TRW’s MARC Warehouse Management System Integrates With Low-Cost Palm Computing Solutions
RESTON, Va. — July 8, 1999 — TRW's (NYSE: TRW) Logistics Execution Solutions (LES) unit, a leading supplier of warehouse management systems (WMS) and complementary logistics execution systems, today announced the release of Palm Computing Technology for the MARC(TM)-CS WMS product.
Linked with the scaleable power of the MARC-CS Windows NT-based solution, Palm Computing Technology is an economical paperless alternative to a full-scale radio frequency (RF) system.
The MARC Palm Computing Technology links Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) or palm computers with the power and functionality of the MARC-CS WMS product. With a touch-screen graphical user interface (GUI), the Palm PDAs enable real-time interactions at a cost that is reflective of paper-based solutions. Smaller, Tier II or satellite distribution operations or those without the financial capital to invest in an RF system, benefit from optimal task assignment and tracking of the execution and exceptions related to those tasks. The PDAs enable increased shipping and inventory accuracy and track employee productivity statistics.
"Traditional RF real-time interactions have become the norm in most large distribution center operations," said Ronald Riggin, TRW's Director of Product Development. "However, due to cost considerations smaller distribution centers must carefully trade-off the merits between RF terminals and basic paper-based operations to ensure proper return on investment. The MARC Palm Computing Technology delivers high client value and a high ROI at a fraction of the cost of a traditional RF installation."
The MARC-CS Palm Computing Technology is available in three product architectures requiring no physical connectivity. Batch Hot Sync, the lowest cost option, allows users to download groups of assigned or scheduled tasks at terminals on a regular basis and requires no additional IT Infrastructure. The Infrared (IR) Connectivity option gives users an IR drop at locations throughout the warehouse. The final option, RF Connectivity, allows the palm computing devices to be linked to the warehouse's existing RF network.
TRW's MARC-CS system is fully integrated with the 3COM Palm V(TM) and the Symbol SPT1500 PDAs. The service is available immediately.
TRW Logistics Execution Solutions (LES) is a leading global warehouse management and logistics execution systems provider. Implemented in more than 200 sites worldwide, MARC(TM) Systems have been installed in a broad variety of industries, including third-party logistics, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, automotive, grocery/food services, retail, electronics, consumer packaged goods, apparel, wholesale distribution, and publishing.
TRW Integrated Supply Chain Solutions (ISCS) delivers total supply chain solutions: management consulting, enterprise resource planning, manufacturing execution systems, supply chain optimization and logistics execution solutions. For more information, visit Web site http://www.trw.com/supplychain.
TRW Inc. provides high-technology products and services to the automotive, aerospace and information technology markets worldwide. The company's news releases are available through TRW's corporate Web site http://www.trw.com.
CONTACT:
TRW, Reston
Gina Smith, 972/633-5060
gina.smith@trw.com
or
Rogers Communications
Kelly Mello, 781/224-1100
kmello@rogerscom.com