APL Logistics Wins License to Operate in Taiwan Free Zone APL Logistics has become the first international logistics provider to obtain a license to operate in Taiwan's Kaohsiung Free Trade Zone (FTZ), the company announced. Following granting of the FTZ license earlier this year, APL Logistics conducted several live trials with customers from its Kaohsiung Berth 68 and 69 flow centers. Its services include ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, value-added warehousing and document management. Benefits of the FTZ, according to APL Logistics, include simplified customs procedures; exemption from duty, commodity and sales taxes; exemption from most customs checking, inspection and escort procedures, and free movement of commodities within the Kaohsiung FTZ as well as between other FTZs in Taiwan. While many FTZs in other countries allow only simple processes such as packaging, the Kaohsiung facility permits in-depth and value-added activities such as manufacturing and assembly, APL Logistics said. The FTZ is located at Kaohsiung port, a major hub for linehaul and feeder services within East Asia. http://www.apllogistics.com/
TNT Express to Install Tracking Units in Delivery Vehicles TNT Express has announced plans to install 14,000 extra “Mobile Worker” communication units in delivery vehicles throughout its global network over the next two years. The in-cab handheld units allow delivery drivers to send and receive delivery information in real time through a single smart scanner. They communicate directly with TNT's main service in the United Kingdom. Mobile Worker consolidates seven different communication systems into one unified, multi-functional system. Already operational in 25 countries, the units are being introduced to depots in countries such as China, South Africa and Italy in the second and third quarter of this year. By the end of 2008, they will be operational in an additional 17 countries, TNT said. The decision to enhance the tracking service followed successful trials in Finland, the U.K., Italy and Singapore. The technology enables high-speed wireless communication of large quantities of data between depots and drivers, improving driver efficiency and productivity, TNT Express said. http://www.tnt.com/
SymphonyRPM Unveils Latest Version of Performance Management SymphonyRPM, Inc., a vendor of performance management and business analysis software, has released the latest version of its integrated platform of applications. Version 4.8 adds functionality both to the analytic server and Web application segments, and introduces Excel client analytic tools integrated through Web services. Other features of the upgrade include shared member enhancements, advanced graphical indicators, new filtering tools and integration to Excel and PowerPoint. According to SymphonyRPM, users can more easily organize the performance of their businesses, as well as expected future scenarios. New graphical indicators such as key performance indicators (KPI), single-cell dials and range bars are combined with the ability to import and display image thumbnails or active links in the runtime grid. Shared member workflow allows the owner to set up a master pane with certain requirements or subsets, then direct a path for users to go through the reports, seeing only what portions were selected for them. The new version also includes metadata import and export capabilities, allowing users and administrators to work in different environments, yet migrate easily across instances of the platform. http://www.symphonyrpm.com/
Exostar Upgrades Software for Project Design, Collaboration Exostar has developed ForumPass 3.0, the newest version of its project and design collaboration software. ForumPass supports project-management activities across the product lifecycle, from bid development to design, production and aftermarket support. Users can configure the tool to enforce process and workflow requirements, such as those related to engineering change control. Exostar also offers capability for simple, ad hoc collaboration, including file-sharing and Web meetings. Highlights of the version 3.0 upgrade include a new computer-aided design (CAD)-neutral viewer for drawings and documents, an improved import and export feature with faster and multiple file-transfer capabilities, more flexible process and approval workflows, and improvements to help users collaborate more effectively. Exostar offers ForumPass on a software-as-a-service basis. The subscription-based pricing model includes all software, hardware and hosting fees, as well as end-user support via Web-based training and call centers. http://www.exostar.com/
Salient Debuts Performance Management for Wholesale Distribution Salient Corp. has launched Salient Performance Management for Wholesale Distribution. The new software gives users real-time access to supply-chain data on pricing, logistics, marketing, financial projection, budgeting, delivery and warehousing. In the process, they can manage unprofitable products, customers and channels by conducting analyses at any level, by customer, company or region. The tool can be installed within a company's existing I.T. infrastructure, Salient said. Financial departments and senior managers can forecast and budget as needed, without waiting for period delays. As a result, they can determine operating profit levels, as opposed to gross profit, and improve their management of the cash-to-cash cycle, the vendor said. Salient Performance Management utilizes existing corporate data generated by enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management and data warehouse systems. http://www.salient.com/
Radio Beacon Enables Integration With SAP 2005 Service Pack New warehouse management system (WMS) software from Radio Beacon, Inc. integrates with the SAP Business One 2005 Service Pack 01, the latest release of SAP's business-management software for small and medium-sized companies. Radio Beacon's embedded user interface allows customers using the SAP software to control warehouse processes without leaving the SAP desktop. The new version features added support for customer returns and returns to vendors. Newly integrated tools offer wireless and barcode validation of both RMA and non-RMA-style returns. New localization tools provide complete multi-lingual support. An improved Software Development Kit allows for partner customization of Radio Beacon functions. Full electronic data interchange (EDI) integration with TrueCommerce EDI completes the end-to-end supply-chain transaction, the vendor said. An improved container-receiving function consolidates a containerload of multiple purchase orders on a single goods receipt document. And newly integrated menu-building and extensible markup language (XML) report tools make possible customizations with the familiar SAP look and feel, Radio Beacon said. The new software is available immediately. http://www.radiobeacon.com/
SAS Cargo Signs New Capacity-Sharing Agreement With Spanair Beginning Sept. 1, SAS Cargo will have access to space on aircraft operated by Spanair. The agreement offers an improved cargo route network between Spain and Scandinavia, the airline said. In addition, Spanair's domestic route network is expected to improve the ability of SAS Cargo's customers to ship freight between the Spanish mainland and the Spanish islands close to it. The increased cargo capacity and frequencies will also give additional service options to express freight customers and national post offices that use SAS Air Mail to distribute their international mail. The agreement is part of a larger strategy by SAS Cargo to boost capacity for shippers, as well as take over responsibility for the cargo business on airlines within the SAS Group. As in the rest of Europe, SAS Cargo will sell capacity in Spain through a network of general sales agents, as well as its own staff in Scandinavia. Up to now, the Cargo Counts business unit of Lufthansa Cargo has been in charge of selling all capacity onboard Spanair's 51 planes. That arrangement will stop when SAS Cargo takes over on Sept. 1. Spanair is 94.9-percent owned by SAS Group. http://www.sascargo.com/
Insight Adds Supply-Chain Audit Service to Risk Discovery Insight, Inc., a provider of supply-chain planning software, has created Insight Supply Chain Audit, a tool to help global businesses uncover risk and vulnerability within their supply-chain networks. The service consists of a three-step process which begins with a company's customers and the products they purchase, then works back to the uppermost tier of raw-material suppliers. The result, said Insight, is a plan for resiliency in the form of strategically located facilities with flexible operations. The first step is education, involving case-study examples presented by strategic supply-chain planners from Insight. They describe basic risk categories and mitigation methods. The second step is audit, whereby Insight gathers data for all components of a supply chain, including commodity types, customers, channels and facilities. It then identifies critical elements, categories of exposure and any existing contingency plans for each component. The third step is prescriptive analysis, showing how and where to make affordable changes. Insight describes the most cost-effective enhancements to improve supply-chain resiliency. Techniques include critical commodity, customer and location analyses, along with short-term crisis response. The result is a detailed plan of action, Insight said. http://www.insight-mss.com/
4 Way Logistics Unveils Transportation Outsourcing Service 4 Way Logistics Inc. has developed a new service which allows customers to outsource their entire transportation-management programs. Known as “Your Transportation Department,” the offering covers all aspects of transportation and related information services, from domestic less-than-truckload (LTL) to international ocean freight, and from point of origin to final destination. 4 Way Logistics is a non-asset-based third-party logistics provider based in San Ramon, Calif. It provides multimodal transportation services throughout the U.S. and the world. It has access to a network of more than 4,000 carriers, providing truckload, LTL, intermodal, air and ocean transport. Customers also have access to 4 Way's information technology, which provides electronic bills of lading, Web tracking and fax alerts. Other services include initial analysis and consultation; continuous monitoring; open-book, cost-plus pricing; simplified weekly billing; customized reports; purchase order coordination with vendors, and client-specific carrier negotiations. http://www.4way.com/
Saddle Creek Expands Through Alliance With G3 Enterprises Saddle Creek Corp., a third-party logistics services provider, is expanding into the Chicago and Northern California markets, by way of a strategic alliance with G3 Enterprises. Modesto, Calif.-based G3 sells itself as a single-source provider for customers in the beverage industry. It supplies the beverage sector with custom-printed labels, various bottle-closure options, unique bottle decorating and logistics services. The provider also serves the retail-support, grocery and cosmetics industries. The deal allows Saddle Creek to utilize G3's facilities in Chicago and Modesto. In addition, G3 will obtain access to Saddle Creek's campus locations in Atlanta, Ga.; Ft. Worth, TX, Charlotte, N.C., and Lakeland, Fla. for its customers. Installation of the SSA Global Exceed Warehouse Management System will allow the G3 sites to appear and operate like all other Saddle Creek locations, the partners said. Saddle Creek and G3 have partnered for 10 years to serve one of their largest customers on the Saddle Creek campuses. http://www.saddlecrk.com/
