Retailer will use global network to improve visibility and collaboration
London, UK (September 26, 2006) — One Network Enterprises and Argos, one of Europe’s largest retailers, announced the successful deployment of the second phase of a key project, expanding the automation of Argos’s fast growing Direct Import (DI) department.
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Global Trade Management Solution
As announced earlier this year, the DI container management project provides Argos and its freight forwarders visibility into the import containers at the ports, providing a better system to make decisions on which containers to prioritize and pull forward into the network based on latest store sales and critical supply chain constraints. One Network delivers advanced sense-and-respond capability that automates the decision-making process of container prioritization using its patented IXM or Intelligent eXecution Manager, an innovative process optimization framework that allows planning and decision making to be executed in real-time, using the latest available data.
The project manages over 1000 containers per week, tying together Argos with its shipping partners and supplying:
- Automatic scheduling of import containers into Argos DC’s while considering real demand, supply, warehouse and transport constraints. This gives planners more efficient decision-making support as to which containers are due and ensures supply chain constraints are enforced.
- Order and Container prioritization automation, bringing forward needed products based on real-time situations at the retail level. Argos benefits by saving on demurrage charges at ports, since containers with required stock will be moved into the distribution network automatically while others can be found via off-dock solutions.
- Exception-based collaboration with freight forwarders with real-time visibility for all partners, allowing planners & managers to concentrate on exceptions.
“Agile systems are vital to ensuring that Argos gains a competitive edge through its supply chain processes,” says Argos’ Direct Import Stock Manager. “The One Network tool gives us the ability to automate the container scheduling process to ensure that the most important lines are prioritized as quickly as possible, ultimately ensuring the highest possible service levels for our customers.”
“We are excited about the expansion of the Direct Import project with Argos,” says Vice President, International, Peer Steffensen. “This solution is part of our Global Trade network, which spans all continents and is providing solutions for manufacturers, distributors, freight forwarders and retailers on a daily basis. This is a highly scalable solution that encompasses complex and diverse sourcing challenges easily implemented on our network. One Network is a web service, which allows Argos’ legacy systems to communicate with those of its partners, without costly investment in a software solution.”
About One Network Enterprises, Inc
One Network Enterprises is a technology innovator and pioneer of the Business Process Network market. The company delivers a network-centric, process-driven solution, including a powerful software architecture for managing multi-enterprise operation processes; robust replenishment, supply and service templates; and leading-edge mobile/RFID devices. The solution is delivered via an on-demand network to over 1200 customers and manages over $100 billion a year in annual retail trade. One Network is based in Dallas, Texas and has offices in the United States and Europe. For more information, please call +1 972-385-8630 or visit www.onenetwork.com.
About Argos
Argos is a unique catalogue retailer recognized for choice, value and convenience. It sells general merchandise and products for the home from 670 stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland, online and over the telephone. In the last financial year, Argos sales topped £3.8 billion. Argos serves over 130 million customers a year through its stores and takes four million customer orders either online or over the phone. On average, 17 million UK households, or around two thirds of the population, have an Argos catalogue at home at any time. Argos expects to add around 30 stores per annum with the chain expected to exceed 800 over time. Its internet site, www.argos.co.uk, is the second most visited internet retail site in the UK. Argos is Retail Week’s 2006 Online Retailer of the Year and winner of the Customer Service Initiative Award.
