EXPRESS Speeds Supply Chain Success

Published 17th December 2007

Creative Introduces Unique Software Tool Designed to Improve Cost-Efficiency in the Distribution Sector...

Maidenhead (UK), 13 December 2007: IT business solutions provider Creative has announced the launch of EXPRESS, a new software product developed especially for the distribution sector. Based on Microsoft Dynamics NAV (formerly Navision), EXPRESS connects everyone in the supply chain by integrating previously discrete functions such as customer and supplier relationship management, customer service, manufacturing flow, and order fulfilment.

Achieving success in supply chain management is all about winning customer loyalty. In an industry where today’s partner can easily become tomorrow’s competitor, consistently offering sensible prices supported by a high level of service is the key to building a profitable business and maintaining a competitive advantage. EXPRESS was developed to help users implement operational changes that will help them reach these goals. By streamlining administrative procedures and facilitating a continuous flow of information between supply chain partners, efficiency can be improved and costs lowered, allowing more competitive pricing to be introduced.

“We have a wide experience of distribution, gained over many years, and this knowledge has proved vital in designing the system components for EXPRESS,” said Simon Hedger, managing director of Creative. “As a result, we’ve succeeded in dramatically improving information flow within and between organisations in the supply chain, which ultimately optimises product flow into the consumer market. From product development, through manufacturing, to order fulfilment, there’s no other integrated package that provides the range of management and auditing tools that EXPRESS offers to administer the business and track spending and profitability in real time.”

To provide speed and flexibility, EXPRESS maintains a single database containing all data for customer and supplier contracts, current orders, special pricing, and stock in multiple locations. An integrated contact management module records all interactions, keeping together all internal and client/supplier documents, emails and telephone records to form an audit trail.

Innovative margin-control features incorporated into EXPRESS build in allowances for costs such as duty, transport, and currency exchange until these can be confirmed, allowing accurate and competitive estimates to be given before actual costs are known, and helping to gain business ahead of rivals.

Early adopters of EXPRESS have reported numerous benefits: inventory and its associated cost is reduced, warehouse operations run more cost-effectively with lower lead times, and closer working relationships are formed with vendors. Most importantly, everyone has accurate, up-to-date information at their fingertips, enabling the business to maintain a competitive edge through more responsive customer service.