Wholesale distributors live in a world where competitors offer many of the same products--and often the same service level-- which results in riding a fine line of offering superior service (assortment, response time and unique value added services) and managing thin profit margins. Over the years, innovative wholesalers have implemented supply chain solutions that help drive operational improvements in inventory replenishment, labor management, warehouse management and transportation processes separately, but found that only so much saving could be generated when focusing on a single aspect of their business.

Manhattan Associates (Nasdaq:MANH) addresses this by leveraging its Supply Chain Process Platform to create "The Platform Effect for Wholesale Distribution" for better coordination and collaboration for inventory, distribution and transportation decision-making and provide a balance that results in true wholesale margin optimization.

"In order to survive and thrive in today's wholesale distribution industry, businesses need to control already tight margins by increasing efficiency and eliminating waste," said Bob Anderson, research vice president, Gartner, Inc. "The ability to holistically manage inventory with multi-echelon inventory optimization solutions to identify and free working capital in conjunction with critical warehouse and transportation resources--while leveraging synergies that cut across them based on a single point of control--can translate into service and margin improvements that lead to a competitive edge."

The Supply Chain Process Platform provides a single, shared foundation for all solutions in the Manhattan SCOPE solutions suite, allowing companies to accomplish tasks shared across its supply chain optimization network. The Supply Chain Process Platform provides the ability to integrate, as well as share data and workflows with all implemented supply chain solutions to create a holistic supply chain environment.

"'Platform Thinking(TM)' can have a significant impact on the wholesale industry," said Pete Sinisgalli, president and chief executive officer, Manhattan Associates. "Manhattan SCOPE solutions share data across the Supply Chain Process Platform, enabling processes to work together to deliver products to market faster, and at a lower cost--providing a distinct advantage in a highly competitive industry."

With Manhattan's platform-based approach, wholesalers can:

  • Optimally balance supply and demand across multiple channels with Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimization
  • Fine-tune distribution facilities with Warehouse Management for efficient task management, streamlined workflows and flawless order fulfillment
  • Optimize labor and facility productivity by measuring and tracking key performance indicators with Slotting Optimization and Labor Management
  • Manage all shipments coming to and going from the warehouse, as well as inventory in the yard with Transportation Lifecycle Management
  • Use a single system to manage make-to-order and make-to-stock processes
  • Respond quickly to changing order volume and delivery schedules