News | August 29, 2008

On-Demand EDI And WMS Leaders, SPS Commerce And 3PL Central, Unveil Integrated Solution For Small And Mid-Sized 3PLs

SPS Commerce, the leading provider of SaaS EDI services, and 3PL Central, the first on-demand 3PL WMS software provider, recently unveiled a new solution exclusively for small and mid-sized third party logistics providers (3PLs). The offering combines SPS' robust B2B integration or EDI with 3PL Central's Warehouse Management System (WMS) capabilities, both delivered using a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) or on-demand model to eliminate the need for on-site software, hardware, and expertise. Small and mid-sized 3PLs faced with growing business demands from existing and future customers can leverage this comprehensive solution for improved communications, supply chain visibility, and a streamlined order fulfillment cycle for their customers.

The integrated solution enables 3PLs to rapidly comply with the EDI or data requirements of their customers, and their customers' customers, eliminate rekeying of order and shipping information for improved accuracy, and provides direct visibility of inventory for better control and customer service. Using an on-demand delivery model, 3PLs no longer need to invest in hardware, software, IT staff or maintenance to achieve the same customer service levels of larger, or more established logistics providers.

"Small and mid-market 3PLs offer their customers a more flexible solution and personalized service, but need to also ensure that their capabilities also match or exceed those of their larger competitors," said David Novak, Executive Vice President of Business Development at SPS Commerce. "By integrating with 3PL Central's WMS solution, we can offer small- and mid-sized 3PLs an end-to-end solution to their data and inventory management needs. We are pleased to partner with on-demand innovator, 3PL Central, to address the needs of 3PLs."

Due to the nature of a 3PL's business, its systems must be flexible and cost effective to support multiple clients, users and facilities. This newly integrated SPS Commerce and 3PL Central solution supports a 3PL's unique environment with its supply chain services. 3PL Central's on-demand 3PL WMS solution, 3PL Warehouse Manager, offers global inventory visibility, enhanced billing management, email notification for warehouse events, full assembly & kitting functionality, real-time reporting, and more. SPS Commerce's outsourced supply chain solutions include proven B2B integrations to thousands of retailers and grocers nationwide, providing 3PLs, manufacturers and others rapid compliance to complex trading partner requirements and increased visibility through its SaaS EDI, catalog, barcode label and other services.

"We're very excited to be partnering with market leader SPS Commerce since this pre-wired solution offers our 3PL customers an innovative and cost effective way to support retailer EDI and labeling requirements," stated John Watkins, president and CEO at 3PL Central. "Now our customers can be instantly connected to SPS' proven network of 1,300 retailers and 11,000 suppliers, enabling 3PLs to immediately offer new capabilities with on-demand EDI capabilities and grow their businesses without the need to purchase, maintain, staff and train an EDI department."

About 3PL Central
3PL Central is a new breed of 3PL software provider, offering on-demand supply chain software focused on the needs of 3PLs, public and third party warehouses. 3PL Central provides a variety of software including 3PL Warehouse Manager™, the first on-demand Warehouse Management System (WMS) built to provide public warehouse operations enterprise-class WMS functionality. All of 3PL Central's products are offered via an on-demand, or Software as a Service (SaaS) model, enabling 3PLs and public warehouses access to cutting edge software at a low monthly fee and significantly reducing the total cost of ownership of supply chain execution software from the traditional "buy, upgrade and maintain" software cycle.

About SPS Commerce
SPS Commerce is the leader in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) B2B integration, connecting every partner in the supply chain. Retailers, manufacturers and 3PLs have selected SPS Commerce as their outsourced provider to automate and integrate their trading relationships. Using the SaaS model, SPS Commerce dramatically lowers setup and on-going costs, along with the time and risks of traditional EDI software by outsourcing the entire B2B communication process. The company's offerings leverage its multi-tenant architecture, multi-party sharing, comprehensive knowledge of thousands of retailer's business processes and specifications and integration expertise with a variety of systems for accounting (Great Plains, Quickbooks, MAS series), ERP (Oracle, NetSuite, SAP), packing and shipping (Agile, InSite, Scancode), and WMS (HighJump, Infor, Manhattan Associates). SPS Commerce is the recognized SaaS leader in B2B integration with 37,000 customers, pre-built integrations spanning 2,900 unique fulfillment workflows across 1,300 retailers, grocers and distributors, a customer satisfaction rate of 93% and the most comprehensive SaaS product suite available. SPS Commerce is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For additional information, please contact SPS Commerce visit www.spscommerce.com..

SOURCE: SPS Commerce