newswire.ca
IBM unveils new initiatives at Global Supply Chain Executive Conference
ORLANDO, FL, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - 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 Optimization 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,(x) 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(x) 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(x) 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(x) VISUAL
Manufacturing and Acacia Technologies'(x) 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(x) 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.
(x)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.
-30-
For further information: Ken Neal, IBM, (914) 642-4880,
kneal@us.ibm.com; Janet Fanaki, IBM Canada Ltd., (905) 316-6275,
jfanaki@ca.ibm.com |
