Westlake Village, CA February 20, 2002 In November, Need2Buy and Efinity merged, creating the software company now known as RiverOne. Today, the newly-combined solutions of the two organization, the INTERactive suite, released version 4.5 of its software suite.
RiverOne's INTERactive solutions are designed to enable original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs), electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers, component manufacturers, franchised distributors and third-party logistics (3PL) companies to improve "outside the four walls" communication across their extended supply chains. The expanded suite sets a new standard for collaboration by enabling trading partners to visualize and respond to exception events in real-time. In particular, this added "interactivity" allows trading partners to achieve alignment and execute build-to-order and automated-replenishment programs.
The ability to visualize and update information across enterprises is especially relevant given the industry's increasing reliance upon vendor-managed inventory (VMI) initiatives. VMI suppliers now have immediate access to the customer's most current inventory and forecast data, enabling them to effectively maintain contractual service levels and deliver materials when requested or at preset depletion levels.
RiverOne customers currently using the upgraded INTERactive suite include SMART Modular Technologies (a division of Solectron) and Sony Logistics of America.
"To remain competitive in the face of economic pressures, thinning margins and industry consolidation, electronics manufacturers have continued to shift toward outsourced production and VMI programs," said Nima Bakhtiary, RiverOne's president and chief operating officer. "While such strategic initiatives can produce significant bottom-line improvements, they also increase the complexity of trading relationships and create a much broader communications challenge. Our solutions uniquely address this need by enabling organizations to interact across extended supply chains, while continuing to use their current processes and technology infrastructure."
