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VARSITY LOGISTICS LAUNCHES SHIPSOFT 2.5
Latest parcel shipping software release adds features to support supply chain collaboration, intra-Canada shipments, and automatic bill of lading generation.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — April 14, 2004 — Varsity Logistics, Inc., the leader of integrated shipping solutions for the IBM iSeries, today announced that it has launched ShipSoft 2.5, the latest release of Varsity's iSeries-based parcel and freight shipping software. ShipSoft 2.5 includes new functionality that supports supply chain collaboration, intra-Canada shipments, and advanced bill of lading generation.
Enhanced Supply Chain Collaboration
ShipSoft 2.5 enables supply chain collaboration between retailers and their drop-ship supplier network. Using ShipSoft 2.5 large retailers can leverage their IBM iSeries platform to allow their network of drop-ship suppliers to ship directly to consumers using the same carriers, rates and routing rules the retailers use for their own direct shipments.
The process starts with an electronic order transmission from the retailer to the drop-shipper which contains predetermined shipping instructions such as the preferred parcel carrier and delivery service type. At the drop-shipper's distribution center the order is fulfilled, the order number is scanned, the package is weighed and the appropriate shipping label is automatically printed by ShipSoft 2.5. ShipSoft 2.5 generates the tracking number and manifests the package information. The retailer has real-time access to the status of any package from its drop-shipper network, while the individual drop-shipper can access the delivery status on packages they shipped.
The seamless electronic exchange of shipping information through ShipSoft 2.5 has several benefits for the supply chain network. ShipSoft 2.5:
- Eliminates the expense and errors associated with manual data entry and fax communication.
- Improves customer service through real-time access to centralized shipment tracking.
- Enables retailers and suppliers to take advantage of high-volume pre-negotiated shipping rates.
- Ensures drop-shipper compliance with shipping instructions.
- Extends the retailers iSeries and ShipSoft investments to their supplier network with minimal additional expense.
- Expedites order fulfillment.
- Reduces transaction costs.
"The new security features in ShipSoft 2.5 enable our mega-retail customers to further automate and extend their supply chain," said Tony Phillips, Varsity Logistics Director of Product Management. "We have customers using ShipSoft 2.5 to manage the shipments of over 30 drop-ship suppliers from one iSeries system."
Intra-Canada Shipping
ShipSoft 2.5 expands support for Purolator and UPS Canadian certified carrier compliance kits (CCKs). These CCKs will allow Varsity customers with shipping operations in Canada to process shipments between Canadian locations.
Expanded Bill of Lading Capabilities
The newly updated ShipSoft Bill of Lading Generator automatically creates and prints VICS Bill of Lading, open standard, and international bills of lading for truckload or LTL shipments. Key new features include automatic print, support for shipments to Canada or Mexico and compliance with Walmart's vendor shipping requirements.
ShipSoft 2.5 is available immediately in the United States. The Canadian version is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2004.
About Varsity
Founded in 1989, Varsity Logistics, Inc. is the leading provider of IBM iSeries and AS/400 shipping systems. Varsity's software supports the full spectrum of parcel, truckload and LTL shipments, including rate shopping, manifesting, parcel packing, international shipments and invoice auditing. Deployed in more than 1,000 distribution sites, Varsity helps companies of all sizes in the United States and Canada improve shipping efficiencies, increase customer satisfaction and reduce shipping expense. Varsity is based in San Francisco, California. www.varsitylogistics.com
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