SAP AG has introduced a new version of its MySAP Supply Chain Management package that supports both RFID and real-time response replenishment.
The new RFID (radio-frequency identification) feature is based on SAPs Auto-ID infrastructure, which is a component of the SAP NetWeaver application development and integration platform. This allows MySAP SCM applications to support RFID specifications from state and federal agencies as well as from retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp. and European retail giant Metro Group.
/zimages/5/28571.gifFor more on how the feds and Wal-Mart are driving RFID adoption,click here.
The response replenishment features enable retailers and distributors to rapidly respond to customer demand, especially those driven by sales promotions, by ordering new shipments on a daily or even more often than daily basis, according to SAP officials.
These features are designed to improve the efficiency of the supply chain by reducing inventory levels, increasing inventory turnover and keeping customers happy, the officials said.
The latest MySAP SCM release includes enhancements to SAPs APO (Advanced Planning and Optimization) features that provide improved demand-planning and life-cycle planning capabilities.
SAP APO also offers companies enhanced transportation planning, vehicle scheduling, production planning and detailed scheduling functionality to support the supply chain management process from end to end, SAP officials said.
Store-level forecasting and replenishment enables retailers to avoid stock-out situations and improve inventory levels, which will help companies lower logistics and labor costs.
The new edition also includes new features to support industrial machine tool and machinery manufacturers that will enable project- or order-driven manufacturing. This will help manufacturers reduce lead times and inventory and increase on-time delivery and overall throughput.
The new MySAP SCM capabilities were announced Monday at the annual Americas SAP Users Group conference in Atlanta.
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