MediaFirst PR - Atlanta - Supply Chain

INSIGHT Believes Significant Supply Chain Problems Will Occur If Conflict Breaks Out in Strait of Hormuz

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:01:50 +0000

Supply Chain Vulnerability Analysis Helps Companies Mitigate Risk

MANASSAS, VA-- Jan 9, 2012) - INSIGHT, Inc., a top international provider of supply chain planning solutions for the world's foremost companies, believes that substantial supply chain problems will result if conflict breaks out in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% - 30% of the world's oil supply passes on a daily basis. Of more immediate concern to supply chain managers is the impact on global oil markets. While the consequences of military action in the Strait would be severe, even the threat of conflict has resulted in significant crude oil price increases in the past few weeks.

Iran threatened last week to stop the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz if foreign sanctions were imposed on its crude exports because of its nuclear ambitions, a move that would almost certainly trigger military conflict. Many analysts believe that such threats are baseless, and that closing the Strait would be economically and politically damaging, not only to relations with the West, but also with such powerful neighbors as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Nevertheless, recent Iranian military activity in the area, a test of a new missile, and warnings to the US Navy that its carriers must stay out of the Gulf, have ratcheted up tensions significantly.

"The last thing that the world's fragile economy needs is a new confrontation in the Middle East," said Dr. Jeff Karrenbauer, president of INSIGHT. "In the last week, we have seen tensions increase dramatically between Iran and the West. Open conflict in the Strait of Hormuz would be a nightmare for supply chains throughout the world, raising the cost of raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, inventory... essentially every component of a supply chain."

Karrenbauer goes on to note the significant disruptions caused by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami and, more recently, the severe flooding in Thailand. Industries such as automobile and electronics have yet to recover. "The evidence is overwhelming that disruption, whether random acts of nature or pre-meditated actions by intelligent adversaries, can have severe economic consequences. In some instances the enterprise itself can be at risk. Nevertheless, we still find that the majority of companies have spent little or no time planning for such contingencies. That is astounding, troubling and frankly, a significant management failure."

INSIGHT's powerful supply chain vulnerability/hardening analytical solution facilitates the identification of vulnerable components of the supply chain. Equally important, it then identifies the optimal design(s) and associated costs best able to mitigate possible disruptions. Every CEO/COO/CFO should be demanding a comprehensive supply chain risk audit and a corresponding set of mitigation strategies immediately, not waiting to see what happens next. Token committee meetings are no substitute for rigorous planning supported by advanced analytical tools.

About INSIGHT, Inc.

INSIGHT provides optimization-based supply chain analytics and consulting services to meet the dynamic business challenges prevalent today. Founded by supply chain and operations research experts in 1978 with the goal of using world-class technology to add intelligence to decision making, INSIGHT solves the supply chain management issues of the world's foremost companies, including Abbott Laboratories, BASF, Clorox, ExxonMobil, Goodyear, GE, Kellogg, Nestle, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, Unilever, and many others.

ISCO, INSIGHT's award-winning flagship product, can accurately represent a company's current supply chain business practices, from raw materials sourcing to capacity planning through delivery to the end customer. Insight Enterprise Optimizer (IEO) is the first and only product which combines full supply chain design capabilities with the cost and demand impact of marketing initiatives, thereby generating profit-maximized corporate strategies. The X-System®, a proprietary optimization engine, powers a family of powerful analytical tools, including the design of global supply chains, shipment planning and dispatching, production planning and scheduling and transportation procurement. In addition, INSIGHT provides optimization components, partnering with third party software providers to deliver best-of-breed solutions. Our software and services help firms minimize costs, maximize profits, free up capital, streamline operations, and increase customer service levels. For more information, please visit us on the Web athttp ://www.insightoutsmart.com.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact:

Becky Boyd MediaFirst PR - Atlanta Email Contact (770) 642-2080 x 214

Elemica Hosts North American Sourcing & Supply Chain Conference on Powering Better Business Sessions on Elemica Transportation Management, Procurement Excellence & More Registration Now Open

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:20:00 +0000

Sessions on Elemica Transportation Management, Procurement Excellence & More Registration Now Open

EXTON, PA -- 08/23/11 -- Elemica, leading provider of supply chain integration and optimization services, hosts the North American Sourcing & Supply Chain Conference - Powering Better Business on Sept. 13, 2011 in Houston, TX. Attendees will have a unique opportunity to learn market trends, benefit from thought leadership, discover best practices and be on the forefront of innovative solutions. A blend of large group presentations and small group breakout sessions will create a balanced day of discovery, dialogue and demonstration.

"Best-in-Class companies execute along every step in the supply chain, and consider volatility, speed and agility as critical success factors," said Mike McGuigan, CEO of Elemica. "Leading companies are moving beyond compliance to stronger performance. They're attacking challenges such as capacity constraints and reducing costs head-on by partnering with companies like Elemica to enable a more powerful supply chain and better business."

The conference agenda includes:

"Driving Global Procurement Excellence in an M&A Environment" - Gary Miller, Vice President, Global Supply Chain and CPO at A. Schulman
"Current State of Global Logistics and Trends in Supply Chain" - Chuck Connelly, General Manager and Board Member - APICS
"Fortress America: A Resource Rich Island of Stability in a Sea of Turmoil" - Jason Willan, Director Risk Management & Research - Fellon-McCord
Supply Chain Strategies & Trends - Simon Ellis, Practice Director, IDC
"Making eCommerce Available to Core Customers" - Nancy Fazzoni, Lead Architect eBusiness, The Dow Chemical Company
"Better Customer Service Through Partner Integration" - Sonji Williams, Manager Commercial Business Solutions, and Ian McCrory, Commercial Manager Gulf Coast - Vopak
Exploring the power of Elemica Transportation Management (TMS) - Phil Lambert, Director Logistics Solutions - Elemica
And more

Business leaders and executives from global companies like A. Schulman, BASF, Bayer MaterialScience, The Dow Chemical Company, ExxonMobil, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, LyondellBasell, Rhodia, Wacker and many others will be at the conference. The event takes place in Houston on Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 at Minute Maid Park.

To register, visit: http://www.elemica.com/events-2011/north-american-conference-houston.html or contact Ashley Capuzzi, at (610) 786.1239 or acapuzzi@elemica.com.

About Elemica

Elemica delivers state-of-the-art services in the areas of customer, supplier, sourcing, and logistics management. Elemica's Connect - Transact - Optimize model drives bottom line business results by promoting reduced cost of operations, faster process execution, automation of key business processes, removal of transactional barriers, and seamless information flow between business partners. Elemica was founded in 2000 and today connects more than 3,000 companies across multiple industries, processing over $70 billion in annual transactions. Clients include BASF, Continental, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, LANXESS, Rhodia, Shell and others. http://www.Elemica.com.

For More Information, Contact:

Becky Boyd
MediaFirst PR
(770) 642-2080 x 214

Becky [at] MediaFirst [dot] net

Elemica Named Great Supply Chain Partner by SupplyChainBrain for 2011

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:00:11 +0000

Technologically Solid Team, Productivity Gains & Increased Cost Savings Cited by Customers Who Nominated Elemica for This Prestigious Supply Chain Award

EXTON, PA--(Marketwire - Aug 16, 2011) - Elemica, leading provider of supply chain integration and optimization services, has been named a Great Supply Chain Partner for 2011 by SupplyChainBrain magazine. Elemica was chosen for their ability to boost productivity, contain costs, and improve customer satisfaction with their supply chain solutions for customers, logistics, sourcing, and supplier management.

"It's nice to be recognized by our clients for our 'creative and technologically solid team' that are dedicated to providing outstanding service to help our customers meet their business goals," said Mike McGuigan, CEO of Elemica. "We salute our employees for their hard work, and are honored by the nomination from our customers."

The SupplyChainBrain 100 Great Supply Chain Partners were nominated by their partners as someone deserving recognition because their product or service has been of great value to them. The list results from a six-month poll of readers who were asked to nominate providers whose products, services and solutions have made a significant impact on their company's efficiency, customer service and overall supply chain performance. From thousands of entries, SupplyChainBrain's editorial staff selected the winners who offer logistics, technology, or consulting services and significantly enhance and improve the supply chain management of their clients. The 100 companies that received the most qualified nominations are represented on this year's list.

As always, the scope of the 100 Great Supply Chain Partners issue is truly global. The nominations this year came from companies of every size and description, and the nominees are involved in every aspect of supply chain management. The nominees were judged on reliability, excellence, value to customer, expertise & knowledge base, problem-solving capabilities, continuous improvement, positive attitude, global reach, and strong leadership. In the 100 Great Supply Chain Partners July issue, SupplyChainBrain celebrates those companies that deserve recognition because their product or service has been of great value to their customers.

About Elemica

Elemica delivers state-of-the-art services in the areas of customer, supplier, sourcing, and logistics management. Elemica's Connect - Transact - Optimize model drives bottom line business results by promoting reduced cost of operations, faster process execution, automation of key business processes, removal of transactional barriers, and seamless information flow between business partners. Elemica was founded in 2000 and today connects more than 2500 companies across multiple industries, processing over $60 billion in annual transactions. Clients include BASF, Continental, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, LANXESS, Rhodia and Shell. http://www.elemica.com

Contact Information For More Information, Contact: Becky Boyd becky [at] mediafirst [dot] net MediaFirst PR (770) 642-2080 x 214

Award, Elemica, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Partner, SupplyChainBrain, Logistics, Supplier Management, Logistics Management

INSIGHT Introduces The Scorekeeper Analytics Suite, A Powerful Set of Supply Chain Prescriptive Analytical Tools

Becky Boyd — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:16:22 +0000

Suite Contains Tools for Supply Chain Design, Sales and Operations Planning, Sustainability, Transportation Operations, and Transportation Bid

June 14, 2011 - Manassas, VA. –INSIGHT, Inc., a top international provider of supply chain planning solutions for the world's foremost companies, is pleased to announce The INSIGHT Scorekeeper Analytics Suite, an advanced set of supply chain prescriptive analytical tools that incorporate significant upgrades of existing INSIGHT products, together with technology never before available in the supply chain technology market.

“For many years our clients have seen the proven value of analyzing and optimizing the entire supply chain, from source of raw materials to final customer demand,” says Jeff Karrenbauer, President of INSIGHT. “We extend that tradition with the four components of the Scorekeeper Suite, each of which uses advanced optimization technology.”

· INSIGHT Supply Chain Optimizer (ISCO): a significantly enhanced version of our award-winning strategic supply chain design product, SAILS.

Ø Additional production process modeling options

Ø New ways to explore the implications of strategic decisions

Ø Comprehensive sustainability options, including an innovative carbon emissions database from the supply chain program at the University of Rhode Island

Ø Additional ease-of-use features

· INSIGHT Enterprise Optimizer (IEO):the most powerful Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) tool ever developed. Most S&OP tools to date have been nothing more than cross-functional meetings supported by competing spreadsheets. IEO enables the planner to generate truly optimal supply-demand synchronization plans taking into account the entire supply chain as well as the costs, resource limits and demand impact of marketing initiatives, a combination never before available. The result is the goal of every senior executive: a profit maximization-basedcorporatestrategy and execution planthat focuses on the true bottom line metric: shareholder return.

· INSIGHT Transportation Optimizer (ITO):a new product that leverages advanced analytics developed and used for over two decades at Insight. ITO is a day-by-day supply chain simulation, that focuses on one of the most critical contemporary challenges facing management: transportation costs. ITOt processes a daily stream of customer orders (simulation) but with a uniquely powerful new twist: each day ITO invokes a module that generates a mathematically optimaltransportation dispatch plan (exploiting consolidation opportunities, carrier and equipment selection, routing, and so on). At the end of the simulated period it presents the planner with the benefits and associated costs of a given set of transportation policy options. Simulation and optimization have never before been integrated in a manner such that the planner can easily, accurately and efficiently assess the impact of supply chain design and operating policy decisions. ITO can run alone or can accept data feeds from ISCO or IEO.

· INSIGHT Bid Optimizer (IBO):a transportation bid optimization package that can handle bid types ranging from the very simple to complex packages, as well as an extensive set of managerial objectives and restrictions. A unique feature of the Scorekeeper suite is its ability to support a bid event in this managerially-advantaged fashion: determine the optimal target mode mix by lane using ITO and then use that as the lane-specific traffic basis for inviting the bids subsequently optimized by IBO.

“Our clients consistently ask us to assist with the design and implementation of their strategic plans,” adds Jeff Karrenbauer. “Scorekeeper responds in a deep and powerful way to those requests. In an era where customer and product profitability, asset utilization, limited capital, escalating fuel costs and carrier capacity dominate the discussion, these are especially timely, cost-effective analytical tools that drive meaningful financial results on an ongoing basis.”

Karrenbauer observes that too many companies defer investing in analytics during times of economic downturns or uncertainty. “This is remarkably shortsighted because tools such as those in Scorekeeper can help them survive and even position for a return to prosperity following such difficult periods.”

INSIGHT will release the Scorekeeper components ISCO, IEO and IBO during the third quarter of 2011, with ITO to follow shortly thereafter. Any component or the entire application suite will be available as installed and licensed software or as a service using the new INSIGHT Analytics Cloud.

About INSIGHT, Inc.

Why Should I Hire a PR Firm to Help With My Company’s Exit Strategy?

Becky Boyd — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 21:23:55 +0000

Smart executives hire public relations firms that have experience and expertise in their target markets, such as MediaFirst has expertise in the open source Drupal content management system, telecommunications, manufacturing, health care, IT, retail, and supply chain/logistics/transportation/warehousing.

PR can accelerate an exit strategy if executives are looking for that. Last year, we had 4 clients acquired by much bigger firms. We call that a success!

Here’s how PR can be used to accelerate an exit strategy:

- A successful PR Program can generate leads, which drive sales and build revenues. Bylined articles, case studies, or features on a company, its products and services, its customers, or its management philosophies give third-party endorsement of your offerings and capabilities.

- PR can build brand awareness and spread news to your target audience, be it prospective customers or investors. For one client who wanted to be acquired, we developed a growth-related campaign that targeted multiple cities across the US. This helped the prospective buyer understand that this company had a stake in more regions of the country than just its headquarters area. We also publicized new practice areas that few IT firms offered, making them even more attractive to the prospective buyer, which was Microsoft.

- PR turns your executives into thought leaders, making them more valuable to potential buyers.

- PR showcases your uniqueness. Successful PR campaigns need to include your value proposition, your unique positioning in the industry and over your competitors, and your sustainable, innovative skills. Potential investors or buyers want to know that your company is invaluable and that your offerings are needed and going to be around for a long time.

- PR engages with your target audience through social media and drives traffic to your website. It helps potential buyers find your business – and better understand your value and worth.

INSIGHT, Inc. Named To 2011 Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100 Top Great Supply Chain Projects

Becky Boyd — Wed, 04 May 2011 18:17:47 +0000

Thought Leadership and Technology Vision Cited for Helping Clients Maximize Profitability

May 4, 2011 - Manassas, VA. – INSIGHT, Inc., a top international provider of supply chain planning solutions for the world's foremost companies, announces the company has been named once again to the 2011 Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100, "100 Great Supply Chain Projects." INSIGHT clients nominated the company for this prestigious award because of INSIGHT’s leadership in strategic supply chain planning solutions that help these clients attain supply chain excellence and best prepare for the post-recessionary return to growth.

“INSIGHT’s advanced analytics-based solutions are the industry reference standard for supply chain strategy analysis and have made a significant impact on the profitability of our customers,” says Jeff Karrenbauer, president of INSIGHT, Inc. “INSIGHT looks beyond the typical myopic views of supply chain strategy, such as the number and location of distribution centers, and focuses on contemporary issues such as strategic sourcing, supply chain vulnerability and risk assessments, sales & operations planning, capacity analysis, merger & acquisition strategies, sustainability, and inventory deployment strategies. Our ultimate goal is to help the client develop a profit maximization—based corporate strategy than spans and truly integrates all of the marketing and operations silos.”

“Our goal with this year's '100' is to put the spotlight on successful and innovative transformation projects that are delivering bottom-line value to small, medium and large enterprises across the different functions that comprise the supply chain,” added Barry Hochfelder, editor of Supply & Demand Chain Executive. “The projects featured in the '100' article can serve as a roadmap for supply chain executives looking for new opportunities to drive improvement in their own operations.”

For this year's “Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100” feature, the magazine highlighted supply chain transformation projects that have had a significant impact on the companies going through the implementations. Through an online submission process, the magazine collected information on supply chain transformation projects, including information on the objectives, scope, timeline and results of the project. Over 250 submissions were evaluated by the magazine's editorial staff primarily based on: ambitiousness/scope of the project (30%); creative application of technologies/solutions/services used (20%); extent of the business results/impact (40%); clarity of submission (10%).

The list of this years’ "100" will appear online at SDCExec.com and in the June 2011 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine.

ABOUT INSIGHT, INC.

INSIGHT provides optimization-based supply chain design software and consulting services developed specifically to meet the dynamic business challenges of globalization, disruptions, and mergers/acquisitions prevalent in today’s business environment. Founded by supply chain and logistics experts in 1978 with the goal of using world-class technology to add intelligence to decision making, INSIGHT solves the supply chain management issues of the world's foremost companies, including Abbott Laboratories, BASF, ExxonMobil, Goodyear, GE, Kellogg, Nestle, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, and Unilever.

SAILS, INSIGHT's award-winning flagship product, can accurately represent a company's current business practices, from raw materials sourcing to capacity planning through delivery to the end customer. Insight Enterprise Strategy (IES) is the first and only product which combines full supply chain design capabilities with the cost and demand impact of marketing initiatives, thereby generating profit-maximized corporate strategies. The X-System®, a proprietary optimization engine, powers a family of powerful analytical tools, including the design of global supply chains, shipment planning and dispatching, production planning and scheduling and transportation procurement. In addition, INSIGHT provides optimization components, partnering with third party software providers to deliver best-of-breed solutions. Our software and services help firms minimize costs, maximize profits, free up capital, streamline operations, and increase customer service levels. For more information, please visit us on the Web at http://www.insightoutsmart.com.

About Supply & Demand Chain Executive

Supply & Demand Chain Executive is the executive's user manual for successful supply and demand chain transformation, utilizing hard-hitting analysis, viewpoints and unbiased case studies to steer executives and supply management professionals through the complicated, yet critical, world of supply and demand chain enablement to gain competitive advantage. On the Web at http://www.SDCExec.com.

Elemica Helps Companies with Sustainability Initiatives; Green Supply Chains Lower Energy Usage & Carbon Emissions

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:47:38 +0000

Elemica Green Calculator Identifies Savings in Energy, Water, Trees

Exton, PA – April 22, 2011 – Elemica, the supply chain network, helps companies green their supply chain with solutions that lower energy usage, save trees and water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a celebration of Earth Day, April 22, 2011, Elemica introduces the Elemica Green Calculator that helps companies identify savings in energy, water, landfill, and greenhouse gas emissions based on the number of automated orders, order changes, ship notices, and invoices. Clients can use the calculator to estimate their green supply chain savings in response to government and/or corporate mandates.

“Earth Day is a great reminder for companies to take another look at their sustainability initiatives and new ways to achieve a greener supply chain. Companies are looking more and more to automate paper-based processes in logistics, order management, and procurement operations,” said Mike McGuigan, CEO of Elemica. “Businesses are increasingly evaluating cross-benefit opportunities in the supply chain that reduce manually-intensive processes and help to achieve green objectives. The days of paper documents taking up desk space are days of the past.”

Elemica has delivered more than 160 million messages since 2004, which equates to 1,666 cubic meters of landfill space, 18,160,002 liters of water saved in paper production, 17,434 trees, and 196,128 kilograms of CO2 emissions. Since the beginning of 2011, electronic orders through Elemica have saved 155,210 liters of water, reduced emission of CO2 by 1,676 kilograms, saved 150 trees, and saved 14 cubic meters in landfills.

Elemica is committed to helping businesses improve environmental performance and cost savings by removing the need for paper, while reducing excess inventories, and optimizing flows of materials. Excess inventories have a negative contribution to the environment by unnecessarily consuming energy during the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing efforts. Collaborative supplier relationships result in an inbound flow of materials and services arriving at the right place at the right time, reducing the unnecessary waste of resources.

Clients can lower energy requirements by accessing the Elemica cloud without having to buy or use more hardware. Customers have also lowered their carbon footprint and energy usage through their transportation & logistics departments by optimizing shipments and loads through Elemica’s Logistics and Sourcing solutions. Ensuring that orders are correct, shipped on time and shipped to the right location in the right quantities, produces successful first-time deliveries that lower costs and energy consumption. With Elemica’s Road Solution, companies can book slots/appointments for arrivals or departures, ensuring the right team & equipment are at the dock to facilitate loading and unloading. This also eliminates wasteful idling of trucks while waiting to be filled or unloaded, thus lowering energy usage and carbon emissions.

Elemica’s Supplier Information Management Solution helps companies manage their suppliers’ credentials and track compliance such as sustainability requirements. More information on how Elemica can help companies with their sustainability goals can be found on the website: www.elemica.com

About Elemica

Elemica delivers state-of-the-art services in the areas of customer, supplier, sourcing, and logistics management. Elemica’s Connect - Transact - Optimize model drives bottom line business results by promoting reduced cost of operations, faster process execution, automation of key business processes, removal of transactional barriers, and seamless information flow between business partners. Elemica was founded in 2000 and today connects more than 3000 companies across multiple industries, processing over $60 billion in annual transactions. Clients include BASF, Continental, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, LANXESS, Rhodia and Shell. http://www.elemica.com.

Elemica’s CEO Mike McGuigan To Speak at 1st ICIS European Chemical Purchasing Conference on Supply Chain Integration, Variability, and Complexity

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:05:02 +0000

Best Practices Plus Real World Examples of Effective Supply Chain Strategies

Exton, PA & Brussels, Belgium – April 7, 2011 – Elemica, the leading B2B supply chain network, announces that CEO Mike McGuigan is speaking at the 1st ICIS European Chemical Purchasing Conference on April 13, 2011 in Brussels. Mr. McGuigan will offer the latest best practices and case study examples of sourcing and supply chain strategies, which includes integration of customers, suppliers, and transportation and logistics providers.

“The chemical purchasing function is critically important this year as manufacturers focus on lowering operating costs and streamlining supply chain operations,” said Mike McGuigan, CEO of Elemica. “Supply chain best practices in managing variability, sourcing, integration, and complexity are keys to deliver more predictable savings, reduce inventory levels, and improve performance.”

Mike McGuigan’s presentation, “Effective Sourcing and Supply Chain Strategies,” will give details on how to achieve a fully integrated supply chain; best practices for managing the complexity of global operations; and how to master variability of demand, inventory, and delivery times. Elemica defines a fully integrated supply chain as when business functions are totally integrated - from a company’s customers to their supplier’s suppliers to enable optimization of the complete supply chain. Chemical purchasers and supply chain executives gain customer loyalty and retention by delivering the right product to the right place at the right time for the right price and at lower costs with lower inventory.

The event takes place on Wednesday April 13th from 8:00 AM – 5:15 PM at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Brussels, Rue du Fossé-aux-Loups 47,Wolvengracht 47, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.

To register, contact events.registration@icis.com.

About Elemica

Elemica delivers state-of-the-art services in the areas of customer, supplier, sourcing, and logistics management. Elemica’s Connect - Transact - Optimize model drives bottom line business results by promoting reduced cost of operations, faster process execution, automation of key business processes, removal of transactional barriers, and seamless information flow between business partners. Elemica was founded in 2000 and today connects more than 2500 companies across multiple industries, processing over $60 billion in annual transactions. Clients include BASF, Continental, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, LANXESS, Rhodia and Shell. http://www.elemica.com.

Elemica Responds to Disaster in Japan

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:10:13 +0000

Offers Free Supply Chain Services for Japanese Chemical Industry

Exton, PA – April 5, 2011 – With offices in Tokyo and around Asia, Elemica, the industry-leading supply chain integration and optimization network, is committed to providing financial and business services relief efforts to support their customers in the wake of the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Damaged infrastructure, power outages, plant, warehouse and transportation destruction has left companies struggling to keep business running as supply chains are severely disrupted. Recognizing the urgency and vital need for business continuity, Elemica has committed to open their network to companies impacted by this crisis. For the next 6 months, Elemica will provide access free-of-charge to its QuickLink™ Portal to any buyer or seller located in Japan wanting to transact across the Elemica network.

Through the course of this disaster, the Internet has remained the most stable and reliable piece of infrastructure. Elemica’s network provides the continuous service and crucial visibility that companies need to quickly and effectively respond to the disruption in their supply chains. Inquiries regarding this offer can be made to Brian Selby, SVP Asia, brian.selby@Elemica.com or Ted Higuchi, MD Elemica Japan, takeshi.higuchi@elemica.com.

In financial support of the humanitarian effort in Japan, Elemica is also encouraging its employees, family, and friends to donate financially to help in the recovery, and has agreed to match employee contributions. A website has been set up to make the donation process convenient for anyone wishing to contribute: http://www.active.com/donate/elemicajapan.

“We are deeply saddened by the recent disasters and offer our thoughts and prayers to our employees and clients in the region, and to all people of Japan,” said Mike McGuigan, CEO of Elemica. “We are sensitive to business relationships that must continue in this unstable environment and hope our offer will ease these current challenges.”

About Elemica

Elemica delivers state-of-the-art services in the areas of customer, supplier, sourcing, and logistics management. Elemica’s Connect - Transact - Optimize model drives bottom line business results by promoting reduced cost of operations, faster process execution, automation of key business processes, removal of transactional barriers, and seamless information flow between business partners. Elemica was founded in 2000 and today connects more than 2500 companies across multiple industries, processing over $60 billion in annual transactions. Clients include BASF, Continental, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, LANXESS, Rhodia and Shell. http://www.elemica.com.

Supply Chains In Japan Suffer Huge Disruptions Due to Lack of Strategic Supply Chain Plans & Vulnerability Analyses

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:15:34 +0000

Stockpiling Inventory Is Not the Answer

March 24, 2011 - Manassas, VA. – In the wake of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, companies are struggling with numerous supply chain disruptions from lack of raw materials to damaged facilities to missing personnel. INSIGHT, Inc., a top international provider of supply chain planning solutions for the world's foremost companies, believes that ad hoc strategies such as drawing down inventory stockpiles are poor substitutes for proper supply chain continuity planning.

“Infrastructure has been severely compromised in Japan which, in turn, impacts the ability to both manufacture and distribute,” says Dr. Jeff Karrenbauer, president of INSIGHT, Inc. “Even if companies have stockpiled parts, it will be a long time before product flow is back to normal in Japan, so these inventories will eventually be depleted. Therefore, companies need to have a strategic supply chain plan in place that mitigates the impact of disruptions. Possible components of the plan include inventory positioning, alternative sourcing, transportation options and so on.”

Wall Street Journal reporter, James Hookway, wrote in an article titled, Worries Rise Over Disrupted Supplies, “Worries about supply-chain disruptions from Japan's earthquake continued, with some Asian businesses saying they were slowing production to preserve stockpiles of crucial components.”

Strategic supply chain plans incorporating inventory analysis balance the cost of extra stock against the risk of lost sales, lost customers and a negative impact on bottom line profitability. Too much inventory results in higher costs, negative impact on cash flow, and too much working capital tied up and unavailable for other initiatives. Too little inventory results in missed sales, lost customers, and poor service. Strategic planning ensures companies have alternative sources of parts and supplies along with balanced inventory levels.

According to an analyst from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the Japanese earthquake will result in at least four to six months of disruption to the world’s technology supply chain. Technology makers on average have four to six weeks of inventory, he added, which won’t be enough to span the recovery. Technology analysts say the most persistent worry for digital device makers is the supply from Japan of NAND flash — the lightweight storage chips used in smart phones, tablet computers, digital cameras and a variety of other components.

The concern for dwindling supplies of consumer electronics parts and other technology components is spreading. Even where factories in Japan are operating, power outages, shortages of fuel and raw materials and ruptured logistics mean products and parts face delays in getting to customers. Apple may face shortages of key parts, including the battery and the flash memory used to store music and video, for its newly released iPad 2, according to a report from research firm IHS iSuppli.

Here in the United States the automobile and electronics industries have already felt the impact of the Japanese disruptions, including plant shut downs and rising prices. Relief may be weeks away, while disruptions continue to spread. The world's No. 2 iron ore miner warned the disruptions posed a threat to its expansion plans, while shutdowns at plants manufacturing heavy earth-moving equipment and electronics will likely create additional pressures.

INSIGHT helps companies take a holistic look at their supply chain, including determining optimal network designs, identifying vulnerabilities, developing mitigating strategies, including alternative raw material and manufacturing sourcing plans, determining optimal inventory policies and levels and more to sustain companies affected by current events.

ABOUT INSIGHT, INC.

INSIGHT provides optimization-based supply chain analytics and consulting services developed specifically to meet the dynamic business challenges prevalent in today’s business environment. Founded by supply chain and operations research experts in 1978 with the goal of using world-class technology to add intelligence to decision making, INSIGHT solves the supply chain management issues of the world's foremost companies, including Abbott Laboratories, BASF, Clorox, ExxonMobil, Goodyear, GE, Kellogg, Nestle, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, and Unilever.

INSIGHT Named to 100 Great Supply Chain Partners List From SupplyChainBrain of Solution Providers That Dramatically Improve Clients' Overall Supply Chain Performance

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:05:00 +0000

MANASSAS, VA--(Marketwire - July 28, 2010) - INSIGHT, Inc., a top international provider of supply chain planning solutions for the world's foremost companies, announces being named once again to the prestigious list of supply chain solution providers, the Top 100 Great Supply Chain Partners fromSupplyChainBrain. INSIGHT was nominated by several clients for the substantial cost reductions and profit maximization realized from using INSIGHT's flagship supply chain network design software,SAILS.

SupplyChainBrain conducted a six-month survey which polled senior level logistics and supply chain professionals, who were asked to nominate organizations whose technology, logistics, transportation, or consulting solutions have made a significant impact on their company's efficiency, customer service, and overall supply chain performance. The resulting list, Top 100 Great Supply Chain Partners, culled down from over 2800 nominations, recognizes vendors that have so impressedSupplyChainBrain's readers that they deserve to be singled out and to be held up as examples for others in the industry.

"As the economy makes tentative steps toward recovery and growth, our Fortune 500 clients appreciate the ability to lower costs, reduce risks, and gain supply chain excellence from our extensive portfolio of supply chain solutions," said Jeff Karrenbauer, president of INSIGHT, Inc. "It is a great honor to be nominated by our clients and recognized once again by this leading industry publication. It is especially noteworthy to be highlighted among the broad range of supply chain solution and service providers who range from household names to niche players."

INSIGHT was nominated because clients reduce supply chain costs on a continual basis by optimizing production plans, supply chain networks, capacity plans, transportation policies, sourcing, international trade, and more. Powerful new features were added to SAILS this year with respect to manufacturing options, inventory positioning, vulnerability/risk assessment, and green supply chain design. Recently, INSIGHT introduced IES, a breakthrough product for corporate strategy analysis that explicitly considers both the costs and anticipated demand impact of proposed marketing campaigns.

About INSIGHT, Inc.

INSIGHT provides optimization-based supply chain design software and consulting services developed specifically to meet the dynamic business challenges of globalization, disruptions, and mergers/acquisitions prevalent in today's business environment. Founded by supply chain andlogistics experts in 1978 with the goal of using world-class technology to add intelligence to decision making, INSIGHT solves the supply chain management issues of the world's foremost companies, including Abbott Laboratories, BASF, ExxonMobil, Goodyear, GE, Kellogg, Nestle, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, and Unilever.

SAILS, INSIGHT's award-winning flagship product, can accurately represent a company's current business practices, from raw materials sourcing to capacity planning through delivery to the end customer. The X-System®, a proprietary optimization engine, powers a family of planning and scheduling solutions, from the design of a global supply chain to crew scheduling, troop deployments, and transportation procurement. In addition, INSIGHT provides optimization components, partnering with third party software providers to deliver best-of-breed solutions. Our software and services help design optimal supply chain networks that minimize costs and free up capital, streamline operations, maximize profits, and increase customer service levels. For more information, please visit us on the Web at http://www.insightoutsmart.com.

For more information, please contact: Becky Boyd MediaFirst PR - Atlanta Email Contact (770) 642-2080 x 214

Award: Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:34:18 +0000

Award: Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies

Award: Supply Chain Brain: Great Supply Chain Partners 2009

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 05:05:18 +0000

Supply Chain Brain: Great Supply Chain Partners 2009

Elemica Hosts North American Sourcing & Supply Chain Conference 2010

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 05:00:00 +0000

EXTON, PA -- April 26, 2010 -- Elemica, the industry-leading B2B supply chain network, will host its semi-annual North American Sourcing & Supply Chain Conference on May 5, 2010, at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia. Elemica customer Michelin North America will give the keynote address; The Dow Chemical Company's Director of Business Services will present "Making eCommerce Available to Core Customers;" and Bayer MaterialScience's VP of Customer Service, eBusiness and Supply Chain Center of Experts will explain what is "The Perfect Order." Case studies will demonstrate the value that companies receive from using Elemica's Sourcing Services and Supply Chain Integration platform. The event will highlight how companies can reduce spend and free up resources and working capital through automation and integration -- and ultimately how they can leverage Elemica's solutions to accelerate their rebound in 2010.

"Companies are seeking ways to shorten the order fulfillment time, reduce spend, provide better customer service, and establish stronger supplier relations," said Mike McGuigan, CEO of Elemica, "and they need to do so with limited resources."

According to a recent American Chemistry Council report, "inventories for both chemical producers and downstream companies are lean, and demand is rising." Global chemical output has improved from this time last year, and is expected to rise 6.5% in 2010, and expand further in 2011 and 2012, the report says, as the global chemical industry rebounds from the collapse in demand from early last year. Conference attendees will learn proactive strategies and solutions to support growth and help them prepare their supply chains for demand increase while better serving their customers.

The evening before the conference, Elemica is hosting a welcome reception dinner at a Phillies baseball game in a private suite located on the Hall of Fame Club Level at Citizens Bank Park. When registering for the conference at http://www.elemica.com/form/5-north-american-event-registration.html, please RSVP for the Phillies game.

About Elemica

Elemica delivers state-of-the-art sourcing and supply chain integration services in the areas of customer & supplier management, strategic sourcing, and logistics -- promoting new levels of efficiency and profitability for a leaner supply and more fully optimized chain. Elemica's Connect - Transact - Optimize model unites global trade partners and provides an integrated framework in which partners conduct business. Elemica's clients achieve significant benefit from reduced cost of operations, faster process execution with fewer resources through the automation of key business processes, removal of transactional barriers, and seamless information flow between business partners.

Across the entire breadth of supply chain and sourcing business processes, Elemica solutions improve productivity, reduce costs, decrease errors, and increase customer and business partner satisfaction. Elemica was founded in 2000 and today connects more than 2500 companies across multiple industries, processing over $60 billion in annual transactions. Clients include BASF, Continental, Dow, DuPont, Goodyear, LANXESS, Michelin, Rhodia and Shell. http://www.elemica.com.

For more information contact: Becky Boyd MediaFirst PR (770) 642-2080 x 214 Email Contact

Elemica Sponsors 2010 LogiChem European Supply Chain Conference

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Exton, PA and Frankfurt, Germany – April 13, 2010 – Elemica, the industry-leading B2B supply chain network, announces its sponsorship of LogiChem 2010 European Chemical Supply Chain Conference for a second consecutive year. LogiChem brings together key suppliers and senior supply chain executives from bulk and specialty chemical manufacturers to address critical issues such as the shortage of transport, collaboration among partners, and growing markets.

"The LogiChem Forum gives customers and service providers the opportunity to share supply chain best practices and discuss strategies for how to accelerate their rebound in 2010 and beyond," said Mike McGuigan, CEO of Elemica. "We are proud to sponsor an event that fosters global collaboration and provides a forum for companies to share knowledge and learn new ways to drive supply chain efficiency and operational effectiveness."

The conference features speakers from among the top 30 chemical companies, many of which are Elemica customers. They will share pioneering case studies and robust strategies on green supply chain management, maintaining compliance standards amongst industry regulations, and adapting the supply chain to meet new economic realities. Leading supply chain executives will analyze trends and deliver insights into growing their businesses while enhancing competitiveness.

The "Managing Costs, Driving Efficiency, and Creating A Highly Responsive Supply Chain" Conference takes place April 20-24, 2010 in Düsseldorf, Germany. To arrange a meeting with an Elemica executive, please contact Lars Vittars at lars.vitters@elemica.com .

INSIGHT Propels Clients To Top of Lists By Forbes, Fortune, Industry Week, & Food Processing Magazines

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Clients Referenced in Top Lists – Fortune 500, Top Food Processors, Forbes Top 100

Manassas, VA – February 2, 2010 – INSIGHT, Inc., a top international provider of supply chain planning solutions for the world's foremost companies, announces that a significant number of its clients appeared on industry and business publications’ Annual Top 100 Lists in 2009. These exclusive lists rank top companies by revenues and profitability and show that many are succeeding even in a slow economy.

“For over 30 years, INSIGHT has been providing supply chain planning solutions for complex, global supply chain networks that streamline processes, lower inventories, reduce supply chain costs, and meet customer service requirements,” said Jeff Karrenbauer, president of INSIGHT, Inc. “In today’s economic environment, we are proud that our solutions have boosted revenues and profitability for customers by helping them to proactively and strategically plan to minimize costs and streamline their supply chains.”

The Top 100 lists showcasing INSIGHT customers and their rankings include:

Food Processing magazine’s Top 100 - 7 of top 10 companies based on food sales numbers, including the number one food processor, Nestlé, utilize INSIGHT’s SAILS for supply chain design and planning. In addition, 14 of the top 25 companies are INSIGHT customers.

Industry Week US 500 list of the nation’s largest manufacturers – 8 of top 20 companies, including the number one ranked company, Exxon/Mobil, are INSIGHT clients. Also, per the IW500 list, INSIGHT clients garner the number one revenue position for these industry segments: beverages (PepsiCo), chemical (P&G), communication equipment (Motorola), electrical equipment (GE), pharmaceutical (Johnson & Johnson), and rubber products (Goodyear).

Fortune magazine’s top US companies ranked by revenue - 8 of top 25 are INSIGHT clients. 3 of top 5 food processors, 3 of top 5 oil refiners, and 8 of top 10 pharmaceutical companies are INSIGHT clients.

Forbes magazine list of the Top 100 World’s Best Companies includes 6 of the top 10 in profitability are INSIGHT clients. The leading company in market value, ExxonMobil, has been a long standing INSIGHT customer. 50% of the Top 10 in Sales have deployed INSIGHT’s SAILS also.

Companies choose INSIGHT to find working capital within their supply chains, optimize distribution and logistics networks, determine global sourcing strategies, analyze inventory and postponement, etc. SAILS tackles large, complex issues that propel industry leaders to top revenues, profitability, and sales.

About Insight, Inc.

INSIGHT provides optimization-based supply chain design software and consulting services developed specifically to meet the dynamic business challenges of globalization, disruptions, and mergers/acquisitions prevalent in today’s business environment. Founded by supply chain and logistics experts in 1978 with the goal of using world-class technology to add intelligence to decision making, INSIGHT solves the supply chain management issues of the world's foremost companies, including Abbott Laboratories, BASF, Clorox, ExxonMobil, Goodyear, GE, Kellogg, Nestle, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, and Unilever.

SAILS, INSIGHT's award-winning flagship product, can accurately represent a company's current business practices, from raw materials sourcing to capacity planning through delivery to the end customer. The X-System®, a proprietary optimization engine, powers a family of planning and scheduling solutions, from the design of a global supply chains to crew scheduling, troop deployments, and transportation procurement. In addition, INSIGHT provides optimization components, partnering with third party software providers to deliver best-of-breed solutions. Our software and services help design optimal supply chain networks that minimize costs and free up capital, streamline operations, maximize profits, and increase customer service levels. For more information, please visit us on the Web at http://www.insightoutsmart.com.

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INSIGHT Issues Powerful New Features for Designing a Green Supply Chain in Latest Revision of SAILS

Becky Boyd — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:08:01 +0000

Incorporates Inventory Positioning & Supply Chain Vulnerability Enhancements

Manassas, VA – July 29 , 2009 – INSIGHT, Inc., top international provider of planning solutions that power supply chain design for the world's foremost companies, announces the release of Version 4.5 of SAILS, the industry reference standard for strategic supply chain design. The latest version incorporates powerful new features with respect to manufacturing options, inventory positioning, vulnerability/risk assessment, and green supply chain design.

“More and more companies are developing green sustainable supply chains using environmentally friendly materials whose by-products can be reclaimed and re-used within the manufacturing process,” said Jeff Karrenbauer, president of INSIGHT, Inc. “Others are developing new revenue sources and growing market share from by-products that were previously discarded. Still others are more carefully examining disposal options and costs. One way or another, companies must explicitly account for by-products in the strategic planning process, an issue which has often been ignored in traditional supply chain design studies.”

SAILS V4.5 also features enhanced manufacturing postponement options, which are consistent with the industry’s current emphasis on responsiveness and agility. SAILS 4.5 also includes the most advanced methodology ever developed for representing inventory in a multi-period network model, wherein users can enforce dynamically computed min/max ending inventory targets for a given period as a function of future period demands. This is especially useful for seasonal businesses, which often struggle with balancing inventory levels.

INSIGHT continues to enhance SAILS’ supply chain vulnerability analysis capabilities, including options for short-term crisis response planning. For example, natural disasters, terrorist activities, and the recent swine flu outbreak highlight the need for supply chain resilience, including establishing methodologies to quickly mitigate risks and sustain business operations. SAILS V4.5 performs ‘what-if’ analyses and suggests strategies for reacting to volatile conditions in the supply chain.

About INSIGHT, Inc.

INSIGHT provides optimization-based supply chain design software and consulting services developed specifically to meet the dynamic business challenges of globalization, disruptions, and mergers/acquisitions prevalent in today’s business environment. Founded by supply chain and logistics experts in 1978 with the goal of using world-class technology to add intelligence to decision making, INSIGHT solves the supply chain management issues of the world's foremost companies, including Abbott Laboratories, BASF, Clorox, ExxonMobil, Goodyear, GE, Kellogg, Nestle, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, and Unilever.

SAILS, INSIGHT's award-winning flagship product, can accurately represent a company's current business practices, from raw materials sourcing to capacity planning through delivery to the end customer. The X-System®, a proprietary optimization engine, powers a family of planning and scheduling solutions, from the design of a global supply chains to crew scheduling, troop deployments, and transportation procurement. In addition, INSIGHT provides optimization components, partnering with third party software providers to deliver best-of-breed solutions. Our software and services help design optimal supply chain networks that minimize costs and free up capital, streamline operations, maximize profits, and increase customer service levels. For more information, please visit us on the Web at http://www.insight-mss.com.

Optiant Introduces Advisor Services For Inventory Optimization

Becky Boyd — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:34:55 +0000

Targeted Professional Service Engagements Generate Immediate Inventory Reductions and Cost Savings Boston, MA – June 15, 2009 – Optiant, the premier provider of inventory planning and inventory optimization solutions, today announced the availability of a new class of issue-specific professional services for supply chain optimization, called Optiant Advisor Services. These pre-defined, fixed-price consulting engagements are executed by Optiant’s Professional Services team, who bring industry-leading experience and a detailed understanding of inventory optimization best practices. Optiant Advisor Services combines Optiant PowerChain®’s inventory optimization technology with proven consulting methodologies to deliver dramatic cost savings and immediate inventory reductions. “This new suite of professional services offerings is designed to help supply chain teams quickly get a handle on some of their key performance priorities,” said Fred Lizza, CEO of Optiant, Inc. “Many organizations can realize rapid savings from getting just one or two key initiatives up and running quickly. Advisor Services engagements have well-defined inputs that take just a couple of weeks to conduct using senior Optiant consultants and our industry-leading PowerChain optimization technology.” Optiant Advisor Services include the following engagements: Inventory Profiling uncovers the unique causes of inventory across all production stages and distribution locations, solving the problem of too much inventory in the wrong form at the wrong location. Comprehensive right-sizing recommendations create an optimum inventory flow from raw materials to finished goods, freeing up working capital throughout. Target Setting Optimization examines the current inventory target setting process down to the SKU location level. Optimizing targets can result in dramatic cost reductions and higher planner productivity while actually improving customer service levels. Product/Customer Segmentation analyzes the relative importance of different products to your customers and to your bottom line. Balances priorities among product variants and indicates the most profitable product mix and appropriate service levels. Postponement Strategy identifies where certain stock items can be held in a pre-finished state. Making a few positioning changes can dramatically reduce inventory costs and obsolescence rates while mitigating risk and improving service level performance. SKU Rationalization “trims ship” by re-orienting inventories and pruning away low-profit, underperforming items. Analyzing cost vs. contribution and potential savings in production changeover expenses reveals practical trade-offs, improves profitability. Sourcing Strategy Assessment finds the best balance of regional vs. global suppliers, out-vs.-in-sourcing, and much more. Comprehensively models the dynamic effects of fluctuating transportation costs, potentially longer lead times and higher inventory holding costs, changes in service levels and responsiveness, exposure to changing customer demand, and more. Distribution Network Optimization attacks logistics issues such as determining the sizes and missions of distribution centers, best locations to serve markets, cost and lead-time trade-offs related to modes of international transportation. Network Consolidation combines facilities following an acquisition, merger, or downsizing event. It quantifies the cost of various options to identify the most cost-effective strategy. Advisor Services provide a highly pertinent entry point to the broad world of inventory and supply chain optimization. “While some will use us just for the task at hand,” said Lizza, “we know others will see this as an introduction to the strategic and tactical supply chain improvements that Optiant PowerChain can deliver to jumpstart competitiveness for the long term. These projects prepare your company for accelerated growth.”

GM Bankruptcy Shines Spotlight on Corporations' Need for Strategic & Robust Supply Chain Plans

Becky Boyd — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:10:27 +0000

Actions Required Now to Avoid Rushed Decisions & Costly Errors Manassas, VA – July 10, 2009 – INSIGHT, Inc., a top international provider of supply chain planning solutions for the world's foremost companies, suggests that every firm should be using strategic supply chain planning tools on an ongoing basis, whether in times of economic turbulence or prosperity. Many industries today, from auto to chemical, struggle with their supply chains: excess inventories, collapsing demand, struggling or bankrupt suppliers, fluctuating fuel prices, environmental mandates, and so on. Many are saddled with supply chain strategies that were ill conceived from the outset but whose shortcomings became apparent only when stressed.

“Apart from the obvious issues associated with capital and liquidity, General Motors is facing a classic supply chain strategy/redesign problem,” comments Jeff Karrenbauer, president of INSIGHT. “Over the next few months they must decide which suppliers to cut loose and which to retain, which worldwide manufacturing facilities to close and how best to utilize the survivors, how they will continue to distribute product (railheads, distribution centers, ports and so on), which brands, models and dealers to retain and which to close, how much inventory to slash. This process once again emphasizes the need for companies to have in place rigorous, ongoing programs for corporate strategic planning that deal with issues of expansion, contraction, contingency planning, risk, and so on, preferably under a comprehensive corporate profit maximization umbrella that includes all of operations as well as marketing.”

Without a strategic plan, companies are forced to rush to judgment without adequate preparation and run a significant risk of making costly errors. The case of General Motors is especially troubling as they speed to make decisions with respect to international outsourcing, dealer closures and according to new GM Chairman Edward Whitacre, Jr., “a shuttering of plants.” Adds Karrenbauer, “There is no question but that GM must slim down its entire supply chain, from suppliers to dealers.

The issue is how they go about it. For example, the outsourcing decisions are especially vulnerable to the classic myopia of focusing on comparative labor costs. A proper analysis would look at all relevant factors, including procurement, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, various types of inventory, duties, taxes, port handling charges, flexibility, responsiveness, risk, worldwide markets, profitability of brands, markets and channels and so on, essentially simultaneously. Challenging, yes, but it’s the right way to do it and with the amount of money and jobs at stake, nothing less should be acceptable.” According to Steve Banker of ARC in a recent Logistics Viewpoints article, “Firms with a robust strategic planning process are better equipped to deal with large, unexpected events, like the current global recession.” In another discussion on preparing supply chains for the upturn, he adds, “As this reset evolves, supply chain planning tools will be important in assessing best manufacturing, warehousing (finished goods staging), transportation routes, etc.” The article continues, “Every firm should be running supply chain planning tools right now, to reestablish a new baseline for itself, given the harsh economic times. In addition, firms should have tools that enable re-optimizing the supply chain with the hoped-for, continuing improvement in the economic climate. Continuing improvement in the economy mandates a Deming-like ‘continual improvement’ in the quality of supply chain decisions, including frequent re-optimization with market changes.” According to a recent article in the Associated Press pertaining to GM emerging from bankruptcy,

“Turning a profit will not be easy. GM has piled up losses and survives only because it expects to receive $50 billion in U.S. government loans. Without the loans, its executives have said the company would have been sold off in pieces.” The bottom line, according to Karrenbauer, is that “GM and other corporations must generate and continuously re-evaluate robust supply chain strategies if they want to survive.”

ABOUT INSIGHT, INC.

INSIGHT solves the supply chain management issues of the world's foremost companies, including Abbott Laboratories, BASF, Clorox, ExxonMobil, Goodyear, GE, Kellogg, Nestle, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, and Unilever. SAILS, INSIGHT's award-winning flagship product, can accurately represent a company's current business practices, from raw materials sourcing to capacity planning through delivery to the end customer.

The X-System®, a proprietary optimization engine, powers a family of planning and scheduling solutions, from the design of a global supply chains to crew scheduling, troop deployments, and transportation procurement. In addition, INSIGHT provides optimization components, partnering with third party software providers to deliver best-of-breed solutions. Our software and services help design optimal supply chain networks that minimize costs and free up capital, streamline operations, maximize profits, and increase customer service levels. For more information, please visit us on the Web at http://www.insight-mss.com.

###

The Transformation of the American Automobile Industry

Jeff Karrenbauer — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:31:11 +0000

A Perspective from a Supply Chain Professional Over the past six months or so we have witnessed a series of truly remarkable events in the American auto industry. After much consternation, evaluation and debate the Administration and Congress have decided that we the people will, indeed, sell Chrysler and rescue General Motors. Fair enough. However, as a supply chain professional for nearly 40 years, I have serious reservations about how this is unfolding. Apart from the obvious issues associated with capital and liquidity, General Motors is facing a classic supply chain strategy problem. Over the next few months they must decide which suppliers to cut loose and which to retain, which worldwide manufacturing facilities to close and how best to utilize the survivors, how they will continue to distribute product (railheads, distribution centers, ports and so on), which brands, models and dealers to retain and which to close, how much inventory to slash. Not the stuff of spreadsheets to be sure, although they will probably try. Frankly, I am personally and professionally offended at what I have been reading about the likely go-forward strategy of GM. In particular, I was appalled when I saw decisions already taken to relocate much of the manufacturing to offshore locations, ostensibly because of labor costs. This fundamental management error has all-to-often been encouraged by analysts on “The Street” whose experience with operations is too often limited to ratios derived from financial statements. It is only now being rectified at many companies, years after they disastrously followed the outsourcing lemmings over the cliff. This is most assuredly not a “made and buy in America” polemic; artificial protectionism went out with the great depression, mass merchandisers stomped on its grave and worldwide enterprises require worldwide solutions. Rather, it is a plea that the analysis be conducted in a thoroughgoing manner that is consistent with the true bottom line, not one component of it. Simply put, there is significantly more to worldwide supply chain/operations strategy than manufacturing labor costs. Procurement, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, various types of inventory, duties, taxes, port handling charges, flexibility, responsiveness, risk…all of that and more must be considered, more or less simultaneously. Regardless of the merits, it is impossible for anyone to reach any conclusions in such a short period of time, given that they conduct the analysis properly. I have no use for analysis paralysis. However, I passionately believe that we owe the country, its taxpayers, and the various stakeholders of General Motors no less than the best possible effort accomplished as expeditiously as possible, not some sophomoric rush to judgment that we will come to regret. Along the same lines, I am equally appalled at the speed with which the dealer closure decisions have been made. Once again, there are proven, rigorous, objective techniques for addressing such matters but it is a virtual certainty that they have not been employed in the spectacle that we have witnessed thus far. Late news flash: we are now being treated to the specter of various members of Congress strong-arming management regarding various facility closure actions (as in blocking them). Somehow I cannot bring myself to believe that their reasoning is consistent with that offered above. This might be entertaining were it not so destructive. Memo to the members: this is not the Department of Defense. First you excoriate the industry for inefficiency and then you compound the problem. The very worst thing you can do is meddle with a corporation that you wish to see return to profitability. You can’t have it both ways. Please do the country and the company a favor and back off. With respect to the bailout itself there are seemingly irreconcilable perspectives. On the one hand, there is surely the temptation to let capitalism work its supposed rational course: the trio of inferior products, woeful management and myopic unions should be punished in the marketplace via bankruptcy and probable liquidation and the underlying resources redeployed to better effect elsewhere. On the other hand, the genesis of the current economic crisis is clearly not with this industry and there are a huge number of largely innocent victims, including suppliers and dealers, whose communities will be severely impacted. Nevertheless, should the government pick winners and losers, even for something we used to call a prime example of a “basic industry?” Nothing is ever as simple as we might idyllically and naively wish. It is that rational, unfettered capitalism which has presented us with the detritus of markets run amok: the savings and loan crisis followed by successive tech, internet, and financial market meltdowns, none of which should have happened, all of which occurred in the space of about two decades and wrought serious economic damage. Where were the promised built-in self-correcting market mechanisms? Sorry George Will, Adam Smith is a hopelessly overmatched opponent for good old-fashioned greed. There is an important national security issue in play as well. Suppose, just suppose, that Pakistan melts down and/or North Korea follows bellicose with equally irrational action and/or the Middle East really lights off or…the list is sobering. What if we truly had to mobilize and one of our most fundamental weapons…our industrial might…had essentially vaporized, piece by piece, as it now seems to be doing? As a veteran and a father of two children in the military, I have more than an academic interest in such questions. I am the President of a software and consulting firm, as well as an adjunct professor at two universities. I teach both clients and MBA students the value of comprehensive supply chain analysis and how it relates to overall corporate strategy. The practicing supply chain professionals have understood the underlying principles for a long time. We should demand no less of our new auto industry caretakers. Jeffrey J. Karrenbauer, PhD President Insight, Inc. www.insightoutsmart.com

Could Quest for Working Capital Cripple Your Supply Chain?

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:58:43 +0000

Boston, MA – May 18, 2009 – In the face of today’s unprecedented credit crunch and volatile economic environment, companies must do everything they can to free up working capital. Optiant, the premier provider of inventory optimization solutions, finds that many leading-edge organizations can look within their supply chain operations to find working capital, even if lean initiatives have been put in place. “If management mandates lowering operating costs, running leaner, streamlining operations, reducing workforces, and canceling projects, companies can still find cash within their supply chain operations,” says Fred Lizza, CEO of Optiant, Inc. According to a report by Deloitte Consulting, companies can squeeze working capital from their supply chain. Their recommendations include focusing on inventory reduction, cash-to-cash conversion cycles, and supply chain risk.

Focus on the cash-to-cash conversion cycle
Consider alternate supply chain financing options
Ensure you have a robust framework for managing supply chain risk
Focus on inventory reduction
Extend payables, intelligently
Manage and expedite receivables
Audit payables and receivables transactions
Eliminate fixed costs
Think beyond your four walls
Think like a CFO

For many companies, inventory levels are driven more by customer service requirements and operational capabilities than by financial constraints. However, in today’s credit crunch, supply chain managers may be faced with the reverse scenario, where working capital is the primary constraint on inventory. Management’s answer may be to reduce inventory for finished goods and raw materials, but these cuts may have an adverse effect on customer service. “The best solution is to take a holistic approach rather than brute-force inventory reduction,” said Lizza. “Strategically adjust safety stock policies, rationalize SKUs, revisit your sourcing plan, quantify your supply and demand uncertainty, and consider postponement strategies. All of these moves can reduce lead times, lower costs, and improve your competitiveness in the long term. This positions your company for growth as the economic climate improves.” Optiant’s PowerChain® allows companies to find more working capital within their supply chains by:

Thinking globally across the enterprise to reduce inventory while improving service level performance.
Using optimization technology to model and “dollarize” the entire, multi-echelon supply chain, rather than focusing on each stage of the supply chain in isolation.
Making informed strategy and policy decisions that:
Minimize ripple effects, inventory holding costs, and lead times
Mitigate supply and demand uncertainty
Optimize inventory throughout product cycles, from launch to end-of-life
Anticipate seasonality and one-off demand fluctuations
Achieve any desired customer service level
Reduce time-to-market to meet business goals

Using PowerChain technology, companies can avoid “silo decisions” by simultaneously evaluating initiatives across the entire supply chain (everything from sourcing parts from a shorter-lead-time supplier to improving the forecast accuracy of demand in a particular region). They can evaluate multiple alternatives using “what if” sensitivity analysis to find the solution that best achieves key business goals. In addition to identifying sources of inventory and gaining immediate savings through strategic inventory placement, PowerChain helps:

Streamline the product planning process, eliminating constant fire drills and expediting costs.
Automate demand profiling by calculating the demand parameters, at the correct level of granularity, to use for inventory target optimization.
Mitigate the bullwhip effect with precise inventory targets by SKU by location by period.
Provide powerful decision-support metrics and reports that deliver critical metrics to S&OP teams.
Create efficient flexibility to handle seasonality, new product introductions, end-of-life transitions, and more.
Prioritize strategic initiatives relative to corporate goals for profitability.

About Optiant

Optiant, a premier provider of supply chain network design, inventory optimization, and supply chain business intelligence solutions, helps Global 2000 companies optimize bottom-line performance by reducing inventories, freeing up working capital, optimizing supply chain asset utilization and delivering lowest total supply chain costs. Optiant’s solutions optimally balance resources, total costs, and customer service across the entire, extended supply chain to deliver greater profitability, increased customer satisfaction, more efficient use of capital, and a resilient supply chain that fully handles uncertainty in supply and demand. Optiant has transformed supply chains for the world’s leading manufacturers including Procter & Gamble, Kraft, HP, IKEA, Intel, Microsoft and Boston Scientific.

Delivering millions of dollars in returns, Optiant’s solutions for consumer product, high tech manufacturing and industrial organizations generate quantifiable savings within 90 days of implementation. Optiant’s solutions, certified for integration by SAP, are based on award-winning research from MIT and decades of experience dedicated to the identification and realization of supply chain efficiencies. For more information, please visit http://www.optiant.com. Optiant, the Optiant logo, and PowerChain are registered trademarks of Optiant, Inc. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.

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Swine Flu Outbreak Highlights Need for Supply Chain Resilience & Vulnerability Assessments

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:05:50 +0000

Vulnerabilities In The Supply Chain Driven by Lean Initiatives & Reliance On Few Suppliers And Lost-Cost Countries

Manassas, VA – April 27, 2009 – INSIGHT, Inc., top international provider of planning solutions that power supply chain design for the world's foremost companies, discusses how the current swine flu outbreak highlights the need for supply chain resilience. Pandemics like Swine Flu, natural disasters, or terrorist plots are constantly in the news these days. Companies must be prepared for business disruptions by having in place an overall risk management and resilience plan. They must perform rigorous analysis of their supply chain network to uncover its vulnerabilities and manage risk.

According to Adrian Gonzalez of ARC Advisory Group in today’s Logistics Viewpoints, “the impact on supply chains has already begun: Russia is banning all meat imports from Mexico and the southern United States, and China is banning meat from Mexico, California, Texas, and Kansas. Considering that Mexico is the United States' second largest trading partner, I expect this outbreak to affect many other products and supply chains if the situation in Mexico worsens.”

“Supply chain teams need to immediately analyze their supply chain networks for the potential impact this risk may have on their company, customers, and trading partners,” said Jeff Karrenbauer, president of INSIGHT, Inc. “These issues impact corporate survival and highlight the need for assessing supply chain vulnerability as a factor in business continuity planning.”

INSIGHT offers a powerful supply chain vulnerability/hardening analysis solution that enables companies to assess the real risks to the supply chain, identify vulnerable components and then produce an optimal design that reduces corporate risk, with an associated cost for the risk mitigation. INSIGHT’s flagship product, SAILS 21®, features a sophisticated series of analyses designed to uncover and mitigate vulnerabilities in the supply chain. The supply chain vulnerability/hardening options of SAILS 21® include critical location analysis, critical customer analysis, critical raw material analysis, sufficient capacity analysis, and short-term crisis response analysis.

About INSIGHT, Inc.

INSIGHT provides optimization-based supply chain design software and consulting services developed specifically to meet the dynamic business challenges of globalization, disruptions, and mergers/acquisitions prevalent in today’s business environment. Founded by supply chain and logistics experts in 1978 with the goal of using world-class technology to add intelligence to decision making, INSIGHT solves the supply chain management issues of the world's foremost companies, including Abbott Laboratories, BASF, Clorox, ExxonMobil, Goodyear, GE, Kellogg, Nestle, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, and Unilever.

SAILS, INSIGHT's award-winning flagship product, can accurately represent a company's current business practices, from raw materials sourcing to capacity planning through delivery to the end customer. The X-System®, a proprietary optimization engine, powers a family of planning and scheduling solutions, from the design of a global supply chains to crew scheduling, troop deployments, and transportation procurement. In addition, INSIGHT provides optimization components, partnering with third party software providers to deliver best-of-breed solutions. Our software and services help design optimal supply chain networks that minimize costs and free up capital, streamline operations, maximize profits, and increase customer service levels. For more information, please visit us on the Web at http://www.insight-mss.com.

Elemica Facilitates Connectivity With Road Carriers For BASF, Driving Inefficiencies Out of the Value Chain

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:23:09 +0000

Exton, PA – April 20, 2009 – Elemica, the industry-leading B2B supply chain execution network, announces that BASF, one of the largest producers of chemicals in North America, has implemented the Elemica Logistics Road solution to facilitate collaboration with its carriers. The successful project, which seamlessly connects, standardizes, and automates logistics processes with more than 100 North American road carriers of all sizes, was implemented in less than six months. Elemica’s next-generation logistics platform provides the flexibility and scalability carriers need to connect to the network regardless of their technical infrastructure. Streamlining connection through Elemica to its North American road carriers, who transport several hundred thousand shipments annually, means BASF can expect to yield short-term results and build strong relationships with their carriers to drive sustainable value.

“In an effort to respond to erratic market conditions, manage capacity constraints, contain escalating freight rates and demanding vendor requirements, companies like BASF turn to Elemica to get the job done right and to keep their supply chain flowing much more cost effectively,” said Mike McGuigan, CEO of Elemica. “With Elemica’s Logistics Solution, companies gain real-time insight into the status of their shipments, automate processes, ensure compliance with customer needs, and cut freight expenses.”

“Elemica keeps costs of external communications down by handling all of our outside connections. Rather than interfacing with a couple hundred customers and suppliers, we only have to connect once. Elemica is the middleman that sits between all of us, ensuring we’re all coordinated in the electronic playground,” said Tom Warner, BASF Manager of e-Commerce Systems Integration. “BASF gains by streamlining processes for lower transportation costs and improved customer service levels.”

BASF is using the Road module of Elemica’s business process network to garner visibility into carrier activities, ensuring shipments are correct, the right carriers are selected for order requirements, and shipment turnaround time is greatly enhanced. The Elemica network integrates completely with BASF’s ERP system, improving invoice and shipment accuracy. Carriers can view the loads and bookings that BASF has tendered to them, respond to tender offers, set pickup and delivery appointments, communicate shipment status information, and submit freight invoices.

Benefits of the Elemica Logistics implementation include collaborative planning and execution with carriers for “right carrier at the right time” scenarios, higher on-time delivery, single point of visibility and real-time access to information for better, faster decision making, reporting for trending and performance management, reduced transportation spend with optimal carrier selection, and more. Carriers no longer have to support multiple shipper systems in their back office environments, enabling better responsiveness to shipper demands. Per Tom Warner of BASF, “This is a win-win for both sides. The whole process just works better.”

"Electronic connectivity increases data accuracy and timeliness which prevents rework for us and our customers, especially in our freight invoicing. Overall, an 18 percent reduction in administrative costs is possible with full integration. Elemica provides us with that possibility in the chemical industry,” said George Grossardt, VP and GM, at Schneider National Bulk.

About Elemica

Elemica was founded by 22 leading global corporations to deliver best-in-class integration of trade partners in the external supply chain for seamless execution of business processes such as order management. Elemica's leading-edge technology unites global trade partners and provides a true framework of 'Connect Once. Connect To All.' The sophisticated hub automates the execution of key business processes, removes transactional and communication barriers, and integrates the information flow between business partners, resulting in reduced cost of operations and faster process execution with fewer resources. From order entry to invoice processing for logistics, planning, and purchasing, the Elemica network enables real-time data exchange, improves productivity, decreases errors, and increases customer and business partner satisfaction. Elemica has connected more than 1900 companies across multiple industries and processes over $50B in annual transactions. Clients include Dow, BP, Rohm and Haas, Shell Chemicals, BASF, and Lanxess. For more information, visit http://www.elemica.com. # # #

About Elemica

Elemica and Basware Announce Global Partnership to Enhance Electronic Invoicing

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Automation of Purchase to Pay Processes Ensures Compliance & Speeds Cash Flow Cycles

EXTON, Pa. and ESPOO, Finland -- February 16, 2009 -- Elemica, the leading B2B supply chain execution network, and Basware, the leading provider of purchase to pay solutions, have entered into a global partnership. The combination of Elemica's Order Management and e-Invoicing solutions with Basware's Enterprise Purchase to Pay solution allows companies to eliminate manual invoicing processes, speed up information flow, and reduce order-to-cash cycle times.

Under the partnership,Basware's customers will be able to receive e-invoices from their suppliers via Elemica and benefit from Elemica's extensive supplier network in the chemical industry. Both Elemica's suppliers and Basware's buyers are now able to automate the Purchase to Pay process further by simplifying and streamlining the invoicing process. This helps companies to effectively meet compliance requirements and to improve overall business performance by minimizing the time and money spent handling invoices.

"Managing cash flow is more critical than ever in this economic environment, and anything that businesses can do to speed up that process leads to bottom line improvements," said Mike McGuigan, CEO of Elemica. "By totally automating the invoice handling process, savings accrue because companies eliminate errors, speed up processing, and lower workloads for improved productivity."

"Many of our customers have large amounts of suppliers in the chemical industry. By partnering with Elemica we are now able to offer better service to our customers and help them boost their supplier relationships," said Ilkka Sihvo, CEO, Basware Corp. "Basware promotes an open e-invoicing network that allows buyers and suppliers to use a single connection in their Purchase to Pay process. Through Elemica, our customers are able to receive compliant, real-time invoices."

Basware customers receive purchase invoices electronically through an interface to the Elemica supplier base. Invoice data is then automatically sent to the Basware Invoice Processing solution, allowing Basware's customers to automate their entire procurement and inbound logistics cycle with suppliers. Through these automated connections, customers gain better control over cash flow with faster processing of invoices, facilitate compliance with regulatory requirements, reduce work processes, simplify audits, and mitigate risk.

About Elemica

Elemica was founded by 22 leading global corporations to deliver best-in-class integration of trade partners in the external supply chain for seamless execution of business processes such as order management. Elemica's leading-edge technology unites global trade partners and provides a true framework of 'Connect Once. Connect To All.' The sophisticated hub automates the execution of key business processes, removes transactional and communication barriers, and integrates the information flow between business partners, resulting in reduced cost of operations and faster process execution with fewer resources. From order entry to invoice processing for logistics, planning, and purchasing, the Elemica network enables real-time data exchange, improves productivity, decreases errors, and increases customer and business partner satisfaction. Elemica has connected more than 1800 companies across multiple industries and processes over $50B in annual transactions. Clients include Dow, BP, Rohm and Haas, Shell Chemicals, BASF, and Lanxess. For more information, visit http://www.elemica.com.

About Basware

Basware is the global leader in purchase to pay solutions with more than 1,200 customers and 650,000 users in over 50 countries around the world. Basware solutions automate business-critical financial processes and deliver value by providing compliance and control, as well as fast return on investment. The solutions are distributed and implemented in Europe, the US, and Asia-Pacific through an extensive network of Basware offices and business partners. In 2008, net sales reached EUR 86 million. Founded in 1985, Basware Corporation is a public company listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. Headquartered in Finland, it has seven subsidiaries in Europe and one in the US. For more information, visit http://www.basware.com. Press contact: Emilia Vaajoensuu, Communications Manager, Basware, emilia.vaajoensuu@basware.com.

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INSIGHT Offers First & Only Strategic Planning Tool Incorporating Both Marketing & Supply Chain Strategy

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0000

INSIGHT Integrated Enterprise Strategy Improves Return on Marketing Investment

MANASSAS, VA -- January 6, 2009 -- INSIGHT, Inc., a top international provider of supply chain planning solutions for the world's foremost companies, announces the first and only strategic planning tool that explicitly incorporates both marketing and supply chain strategy and operations, thus enabling companies to develop a corporate strategy focused on the premier goal of executive management -- profit maximization. Jointly developed with Dybvig Consulting, a supply chain consulting organization, INSIGHT Integrated Enterprise Strategy (IES) builds on the functionality of INSIGHT's flagship product, SAILS 21(R), adding sophisticated marketing-oriented analytical features.

"Currently, in most organization, supply chain executives and marketing managers plan independently except for periodic meetings, potentially causing significant impacts on the supply chain, and eventually on customers," said Jeff Karrenbauer, president of INSIGHT. "This is a win/win collaboration for the marketing and supply chain communities. IES directly addresses the principal issue confronting C-level executives today: how to simultaneously balance all corporate resources so as to maximize profitability and return on shareholder equity."

"IES extends the most recent thinking of how to link strategy with execution, as described in Kaplan and Norton's book, 'The Execution Premium,' by simultaneously and optimally solving the three separate steps of Plan Operations: sales forecasts, resource capacity, and dynamic budgets," adds Alan Dybvig, president of Dybvig Consulting. "Competitive advantage, optimal resource allocation, and increased revenues result from clearly defined strategies that are linked to operations."

IES drops the traditional assumption of fixed demand for a given planning scenario, replacing it with marketing campaigns, wherein both the cost and demand impact of proposed marketing strategies take their place alongside supply chain strategies and costs. The solution opportunistically assigns targeted marketing expenditures to those markets, channels, and products with the greatest margin, given available supply chain capacity, thereby increasing demand and maximizing profit. Equally important, especially in times of business turbulence and contraction, the solution can remove, subject to client limits, resources and demand from unprofitable markets, channels, and products, once again increasing overall profit.

IES avoids a common strategic planning mistake associated with silo management-the essentially independent preparation of marketing and supply chain strategies-and goes far beyond the most sophisticated sales and operations planning (S&OP) and Business Intelligence (BI) tools available today.

"The key differentiator is the simultaneous optimization of the supply chain and marketing, taking into account all relevant costs, capacities and service requirements, under the assumption of changeable demand as a function of both marketing response and supply chain capability," adds Jeff Karrenbauer of INSIGHT.

INSIGHT's IES benefits include:

-- Maximizes profit by aligning sales and marketing expenditures with the most profitable forecast available resources can achieve

-- Identifies least and most profitable customers, channels, brands, andproducts, in any combination

-- Builds demand scenarios and "what-if" analyses

-- Incorporates all corporate operations simultaneously, including procurement, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing

-- Identifies the marketing initiatives, or campaigns (from among many proposals) that should actually be implemented (as well as those that you should not approve) and allocates those budgets to the markets, channels, and products that yield the greatest margin, while simultaneously evaluating the impact on the entire supply chain, from raw material procurement to final customer delivery

-- Explicitly includes procurement costs and capacities, manufacturing costs and capacities, all transportation, warehousing, duty, tax, port handling, and in-transit inventory costs, customer service requirements, and marketing costs and budget limits

-- Identifies the optimal set of locations: suppliers, manufacturing, distribution centers, ports, cross-docks, and so on

-- Develops a strategic sourcing plan in the context of the entire supply chain, not in isolation. In the process, it rigorously evaluates global outsourcing and other "make or buy" decisions

-- Identifies where capital should be allocated, both short and long term

-- Identifies vulnerabilities in the supply chain and suggests mitigating strategies

INSIGHT IES, which can run on a laptop, uses a powerful mathematical optimization engine and comes equipped with a host of support databases. It can tap into detailed corporate business systems and optimize strategic planning anywhere in the world. Exceptionally easy to use, it is the evolutionary result of continuous research, development and collaboration over many decades of use by a significant percentage of the Fortune 500.

About Insight, Inc.

INSIGHT provides optimization-based supply chain design software and consulting services developed specifically to meet the dynamic business challenges of globalization, disruptions, and mergers/acquisitions prevalent in today's business environment. Founded by supply chain and logistics experts in 1978 with the goal of using world-class technology to add intelligence to decision making, INSIGHT solves the supply chain management issues of the world's foremost companies, including Abbott Laboratories, BASF, Clorox, ExxonMobil, Goodyear, GE, Kellogg, Nestle, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, and Unilever.

SAILS, INSIGHT's award-winning flagship product, can accurately represent a company's current business practices, from raw materials sourcing to capacity planning through delivery to the end customer. The X-System(R), a proprietary optimization engine, powers a family of planning and scheduling solutions, from the design of a global supply chains to crew scheduling, troop deployments, and transportation procurement. In addition, INSIGHT provides optimization components, partnering with third party software providers to deliver best-of-breed solutions. Our software and services help design optimal supply chain networks that minimize costs and free up capital, streamline operations, maximize profits, and increase customer service levels.

For more information, please visit us on the Web at http://www.insight-mss.com.

For more information, please contact:

Becky Boyd MediaFirst PR - Atlanta becky [at] mediafirst [dot] net (770) 642-2080 x 214