Press Releases
Latest news about One Network Enterprises
January 24, 2006
Argos Selects One Network
for Inbound Collaboration and
Supply Chain Optimization
Two Key Supply Network Projects Go-Live
London, UK (January 24, 2006) — One Network Enterprises, the pioneer of innovative solutions for Business Process Networks, today announced that it has been selected by Argos, one of Europe’s largest and most progressive retailers, to support two key projects in its supply network operations. The first project is focused on supporting Argos and their domestic suppliers with a real-time, multi-party transaction solution for managing Argos Collection Services. The second project is focused on supporting the fast growing Direct Import department.
The Argos Collection Services project allows buyers, transport planners, DC managers and suppliers to have browser access to the supplier collection orders. Each user has specific permissions, allowing access only to relevant information as determined by Argos. The solution also provides roles-based alerts in the One Network Command Center, which enables a more efficient process in which users can focus on managing only the exceptions.
The advantages are:
- Argos has a faster order-to-cash cycle by ensuring that all supplier collections are billed to the supplier immediately after delivery
- Argos is able to scale the current Collection Service to many more suppliers
- Argos and suppliers have a much more efficient process to manage the collections
- All parties have real-time visibility to the process
The Direct Import (DI) Container management project is a multi-company solution enabling Argos and its freight forwarders visibility into the import containers at the ports, providing a better tool to make decisions on which containers to prioritize and pull forward into the network. In a second phase of the project, One Network will deliver advanced sense-and-respond capability that will automate the decision making process of the container prioritization. The engine is part of the unique IXM (Intelligent eXecution Manager) framework in One Network that allows planning and decision making to be automated, incremental and executed in real-time or near real-time.
“Our direct import business is increasing dramatically and One Network will give us a much more efficient process, with the ability to scale up as much and as quickly as our business grows,” said Argos’ Direct Import Manager. “With this solution, we will be able to drive our import business with higher service levels to the store while at the same time decrease the inventory holding in our network.”
“Automating this process allows our personnel to concentrate on performance, achieving a much more responsive and scalable process,” says Argos' IS Manager for Supply Chain and Distribution. “Through our selection process last year, One Network came out on top for a number of reasons: first off, the solution is unique in its ability to enable multi-company network processes using a strong user interface. Secondly, due to the unique process modeling capability, One Network was able to prototype the solution very fast and deliver the solution quickly and cost effectively. Lastly the solution is delivered as a web service rather than a lengthy, high capital software investment.”
“We are excited about the relationship with Argos”, says Vice President, International, Peer Steffensen. “Argos is a leading and fast growing UK and Irish retailer. Argos’ business has a very high degree of complexity both in its channel structure as well as its fulfillment network, including sourcing from Asia.”
About One Network Enterprises, Inc
One Network Enterprises is a technology innovator and pioneer of the Business Process Network market. The company delivers a network-centric, process-driven solution, including a powerful software architecture for managing multi-enterprise operation processes; robust replenishment, supply and service templates; and leading-edge mobile/RFID devices. The solution is delivered via an on-demand network to over 1200 customers and manages over $100 billion a year in annual retail trade. One Network is based in Dallas, Texas and has offices in the United States and Europe. For more information, please call +1 972-385-8630 or visit www.onenetwork.com.
About Argos
Argos, one of the UK’s leading multi-channel retailers, has 650 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Argos expects to add around 35 stores per annum over the next four years, bringing the total to over 750 stores by March 2009. Argos sales for the last two years have topped £3 billion. It is the pioneer of catalogue retailing in the UK and has established a strong brand focused on choice, value and convenience. Argos is the 2004 Multi-Channel Retailer of the Year and holder of Store Manager of the Year award 2005 (awards by Retail Week). To visit Argos’ award winning e-tail site go to www.argos.co.uk