JDA teams up with IBM to boost omni-channel supply chain value

​JDA Software announced new integrated fulfillment capabilities that combine the power of JDA Intelligent Fulfillment and Labor Productivity solutions with Order Management solutions from IBM Commerce. By leveraging this technology collaboration, “companies can process orders more intelligently and profitably across sales channels in real-time.” “Many retailers force shoppers to choose between convenience, product selection and price as they shop across channels. In fact, some shoppers that select the ‘pick up in store’ option might need to visit multiple store locations to fulfill their entire order, which ultimately tarnishes their brand experience,” said John Mesberg, General Manager, Offering Management and Strategy, IBM Commerce. “By leveraging the combined expertise of IBM and JDA, retailers can present order fulfillment options in real-time that delight demanding customers and ensure that a great experience lasts from the first click to when they have their purchase in hand.”  JDA and IBM integrate the order management, the warehouse management and the transportation management systems to fulfill each order profitably. For example, retailers can reduce inventory by linking to distribution centres and hubs while maximising transportation assets because shipments by automatically consolidating shipments and optimising routes. JDA’s new release features an intelligent returns authorization process where the order management system alerts the warehouse management system of expected returns. By including returned items as part of available inventory, teams can proactively fulfill orders and reducing the number of mark-downs in order to minimise lost sales, and maximise margins. With these new capabilities, teams have insight into each customer’s omni-channel order details which enables accurate forecasting and replenishment of stores and, more broadly, improved upstream inventory positioning to reduce labor, transfer and shipping costs in the future.