End-to-end supply chain synchronisation is the promise of Manhattan

Real-time collaboration across entire supply chains, through warehousing, distribution and retailers, is the promise of supply chain execution IT firm Manhattan Associates, with its release of infolink 2001R1. Its latest version of the software is designed to provide real-time integration to users’ remote factories, wherever they are, and to other supply chain participants, including sub-contractors, consolidators, brokers and freight forwarders. The firm says the system provides the data necessary for business process and handling changes everywhere, and says the result will be better in-stock positions at the point of sale, along with improved efficiencies and productivity back up the chain. Says Eddie Capel, Manhattan vice president, “This release of infolink now makes supply chain collaboration and end-to-end visibility possible. [Users at manufacturers and traders] can work to ensure product continues to move through the supply chain as quickly and efficiently as possible. “For example, as demand changes or an overseas shipment is delayed due to weather, the infolink user and the associated vendors can respond in real time. This technology brings the supply chain closer to a state of self healing.” The system also provides the infrastructure and integration for electronic collaboration across disparate systems by standardising methods of information exchange. Manhattan says it integrates with users’ ERP, warehouse management (WMS) and transportation management (TMS) systems, without compromising internal performance. And it includes exception-based processing and alerting, facilitating real-time response to uncluttered events in the supply chain. Meanwhile, the US European Region Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) reports that its implementation of Manhattan Associates’ warehouse management system PkMS has provided increased efficiencies and ROI. Kaiserslautern Cold Storage (KCS), a 125,000-sqft distribution centre in Germany, houses frozen and chilled brand name products for distribution to military commissaries throughout Europe. After going live with PkMS N-tier architecture system in February this year, KCS says it experienced significant improvements in inventory tracking and visibility which enabled it to increase shipments by 9,600 cases per week. KCS now supports the shipping of 4,500,000 cases annually.