IMI included in IBM release.
Monday January 18, 1:00 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
IBM Unveils New Initiatives At Global Supply Chain Executive Conference
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 18, 1999--IBM today introduced new initiatives including a Supply Chain Services Practice and several new joint marketing programs at the company's Global Supply Chain Executive Conference. The four-day event brings together over 2,000 companies, suppliers and IBM Business Partners from around the world to share new ideas and learn about innovative solutions that will help them better compete in the 21st century.
The conference focuses primarily on growing businesses in the industrial and distribution industries. Highlights include leading speakers such as author Tom Peters and former Chancellor of Germany Helmut Schmidt, over 100 breakout sessions, and 200 product and services demonstrations. The event also adds to IBM's recently announced joint marketing activities, educational initiatives and industry outreach programs for supply chain management, which is a major element of IBM's e-business strategy to help companies compete in a global business environment.
''Supply chain management has become one of today's most important business objectives for growing companies,'' said Peter Rowley, IBM general manager, global small and medium business. ''Successful enterprises want to effectively coordinate the resources of their company with those of their trading partners to streamline operations, increase revenue, and enhance customer service. Our conference and the initiatives we announced reflect IBM's firm commitment to help our customers realize these goals.''
IBM's conference also underscores the company's ability to offer the most comprehensive range of supply chain programs providing companies of all sizes with educational programs, as well as needs analysis, system design, implementation, and post-implementation services. Below are the new programs announced today. Not all solutions are available in every country in which IBM does business.
Supply Chain Services Practice
IBM has created a new Supply Chain Services Practice to aid companies in reducing inventory, increasing delivery performance, and enhancing production capabilities. The practice -- which currently totals 80 consultants and is expected to double in the coming year -- complements the existing 7,000 consultants engaged in supply chain management-related activities worldwide. Offerings initially include consulting and rapid implementation services that utilize applications developed by i2, Manugistics, Synquest, IMI, Numetrix, and IBM software such as Lotus Notes and Domino.
In other enhancements to its consulting expertise, IBM has developed a Supply Chain Management Consulting Methodology. The methodology enables IBM experts to better help customers identify effective supply chain solutions by insuring the consistent and effective use of IBM's skills and resources worldwide. The methodology is supported by IBM's Supply Chain Management Transformation Toolkit which provides IBM Consultants with software tools, analytic techniques, and templates for quick implementation.
Supply Chain Logistics Solutions Group
IBM also announced its new Supply Chain Logistics Solutions Group which provides integrated logistics solutions to the retail, wholesale, and consumer products marketplace. The group delivers innovative and cost effective warehouse management solutions to the marketplace through its Warehouse Logistics Solution Services Offering. Services include warehouse operations consulting and analysis, application system design, workflow definitions, warehouse solution customization, facility design and engineering, plus implementing information technologies and material storage and handling equipment. These services help customers to lower the costs of carrying inventory, reduce costly order fulfillment errors, and increase customer service by combining the best technologies and operational processes.
The group is located in the U.S. and will work with IBM logistics specialists and IBM Supply Chain Management consultants worldwide.
Java-based Collaborative Solution Demonstrated
To help illustrate how supply chain partners can achieve greater responsiveness to changes such as resource constraints and opportunities, IBM is demonstrating its research project using Active Collaboration Framework. This Java-based demonstration shows technology allowing supply chain partners to easily share information across diverse ERP, APS, and Business Management Software (BMS) applications. IBM is demonstrating the framework as a collaborative tool for linking execution and decision making systems between trading partners.
New Solutions and Services Announced
Several new initiatives jointly announced by IBM and its Business Partners include the following:
Syncra Software -- Availability of QuickWin(a), a supply chain collaboration program that bundles Syncra Software's Syncra Ct software, an IBM Netfinity server, and consulting services. Syncra Ct, the first application that is fully compliant with new industry guidelines for effective collaborative business practices, functions between disparate planning systems and allows trading partners to share forecasting information. The QuickWin program is designed for an organization and up to five of its trading partners to cost-effectively pilot collaboration and measure potential savings in inventory reductions and sales increases associated with improved stocking positions in 100 days. Through QuickWin, IBM customers will better understand the benefits of collaboration, as well as prepare their enterprise and trading partners for future collaborative business practices.
Oracle -- Joint marketing of a complete enterprise application solution to mid-market discrete and process manufacturing firms. The solution includes Oracle Applications(a) for IBM RS/6000 and Netfinity servers, combined with IBM's SMOOTH Implementation Services that allows quick implementation of ERP systems in small and medium businesses. The offering is designed to help manufacturers meet key financial and production needs such as reduced cycle time and inventory investment. Packaged with the solution are Oracle financial modules such as general ledger, manufacturing modules including purchasing and order entry, and Lotus Domino and Domino Connector for Oracle Applications. The Domino products help create efficient internal and external collaboration insuring a seamless manufacturing process. IBM intends to provide performance warranties for the financial applications and for other modules as they become available.
Oracle -- In a joint marketing agreement with IBM, Oracle is making available its Oracle 8 Server(a) database for RS/6000 F and H server families. The agreement makes affordable the world class strengths of Oracle 8 and IBM's RS/6000 servers for smaller firms implementing supply chain systems.
Lilly and Acacia -- Availability of Lilly Software's(a) VISUAL Manufacturing™ and Acacia Technologies'(a) PRMS, KBM and Warehouse BOSS™ suite of supply chain management and ERP software applications optimized for IBM's AS/400e server. The application suites are offered preloaded and preconfigured on the AS/400e. This provides businesses with faster implementations because the solution is delivered with the software preloaded on the server.
Prophet 21, Inc.-- Availability of Prophet 21 Wholesale(a) for IBM's AS/400e server. Prophet 21 Wholesale is an enterprise solution for wholesalers and distributors that provides functions such as order and inventory management, purchasing, financials, and shipping and receiving. This solution, scheduled for release this spring, will deliver a 64-bit version of the powerful Prophet 21 Wholesale software for small and medium businesses and departments of larger enterprises.
J.D. Edwards and Synquest -- IBM Global Services is expanding its practices for both J.D. Edwards ERP and Synquest supply chain optimization solutions. By combining forces for the Fabrication and Assembly market, the three companies will be able to significantly reduce the time it takes customers to obtain benefits from enterprise supply chain implementations. The three plan to jointly offer certified, integrated ERP/supply chain solutions based on IBM industry templates, best practices, and proven methodologies.
About IBM
IBM is a world leader in providing business solutions for small and medium businesses. Through its Global Small and Medium Business organization, IBM offers a host of cross-industry and industry-specific solutions designed to meet the needs of growing businesses. IBM also is a leading provider of electronic business solutions and is dedicated to helping customers, IBM Business Partners, and developers exploit the potential of network computing across a wide range of business and industries. For further information visit www.ibm.com/businesscenter.
(a) QuickWin, RYTHYM, Oracle Applications, Oracle 8 Server, VISUAL Manufacturing, PRMS, KBM, Warehouse BOSS, and Prophet 21 Wholesale are not IBM products and are licensed to users under the terms and conditions of the respective companies listed above.
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Contact:
IBM
Ken Neal, 914/642-4880
kneal@us.ibm.com |
