i2 will incorporate UPS’ supply chain management solutions into its fulfillment suite.
After a boom-and-bust 2000, the eCommerce solutions that remain will be those that maximize the efficiency of internal operations and external trading activities. Online fulfillment and supply chain applications are particularly important to ensure the efficient delivery of goods from suppliers to customers. But despite the plethora of packages available, there is little differentiation between them.
i2 Technologies should now rise above its competition in this saturated market. Who better than UPS to provide online end-to-end logistics applications and tools for its fulfillment product? As leading applications developers, i2 and UPS Logistics Technologies come together to build one-stop-suites based on their complementary applications. In particular, i2 will incorporate into its TradeMatrix Solutions UPS’ Roadnet 5000, which offers vehicle utilization solutions with the customer in mind, and Territory Planner, which provides the best routing solutions for particular territories based on company goals.
The partnership between i2 Technologies and UPS Logistics Technologies provides the former with a stronger product offering and the latter with increased exposure to the market. However, others will soon follow; i2 must not dither in implementation. Vendors with products that are not in direct competition can expand their reach and service offering by joining forces and creating the one-stop-shop eSolutions sought at many levels and across many industries. It is a win-win situation, an opportunity that won’t go unnoticed.
