Supply chain software: New i2 solution coordinates production and supply chain activities
By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff -- Manufacturing Business Technology, 4/30/2008 12:48:00 PM
Supply chain management software supplier i2 Technologies has announced a new solution that promises to coordinate production activities with those of the rest of the supply chain. The vendor says the solution will help manufacturers cope with business challenges such as shorter product life cycles, unpredictable supply constraints, and volatile customer demand.
Aamer Rehman, an i2 VP, says the solution—called Total Factory Management—“provides all the necessary tools and workflows required to create synchronized material flow across the extended supply chain. Synchronized planning and execution leads to a significant reduction in cash-to-cash cycle times, procurement costs, and operating expenses. Better decision-making and execution achieved by using i2 Total Factory Management can eliminate guesswork and mistakes to drive savings and efficiency in factory and supply operations. ”
Rehman says i2 Total Factory Management is part of i2’s approach to Supply Chain Management 2.0, combining the people, processes, and technology necessary to bring innovation and success to dynamic supply chain challenges. i2’s Total Factory Management solution works in conjunction with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) tools to supplement production planning and execution and track production and shipment status, quality issues, and work-in-progress.
The i2 Total Factory Management packaged is built to address material flow challenges across the factory floor and extended supply chain by focusing on the following key elements:
• Factory planning and material coordination;
• Lean life-cycle management;
• Schedule and sequence management; and
• Supply schedule management and visibility.
