of the new Congress from both sides of the aisle who favor pro-business legislation, and we remain optimistic about implementing our members’ agenda,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and former head of the American Trucking Associations.

The new biggest power broker is a 66-year-old new House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., whose much-publicized “first 100 hours” of action will be a flurry of activity. Those first 100 hours are said to include a proposed $1 an hour increase in the minimum wage, which could have a slight effect on low-level wages in the non-union trucking sector.

Transportation’s bipartisan nature
Lobbyists point to the bipartisan nature of transportation in hopes that wrangling will be kept to a minimum in the new Congress—at least as far as transport measures go.

“Roads are not Republican or Democratic,” said Randy Mullett, vice president of government relations for Con-way Inc., the $4.2 billion trucking and logistics company.

“Economic development is not a Republican or Democratic issue. There will be a different focus, to be sure. But is there going to be a huge sea change? Does the business committee need to get into fetal position? I doubt it. These are responsible people with some old hands taking charge that are very familiar with the importance of transportation.”

Ed Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads, agreed that transportation remains a bipartisan issue and addressing the enormous logistical challenges the nation faces will require a united and concerted effort by Congress, the Administration, industry, shippers, and employees.

Demand for freight transportation is forecasted to triple by 2020: This means more freight traffic on already crowded highways, ports, and railroads.

“If we don’t add capacity soon, we will be faced with overwhelming gridlock that has the potential to paralyze our national economy,” Hamberger warned.

This is a problem that faces Democrats and Republicans alike.

Meet the new boss(es)
Old Democratic hands are now in charge. These new hands include: Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., who takes over as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Lobbyists say the new chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is interested in water quality but has little zeal for increases in truck sizes and weights. His surface transportation subcommittee chairman is Rep. Nick Joe Rahall, D- W. Va., who is a strong supporter of trucking. And, perhaps the most important House members are those in charge of the nation’s pocketbooks. They include incoming House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., and Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, D-Wis.

New Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is said to also be strongly against triple-trailers and any liberalization in truck size and weights, which have been largely frozen on existing routes since 1991. And, labor should have a friendly ear in Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., new chairman of the Senate Health, Education, and Labor Committee.

Air cargo: changes ahead?
Perhaps the two most important legislators for transport interests are chairmen of the homeland security committees—Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. Another member, Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., may feel emboldened by his party’s ascension to renew calls for more physical inspections of air cargo. Insiders say that industry is one terrorist attack away from seeing fundamental changes that would forever change the sector.

Department of Homeland Security already has announced further layers to its “known shipper program” to allow tougher inspections. If Rep. Markey gets his way, all cargo would be screened physically. That would cause longer lead times for shippers that would change the expedited nature of the industry.

“The industry is swimming upstream on this,” one air cargo veteran said.