Software automates returns management process.
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Press Release Summary:
Enterprise Returns Management(TM) v4.1 helps manage and recover inventory lost to inefficient returns management operations. Gate keeping feature allows company to know what's being returned before it arrives, while material routing feature allows administration of method and means of return. Receipt and disposition functionality enables systematic capture of returned items, and customer credit feature aids in reconciliation and issue of credit to original customer.
Original Press Release:
ClearOrbit Launches Web-Based Enterprise Returns Management(TM) Solution 'Powered by SAP NetWeaver®'
Company's New Reverse Logistics Suite Leverages SAP NetWeaver Platform and Automates Returns Process to Increase Operations Revenues
Austin, Texas - Oct. 11, 2006 - ClearOrbit ( www.clearorbit.com ), the leading provider of real-time supply chain execution and reverse logistics solutions, today announced the launch of the company's Enterprise Returns Management(TM) (ERM) solution version 4.1, which has earned "Powered by SAP NetWeaver®" status. With ClearOrbit ERM, the only web-based, end-to-end reverse logistics platform, manufacturers and distributors can now manage and recover the potentially large amount of inventory and dollars lost to inefficient returns management operations.
John Reece, ClearOrbit president and CEO, said, "The value of streamlining the often cumbersome returns management process has not been lost on today's 'C-level' managers who realize the enormous cost savings an automated returns process presents. We're excited to bring to market the only reverse logistics solution that offers a comprehensive set of functionalities that enables companies to recapture the value of returned assets. With ClearOrbit ERM, companies of any size and structure can improve bottom-line performance by capitalizing on revenue-generating, cost-reducing opportunities never before realized within their returns operations."
According to a recent Aberdeen Group report entitled, "Revisiting Reverse Logistics in the Customer-Centric Service Chain," reverse logistics is rapidly emerging as a core driver of competitive advantage and financial performance among leading manufacturers. The report, which estimates overall reverse logistics costs at $100 billion annually in the U.S., further states that optimizing reverse logistics operations can yield increases in customer loyalty and retention, boost revenue, and improve product uptime and quality.
"Supply chain managers traditionally approached logistics with a forward-focus view, which tends to underestimate the cost-savings and revenue potential of the returns management process," said Warren Sumner, vice president of marketing and strategy for ClearOrbit. "The magnitude of revenue lost to poor returns management is staggering. For industrial equipment, where return rates run four to eight percent, the total revenue impacted by returns is estimated to be between $52-104 billion in the U.S. alone. For computers and network equipment, which have higher return rates, the average approximates $68 billion. With numbers like this, enterprise decision makers are paying close attention to returns management, the last frontier of savings to be achieved from the supply chain."
Unlike other disconnected applications, ClearOrbit's ERM leverages the value customers have invested in their existing SAP or Oracle ERP systems. In addition, ERM offers functionality in the five primary categories of return service required for a complete returns management operation, including a gate keeping feature that allows a company to know what's being returned before it arrives; a material routing feature that allows administration of the method and means of the return; a receipt and disposition functionality that allows a company to systemically capture the returned items and determine the disposition that extracts the maximum value from that asset; and a customer credit feature that allows a company to automatically reconcile and issue credit to the original customer or perform a warranty exchange.
To achieve Powered by SAP NetWeaver status, ClearOrbit successfully deployed ERM 4.1 on a J2EE-based deployment of the SAP NetWeaver Application Server Release 6.40 and built an SAP NetWeaver Portal-based Business Package. The SAP NetWeaver platform powers the mySAP(TM) Business Suite family of applications, SAP xApps(TM) packaged composite applications, and partner solutions. SAP NetWeaver unifies integration technologies into a single platform and is preintegrated with business applications, enabling change and reducing the need for custom integration.
To download the "Revisiting Reverse Logistics in the Customer-Centric Service Chain" Aberdeen report (free until 11/30/06), please visit www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410440&cid=3475
About ClearOrbit
ClearOrbit's real-time supply chain execution and reverse logistics solutions improve the speed, visibility, and control of extended manufacturing and distribution supply chains. Since 1994, Austin, TX-based ClearOrbit has assisted more than 275 clients in automating and controlling process execution within their extended supply networks. ClearOrbit delivers on the promise of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as Oracle and SAP with fully integrated supply chain execution, collaboration and reverse logistics solutions that address "last mile functionality" issues while complimenting the existing infrastructure. ClearOrbit customers include market leaders such as Alcoa, Biogen, Cisco Systems, General Electric, JDS Uniphase and Texas Instruments. For more information, visit www.clearorbit.com .
