18 DC VELOCITY JUNE 2018 www.dcvelocity.com
newsworthy
JDA says Luminate platform
adds visibility to supply chain
planning through digital edge
technologies
Supply chain technology firm JDA Software Group Inc.
announced a package of enhancements to its core software
applications that JDA said will improve users’ ability to predict consumer demand and provide faster fulfillment.
The enhanced platform, called “Luminate,” extends existing JDA applications by connecting them to sources of data
both within and beyond customers’ extended supply chains,
integrating information from additional systems, trading
partners, machines, and networks, Desikan Madhavanur,
JDA’s executive vice president and chief development officer,
said in a keynote at the firm’s user conference in Orlando,
Fla., in May.
Luminate then helps users generate decisions from real-time data by applying digital edge technologies such as
software-as-a-service (SaaS), the Internet of Things (IoT),
artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced analytics, he said.
Those tools can analyze traditional supply chain data as
well as data from external sources like social media, news,
events, and weather reports (SNEW), Scottsdale, Ariz.-based
JDA said. The solution then leverages that information to
match demand and supply continuously for applications
at every point in the supply chain, connecting stores, distribution centers, logistics, and manufacturing in a digital
network, according to the company.
While the concept of applying external signals to supply
and demand forecasting is not new—for example, JDA has
partnered with Berwyn, Pa.-based weather analytics provider
Planalytics Inc. for years—Luminate brings that information
deeper into the decision-making process, Pruneet Saxena,
JDA’s group vice president for supply chain planning, said
in an interview.
For instance, the Luminate Control Tower will help users
predict events and suggest responses, allowing companies
to weigh options and compare “what-if” planning scenarios
in response to potential delays in deliveries from suppliers,
Saxena said.
Luminate will enhance JDA applications in demand forecasting, factory production planning and scheduling, strategic planning, store optimization, supply risk remediation,
and transportation and warehouse modules, the company
said.
Luminate is one piece of JDA’s grand strategy to reach $10
billion in annual revenue by 2025, which will require the
company to grow by 31 percent a year from its estimated
2017 revenue base of $1 billion.
—Ben Ames
alliances
Media and entertainment technology company Technicolor has selected Logistical Labs’
SaaS transportation analytics platform to host
and manage contracted freight. … The U.S.
Commercial Service, the trade promotion arm
of the Commerce Department’s International
Trade Administration, is using Descartes Systems
Group’s Datamyne global trade data solution to
produce in-depth market research to help U.S.
exporters identify new international business
opportunities. In other Descartes news, Munich,
Germany-based Active Nutrition International
GmbH has launched e-commerce channels in
Germany and Austria using Descartes’ “pixi”
warehouse management solution to support
order fulfillment for its PowerBar and Dymatize
sports nutrition brands. … Makita USA Inc., a
manufacturer of industrial power tools, pneumatics, and power equipment, has selected Open
Sky Group to manage the upgrade of its JDA
Warehouse Management and JDA Warehouse
Labor Management solutions to the newest versions at four U.S. distribution centers. … Geo Lab
Drilling has selected FleetUp, a provider of electronic logging devices (ELDs) and hours-of-service
(HOS) compliance solutions, to implement Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration-compliant
ELDs in all of its vehicles. … Supply chain service
provider Bricz now offers Blue Ridge’s inventory
planning and forecasting solutions to its customers as part of its omnichannel supply chain execution solutions portfolio. … Walmart Canada has
selected FourKites to provide real-time location
tracking and predictive shipment arrival times
across its Canadian operations. The retailer will
also use FourKites Insights, a supply chain analysis
product, to optimize operations. … 3Gtms Inc.,
a provider of Tier 1 transportation management
software, has expanded its partnership with SMC3
to offer the SMC3 RateWare XL, CarrierConnect
XL, and CzarLite solutions to its customers. … Old
Dominion Freight Line Inc. has established three
new Major League Baseball club team partnerships, expanding its presence to 10 teams across
the league. The Thomasville, N.C.-based less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier will become the “Official
Freight Carrier” of the Atlanta Braves and St.
Louis Cardinals, and the “Official LTL Carrier” of
the Houston Astros.
