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The retail landscape is changing and the market is looking to differentiate through better tailoring the customer shopping experience and introducing private label products exclusive to their retail chain. However, bringing private label goods into the mix adds supply chain complexity as retailers struggle to shorten the product lifecycle so they can react faster to the latest fashion trends. Retailers looking to gain a competitive edge in this area are implementing the cycle time optimization solution from i2 Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ITWO). With new trends in outsourcing the supply chain is getting longer, and this solution provides visibility from the manufacturing process to the store shelf. The ability to track merchandise throughout its lifecycle and reduce time-to-shelf enables better decision making capabilities during the selling season.
Cycle Time Optimization by i2 is designed to reduce concept–to-store cycle time. The solution can create capacity constrained product plans to synchronize with in-store assortment plans, pre-position key raw materials and optimize inventory (finished and raw material) throughout the value chain, and reduce distribution and handling costs. The entire value chain is connected through the cycle time optimization solution using an integrated retail and supply chain planning process.
“Retailers can use i2 Cycle Time Optimization to become more customer centric by making assortment decisions closer to the selling season and keeping their private label products in sync with the world’s latest fashion trends,” said i2 Vice President of Retail, Chuck Kramer. “This can reduce the risk in selection of style and quantity of purchase as well as reduce inventory risk through cycle time reduction from store to store. By leveraging this solution, retailers have the opportunity to gain a distinct competitive advantage and reap significant value.”
Cycle Time Optimization offers retailers the following benefits:
- The ability to react to fashion trends closer to the start of the season
- The opportunity to optimize and manage spend across the supplier base
- Reduced distribution and handling costs
- Reduced inventory without reduced customer service levels
i2 Cycle Time Optimization is available in the i2 Business Content Library, a repository of process and technology solutions based on i2's more than 20 years of supply chain domain expertise. These solutions can be utilized without modification or can help accelerate the customization and deployment of composite solutions.
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