Infor, a provider of industry-specific cloud applications, has launched new supply chain management capabilities that enable companies to gain real-time visibility and control of their global supply chains.
According to Infor, the new capabilities leverage digital technologies such as big data, machine learning, Internet of Things and automation to provide predictive ETAs, real-time visibility and 3D visualization of warehouse flow.
Infor’s GT Nexus Commerce Network combines data science, machine learning and almost 20 years of network insights to calculate a predictive ETA, based on each informational update and transaction across the network. The system continually updates ETAs, using the latest information available. With more accurate ETAs, companies can expand initiatives such as cross-dock and merge in transit, and improve inventory accuracy and customer service.
“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, VP of products and strategy at Infor. “We now are delivering the next technology evolution, applying machine learning to shipments, resulting in up to 80% greater accuracy predicting arrivals.”
Infor’s Live Ocean uses automatic identification system data 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. By linking order, shipment and item information, the solution supports inventory tracking and planning. Information details also include vessel status, speed, headings and next or 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.”
Users can also use the GPS data in the AIS to set up a geo-fence to trigger alerts when shipments cross a particular location.
Infor’s new 3D Visual Warehouse management system now provides a three-dimensional, interactive mechanism to visualize and orchestrate the warehouse flow. Users can identify bottlenecks to prevent delays, enhancing flow-through and worker productivity. 3D Visual Warehouse works in conjunction with wave management to enable users to virtually see workflow, areas of order concentration and locations at risk of causing delays so they can initiate corrective action.
“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, VP of solutions strategy and marketing at Infor. “This helps companies move beyond tactically tackling work, to understanding macro-level implications on the use of assets, from inventory to labour, and from equipment to space.”
These new technologies can help companies monitor and control inventory flows across global supply chains, increasing velocity in the end-to-end supply chain and improving customer responsiveness, according to Infor, which has more than 90,000 customers in over 170 countries.
