New Software Manages Offsite Inventory

Sept. 1, 2004
SeeCommerce, a supply chain performance management company, announced SeeChain 5.0, which enables manufacturers to avoid costly overstocks, shortages

SeeCommerce, a supply chain performance management company, announced SeeChain 5.0, which enables manufacturers to avoid costly overstocks, shortages and financial write-downs that commonly plague consignment inventory programs. The software allows businesses to maintain visibility into and manage inventory levels of material that are maintained offsite at contract manufacturer and supplier locations. In addition, it speeds up supply chain problem root cause analysis and resolution with new visualization capabilities.

DaimlerChrysler Corporation's Mopar Parts Group -- the primary distributor of parts and accessories for all Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealerships worldwide -- is using SeeChain applications to manage more than 280,000 original equipment service parts, and process more than 200,000 dealer order lines per day. Recently, Mopar began using the SeeChain 5.0 Consignment Inventory Module to address offsite storage problems. In just six months, SeeChain has enabled Mopar to improve its inventory record accuracy from 42 percent to 95 percent at 19 supplier locations. As a result, Mopar has virtually eliminated inventory write-offs for lost and missing stock at these locations.

"SeeChain has enabled us to dramatically improve inventory record accuracy for consigned inventory that is maintained at supplier locations," said Jerry Quell, senior manager of inventory management for the Mopar Parts Group. "By bringing difficult-to-manage offsite material under the same inventory control system we use for parts stored in our distribution centers, the module has allowed us to eliminate inventory write-offs for lost and missing stock."

To prevent large and sudden financial write-downs associated with unexpected excess inventory and revenue/market share losses caused by material shortages, the module enables companies to bring offsite inventory within the purview of their existing inventory control process. With SeeChain, managers are automatically alerted when performance thresholds for consigned inventory are violated. The alert contains links to root cause data that enables managers to address impending shortages or overstock conditions before they can negatively impact business performance. In addition, the software enables enterprises to better forecast demand by correlating and analyzing the impact of variances in actual inventory levels when compared against predefined performance indicators.

For more information, visit www.seecommerce.com.