'Strategist' Assists In Review Of Supply Chains

Rapidly changing conditions in the marketplace and ever-shorter product lifestyles dictate more frequent reviews of a company's supply-chain network to maximize efficiency and keep costs down. Analysis and reconfiguration of these networks can be assisted with TradeMatrix Supply Chain Strategist 5.0 from i2 Technologies Inc., Dallas. Mathematical models in the software help users make asset allocation and other investment decisions in areas of supply-chain design and infrastructure, procurement, inventory, market planning, and master planning. A simulator module then helps optimize supply-chain combinations of location of manufacturing facilities and stocking points, shipment sizes; and inventory levels.