Tech Talk -- November 2003
The Plan for High Definition Demand
Terra Technology unveils its High Definition Demand (HDD) solution that improves the translation of planning-level forecasts into execution-level demand to drive manufacturing and distribution more efficiently. HDD offers a clear picture of near-term demand through advanced mathematical pattern recognition, allowing a significant reduction of inventory investment, higher levels of customer service, reduced costs and smoother operations. HDD can reduce near-time demand error by as much as 70 percent and it works with existing demand planning and DRP systems. Georgia Pacific, one of the world's largect tissue brands is one of the first to implement a 30-day pilot program of HDD as part of its forward looking strategy for operational exellence. Other Terra Technology clients include the Campbell Soup Company and McCain Foods.
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Cost-effective On-site Communication
The Motorola XTN Series of professional two-way radios developed by Motorola provide a cost-effective solution for today's on-site business communication needs. The lightweight XTN Series allows one-to-one and group communication at the push of a button, eliminating the need to dial phone numbers, pay monthly fees and sign contracts. There's little to no training needed for team members to be fully up-to-speed, and the Manager Lock feature prevents accidental changes to the frequency, eliminating downtime and confusion.
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Intermec Goes AT&T Wireless
Intermec Technologies Corp. announces that Intermec's 700 and 700 Color Series of mobile computers are the first rugged handheld devices approved for operation on the AT&T Wireless' GSM/GPRS Network. The computers support Global Packet Ready Service (GPRS) wireless data technology and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), world standards for digital wireless transmissions. They allow users to transmit and receive data messages wherever AT&T Wireless GSM/GPRS service is available. Designed to withstand daily use in harsh environments, the 700 Series provides AT&T Wireless subscribers with the option to buy a rugged mobile computing platform powered by the Microsoft Windows Pocket PC operating system. The devices feature an unmatched range of communications options, including GPRS, and the durability to handle the challenges of real-time daily work, whether on the road, in the field or on the factory floor.
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Siebel Delivers CRM On Demand
Siebel Systems and IBM design a new on demand hosted customer relationship management (CRM) service. Together, the two companies will jointly develop, market, sell, deliver and service Siebel CRM OnDemand, a new offering specifically designed to meet the growing market demand for fast, easy and affordable CRM. Designed for the on-demand era, Siebel CRM OnDemand is as easy to use and configure as a Web site. It is a high-availability Internet utility that enables customers to start with a small CRM project, with practically zero start-up time, deploy rapidly and grow the system as needs change over time. With Siebel CRM OnDemand, individuals and companies can manage contacts, sales opportunities, products, prices, competitors, events, marketing campaigns and customer service requests.
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UHF Tag Team
Texas Instruments Radio Frequency Identification Systems (TI-RFid) develops ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID tags for supply chain and logistics applications that will meet the requirements of the Electronic Product Code (EPC) Network currently being developed by EPCglobal. The company will supply UHF RFID tags using its high-volume global manufacturing capability. TI-RFid systems work with its Team Tag-it members who provide the market with the infrastructure for implementing RFID solutions, including UHF labels, readers, printers, scanners and software solutions, and systems integration support.
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Diageo Rolls Out GNX
Diageo completes the second phase of its GNX Collaboration Suite rollout, powered by Manugistics, extending the reach of its automated and collaborative replenishment process with packaged material suppliers. Diageo began the implementation in August 2003 and experienced a 40 percent time savings in administration, as well as reduced raw materials and inventory levels within the first few months. The automated process now ensures that stock levels are minimized, availability is maintained at high levels and administration needed for the ordering process is reduced. Diageo expects to see further improvements in administrative and logistics costs, lower raw goods inventory levels and better materials availability as a result of the implementation.
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Samsung POS Family Grows
CRS, the North American importer of Samsung receipt printers, adds the Samsung SRP-770 Direct Thermal Label Printer to its family of economical point-of-sale printers. The printer produces direct thermal labels for retail, warehouse and shipping and receiving. It prints the most common barcodes for product or shelf labeling and connects easily by serial, parallel or USB interfaces. The unit, which is manufactured by Korea Printing Systems, prints widths from 1.5 inches to 4.1 inches and features drop and print media loading options.