Konica Minolta Deploys Kinaxis RapidResponse for Global Demand and Supply Balancing

Broad Set of Capabilities Was Determining Factor For Selecting RapidResponse

OTTAWA, July 18, 2014 /CNW/ - Kinaxis® (TSX:KXS), provider of RapidResponse®, delivering cloud-based SCM and S&OP applications, is proud to announce that Konica Minolta, a leading technology company, has deployed Kinaxis RapidResponse as its global sales and operations planning solution.

At Konica Minolta, the IT Business Technologies team was struggling to get a quick and comprehensive view of the global supply chain network, as well as visibility into the impact of supply and demand changes on the business. As a result, attaining agility and alignment across the supply chain was difficult.

To improve the SCM process, the supply chain group decided to adopt new technology that could be leveraged for S&OP and increase the depth of their supply chain analytics.

"We turned to RapidResponse because it had so many capabilities within the single system. Moreover, we liked that by leveraging the solution's in-memory engine and embedded supply chain analytics we could do deep, but quick planning calculations on a daily basis and calculate things like total cost, not just total inventory," said Noboru Ota, Manager of SCM Planning Department, Global SCM Center of Konica Minolta.

Noboru Ota went on to say, "By integrating five systems into one, we gained distinct advantages in streamlining operations and addressing multiple functions with a single product. PSI (Production, Supply, Inventory) planning calculations have successfully changed from being done on a weekly basis, to now on a daily basis and is founded on actual business results, so the data is dramatically more accurate. Additionally, we were able to obtain a foundation for managing S&OP based on financial measures; making calculations in the context of dollar amounts as opposed to the traditional unit based management."

The company has seen Production, Supply, Inventory (PSI) planning calculation times go from several hours to tens of minutes, all while being able to support seamless transitions between volume and mix planning.

"We are proud that RapidResponse is the chosen S&OP and supply chain planning system for Konica Minolta," said John Sicard, Chief Products Officer for Kinaxis. "As Konica Minolta continues to expand their implementation of RapidResponse across the organization, we are excited to help them to achieve further benefits and increased value."

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements as to Kinaxis' growth opportunities and the potential benefits of, and demand for, Kinaxis' products and services. These statements are subject to certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including our view of the relative position of Kinaxis' products and services compared to competitive offerings in the industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Kinaxis' actual results, performance, achievements and developments may differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such statements. Risk factors that may cause the actual results, performance, achievements or developments of Kinaxis to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such statements can be found in the public documents filed by Kinaxis with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Kinaxis assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law.

About Kinaxis Inc.
Kinaxis is a leading provider of cloud-based subscription software that enables our customers to improve and accelerate analysis and decision-making across their supply chain operations. The supply chain planning and analytics capabilities of our product, RapidResponse, create the foundation for managing multiple, interconnected supply chain management processes. By using the single RapidResponse product instead of combining individual disparate software solutions, our customers gain visibility across their supply chains, can respond quickly to changing conditions, and ultimately realize significant operating efficiencies.

SOURCE: Kinaxis Inc.

Robert Kelly
TMX Equicom
T: [phone] ext. 253 
[email protected]