Outsourced Logistics

Excerpt from ChemLogix’ Chemical and Transportation Blog at: http://blog.chemlogix.com/2009/09/

The global supply chain is inherently a process of many handoffs to a variety of service providers who must expertly and timely execute their functional responsibilities to i nsure the successful coordination of an international shipment. Assuming no major bottlenecks occur during the management of these handoffs, the timeline from order shipment to customer delivery of chemical products could take weeks, unlike a road or rail delivery that can be fulfilled in a matter of hours or days. The longer delivery time span for an international shipment naturally results in an increase of  inventory in transit and greater working capital exposure.

While logistic managers may not be able to accurately predict the ebbs and flow of their global trade to determine future inventory levels, specific transportation management strategies can help minimize and/or control inventory build as global supply chains get longer and more complex.

Web-based transportation management systems, for example, offer a degree of control over supply chain operations that can result in more accurately predicting restocking points and managing inventory levels.  By providing real-time visibility of supply chain activities involving customs brokers, freight forwarders, ocean carriers and logistics service providers, On-Demand Global Transportation Management Systems

(GTMS) help logistic managers to monitor unscheduled delays that inevitably occur in the long chain of events. Through optimized event management, key logistics personnel are automatically alerted to shipment delays along the extended supply chain, enabling corrective actions to occur sooner to reduce the length of delays and to keep the chain of events on schedule. Using the tools offered by an On-Demand Global TMS, international managers can proactively optimize operations to:

- Reduce cycle times

-  Eliminate excess inventory build

- Reduce supply variability and safety stock

- Minimize expedited shipments

- Reduce stock-outs

As On-Demand Global TMS capabilities expand to support international (import/export) operations, chemical companies have now begun to automate their often manual international supply chain processes to include: freight tendering, compliance, and other logistic processes.  Through better event management and online visibility into logistic operations, businesses can more consistently balance inventories, whether the world economy is trending up, contracting or remaining stable.  Find out more at www.chemlogix.com

Three deals with bunkering specialists – one in Europe and two in the Far East – have followed quickly the release by Aspect Enterprise Solutions (AES) of a specialised version of its software as a service (SaaS) trade and risk management solution.

AspectETRM for Bunkering is a development of the flagship AspectETRM offering, already the fastest-growing next-generation solution globally for downstream traders and buyers of petrochemicals and other commodities. It combines all the required core functionality required for bunkering, together with ultra-fast speed of implementation – typically weeks not months. The solution’s scalability makes it cost-effective for small operations right up to the heavyweights that dominate the world’s bunkering hubs.

AES’ any-to-many scalability results from its SaaS foundation that means bunkering operations don’t need to install and maintain special software or IT hardware. Users simply but securely access AspectETRM for Bunkering through a standard desktop or mobile browser. The architecture enables key elements of a fully end-to-end solution including fuel procurement capture, derivative-based risk hedging, and back office accounting to be in place and delivering savings within a matter of days, with additional elements going live as the progress of integration projects allows.

“Bunkering operations have a rich choice of contending ETRM solutions so we think it’s highly significant that AspectETRM for Bunkering has won three major deals even before we formally launched the product,” says AES CEO Steve Hughes. One is a relatively modest sized trader and one is a major global player where we are delivering 120 AspectETRM seats and partnering with in-house IT and other external suppliers in a complex integration project.

“These two customers are at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of size, yet their reasons for going with AspectETRM for Bunkering are the same – speed of implementation and affordability. The deals are yet another demonstration of the power of the business case that results from our unique technology.”

Aspect Enterprise Solutions provides enterprise class market information, trade and decision support tools for energy, metals and commodities professionals. The company delivers near real time position keeping, risk management, market prices and intelligence to users virtually anywhere, anytime. Trusted by over 500 corporations in more than 80 countries, the company’s solutions routinely support more than $10Bn of transactions every day. They go live quicker, fit more exactly and deliver greater ROI yet cost far less to implement than first generation offerings. See http://www.aspectenterprise.com for more information.

Contact:

Evan Klein

858-578-9463

klein@fastforwardevents.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TTS LOGISTICS FOLLOWS NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT WITH ITS OWN “TTS MADNESS” CHARITY COMPETITION

TTS Launches First-Ever “TTS Madness” Charity Competition to Give Clients the Opportunity to Win Big for Their Charity Of Choice

San Diego, CA (March 2, 2010) - TTS Logistics, Inc. (Tradeshow Transportation Specialists) announced today the launch of its first-ever NCAA Basketball themed “TTS Madness” Charity Tournament. In the spirit of one of the nation’s most closely followed basketball tournaments, TTS Logistics, Inc. is giving its clients the opportunity to follow the NCAA Basketball tournament and win a cash prize for charity, said Michael Hill, vice president of TTS Logistics, Inc..

“TTS Logistics understands the importance of giving back to the community, and with the nation’s most exciting college basketball tournament on its way, it is the perfect opportunity to let our clients participate in a fun competition that benefits a good cause,” added Hill. “Community stewardship is an essential aspect of TTS’ philanthropic initiatives; we hope to turn the spirit of this much anticipated tournament into an outstanding avenue for supporting charities.”

The “TTS Madness” Charity Competition will work as follows:

• The first 64 TTS clients to sign up will be entered into the tournament


• Once signed up, each participant will be assigned a random number that corresponds to an individual team in the NCAA’s “March Madness” Basketball Tournament


• If a team is eliminated, then the corresponding team number will be eliminated


• Once the winner of the NCAA Tournament is announced, the corresponding company number will receive a $500 donation to their charity of choice


• In addition, all participants will receive 10 percent off freight charges for their next shipment with TTS as a way of saying thanks for participating


• Not a current TTS customer? No problem, just book a shipment with TTS prior to March 14 to take part in the “TTS Madness” promotion

The 64 basketball teams participating in the tournament will be announced on “Selection Sunday,” March 14. The tournament continues through the month of March and ends with the championship game on April 7. For updates on the tournament and the status of the participating clients, please visit www.tshow.com.

For more information about TTS Logistics, Inc. visit online at www.tshow.com or call toll free at 877-744-7887.

TRADESHOW TRANSPORTATION SPECIALISTS

TTS Logistics, Inc. is a shipping solutions provider based out of San Diego, California specializing in the transportation of exhibit materials to and from tradeshows worldwide.  With over 35 years experience in the tradeshow industry, TTS promises on-time delivery, exceptional service, and 24-hour accessibility to its customers.  TTS assists exhibitors and show managers with all aspects of freight transportation and delivery.  With a variety of premier services including international shipping and specialty equipment, TTS is committed to providing the best shipping solution to meet each customer’s needs.  For more information visit www.tshow.com.

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Presentation to highlight green benefits of continuous process improvement when implementing a platform-based approach to manufacturing and supply chain operations

Who: Jordan Berkley, Director of MES Product Management at Apriso, will present how best-in-class manufacturers have embraced a platform-based approach to manufacturing operations and their extended product supply network to address sustainability and other green objectives. Placing a higher emphasis on sustainable operations not only reduces energy costs, scrap and the total cost of quality, but can elevate customer satisfaction and corporate stewardship, resulting in a “win-win” situation for both manufacturers and their customers.

What: “Greening Manufacturing Operations and the Supply Chain with Process Efficiency” presentation will be part of the Supply Chain Sustainability Track at the 4th annual Sustainability in Packaging Conference & Exhibition; please see: http://www.sustainability-in-packaging.com/agenda.aspx

Where: Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando Florida. To register, please go to: http://www.regonline.co.uk/Checkin.asp?EventId=746787.

When: Wednesday, March 17th 2010 at 11:30 a.m. EST.

About Apriso

Apriso Corporation is a software company dedicated to providing competitive advantage for its customers. It does so by enabling manufacturing organizations to adapt quickly and easily to market changes and unexpected events. Apriso FlexNet applications provide visibility, adaptability and real-time control of manufacturing operations across the enterprise and supply chain network. Apriso leads the industry in multi-site, globally integrated Operations Execution Systems. Many of Apriso’s customers have chosen to integrate planning, execution and control to increase operational efficiency and eliminate errors in their production process. Apriso serves more than 180 customers in 41 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia. A partial listing of customers includes General Motors, Lear, Honeywell, L’Oreal, Lockheed Martin, Becton Dickinson, Rubbermaid, Saint-Gobain, Novelis and Essilor, among others. Please visit www.apriso.com for more information.

Apriso and FlexNet are registered trademarks of Apriso Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contact:

Gordon Benzie

Apriso Corporation

(562) 951-8054

gordon.benzie@apriso.com

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