2012 Gartner Magic Quadrant for WMS

link to WMS magic quadrant 2012

Gartner defines a warehouse management system (WMS) as a software application that manages the operations of a warehouse or distribution center (DC). WMS application functionality includes capabilities such as receiving, put-away, stock locator, inventory management, cycle counting, task interleaving, wave planning, order allocation, order picking, replenishment, packing, shipping, labor management and automated material-handling equipment interfaces (see "Stratifying WMS: A Multilevel View"; note: this document has been archived; some of its content may not reflect current conditions). Radio frequency (RF) systems, used in conjunction with bar codes and possibly RFID, provide the foundation of a WMS, delivering accurate information in real time. We include integrated functionality, such as voice picking, parcel manifesting, value-added services, light manufacturing/kitting and third-party logistics (3PL) billing, as components of a WMS evaluation. This is because many buyers now demand that these components be included in a large number of WMS engagements.

eSourcing 

http://site.agentrics.com/en/solutions/global-sourcing-procurement


Global Sourcing & Procurement optimizes, standardizes, automates and integrates the management and execution of sourcing processes and supply strategies. This enables collaboration among customers, external and internal business partners and suppliers for improvements, including:

• Increased efficiency of purchasing teams and departments;
• Meaningful and sustainable results;
• Enhanced competitive intelligence.

By streamlining the sourcing process and eliminating complexities through full integration, the customer is able to have complete internal and supplier adoption to generate significant savings for a sustainable procurement process year after year. This process partners with immediate time to savings, usually realized with the completion of the first two sourcing events, to bring short term savings and long term value.

The Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2011

http://www.gartner.com/DisplayDocument?doc_cd=213740

Key Findings

• The Top 5 include three mainstays — Apple, Dell and P&G — and two that joined the list for the first time last year—Research In Motion (RIM) and Amazon.
• Four new companies joined the list this year: Nestle, Starbucks, 3M and Kraft Foods.
• Four key themes emerged this year among the leaders, including how they deal with volatility, their approaches to value chain network integration, their focus on sustainable execution and their abilities to orchestrate.

Recommendations

• Develop supply chain processes and methodologies throughout your trading partner network that will provide the resiliency to deliver predictable results in the face of ongoing volatility.
• Supplement a clearly articulated, long-term value chain vision with strong, agile, and sustainable execution capabilities. Push your team to think differently and go beyond conventional wisdom to push the boundaries on performance levels.
• Measure your supply chain as your customers experience it. Develop the capability to internalize customer needs, and proactively build customer feedback into your supply chain design.
• Step back and consider the basic supply chain capabilities you need, as well as the innovations that will differentiate your performance. Ensure the sustainability of your efforts and initiatives through a constant focus on governance, change management and culture.

Toll

I'm doing some consutling work with Toll ( in Melbourne) at the moment.

Toll is the Asian region's leading provider of integrated logistics, generating an annual revenue of AU$8.2 billion and operating an extensive network of over 1,200 sites in 55 countries.
Toll's access to transport and infrastructure assets includes road fleets, warehousing, ships, air freight capacity, ports and rail rolling stock.
These assets when combined with operational expertise and technology solutions, are aimed at driving supply chain efficiencies to deliver best practice in supply chain management for Toll's diverse customer base.

Tolls unique model is built on Toll managing transport and logistics assets to deliver integrated logistics solutions to our customers striving for supply chain excellence. When combined with smart technology connecting all services and interfacing with customers, provides a powerful point of differentiation. This integrated customer service offering is sought after in the market place, globally.