Challenge: A multi-billion dollar automotive manufacturer of motor vehicles, engines, components and parts was experiencing significant communication challenges with their global suppliers. The high volume (200,000 parts) and diversity of parts required them to streamline their processes or risk losing customers, money, or both. Their former "push" inventory replenishment system with its one-way faxes and EDI orders could not accommodate any last-minute schedule changes nor did it provide the company or its suppliers with much visibility to stock and orders. Lastly, they needed to improve their supply chain administrative efficiencies internally and among its suppliers to reduce costs.

Accellos Inc. has developed version 6.4 of AccellosOne Warehouse, the vendor's warehouse-management system software.

Intelleflex Inc. has entered into a partnership with DeltaTRAK Inc. to enhance cold-chain technology for the food, pharmaceutical and processing industries.

The cloud is a viable model for a WMS, says Chuck Fuerst, director of product strategy at HighJump Software. Other things to consider are performance-based applications, labor management solutions, voice technology - and underestimating the cost of a WMS upgrade.

Vocollect, a provider of voice technology for mobile workers, has introduced Vocollect VoiceExpress for distribution center and warehouse operators.

The unloading dock is all important to boosting efficiency and productivity throughout one's warehouse and distribution facility, says Ryan Howard, vice president of business development for Inbound Technologies. Labor-management technology uses the best of team and individual incentive methodologies to increase productivity, maintain quality standards and keep workers safe.

Challenge: In 2011, due to increasing customer demand and product line expansion driven by organic growth and acquisition, our client determined that it was necessary to move its distribution operations to a larger facility.

Challenge: Like many modern manufacturers, our client faced constant pressure to improve the efficiency and accuracy of its resource handling to better control manufacturing costs. The client was looking for a way to streamline the tracking of parts from inventory to the factory floor.

Challenge: Our client, a manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of fiber optic solutions, needed a reliable, flexible, and scalable solution to eliminate manual processes and move more material through the warehouse, while meeting the strictest of budgets.

Challenge: Our client, one of the largest steel suppliers and distributors in the Midwest, needed improvements in order accuracy and productivity, as well as real-time inventory. In addition, our client needed to track and document mill test certificates for more accurate proof of pull and ship.