- Demand in toyland. Denmark-based Top-Toy A/S, the largest toy retailer in the Nordic market, has licensed JDA Demand and JDA Fulfillment solutions from JDA Software to improve sales forecasts and reduce inventory levels for both its own BR-Legetoj brand and its Toys "R" Us franchises. By implementing the JDA solutions, Top-Toy expects to gain better visibility into demand at its 250 stores, which will allow it to optimize service levels from its central distribution center.
- Seeing the light. Lightning Pick Technologies is partnering with SPSI, a provider of tier-one enterprise shipping and warehouse solutions. The agreement allows the two companies to offer distributors a single-source solution for implementing light-directed fulfillment systems along with manifesting systems.
- The Quest is complete. Scarbrough International, a fullservice third-party logistics service provider, has implemented TradeMaster software from QuestaWeb, a supplier of Web-based integrated trade and logistics management solutions. The software integrates operations at Scarbrough's headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., with operating sites in Chicago, St. Louis, and Milwaukee, and gives Scarbrough's customers direct Internet access to real-time shipment information.
- Reaching the Pinnacle. Pinnacle Foods Group, maker of the Duncan Hines, Mrs. Butterworth, Log Cabin, Swanson, and Hungry Man brands of packaged foods, has awarded a contract for transportation management services to DSC Logistics. Earlier this year, Pinnacle had chosen DSC to provide warehousing and distribution management services. Under the new agreement, DSC will also provide transportation services to Pinnacle's customers in 11 states on the West Coast and Canada out of its facilities in Mira Loma and Tracy, Calif.
- RFID pairing. RedPrairie and Avery Dennison's Printer Systems Division have teamed up to provide RFID capabilities. The solution consists of RedPrairie's enterprise software coupled with Avery Dennison's Monarch 9855 RFID printer/encoder and RFID supplies.
- Seeing sea. Geodis Wilson, one of Europe's largest transport and logistics companies, has rolled out an ocean shipment management platform from GT Nexus Trade and Logistics. The system allows Geodis Wilson to exchange data between its Freight Monitor visibility system and its global network of ocean carriers.
- Rug runners. Shaw Industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, has installed the WhereNet Yard Management System (YMS) at its main distribution campus in Dalton, Ga. WhereNet YMS manages and tracks assets in the 79-acre yard, providing improved throughput, asset utilization, and use of labor. The system is also supporting two distribution centers in the area.
- Eye in the sky. Sentry Technology Corp. has signed an agreement with Steve & Barry's to install its SentryVision SmartTrack traveling closed-circuit TV system in 22 stores as well as the apparel retailer's distribution center. The program includes OperationVideo, which is Sentry's remote security and business management solution. The system provides real-time video images over the Internet, allowing companies to remotely monitor facility operations, safety, security, and compliance.
- Keeping their cool. Wal-Mart has begun testing Thermo King's Spectrum SB 50 multi-temp hybrid trailer refrigeration units. The units are designed to meet proposed environmental regulations in California that would require trucks to "plug in" at loading docks. The two companies have previously worked together on several initiatives, including the development of the original Spectrum SB model.
- Cheers. A.G. Barr, a leading manufacturer of soft drinks in the United Kingdom, has implemented Supply Chain Management Demand Planning software from Infor. The solution will help A.G. Barr improve its forecasting capabilities and reduce inventory.
- Brrrrr. Global container transporter APL has ordered 6,300 scroll-container refrigeration units from Carrier Transicold's Container Products Group. The order for the EliteLINE scroll units is the largest ever for Carrier Transicold. Carrier says these units will allow APL to keep up with booming growth in the refrigerated-container trade.
- Hear ye, hear ye. Vanguard Voice Systems has entered into an agreement with technology distributor Ingram Micro to deliver its AccuSpeech technology through the Ingram Micro Data Capture/Point-of-Sale Division. Ingram Micro will market the Vanguard voice-directed data input and control technology for mobile data collection applications to independent software vendors, solutions integrators, and value-added resellers.
newsworthy
Gartner, Inc.
