Infor Introduces Next-Generation Supply Chain Visibility and Control Capabilities

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Infor, a leading provider of industry-specific cloud applications, today announced new Supply Chain Management (SCM) capabilities that provide companies with unprecedented, real-time visibility and control of their global supply chains.

The new capabilities leverage digital technologies – including Big Data, Machine Learning, IoT and Automation – to provide predictive ETAs, real-time visibility, and 3D visualization of warehouse flow.

Infor's new SCM capabilities are designed to accelerate innovation and digital transformation in the supply chain – giving customers the visibility to see what is possible and the power to take action. 

Predictive ETAsCombining data science, machine learning and almost 20 years of network insights, Infor's GT Nexus Commerce Network provides a new level of ETA accuracy, enabling companies to greatly improve planning accuracy and enable more efficient execution. With more accurate ETAs, companies can expand initiatives such as cross-dock and merge in transit, and improve inventory accuracy and customer service.

Using machine learning and historical network data, the Infor GT Nexus Commerce Network platform calculates a predictive ETA, based on each informational update and transaction across the network. The system continually updates ETAs, using the latest information available. Machine learning enables the system to develop accurate, up-to-date supply chain models, and it continuously fine tunes the model's parameters based on the latest trends and patterns observed in real-time.

"We have been an innovator in this space, helping customers move beyond static lead-time estimates with dynamic ETAs based on performance models," said John Bermudez, Infor VP of Products and Strategy.  "We now are delivering the next technology evolution, applying machine learning to shipments, resulting in up to 80% greater accuracy predicting arrivals."

Live Ocean and Geo-FencingMoving beyond simply updating status at point of departure and arrival, Live Ocean uses AIS (Automatic Identification System), a real-time IoT information source, to provide continuous visibility of goods in transit from port to port. Companies gain real-time, visual updates of all ocean vessels with specific identification of ships carrying your goods. By linking order, shipment and item information, the solution supports inventory tracking and planning. Information details also include vessel status, speed, headings, and next/previous port of call.

"Most ocean visibility solutions rely on EDI messages and can't see beyond the shipment level," said Bermudez. "Live Ocean provides real-time location of the vessel and connects the vessel information to the more detailed item-level information, which allows customers to monitor both shipments and inventory in motion.  For companies that strive to run agile, high-velocity global supply chains, visibility into the high volume of inventory they have moving at sea is critical."

Utilizing the GPS data available in the AIS information, users can set up a geo-fence to trigger alerts when shipments cross a particular location, helping companies better manage inventory and plan for downstream processes.

3D Visual WarehouseWith 3D Visual Warehouse, Infor WMS (Warehouse Management System) now provides a three-dimensional, interactive mechanism to visualize and orchestrate the warehouse flow.  Users quickly identify picking and putaway bottlenecks to prevent delays, enhancing flow-through and worker productivity.

3D Visual Warehouse works seamlessly in conjunction with wave management to enable users to virtually "see" workflow, areas of order concentration, and locations at risk of causing delays, and they also can initiate corrective action. This might involve changing task priorities, shifting labor, generating replenishments, or reissuing waves. It provides a visual decision hub to manage locations, inventory, pending picks, routing, and equipment.

"Our 3D Visual Warehouse solution provides a much more holistic view of opportunities, and it creates a more intuitive basis for identifying opportunities and bottlenecks," said Heidi Benko, Infor VP of Solutions Strategy and Marketing. "This helps companies move beyond tactically tackling work, to understanding macro-level implications on the use of assets, from inventory to labor, and from equipment to space."

Together, these new technologies help companies increase velocity in the end-to-end supply chain and improve customer responsiveness. The ability to monitor and control inventory flows across global supply chains is a foundational aspect of digital supply chain transformation and something that all companies are focused on, as technology continues to change customer behavior and expectations.

For more information on Infor Supply Chain solutions, including the Infor 3D Visual Warehouse, click here.

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About InforInfor builds business software for specific industries in the cloud. With 16,500 employees and over 90,000 customers in more than 170 countries, Infor software is designed for progress.  To learn more, please visit www.infor.com.

About the Infor GT Nexus Commerce NetworkThe Infor GT Nexus Commerce Network is the world's largest cloud-based, multi-enterprise commerce network for global trade and supply chain management. Over 55,000 businesses across industry verticals, including adidas Group, Caterpillar, Columbia Sportswear, DHL, Electrolux, Levi Strauss & Co., Nestlé, and Puma share GT Nexus as their standard, multi-enterprise collaboration platform. This enables all network participants to operate with a core, real-time, and always-on set of information across multiple supply chain functions. The platform helps customers optimize the flow of goods, funds and trade information, from the point of order, through final payment. For more information, please visit www.gtnexus.com.

This announcement reflects the direction Infor may take with regard to the specific product(s) described herein, all of which is subject to change by Infor in its sole discretion, with or without notice to you.  This announcement is not a commitment to you in any way and you should not rely on this document or any of its content in making any decision.  Infor is not committing to develop or deliver any specified enhancement, upgrade, product or functionality, even if such is described in this announcement and even if such description is accompanied by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should," "will," and/or similar expressions.  Many factors can affect Infor's product development plans and the nature, content and timing of future product releases, all of which remain in the sole discretion of Infor.  This announcement, in whole or in part, may not be incorporated into any contractual agreement with Infor or its subsidiaries or affiliates.  Infor expressly disclaims any liability with respect to this announcement.

Media contact:Steve BauerInfor(628) 444-5101 (office)(650) 670-7135 (mobile)[email protected]

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SOURCE Infor