Manhattan Associates Integrated Logistics Solutions Help Companies Achieve Top Fleet Performance and Cost Savings

Latest Release of Transportation Solution Offers Real-time Optimisation to Maximise Efficiency across Own Account and Third-party Operator Fleets.

Leading supply chain solutions provider, Manhattan Associates, Inc., has released the latest version of its Fleet Management solution, a component of its Integrated Logistics Solutions. Fleet Management enables businesses - be they own account operators, third party logistics companies or transport operators - to oversee and optimise their transportation operations using a single transportation management solution. The solution analyses real-time information on all fleet activity so businesses can better perform their routing and scheduling requirements in real time and dynamically monitor critical metrics and events. By making ongoing adjustments that increase efficiency and performance, companies can improve service and savings.

Fleet Management uses advanced research-powered algorithms to assess information on fleet resources and customer orders. It then assigns the best possible routes for drivers to take to make deliveries. The solution considers many constraints and variables in making driver and equipment assignments - such as delivery and capacity commitments, asset utilisation and regions. Fleet Management is able to consider Working Time Directive (WTD) regulations, company fleet requirements, driver preferences, weight limitations and maintenance schedules and includes tandem load functionality, allowing companies to support more than one trailer per truck.

Functional highlights of the Fleet Management solution include:

         Dynamic fleet planning optimisation;

         Asset despatch and tracking

         Integration with current third party operator fleet execution capabilities; and

         Comprehensive inbound/outbound execution.

Designed for ease-of-use, Fleet Management is Web-native and allows any authorised user access with just an Internet connection. It can provide trip despatching for each shipment and work day if needed as well as printable driver trip information sheets for reports.

Manhattan Associates established itself as the lead in ground transportation solutions, writes Noha Tohamy in the February 2006 The Forrester Wave: Transportation Management Solutions, Q1 2006 Scorecard Summary. The vendor edges out the competition with a solid foundation in both planning and procurement, and unmatched carrier and fleet management offerings. The vendor outstrips the crowd in fleet management, making use of effective carrier-centric functionality with driver asset utilisation . . . Manhattan Associates is the only vendor that offers driver-based fleet management functionality, distinguishing among drivers and optimising their individual utilisation.

Eddie Capel, Manhattan Associates senior vice president, product management and customer relations commented, Fleet Managements dynamic and continuous driver and asset optimisation helps companies remain proactive and successful even in the face of unforeseen real-world events such as late arrivals, changing orders, updated shipment requirements and complex regulations. Manhattan Associates solution helps ensure efficient operations and gives shippers visibility to assets as well as inventory while en route - whether they are using a third party logistics operator or their own private fleet - ultimately translating into a more efficient supply chain and a better shopping experience for customers.

Fleet Management is a component of Manhattan Associates Transportation Management solution, an innovative, proven total transportation solution with shipper execution, carrier management and fleet management capabilities.