Westlake Village, CA January 24, 2003 Solution provider RiverOne this week rolled out the latest version of its INTERACTIVE supply chain solution, adding demand and supply balancing capabilities to manage replenishment, among other new features.
RiverOne, the result of the November 2001 merger between software companies Need2Buy and Efinity, offers software and services for manufacturers to control supply chain operations. The provider said that INTERACTIVE represents the industry's first supply chain control system with integrated connectivity, planning, execution and exception management capabilities.
According to RiverOne, the demand and supply balancing capabilities available in the latest iteration of INTERACTIVE, version 5.4, provide users with the ability to manage, analyze and validate replenishment program performance. Utilizing real-time transactional data, including orders, inventory levels and forecasts, the demand and supply balancing functionality allows users to view projected inventory balances over a user-specified time horizon to identify any shortage and overage conditions. Based on this information, users can then optimize replenishment programs utilizing system-recommended replenishment levels.
By providing the ability to track program performance in real-time and view and model optimal levels, the demand and supply balancing capabilities can help users improve replenishment program performance and service levels, RiverOne said.
"Today many companies are engaged in replenishment programs like vendor-managed inventory," said Chris Smith, executive vice president of RiverOne. "However, few have tools, solutions or practices to implement an advanced replenishment program efficiently. We constantly strive to stay on top and ahead of the needs of our customers. Demand and supply balancing is an example of an innovation that will greatly improve our customers' ability to track, analyze and improve replenishment program performance."
In addition to the other new features, RiverOne implemented Microsoft BizTalk in the latest version of INTERACTIVE, providing further support for RosettaNet and improved management of complex signals. Users now have the capability to connect and transact with trading partners regardless of signals, standards or protocols, the provider said.
"RiverOne's growing community of companies in the high-tech space will greatly benefit from the integration capabilities within Microsoft BizTalk Server," said Don Richardson, director of manufacturing industry solutions at Microsoft.
INTERACTIVE software is offered under hosted (application service provider ASP) or licensed models.
