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Kadro Solutions Announces General Availability of Warehousing Services Data Management (WSDM) System for Distribution Centers, Warehousing Service Providers, and Unloading Service Providers |
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Mobile Computing with Integrated Web Services makes WSDM a Revolution in "On the Dock" Automation for the Warehousing Services Business
RALEIGH, NC — October 27, 2003— Kadro Solutions, Inc. announced today the general availability of the Warehousing Services Data Management system (WSDM) v2.0 for distribution centers, warehousing service providers, and unloading service providers. WSDM is designed to automate the gathering of data at the dock for various warehousing services including unloading, loading, refueling, spotting, pallet repair, yard check, and many others. WSDM combines an easy-to-use handheld solution with a sophisticated set of Web application services to enable accurate capture, analysis, and reporting of warehousing services data. The WSDM system will be demonstrated at the Food Marketing Institute's and International Foodservice Distributors Association's 2003 Productivity Convention and Exposition, booth #831, October 26-27, 2003. One of the key elements of WSDM is the dynamic nature in which services are created and configured. The distribution center and warehousing services provider can configure their own services with custom pricing plans, configure the set of data elements to collect on the handheld at the point of service, and configure various business rules that control the transactions when fulfilling these services. "WSDM is a flexible, dynamic software package that will grow as our business grows. The system has made our business paperless and has improved relationships and communications with our customers," said Hank Jones, President, Premier Warehousing Services, Inc. Premier is currently using WSDM at distribution centers they service across the United States. Premier has completed over a quarter of a million service transactions using WSDM. "WSDM is designed to handle the unique pricing, invoicing, and employee compensation structures of the warehousing services industry," said Malcolm Allen, Chief Technology Officer of Kadro Solutions. "The system's architecture is adaptable and scalable to enable the warehousing services company to operate and grow with increased efficiency." WSDM uses a mobile, handheld computer application to accurately gather data when completing warehousing services in the distribution center thereby enabling better cash management, improving fraud detection, capturing driver signatures, printing receipts, tracking fulfilled jobs and tasks, and improving the management of employee timesheets and reimbursements. With WSDM v2.0 and the use of the Palm ZireTM 71 handheld computer, digital pictures can be taken of items such as damaged freight, and then associated with a specific transaction with the ability to view photos on the Web along with details of the services performed. WSDM v2.0 includes new features for Yard Check services such as the tracking, on a per trailer basis, fuel levels, location, temperature, pending refuel alerts, and unloading status. This enables the warehousing service provider to offer accurate data to carriers about the status of their trailers at the distribution center. WSDM fully automates the business of the warehousing services provider including the calculation of employee payroll based on services performed and time worked, fully customizable customer invoicing, and optional integration with backend accounting systems. WSDM's backend system is fully Web-enabled allowing the warehousing services company to manage their services and data over a secure Internet connection. WSDM includes built-in reports for analyzing revenue, daily activities, damages, cash management, and fraud detection. WSDM also includes a powerful on-demand reporting tool that enables users to create custom reports such as analyzing common carrier loads across centers and the ability to measure and compare cost of services across a set of centers. Combined with WSDM's built-in customer extranet, the warehousing services provider can enable their customers to have secure access to reports, online invoices, and daily transaction details. The mobile component of WSDM is developed for handheld computers operating on the Palm Operating System and built on Kadro Solutions' mobile computing framework, Kadro Data Assistant. The web applications are built on Kadro Solutions? web application framework, KadroWorks, using JavaTM servlets. WSDM is being offered as a full-managed service including application hosting, software licensing, user support, training, and handheld hardware support. "With the WSDM managed service, we want to make it easy for our customers to take full advantage of WSDM's capabilities without heavy investments in technology and infrastructure," said Rick Johnson, President and CEO of Kadro Solutions. "In addition, WSDM was built with customization in mind, so nearly everything about the system can be configured and by leveraging our application frameworks, Kadro Solutions can easily add custom features and integration points to WSDM to meet each customer's need." "Our experience with Kadro Solutions has been very positive. The Kadro team spent a great deal of time learning about our unique business and listening to our needs," said Hank Jones of Premier Warehousing Services. "Kadro has delivered everything they promised, and whenever we have questions or concerns, they have made every effort to provide a quick resolution. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Kadro Solutions on existing and future projects."
About Kadro Solutions Kadro Solutions is an employee owned company headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. |
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