Visible Food

CHARLOTTE, NC  April 23, 2002  Elogex Inc., a provider of collaborative logistics solutions, today announced that Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., one of the nation's largest grocery retailers, has selected the Elogex solution to streamline inbound and outbound transportation activities. With Elogex, Winn-Dixie hopes to achieve real-time visibility of their logistics operations, bridging the gap between the company's transportation planning and settlement systems.

Like other users of traditional transportation management systems, Winn-Dixie realized they needed capabilities beyond the ability to build a transportation plan or pay for the freight after delivery is complete. "It's imperative for us to see our transportation plan in action, as events unfold across our entire logistics network," said Richard Judd, Vice President of Warehousing and Distribution at Winn-Dixie. "With Elogex we'll have the constant updates required to keep our supply chain on the leading edge."

Winn-Dixie will implement the Elogex solution in twenty-five locations across their operation that spans 14 states and the Bahamas. The hosted solution will reduce costs by increasing efficiencies in both Winn-Dixie's private fleet transportation, as well as shipments delivered by common carriers. When fully implemented, Winn-Dixie will use the Elogex system to process around 350,000 shipments per year.

Justin Strother, Winn-Dixie's Director of Inbound Logistics, added, "Most transportation systems only optimize the loads, but Elogex is unique in its ability to optimize both capacities and loads in a dynamic environment. This advanced approach will allow us to make better shipment decisions and minimize empty miles, significantly reducing our transportation costs."

Elogex will interface with Winn-Dixie's existing transportation management system to receive planned shipment information. Then the Elogex system will translate plans into executable shipments through the application of rating and routing rules. Before tendering, both inbound and outbound shipments will be optimized to form dynamic continuous moves for increased capacity utilization. Once the shipments are in transit, real-time exceptions will alert Winn-Dixie with constant updates from their suppliers, customers and carriers. After shipment delivery, freight cost data will be transferred back to an existing freight settlement system to complete the transportation cycle.

"Winn-Dixie recognized the opportunity to produce immediate cost savings by improving their logistics execution," said Travis Parsons, President and CEO of Elogex. "By combining the power of our real-time collaboration with their existing transportation planning and payment systems, Winn-Dixie will create a competitive advantage through increased visibility and stronger customer and supplier relationships."