Four Soft Offers New Version of Web-Based Tool for Transportation and Freight Management
Four Soft Limited has developed version 2.1 of 4S eTrans, the vendor's Web-based software for the transportation and freight industry. 4S eTrans was designed to manage multimodal shipments on a single, integrated application, Four Soft said. It is platform-independent and supports multiple databases. Users can access the application from anywhere via the internet. A centralized database architecture eliminates the need for multiple data entry, reducing the possibility of inputting errors, according to the company. Version 2.1 features an improved graphical user interface, multiple search functionality, configurable menu system and enhanced reporting mechanism. Four Soft is a developer of software for the transportation, logistics and supply-chain marketplace. It also offers information-technology consultancy services. http://www.four-soft.com/
Wearable Mobile Computer Introduced by Symbol Technologies Symbol Technologies, Inc. has introduced a wearable mobile computer and scanner system for use in extreme environments. The WT4000 series of mobile computers was designed for warehouse and distribution users that require hands-free operation. It is suited for applications such as order picking, receiving, replenishment, loading and maintenance and repair, as well as package sorting and handling. Worn on the wrist or hip, the unit also offers headset support for voice picking. It was built to withstand four-foot drops to concrete across a range of operating temperatures, in such environments as dusty warehouse floors and cold-storage freezers. Symbol's new RS309 and RS409 scanners permit accurate reading of poorly printed and damaged barcodes, the vendor said. The RS309, positioned for use on the back of the hand, offers protection from condensation when moving between freezer and non-freezer environments. The lightweight RS409 can be worn directly on the finger or over a gloved hand. It is suitable for applications such as the processing of deliveries in a postal facility, and the loading of produce cases onto a pallet truck. Symbol's wearable mobile computers are eligible for coverage against accidental damage to displays, keypads, and other components, at no extra charge. http://www.symbol.com/
RFID Tags and Readers Now Available From Intelleflex Corp. Intelleflex Corp. has released a line of single-chip tags and multi-protocol readers utilizing radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The battery-assisted units combine elements of passive and active RFID technology, with tags priced at $5 apiece in high production volumes. Intelleflex's InfoSure tags and I-Beam readers are multi-protocol, allowing for global interoperability using EPC standards. The tags can be used as passive C1G2 tags with any other C1G2 reader, or in the battery-assisted passive mode at long ranges with the I-Beam reader. According to the vendor, InfoSure tags provide a read and write range of up to 100 meters in free space. They offer 64-kb user memory, segmented into 1-kb blocks to that they can be independently protected for read/write access through passwords. The I-Beam reader can read any EPC C1G2 tag, as well as the Class 3 InfoSure tag. Initial shipments of both tags and readers will be aimed at applications related to asset management, yard management, manufacturing and zonal access control, Intelleflex said. http://www.intelleflex.com/
ADVERTISEMENT
ClearOrbit Returns-Management App Now “Powered by NetWeaver” New version 4.1 of Enterprise Returns Management (ERM) software from ClearOrbit has earned the “Powered by SAP NetWeaver” designation. ClearOrbit ERM is a Web-based, end-to-end platform for the management of reverse logistics by manufacturers and distributors. It supports the five primary categories of service required for a complete returns-management operation, with a gate-keeping feature that allows the user to know what's being returned before it arrives; a material-routing feature which enables administration of the method and means of return; a receipt and disposition function so that users can systematically capture returned items and determine their optimal disposition; and a customer-credit feature which lets a company automatically reconcile and issue credit to the original customer or perform a warranty exchange. To achieve the “Powered by SAP NetWeaver” status, ClearOrbit deployed ERM 4.1 on a J2EE-based version of SAP's NetWeaver Application Server Release 6.40, in addition to building a NetWeaver Portal-Based Business Package. http://www.clearorbit.com/
VoxWare Updates VoiceLogistics Pro; Supports Symbol Devices VoxWare, Inc. has created VoiceLogistics Pro 2.0, the latest version of its toolkit for voice-application software development and implementation. The system offers a configurable voice product, based on open standards, for the logistics industry. It is built upon a service-oriented architecture. A new feature within version 2.0 provides the ability to create more comprehensive voice applications, through multiple workflows and repeated modular functionality. Users can customize work assignments, in batch and real time. Enhanced administrative tools in VoiceLogistics Pro's VoxConsole permit the monitoring of worker status and voice performance. Also improved is VoxConnect, the vendor's graphical enterprise application integration (EAI) tool, with the addition of custom events required to support specific warehouse-management software, system integrators and other logistics systems. In addition, customers can deploy localized versions for a wide variety of international markets, VoxWare said. In another development, the vendor announced that the new WT4000 series of mobile computers from Symbol Technologies has been certified to run VoxWare's VoiceXML browser, VoxBrowser. The application enables Symbol's new wearable mobile computers to use voice technology for hands-free logistics operations in demanding environments, the company said.
VoiceLogisticsPro 2.0: http://www.voxware.com/
Support for Symbol: http://www.voxware.com/
TNT Inks New Delivery Partnership With France's GeoPost TNT Express has signed a five-year agreement with GeoPost, holding company for the parcel and express subsidiaries of Groupe La Poste, France's national delivery service. The deal calls for TNT Express to pick up and deliver international express parcels on behalf of GeoPost throughout its global network. Effective as of late January, 2007, the agreement is expected to generate some $150m in revenues for TNT over its five-year term. According to TNT, the contract comes at a time when the provider is consolidating its position in the international express-parcel market. The company has made recent acquisitions in China and India, and will add two new Boeing 747 aircraft to its fleet in daily service between Europe and Asia as of next year. GeoPost said the deal will complement its European road-transport services. http://www.tnt.com/
ADVERTISEMENT
Sterling Beefs Up Its Supply-Chain Application Portfolio Sterling Commerce has unveiled enhancements to its suite of supply-chain software applications. The changes will help companies better to serve their customers' unique demands, according to the vendor. The additions include improved process-modeling capabilities, which allow for the opening of new fulfillment channels and offer support for new delivery options. For example, companies can model sourcing rules to accommodate new channels, such as in-store pickup. New workflows address exception scenarios encountered in the order-administration process, as well as customer-initiated order inquiries. User interfaces for task-based retail order entry and modification provide the ability to handle special orders, services, and a mix of fulfillment methods of different lines on the same order. Also part of the new release is an intuitive user interface which allows for the faster on-boarding of customer-service agents. Sterling also announced the availability of an integration kit between its Multi-Channel Order Management software and version 6 of IBM Websphere Commerce. The kit provides users with pre-integrated processes for better management of the order capture-to-fulfillment process.
Extended Application Portfolio: http://www.sterlingcommerce.com/
Integration With IBM: http://www.sterlingcommerce.com/
LXE Offers Rugged, Arm-Wearable Unit for Data Collection LXE Inc. has introduced the HX2, a lightweight mobile computer for data collection which can be worn on the arm or waist by warehouse and distribution personnel. The rugged, hands-free unit helps users to boost the efficiency of inventory moves, including piece-picking to carts, containers or conveyors; case picking; parcel moves, and broken-case activities, the vendor said. An armband secures both the unit and its battery, keeping the computer in the ready position at all times by preventing it from rotating around the operator's arm. The armbands can be worn close to the elbow or near the wrist, depending on the operator's preference. The HX2 features a color display with easy viewing in any lighting condition and from any angle, according to LXE. Large, backlit keys have been designed for use in high-speed picking environments. The keys are fully mappable, so that users can customize them for specific applications. The system, including the computer and its ring-scanner accessories, features breakaway connections at multiple points, in addition to a smooth design which resists snagging on fixtures and equipment. http://www.lxe.com/
Seko Expands In Canada Through Partnering With Cole Group Seko, the global provider of freight-forwarding and logistics services, has opened a Canadian unit. Seko-Canada stems from a 10-year relationship with the Cole Group, a customs broker and logistics provider with more than 30 offices throughout Canada. Cole provides a wide range of customs, transportation and warehousing services. It is composed of Cole Freight Inc., Cole International Inc., Abco International Freight, Abco International Freight (USA) Inc. and Cancon Logistics. Seko-Canada will operate 11 offices in Canada, including facilities in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. The office provides expertise in specialized industries such as pulp and paper, mining, petroleum and consumer products. Heading the Transborder Division of Seko-Canada is Dave Venning, with Walter Krancevic running the International Freight Division. Founded in 1976, Seko has 46 offices in North America in addition to a presence in more than 40 countries. http://www.sekoworldwide.com/
ADVERTISEMENT
NSX, Symtrax Team Up to Enhance Use of Excel for SAP Users NSX Software Inc. has entered into a new alliance with Symtrax to offer a business-intelligence application for users of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software from SAP AG. To be marketed in Europe and North America as StarQuery for SAP, the tool will deliver real-time data directly into Microsoft Excel from data held in SAP's R/3, mySAP and mySAP All-In-One ERP suites. According to the partners, the deal accommodates customer demands for real-time analytics of cross-related data, without the need for off-line extracts or custom ABAP programming, all via a familiar SQL interface. StarQuery SAPDesigner and StarQuery for Excel (SAP Edition) will ship with the NSX SAP driver beginning in the fourth quarter of this year. It will be priced per SAP instance, the vendors said. http://www.nsxsoftware.com http://www.symtrax.com
Fast Close From Coda Group Wins “Powered by NetWeaver” Tag The software known as Fast Close, from finance systems specialist Coda Group, has achieved “Certified for SAP NetWeaver” status. Fast Close is designed to boost the efficiency of the financial period-end close process. The NetWeaver certification makes the application more suitable for SAP users. To win the designation, Coda demonstrated that Fast Close iViews was integrated with the SAP NetWeaver Portal. ERP software such as the mySAP ERP application manage the financial data, but many related tasks are highly manual in nature. Fast Close was designed to automate such processes. Finance departments can improve their control over the period close, automatically scheduling key tasks while making the whole process more standardized and visible to the financial controller. One implemented, the Fast Close user interface takes on the same look and feel as existing SAP applications, the vendor said. Fast Close for SAP is available now and can be implemented in a staged approach. http://www.coda.com/
