Four new Web-based applications for supply chain management from McHugh Software International Inc. allow manufacturers and suppliers to square up on logistics management while collaborating on real-time orders, production and quality control testing.
The suite, announced this week, is targeted for suppliers and manufacturers that have complex supply chains – ones that might include satellite facilities, contract manufacturers and shipping partners – but lack essential Web enabling technologies for their supply chain processes, according to officials at McHugh, in Waukesha, Wisc.
The new release includes DLx Supplier, a collaborative commerce application that allows manufacturers and suppliers to synchronize logistics operations and share order, inventory and shipping information through a portal interface.
A second application, called DLx Commander/QA, provides centralized command and control that allows for real-time quality control management and inventory tracking throughout the supply chain. The application also provides network-wide quality assurance process control through the portal interface and the ability to place any SKU, lot or pallet on hold, or release it from hold.
A DLx Commander/Recall application is used to initiate product recalls for any product internal or external to the supply network and includes a data warehouse of all historical shipping information.
McHugh also released Version 2.0 of its Lens product, a visibility and event management tool that gives users real-time visibility across their networks for internal distribution centers, raw materials warehouses, in-transit shipments and external warehouses.
While the applications come pre-integrated with McHughs DLx Warehouse solution, they can also be adopted with legacy and third-party warehouse management system, officials said.
McHugh competes with supply chain execution vendors EXE Technologies Inc. and Manhattan Associates Inc., which play more in the supply chain logistics space than the supply chain planning space, which is dominated by such developers as i2 Technologies and Manugistics Group Inc.
With its new applications that provide deeper decision support, McHugh is also hoping to break into the top ranks of the supply chain process management space, as well – a market its not currently considered a leader in.