Collaboraiton in ERP! CDC Updates Their Supply Chain

This year, many have vocalized concerns about the maladroitness of ERP, given that many major vendors are offering on-premise products. But each month there are a number of announcements that prove ERP is getting hip.

Sunday, CDC Software announced a new version of their on-demand Supply Chain Execution suite, which will support complex and high-volume operations for end-to-end supply chain control. In addition to CDC Supply Chain Suite 10.3, which touts real-time data access, the company is adding collaboration functionalities to the SCM platform with the introduction of Supplier Collaboration 2.2.

The new version of Supply Chain is more feature-rich than its predecessor, and supports verticals from hi-tech component distribution to health care products. cSuite 10.3 adds real-time data for warehouse production, as well as extended management modules for workforce, yard, and supplier management, and transportation management that can build, route, and fulfill domestic and international shipments. What’s especially important here is the addition of real-time capabilities.

Supplier Collaboration’s purpose is self-explanatory. The tool will be web-based, and aims to satisfy demand for real-time data. It integrates with CDC Supply Chain and allows suppliers to confirm orders and shipments online, eliminating the need for paper documentation and expensive EDI connections. Real-time data allows for more efficient order management back-end, and puts them on the same page as the supplier. Another facet of this streamlined data is the new access the back-end will have to detailed packaging information and the supplier’s shipment information. And it will be especially helpful for companies dealing with distant suppliers.

ERP is—thankfully—changing shape. The change is gradual, but the constant integration of new products gives hope. Furthermore, if vendors focus more on collaboration tools, the outcome is bound to be outstanding.

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