Software provides billing and cost analysis.
Press Release Summary:
PkCost(TM) 2002R1, component of MA Fulfill, leverages XML-based communication to capture information from supply chain execution systems, enabling 3rd party logistics (3PLs) to track and bill clients for inventory handling, storage, fulfillment, and transportation activities. It enables 3PL operators to modify billing based on product, order attributes, market focus, number of customers, and customer locations. Operators can audit charges and make adjustments prior to creating final invoices.
Original Press Release:
Manhattan Associates Responds to Third Party Logistics Industry Demands With PkCost, an Enhanced Billing and Cost Analysis Solution
Tracks Distribution Center Activities for Improved Billing Accuracy and Efficiency; Flexibility Addresses the Dynamic Needs of 3PL Customers
ATLANTA - August 26, 2002 - Manhattan Associates, Inc., (Nasdaq: MANH), the global leader in providing extended supply chain execution (x-SCE(TM)) solutions, today announced the release of PkCost(TM) 2002R1, a dynamic billing solution that captures information from supply chain execution systems to enable third-party logistics (3PLs) to track and bill clients for inventory handling, storage, fulfillment and transportation activities. Building on the functionality available in Manhattan Associates' industry-leading supply chain execution solution, PkCost adds enhanced functionality such as storage billing and invoice management to the solution's current capabilities, further supporting the diverse needs of 3PL customers. With this solution, Manhattan Associates underscores its commitment to providing the most feature-rich solutions for the 3PL industry.
"We have dedicated thousands of R&D hours to developing products that address the pain points of multi-client supply chain execution," said Eric Peters, senior vice president of product strategy, marketing and alliances for Manhattan Associates. "With our supply chain execution solution, PkMS®, 3PLs can support multiple clients within a single DC with multiple order profiles, SKU profiles, product handling requirements and value-added services (VAS). Now, with PkCost, 3PLs will also have the most flexible cost analysis solution on the market, with the deepest range of functionality that is specific to the needs of a multi-client billing environment."
PkCost, a component of MA Fulfill, leverages XML-based communication to capture information from supply chain execution systems for improved overall billing accuracy. With PkCost, 3PLs can apply rates to each transaction, minimizing the inability to identify costs and enabling the development of precise contracts for increased billing accuracy. For example, if there are unique handling requirements for a product, the extra time associated with those requirements can be captured and billed as extra costs. Additionally, for accurate billing of storage space within the DC, PkCost supports four different methods of storage billing.
PkCost also provides the billing flexibility that 3PL operators need to address the dynamic needs of their customers by enabling them to modify billing based on variables such as product, order attributes, market focus, number of customers and customer locations. Using PkCost, 3PL operators can audit these charges and make adjustments prior to creating final invoices, independent of an accounting system.
In addition to providing more visibility into costs associated with contract activity, PkCost also allows companies to analyze costs that are not part of the contract to ensure supply chain efficiency across all functions. This ability to apply costing to a wide-variety of functions makes PkCost attractive to industries other than 3PL, such as retail, food and automotive.
"PkCost has functionality that transcends the 3PL industry, offering critical cost-savings for all industries," said John Langham, vice president of Langham, a 3PL provider and Manhattan Associates customer. "By addressing the cumbersome job of tracking and affixing a cost to inventory handling, storage, fulfillment and transportation, it frees-up both operating costs and labor. Additionally, PkCost is Web enabled so I can easily access billing information both at the distribution center and remotely."
About Manhattan Associates
Manhattan Associates, Inc., is the global leader in providing extended supply chain execution solutions. We enable operational excellence through real-time collaboration, execution and optimization. Our solutions leverage state-of-the-art technologies, innovative practices, and our domain expertise to enhance performance, profitability, and competitive advantage. Manhattan Associates has licensed more than 800 customers representing 1,100 facilities worldwide, which include some of the world's leading manufacturers, distributors and retailers. For more information about Manhattan Associates telephone 770.955.7070 or visit www.manh.com.
