Okaïdi Fashions Supply Chain Execution Strategy with Market-Leading x-SCE Solutions from Manhattan Associates
Okaïdi, the Leading French Clothing Retailer, Specialising in Childrenswear, has Selected PkMS® and infolink™ to Support its Global Expansion Plans
PARIS – 26 March 2003 – Manhattan Associates, Inc., (Nasdaq: MANH), the global leader in extended supply chain execution (x-SCE™) solutions, today announced that Okaïdi, the privately-owned, children`s clothing retail specialist, is to implement Manhattan Associates` x-SCE solutions as cornerstones of a supply chain enhancement programme that will support the international expansion of its business.
Established in 1996, but officially launched as a brand in September 2000, Okaïdi expanded very quickly to become a leading player in the children`s (0-14 years of age) apparel retail market. By the end of 2001, Okaïdi owned over 220 retail outlets, 190 of which were located in France with the rest spread throughout the rest of Europe and further afield in countries such as Morocco, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and New Caledonia.
Okaïdi launched its broad-reaching supply chain enhancement project in 2002 in response to the increasingly complex logistics requirements brought about by its international expansion. The goals of the project were to:
* Support international expansion with a common logistics infrastructure that would facilitate world-wide sourcing as well as direct delivery for Okaïdi`s most important markets
* Provide real time visibility of inventory throughout the supply chain
* Gain greater control and optimise the efficiency of the inbound logistics process
* Pilot and roll-out globally a centralised distribution strategy for serving stores all around the world
* Enable Okaïdi to reduce overall logistics costs and get products delivered at the right time, in the right quantity, and to the right location
* Guarantee the reliability of its logistics information systems.
In order to respond to these objectives, Okaïdi selected the following x-SCE solutions from Manhattan Associates:
* PkMS®: an advanced warehouse management solution designed to support large transaction volumes and users. It is a modular system that facilitates and optimises processes including goods receipt, put-away, storage, picking, labelling and despatch.
* infolink™: a web-based Trading Partner Management (TPM) solution that links retailers and suppliers to provide end-to-end inventory visibility and `management by exception` capability.
"Our decision to select Manhattan Associates was based on several key factors," explains Frédéric Gérard, Logistics & IT director at Okaïdi. "PkMS enables warehouses to be managed extremely efficiently and is Manhattan Associates` core area of expertise. Because it is vertically focused, it was also the solution that most closely met our requirements. The fact that PkMS and Manhattan Associates` other x-SCE solutions are universally recognised was also important." Turning to infolink, Gérard continues, "In order to reach and control our growing supplier base—which is becoming increasingly global in nature—we needed a tool that would allow us to collaborate in real time with our suppliers. We also needed this functionality to allow our operational centres to exchange information with each other in real time. Infolink provides us with this capability and so gives us truly global visibility, and it also affords us the opportunity to empower our suppliers to carry out certain logistics operations that will improve our inbound logistics operation."
"We`re delighted to be working alongside one of France`s leading clothing retailers," said Jeff Baum, Senior Vice President at Manhattan Associates. "As Okaïdi continues to grow domestically and abroad, it can be confident that PkMS and infolink will evolve with it, and continue to provide a source of sustainable competitive advantage. We feel that our x-SCE solutions will be critical factors in the realisation of Okaïdi`s vision to achieve operational excellence across its supply chain."
About Okaïdi
Okaïdi is an apparel retailer, specialising in clothing for children between 0 and 14 years of age. Becoming independent in 1996, when it was spun off from the Camaïeu group, the company has since taken off and has experienced a sustained period of growth. Launched as a brand in 2000, Okaïdi has become a prominent player as a value-clothing retailer, marketing an original range of practical childrenswear. The retail format guarantees a service quality that is second to none. With this mission in mind, the company began its international expansion in 2001 and by 2002 had over 220 retail outlets, of which 30 are abroad (Europe, Lebanon, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, New Caledonia, …). In 2001, the company also launched a new brand, Obaïbi, specifically targeted at the baby and small infants markets. For more information about Okaïdi, visit www.okaidi.fr.
About Manhattan Associates
Manhattan Associates is the global leader in providing extended supply chain execution solutions. We enable operational excellence through real-time collaboration, execution and optimisation. 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 870 customers representing 1,300 facilities worldwide, which include some of the world`s leading manufacturers, distributors and retailers. For more information about Manhattan Associates, visit www.manh.com.
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