MarketWatch

February 21, 2007

Schneider Granted Business License to Operate as Domestic Carrier, Logistics Provider in China
Schneider National, Inc. has been granted authority to operate as a domestic carrier and logistics service provider in China. A newly established subsidiary, Schneider Logistics (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., will offer services under a Chinese government license. Schneider claims to be the only North American truckload provider currently allowed to set up a domestic business in China. It will provide domestic transportation, logistics (including warehousing, cross-docking and third-party logistics) and related services. The company will attract new business through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions within China. In line with the development, Schneider Logistics has established a new office in the Tianjin Economic Technological Development area. The Chinese venture is intended to encourage regional development in Northern China's BinHai region. Schneider also intends to provide international logistics services to customers in China. The license award follows several years of research by Schneider into the country.
http://www.schneider.com

Oracle Releases WebCenter Suite, Advanced Procurement Update
Oracle Corp. has released the Oracle WebCenter Suite, a new component of the vendor's Fusion Middleware offering. The product allows users to integrate their business processes and data sources with the latest Web-based technologies. A WebCenter Framework within the new suite, built around a J2EE development architecture, adds modular content creation and role-based personalization to J2EE and Java Server Faces-based Web applications. It lets users create customizable applications that can host standards-based components such as JSR-168-compliant portlets. Oracle claims to be the first major vendor to provide support for the emerging WSRP 2.0 standard. Another feature of the suite, Oracle WebCenter Services, provides out-of-the-box support for multiple types of collaboration and information sharing. It is a collection of pre-built "Web 2.0" services, including content management, threaded discussions, wikis, secure enterprise search, instant messaging and online awareness. In another company announcement, Oracle has made available Release 12 of Oracle Advanced Procurement. The newest version includes a consolidated work center for all procurement responsibilities, improved support for complex goods and services, and expanded supplier management and enablement. The software is part of the recently announced Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12.
Oracle WebCenter Suite: http://www.oracle.com
Advanced Procurement 12: http://www.oracle.com

Descartes Adds Ground Transport to Network Compliance Service
Descartes Systems Group Inc. has extended its Global Logistics Network Compliance Service to include ground vehicles entering Canada. The service supports electronic customs filing and cross-border compliance by Descartes customers. It was originally created to help marine and air carriers file electronic manifests under the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) program of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), for cargo entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. The service evolved to help customers meet regulatory requirements of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for air and marine shipments into Canada from points around the world. It was recently extended to address the U.S. ACE electronic-manifest initiative covering ground transportation. Descartes has now broadened it in line with CBSA's Advance Commercial Information (ACI) e-Manifest initiative, which mandates that Canadian customs receive advance electronic notification of cargo shipments entering Canada by highway.
http://www.descartes.com

WebMethods Partners With iTKO for SOA Testing, Governance
WebMethods, Inc. has undertaken a global alliance with iTKO, Inc. to meet the demand for integrated service-oriented architecture (SOA) governance and testing. WebMethods is a vendor of business optimization and integration software. iTKO provides testing systems for SOA software. WebMethods' Infravio X-Registry and iTKO's LISA 3.5 SOA Testing Framework both address the need for lifecycle governance and testing within an SOA. The partners said they are now working to produce a joint offering that will allow companies to more easily scale their SOA implementations. The initiative is intended to improve the long-term manageability of each implementation, while reducing ongoing maintenance costs. The two companies will also engage in joint sales and marketing in support of the partnership. The Infravio X-Registry offers a role-based workspace for tracking, managing and automating processes used to govern disparate services through their lifecycles and across multiple user groups. The LISA 3.5 SOA Testing Framework delivers a continuous testing platform for automating quality assurance throughout the SOA environment.
http://www.webmethods.com

Cognex Develops New Color Vision Sensor for Entry-Level Use
Cognex Corp. has created a new color vision sensor designed for entry-level color-sorting, matching and monitoring applications. The DVT 535C can handle a broader range of applications than most low-cost color vision sensors, the vendor claimed. It features a complete set of color tools for sorting, color match and defect detection. The lowest-cost model within Cognex's DVT color vision sensor family, the new device includes a choice of high-speed and high-resolution products to meet a range of performance requirements. Like all DVT vision sensors, the 535C operates with Cognex's Intellect software, which facilitates setup, integration and maintenance, and is backward-compatible with FrameWork. At the same time, Cognex has issued release 1.4 of Intellect. Enhancements include a new Flexible Flaw Detection (FFD) tool, which provides reliable inspection results despite random process variations. FFD reduces inspection errors caused by inconsistent part appearances due to registration errors, lens and perspective distortions, and normal part-to-part variations, according to Cognex.
http://www.cognex.com

ALK Teams Up With Innovative Computing for Fleet Management
ALK Technologies, Inc. has entered into a partnership with Innovative Computing Corp. (ICC). The latter has integrated ALK's Multi-Version Switch (MVS) into its Innovative Enterprise Software (IES) management system for truck fleets. The integrated MVS tool enables users of ALK's PC-MILER to work with multiple PC-MILER versions on the same server. Accessing ALK's MVS tool via IES, Innovative customers can assign specific PC-MILER versions to individual shippers according to the applicable contract. IES will then use the correct PC-MILER version to calculate the shipper's billing miles. Through the new MVS integration, Innovative customers can gain the flexibility of matching PC-MILER versions to specific shippers' requirements, the partners said. Prior to MVS, older versions had to run in separate computer environments, with accompanying maintenance costs and setup fees. MVS is an enhanced function of PC-MILER/Connect, integration software which links PC-MILER routing and mileage functionality to various logistics-management software systems.
http://www.alk.com

New Intermec RFID Reader Designed for "Noisy" Environments
Intermec Inc. has designed a new network radio frequency identification (RFID) reader that functions in "noisy RF" environments, characterized by the presence of multiple readers. The IF30 reader features a dense reader mode operation, allowing users to expand their RFID systems to include multiple dock doors in proximity to one another. The device is designed for high-speed operations, reading tags at conveyor speeds of up to 1,600 feet per minute, and from distances of up to 15 feet. Increased sensitivity allows it to interrogate weaker or otherwise unreadable tags, reducing the need for exceptions handling, according to Intermec. The multi-protocol IF30 has a built-in power supply and powered general-purpose input/output circuitry, which allows for direct monitoring and control of peripherals without the need for extra devices and power supplies. The IF30 is powered by Intermec's IM5 radio module, which is certified as compliant with EPCGlobal standards.
http://www.intermec.com

European Cargo Services Extends Reach With Office in Dubai
European Cargo Services (ECS) has extended its network to the United Arab Emirates, with the opening of its own office in Dubai. The office is located in the Dubai Airport Free Zone, adjacent to the airline and freight-forwarding community. It is ECS's first fully owned office in the Middle East. In Dubai, the company will provide cargo-sales services for Qantas Airways, SN Brussels, Ukraine International Airlines and Africa West. Shiranka Leo, formerly with Singapore Airlines Cargo, has been appointed country manager for ECS in Dubai.
http://www.euro-cargo.com

Datalogic Introduces New 2000 Series of Laser Scanners
Datalogic has introduced a new line of compact laser scanners for use in automated warehouse operations. The DS2100N and DS2400N are designed for common applications such as conveyor sorting and picking systems, and in automated shop-floor environments for items and parts tracking, process control and packaging. According to Datalogic, the scanners are especially suitable for integration into automatic machinery, in chemical and biomedical analysis uses, as well as in packaging and document-handling machines. The DS2400 offers enhanced reading performance on low-contact or difficult-to-read barcodes, as well as on fast-moving codes. Both scanners feature the new ID-NET High Speed Bus, an additional built-in interface designed for fast scanner interconnection. The system eliminates the need for an external multiplexing device. The 2100-series scanners are equipped with Datalogic's Genius software configuration program, so that they can be rapidly programmed through a multi-language software tool.
http://www.datalogic.com

Global4PL Links "Green Supply Chain" Program to Lower Rates
Global4PL, a provider of transportation and supply-chain services, has launched a new program to support "green" supply chains. The effort promises carbon-neutral operations for all modes of transportation, in an effort to combat global warming. At the same time, the company pledges parcel rates that are at least 5 percent lower than its customers' existing rates. Other elements of the new program include an annual license to the provider's RFQ Command Center, online bidding software for customers contracting with air and ocean freight forwarders, and donation of a portion of Global4PL's profits to provide wheelchairs to those in need of financial assistance. Sergio Retamal, president of Global4PL, called carbon offsets "a first step" in compensating for the industry's contribution to climate change.
http://www.global-4pl.com

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