LIVERMORE, Calif. and ALPHARETTA, Ga., October 30, 2007 -- Activant Solutions Inc.’s Hardlines and Lumber Group, a leading provider of integrated technology products and supply chain solutions for building materials suppliers, and Majure Data Inc., a leading supplier of warehouse management systems (WMS) for the building products industry, today announced an agreement to integrate Majure Data’s RF Navigator® warehouse management system with Activant Falcon® software. The integrated software solution will be designed to provide Activant Falcon customers with ready visibility into their warehouse operations and advanced tools for improving shipping accuracy. The interface between the Activant Falcon and Majure Data software is scheduled for availability in Q1 2008.
For building materials dealers, their warehouse has long been the “black hole” of the customer order process. While Activant’s lumber and building materials (LBM) software is designed to improve customer order management operations, the benefits of an effective ERP solution could easily be lost if warehouse personnel are not able to quickly and accurately pick and ship orders. This capability is especially important for building materials dealers because of their complex mix of products. For dealers selling moulding, for example, it is often essential to track the number of units sold, as well as the length of each piece comprising the unit. Special order items are common to building materials dealers and the continuous visibility offered by the WMS system on the status of these items is designed to enhance special order management and control.
Together, Activant and Majure Data are working together to turn the warehouse “black hole” into a “shining star.” With this combined solution, the Activant Falcon software takes order information from the Sales Department and transfers it into the Majure Data system in the warehouse – where, through wireless handheld terminals, WMS guides the material handlers to accurately pick the ordered items. The information transmitted to the handheld terminal tells the forklift drivers what to pick, how many to pick and where to go to pick it. At each location, the drivers scan the barcode on the item to verify that they are at the right place and that they are picking the correct item. As soon as an item is picked, the information is transmitted to the Activant Falcon software. In addition to order picking, the solution will utilize wireless handheld terminals for receiving, put-away, material moves, shop/assembly, cycle counts and truck loading procedures.
Warehouse management technology is designed to enable LBM dealers to run their warehouses in a much more efficient manner with fewer people and fewer errors. In fact, Majure Data’s studies indicate that LBM dealers who adopt and fully implement its warehouse management technology can improve shipping to approximately 99.9% accuracy. This can greatly improve customer satisfaction and give a dealer a tremendous advantage over its competitors.
“In the building materials business, it is imperative to have accurate records of the inventory you have on hand and its warehouse location so that you can get orders out to customers accurately and quickly,” said John Askin, Jr., vice president of Finance for The Standard Group. “We are very excited to hear that Activant and Majure Data have come together with this new solution to help dealers better manage their two greatest assets – their employees and inventory.”
“I believe that warehouse management technology will be as revolutionary to the lumber and building materials industry today as point of sale technology was almost 30 years ago,” said Duffy Waters, national accounts manager for Activant’s Hardlines and Lumber Group. “Activant has built a 30-year reputation of applying technology to help LBM companies improve operational efficiencies and customer service, while helping to maximizing their revenue. Today’s agreement with Majure Data extends this mission and expertise to where it is now needed most – the warehouse.”
“Over the past few years, we have seen WMS go from a ‘nice-to-have’ system for LBM dealers to a technology that is a ‘must have’ in order to stay competitive,” said Jason Hudson, director of Business Development for Majure Data. “Majure Data is pleased to work with Activant, and we look forward to placing our proven technology in the hands of Activant Falcon customers.”
About Activant Solutions
Activant Solutions Inc. is a leading technology provider of business management solutions serving small and medium-sized businesses in three primary vertical markets: hardware and lumber, wholesale distribution and the automotive parts aftermarket. Activant provides customers with industry specific software, professional services, content, supply chain connectivity, and analytics. Over 30,000 customer locations use Activant to manage their day-to-day operations. Activant’s systems are designed to help customers increase sales, boost productivity, operate more cost-efficiently, improve inventory turns and enhance trading partner relationships. Activant has operations in Texas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit www.activant.com
About Majure Data
Founded in 1982, Majure Data is an experienced supplier of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) that are used across many industries. The company’s comprehensive warehouse management system, RF Navigator, utilizes bar-coding and wireless technology to improve accuracy, control, and productivity throughout a dealer’s warehousing and millwork operations. Majure Data has installed its warehouse management solutions in over 40 building products and millwork sites, and has a thorough knowledge of the industry, the industry-specific functionality and a strong understanding of the special challenges companies in this industry face.
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This announcement relating to Activant may contain statements that are forward looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, such as statements concerning trends, future technology or products, or Activant’s execution. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which could materially affect the company’s results, including, without limitation, market demand for products and technology, the company’s ability to meet that market demand, the integration of Activant’s technology and products with technology and products supplied by others, the successful integration of acquired businesses, including their products, services, customers and employees, and to successfully and effectively recognize, develop and deploy products that address market requirements the integration of Activant’s products into the businesses of its customers, customer acceptance of Activant’s products, and the retention and deployment of skilled Activant employees and service providers. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update or publicly revise any of the forward-looking statements. Please refer to our quarterly report filed under Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 filed with the Securities Exchange Commission that and can be found through the Activant investor relations web site at www.activant.com/company/investors for a full discussion of the risks and other factors.
Note: Activant and the Activant stylized logo design are registered trademarks, and Activant Ultimate a trademark, of Activant Solutions Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Press Contact:
Rick Fernandez,
Incendio International for Activant Solutions
Tel: 770-973-8401
rick@incendiopr.com
