Golfsmith and nuBridges to Roll Out Advanced Supplier Collaboration Platform
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Vendor information portal streamlines supply chain by giving suppliers flexibility in how they connect
AUSTIN, Texas and ATLANTA, Jan. 4 /-- Golfsmith International, Inc. and nuBridges, LLC will build a new gateway for eBusiness collaboration between Golfsmith and its suppliers. Golfsmith's Vendor Information Portal (VIP) will provide quick and easy connectivity for hundreds of suppliers and allow the retailer to use a central hub to monitor its entire supply chain.
Austin-based Golfsmith is a multi-channel retailer of golf and tennis equipment, merchandise and training curriculum for consumers and golf club manufacturers. With the collaboration platform, the retailer will offer suppliers multiple connectivity choices ranging from EDI to a browser-based portal, ensuring ease of adoption and use. Adding to the appeal for suppliers, Golfsmith's VIP requires no software download and no charge for access.
"Our guests [customers] trust that we can deliver the newest and most popular items promptly and our suppliers make that possible," said Jim Thompson, president and CEO of Golfsmith. "This gateway will give our suppliers the flexibility to connect with us easily - streamlining the entire process from order to shipment to invoice to payment and improving sales cycles for both Golfsmith and our suppliers. Most importantly, the new gateway will allow us to be more responsive to our guests."
Golfsmith is rolling out the VIP to fifty key suppliers in early 2006, with the goal of having all of its suppliers using the portal by the summer of 2006.
Built on nuBridges' truExchange eBusiness Platform, the collaboration platform includes real-time event and exception management. Direct ship activities as well as batch orders can be easily monitored and managed through VIP's dashboard. Partners are quickly alerted to new purchase orders, shipping delays and other activities. Additionally, Golfsmith can setup specific workflows and business rules to resolve supplier and fulfillment issues proactively.
"This is what nuBridges' truExchange platform was designed to accomplish," said Wain Kellum, President and CEO of nuBridges. "We can quickly build a solution for Golfsmith and provide them with a complete supplier enablement program that results in an industry leading efficient supply chain. Our software as a service model allows Golfsmith to optimize inventory through supply chain efficiency gains using a usage-based program that matches the expense of the project with the realization of the benefits."
The open source based truExchange platform is the cornerstone of nuBridges' solutions for connectivity and security, supply chain and business partner management and retail data synchronization. Offered as packaged, hosted or managed services, or tailored to specific business requirements, nuBridges' truExchange eBusiness products and platform help companies integrate, connect and manage eBusiness partners and digital interactions.
About Golfsmith
Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc., is a multi-channel retailer of golf and tennis equipment, merchandise and training curriculum for consumers and golf clubmaking businesses. With approximately 1,500 employees worldwide, Austin-based Golfsmith today operates 52 retail superstores throughout the United States, distributes the Golfsmith golf clubmaker and golf accessories catalogs, and runs an online store at www.golfsmith.com/. Through each channel, the company offers consumers a wide range of pro-line equipment and apparel, as well as Golfsmith's proprietary golf brands. Since its inception in 1967, Golfsmith has designed and marketed golf clubs, golf club components and accessories, which today are sold under the following proprietary brands: Lynx®, Zevo®, Snake Eyes®, Golfsmith®, Killer Bee®, Gear for Golf® and Gifts for Golf®. It sells tennis equipment, apparel and services under the Golfsmith Golf & Tennis® brand. Golfsmith also conducts year-round golf training programs for clubmakers and hosts the Harvey Penick Golf Academy, which has taught Mr. Penick's renowned golf techniques to more than 17,000 golfers. The company also operates wholly owned distribution centers in the United Kingdom and Canada. Golfsmith reported fiscal 2004 net revenues of $296.2 million. Atlantic Equity Partners III, L.P., a fund operated by First Atlantic Capital, Ltd., is the majority stockholder of Golfsmith.
About nuBridges
nuBridges, LLC offers products and services to integrate, connect and manage business-trading communities cost-effectively and efficiently. Our electronic bridges allow companies to link with their suppliers and customers to exchange critical business information in real-time in any format. The industry pioneers and visionaries of the nuBridges' team bring an expansive depth and breadth of experience to help companies do more with less in adaptive eBusiness environments. Providing affordable, agile and seamless electronic business solutions is our commitment to customers-exceeding their expectations is our goal. For more information, visit http://www.nubridges.com/.
Source: nuBridges, LLC
CONTACT: Sandra Tincher of nuBridges, LLC, +1-770-730-3792, or stincher@nubridges.com ; or Media, Mary Clancy of Corporate Ink,
+1-617-969-9192, or mclancy@corporateink.com
Web site: http://www.nubridges.com/
http://www.golfsmith.com/
