MarketWatch

February 7, 2007

Lawson, IBM Partner to Serve Small, Mid-sized Businesses in Finance, Fashion, Food and Beverage
Lawson Software has broadened its relationship with IBM to serve small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) in the vertical markets of financial services, fashion and food and beverage. The deal calls for IBM to co-develop, sell and implement systems based on Lawson's software for SMBs in those sectors. The partners said they aim to capture a larger piece of that market opportunity by drawing on both companies' software and industry-specific expertise. Consultants from IBM Global Business Services will apply their knowledge of the targeted verticals to develop products based on Lawson applications. Lawson will collaborate with IBM hardware, software and sales experts to address SMBs' business and technology issues, by developing and selling "end-to-end" tools, the companies said. IBM and Lawson's current relationship focuses on helping clients move to an open standards-based service-oriented architecture (SOA). Lawson's M3 and S3 applications are tailored specifically for mid-market customers. They will be integrated with IBM's hardware, software and services.
http://phx.chttp://phx.corporate-ir.net

GE Security Offers Updated Container, Port Security Tool
GE Security has joined with several global technology partners to create version 3.0 of its CommerceGuard System for ensuring the security of cargo containers and ports. The update extends the system with new, ultra-rugged readers; automated Extensible Markup Language (XML) data feeds to track the status of customers' shipments, and a secure protocol for reliable wireless messaging. The system encrypts all data communications and authenticates all hardware transactions and authorized users. It features a container-security device that can detect and report intermodal cargo-container intrusions. The equipment is located inside the container, protecting it from sabotage as well as from harsh environments. CommerceGuard 3.0 was developed under a partnership consisting of GE Security, Mitsubishi Corp., Samsung Corp. and Siemens Building Technologies. The CommerceGuard Information Network currently operates in 14 international seaports, and will be expanded to additional locations in 2007.
http://www.gesecurity.com

Servigistics Integrates Service-Management Tool to Oracle
Servigistics has integrated its Strategic Service Management software to Oracle Corp.'s E-Business Suite, using Oracle Fusion middleware. Servigistics is a vendor of applications for service-parts, workforce and pricing management. The combined application will allow companies across diverse industries to enhance the performance of their after-sales services operations, the vendor claimed. Servigistics is a member of the Oracle PartnerNetwork. Its Servigistics Command Center allows companies to manage service by exception, and head off problems in their service delivery. Oracle Fusion Middleware provides a common technology platform for independent software vendors to integrate and support their entire mix of Oracle and non-Oracle applications, while laying the groundwork for a service-oriented architecture. Oracle Applications include the vendor's E-Business Suite, PeopleSoft Enterprise, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne and World, and Siebel.
http://www.servigistics.com

DHL Debuts Domestic Service in China; Upgrades in Hong Kong
DHL has launched a domestic air-freight service in China. According to the company, DHL Global Forwarding is the first international forwarder to receive a domestic air-freight license from the China Air Transport Association, allowing it to operate within 17 Chinese cities. Previously, the markets in question were served only by Chinese state-owned and local companies, DHL said. DHL Global Forwarding Domestic Airfreight is part of DHL Global Forwarding's $20m investment plan to enhance network infrastructure, human-resources development, and various products and services within China. In a related development, DHL said it is investing $35m in Hong Kong to capitalize on trade growth in the region. The effort includes the opening of a new facility in South Kowloon, which will boost DHL's ground-handling capacity by approximately 20 percent. The investment program raises DHL's total outlay in Hong Kong to $635m, which includes creation of a $21m Central Asia "SuperHub." The Kowloon South Service Centre is scheduled to open by the second quarter of 2007, the company said.
China Domestic Service: http://www.dhl.com
Hong Kong Investment: http://www.dhl.com

SAP Offers New Composite Applications to Enhance Operations
SAP AG has developed new composite applications within the SAP xApps software portfolio. The new tools are intended to solve specialized business challenges across diverse industries, the vendor said. Built on the SAP NetWeaver platform, SAP xApps draw on reusable functions, or "services," from existing I.T. systems, supporting collaboration among business units and with outside partners. For example, the xApp Sales and Operations Planning composite application (SAP xSOP) will help companies to align business units around the most desirable plan. It will permit finance, sales, purchasing and production to collect, analyze and track all sales and operations planning (S&OP) data in a central location. Each user can view the same S&OP data at the level of detail needed to manage role-based dashboards. Built-in key performance indicators will be available in general categories such as demand, supply, inventory, capacity and budget. SAP xSOP is designed to augment, not replace, applications that companies may already be running, the vendor said. It will be available in March of this year.
http://www.sap.com

Agilis Inks Agreement With Garmin for Mobile Workforces
Agilis Systems has teamed up with Garmin International Inc. to provide mobile workers with advanced navigation capabilities. Agilis is a developer of software for location-based workforce management and communications. Garmin makes navigation, communications and information devices, mostly enabled by global positioning system (GPS) technology. The deal allows Agilis to integrate Garmin's audible turn-by-turn navigation system, known as the Garmin LBS Toolkit, into Agilis's mobile work-order management system. In the process, mobile workers will get access to an audible navigation tool as they drive to their next job or location. When a dispatcher assigns a job in the Agilis Work Order Management system to a mobile worker's phone, the worker can receive directions with the push of a button. Upcoming street names are announced by Garmin's navigation technology so that workers can keep their eyes on the road. Agilis is a launch customer for the Garmin LBS Toolkit, a location-based platform which can support third-party LBS applications.
http://www.agilissystems.com

WhereNet Establishes Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Shanghai
WhereNet Corp., a vendor of systems for wireless tracking and management of assets, has opened its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Shanghai. The move was prompted by growing market demand in the region, the company said. WhereNet's real-time locating system, utilizing active radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, was certified by the China State Radio Regulation Committee in 2004. It is already in place at several automotive manufacturers in China, including plants operated by Shanghai General Motors. WhereNet said it is focusing on two vertical markets in China--automotive and transportation, distribution and logistics. The vendor's marine-terminal system uses "virtual tagging" to track and automate the movement of containers and drayage trucks in high-volume, high-velocity ports. WhereNet is part of Zebra Technologies Corp.
http://www.wherenet.com

CEVA Logistics Achieves ISO Rating for Security Systems
CEVA Logistics has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certification for its information security-management systems within North America. According to the company, the ISO designation is the most widely accepted international standard, and provides the foundation for third-party audit and certification. The supporting code of practice implements governing principles of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Information Technology Information Library, with respect to information and network security. CEVA Logistics was formerly known as TNT Logistics. It is owned by affiliates of Apollo Management, L.P., a private equity investment firm.
http://www.cevalogistics.com

RFind Systems to Partner With Genco for RFID Development
RFind Systems, Inc. is partnering with Genco, a provider of supply-chain management services, to provide Genco customers with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for real-time location of assets. RFind will deliver hardware and software to Genco, which will integrate the vendor's equipment into its systems for process and location control, intelligent administration and production metrics. Rfind's real-time location systems are based on its TAQnav Tag to Tag Technology. Genco's services include contract warehousing, reverse logistics, transportation management, supply-chain analysis and parcel management. It manages 30m square feet of warehouse space at 82 facilities throughout North America, Australia and the United Kingdom.
http://www.rfind.com

"K" Line Links North Europe, East Coast of South America
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. ("K" Line) will inaugurate a container service between North Europe and the East Coast of South America, beginning at the end of March. The service will be operated in partnership with China Shipping, Hatsu Marine and Maruba. It will deploy six vessels, each with a capacity of 2,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), on a fixed-day, weekly frequency. The port rotation will be Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, Santos, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Rio Grande, Itajai, Santos and Rotterdam. "K" Line and China Shipping will each provide two vessels to the new service, while Hatsu Marine and Maruba will provide one each.
http://www.kline.com

NYK Teams With Panalpina, Cooperates in South America Trade
The NYK Group is cooperating with Panalpina on a global basis, combining the two entities' geographic networks on behalf of customers. According to the new partners, the deal will boost efficiencies, reduce costs and create new business opportunities for providing logistics and transportation services via multiple modes. One area of collaboration calls for Panalpina and NYK subsidiary Yusen Air & Sea Service Co. Ltd. to establish a mutual agency contract for freight forwarding. Panalpina is a global provider of freight-forwarding and logistics services. In another company development, NYK announced a partnership with Hamburg Sud and Maersk Line to operate in the trade between Asia, South Africa and South America. Beginning in mid-April, the joint service will replace three strings--one operated by Maersk and two by Hamburg Sud and NYK--with two strings deploying fast, modern vessels. One string, operating out of Shanghai, will involve 10 vessels, each of 3,500 TEUs. A second string, beginning and ending in Nagoya, Japan, will utilize 10 ships of 2,500 TEUs. The overall capacity offered by the new service will be roughly the same as that of the three strings presently provided by the three lines, the partners said.
NYK and Panalpina: http://www.nykline.co.jp
NYK, Hamburg Sud, Maersk: http://www.nykline.co.jp

Click here to subscribe or renew your subscription to Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies magazine