Manhattan supplies
Manhattan supplies
Manhattan Associates, a global provider of technology-based fulfilment solutions, has announced details of InfoLinkTM, a new supply chain initiative that employs Web-based technology to link retailers with their suppliers and provides end-to-end inventory visibility. Communication between retailers and their suppliers is facilitated through XML technology and allows for information to be transferred directly between suppliers' and retailers'systems. Microsoft has provided expertise in the XML document definition, based on the BizTalkTM Framework. The InfoLink initiative will help retailers enhance in-stock positions, reduce inventory and increase gross margins. Suppliers should benefit from improving their customer service capabilities, reducing operational costs and having a comprehensive integration strategy for emerging trading exchanges which are changing the way they do business. US retailer, Federated Department Stores, Inc. recently completed an InfoLink pilot programme, which enabled the transfer of order and shipment status information between three of the company's suppliers' systems and its own in-house system using the Internet. The order status information shared through this solution, using XML, is more detailed than existing EDI transactions. Now that the pilot has been successfully completed, additional functionality is under development that includes features such as alert mechanisms when shipment conditions change, additional order status information and greater inventory visibility. See the Web site: http://www.federate-fds.comhttp://www.manh.com
