News Releases - SupplyWorks, Inc.

SupplyWorks Announces Wireless E-Kanban Extending Lean Purchasing Functionality

E-kanban system eliminates lost cards, increases inventory turns and frees buyers' time for more strategic, proactive supplier management

BEDFORD, Mass, 12/8/03 —SupplyWorks, Inc., the leader in end-to-end strategic sourcing and purchasing software that helps discrete manufacturers improve supply management, today announced the availability of a wireless e-kanban capability for its SupplyWorks MAX™ procurement application, which is designed to enable customers to more efficiently manage their supplier relationships across multiple plants and locations.

The new SupplyWorks wireless kanban automation enables manufacturers to streamline their signaling process by eliminating lost cards, increasing visibility and reducing administrative tasks. In fact, a leading manufacturer of process/environmental controls and components has achieved substantial efficiencies from the SupplyWorks wireless kanban automation at one plant and is proceeding to roll it out to additional locations.

SupplyWorks wireless kanban automation is compatible with leading wireless devices from Symbol and Intermec. Since card barcodes are scanned at the work cell instead of traveling, card loss is eliminated. Because the cards are always visible, cell managers can quickly see what items are on order and what are not. Each signal is transferred from the wireless device to SupplyWorks MAX, and then automatically sent to the appropriate supplier. The supplier's acknowledgement and shipment information is captured and monitored, enabling end-to-end visibility, and alerting users of any problems.

Wireless e-kanban eliminates waste

For lean manufacturers where kanban systems are used as their dominant supplier replenishment method, dealing with lost or misplaced cards, expedites and overdue orders, consumes valuable time and creates unnecessary waste.

Using SupplyWorks MAX with wireless kanban automation helps reduce the waste and frees up strategic buyers to manage their supplier relationships instead of being managed by the cards. Manufacturers are able to cut delivery lot sizes and increase their inventory turns. In addition to streamlining the replenishment process, the combination of wireless kanban automation and SupplyWorks MAX also delivers significant strategic advantages, including:

Blanket orders are utilized to manage pricing and monitor releases;
Supplier performance metrics are captured to provide feedback for future sourcing decisions;
The simplified method to change primary source minimizes switching costs;
PO/release number, kanban ID and location are referenced on shipment documentation to peg each order to the correct bin, and;
A tracking number is entered on the ASN to monitor each shipment.

"As manufacturers automate more and more of their supply management, manual kanban systems are being stressed to the limit," said SupplyWorks president and CEO Jeff Herrmann. "By automating the kanban system using wireless technology and feeding pull signals directly into SupplyWorks MAX, manufacturers are increasing their inventory turns by decreasing lot sizes, increasing the velocity of their supply chains."

SupplyWorks MAX is a fully integrated, Web-based suite which provides functionality in the areas of supply chain visibility and synchronization, streamlined procurement execution and collaborative supply chain planning. SupplyWorks MAX is designed to enable manufacturers to more efficiently manage their supplier relationships across multiple plants and locations. SupplyWorks MAX also provides alternatives to its kanban system by providing new replenishment features, such as min max, vendor managed inventory and consumption based replenishment.

About SupplyWorks

SupplyWorks, Inc. is the leader in direct materials supply management software that helps discrete manufacturers improve procurement execution, optimize the flow of parts and materials into their plants and lower their parts and material costs. SupplyWorks enables manufacturers to communicate and collaborate more tightly with their suppliers, increase throughput, and reduce inventories without reducing manufacturing responsiveness and flexibility. Information about SupplyWorks and its solutions is available on the Web at www.supplyworks.com or by calling 800-626-0220 x1690.

Media Contacts:

Erik Clausen or Nicole Piotrowicz
Schwartz Communications
781-684-0770
supplyworks@schwartz-pr.com