News Releases - SupplyWorks, Inc.

SupplyWorks MobileMAX™ Wireless Application Automates Kanban Systems for More Efficient Replenishment of Direct Materials Inventory

Danaher Corporation is first manufacturer to deploy this new technology to increase inventory turns, optimize replenishment, and achieve lean manufacturing goals

BEDFORD, Mass, 8/30/04 — SupplyWorks, Inc., the leader in direct materials procurement and replenishment solutions for discrete manufacturers, today announced the commercial availability of its SupplyWorks MobileMAX application module. SupplyWorks MobileMAX replaces traditional manual kanban replenishment systems with a handheld device that scans bar codes and communicates wirelessly to automatically submit replenishment orders from the plant floor directly to suppliers.

SupplyWorks MobileMAX complements SupplyWorks MAX, the company’s web-based flagship application for direct materials supply management.

Key benefits of SupplyWorks MobileMAX include:

Reduced cycle time for replenishment, which enables plants to increase inventory turns;
Reduced inventory requirements, freeing up working capital for more strategic uses;
Fewer parts shortages, with less expediting and lower premium freight bills;
Lower procurement overhead, through the elimination of non-value-add activities;

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR), a leading manufacturer of process/environmental controls and tools and components, and a well-known proponent of lean manufacturing techniques, has successfully implemented SupplyWorks MobileMAX™ along with SupplyWorks MAX 5.0 in its Gurnee, IL, Industrial Controls Group plant. Danaher will now roll out the SupplyWorks solution to its Fultonville, NY plant, followed by two additional plants in the Industrial Controls Group later this year.

SupplyWorks MobileMAX complements SupplyWorks MAX 5.0’s extensive replenishment features with near real-time communication of replenishment requirements to suppliers, thereby enabling tighter synchronization between finished goods demand and direct materials supply. Handheld devices running SupplyWorks MobileMAX capture inventory levels and replenishment requirements at the point of consumption and communicate them instantly, replacing physical kanban cards and the relatively inefficient manual processes for handling them.

“Kanban systems are an integral part of the lean manufacturing environment,” said Dave Wangler, president and CEO of SupplyWorks. “SupplyWorks MobileMAX facilitates the implementation of lean manufacturing by eliminating so-called “waste activities”, lowering inventories, and supporting frequent replenishment and fast cycle times. The result is fewer parts shortages, lower premium freight bills, and a greater ability to respond to fluctuations in customer demand.”

Based on the Microsoft .NET framework, SupplyWorks MobileMAX supports a complete range of devices running Microsoft Pocket PC O/S and Mobile 2003 O/S. SupplyWorks MobileMAX’s wireless architecture is an “occasionally-connected” network model providing low-cost network access. Instead of having to blanket an entire plant with wireless network access, the plant can have a number of smaller zones. SupplyWorks MobileMAX collects data whether or not the user is in a hot zone and then queues the data for upload to the network. This is facilitated via an embedded version of the Microsoft SQL Server, which is updated periodically with the enterprise application server. As a result, the MobileMAX device can download 45,000 records into its database in about a minute.

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.

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