Former EXE Technologies executives launch new company to leverage exceptions management for supply chain improvements
Dallas — January 25, 2006 — A new solution provider hit the supply chain scene this week, with Blue Sky Logistics debuting to offer tracking and monitoring technology for supply chain optimization.
Blue Sky's first creation is a package called Insight, a visibility dashboard that was designed to monitor critical decision information at all management levels across an enterprise. Insight is a Web-native application that uses a company's real-time data to track and monitor key performance metrics and trends. The solution comes with a library of predefined supply chain gauges and alerts and is integrated with various planning and execution systems.
The brains behind Blue Sky include Randy Marble, Steve Hensley, Richard Stanford and Brian Deterling, veteran application software specialists who formerly worked together at EXE Technologies. Marble serves as chief executive officer while Hensley is president; Stanford is Blue Sky Logistics' chief technical officer and Deterling is chief software architect.
Dealing with the Data Deluge
In its coming-out announcement, the company said its four founders shared a common vision of providing clients with a tool, like Insight, to allow them to manage their end-to-end logistics operations using an exception-based management dashboard.
"We knew from past experiences with customers that there is tremendous need for solutions and services targeted to the area of exceptions management," said Marble. "The proliferation of technology to manage logistics operations means that managers today are overwhelmed with data. Our solutions will enable them to extract the information that will result in more timely and better decisions, and with less clutter in their information streams."
Hensley, who will direct the company's sales and marketing efforts, added: "There is a vital need in the market for products like ours. Our immediate success has validated the fact that a company that offers end-to-end visibility solutions will find a strong market for its products and services."
Blue Chip Customer List
The company has gotten off to a fast start, landing such clients as Staples, Nash Finch, Ahold USA, Whole Foods, Military Distributors of Virginia, Woolworth LTD, K-VA-T and Hy-Vee.
Hensley went on to say that the Blue Sky application will oversee a company's extended operations, including planning, sourcing, manufacturing, delivery and returns. "Unfortunately, most information systems today operate in a vacuum, focusing on only one area," he said. "Our applications provide an expanded view that encompasses data from all areas of the supply chain."
Blue Sky Logistics has adopted the Supply Chain Council's Supply Chain Operational Reference (SCOR) model metrics, providing customers with more than 250 standard metrics for tracking and monitoring their supply chain on an exception basis. This will be the basis for additional products and services in the future, according to the company.
Additional Articles of Interest
— Leading crafts company Creativity Inc. has found that, with a bit of trust and a lot of teamwork, a little consulting can go a long way in addressing supply chain pain points. Read more in "Crafting Success in Supply Chain Transformation," cover story in the December 2005/January 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
— Successful supply chain executives differentiate themselves — and their companies — from the competition. Here are the skill sets you need to focus on. Read "Critical Skills for Effective Supply Chain Leaders" in the December 2005/January 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
— A recent independent study revealed that Wal-Mart customers are finding the items they wanted in stock more often due to the retailer's use of RFID technologies when compared to control stores. Read more in "Wal-Mart Achieving Improved On-shelf Availability with RFID, Study Finds" on SDCExec.com.
Dallas — January 25, 2006 — A new solution provider hit the supply chain scene this week, with Blue Sky Logistics debuting to offer tracking and monitoring technology for supply chain optimization.
Blue Sky's first creation is a package called Insight, a visibility dashboard that was designed to monitor critical decision information at all management levels across an enterprise. Insight is a Web-native application that uses a company's real-time data to track and monitor key performance metrics and trends. The solution comes with a library of predefined supply chain gauges and alerts and is integrated with various planning and execution systems.
The brains behind Blue Sky include Randy Marble, Steve Hensley, Richard Stanford and Brian Deterling, veteran application software specialists who formerly worked together at EXE Technologies. Marble serves as chief executive officer while Hensley is president; Stanford is Blue Sky Logistics' chief technical officer and Deterling is chief software architect.
Dealing with the Data Deluge
In its coming-out announcement, the company said its four founders shared a common vision of providing clients with a tool, like Insight, to allow them to manage their end-to-end logistics operations using an exception-based management dashboard.
"We knew from past experiences with customers that there is tremendous need for solutions and services targeted to the area of exceptions management," said Marble. "The proliferation of technology to manage logistics operations means that managers today are overwhelmed with data. Our solutions will enable them to extract the information that will result in more timely and better decisions, and with less clutter in their information streams."
Hensley, who will direct the company's sales and marketing efforts, added: "There is a vital need in the market for products like ours. Our immediate success has validated the fact that a company that offers end-to-end visibility solutions will find a strong market for its products and services."
Blue Chip Customer List
The company has gotten off to a fast start, landing such clients as Staples, Nash Finch, Ahold USA, Whole Foods, Military Distributors of Virginia, Woolworth LTD, K-VA-T and Hy-Vee.
Hensley went on to say that the Blue Sky application will oversee a company's extended operations, including planning, sourcing, manufacturing, delivery and returns. "Unfortunately, most information systems today operate in a vacuum, focusing on only one area," he said. "Our applications provide an expanded view that encompasses data from all areas of the supply chain."
Blue Sky Logistics has adopted the Supply Chain Council's Supply Chain Operational Reference (SCOR) model metrics, providing customers with more than 250 standard metrics for tracking and monitoring their supply chain on an exception basis. This will be the basis for additional products and services in the future, according to the company.
Additional Articles of Interest
— Leading crafts company Creativity Inc. has found that, with a bit of trust and a lot of teamwork, a little consulting can go a long way in addressing supply chain pain points. Read more in "Crafting Success in Supply Chain Transformation," cover story in the December 2005/January 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
— Successful supply chain executives differentiate themselves — and their companies — from the competition. Here are the skill sets you need to focus on. Read "Critical Skills for Effective Supply Chain Leaders" in the December 2005/January 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
— A recent independent study revealed that Wal-Mart customers are finding the items they wanted in stock more often due to the retailer's use of RFID technologies when compared to control stores. Read more in "Wal-Mart Achieving Improved On-shelf Availability with RFID, Study Finds" on SDCExec.com.
