IES Ltd on the Shortlist For Innovation of the Year Award

Online, August 27, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Transportation software provider IES, Ltd. is proud to be among the co-finalists on the shortlist for the CSCMP 2010 Supply Chain Innovation of the Year Award. The case study, titled "Smart Consolidation to Break Speed-Cost Trade-Off's", combines the expertise of importer Bakers Footwear Group, international freight forwarder Transmodal Corporation and transportation software provider IES Ltd. The joint-analysis ranks among the most innovative supply chain solutions of the year according to industry organization CSCMP (Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals).

The case study is a pioneering analysis of how cargo shipped to the same destination via small-parcel carrier can be effectively consolidated by to taking advantage of lower shipping costs based on volume weight rates. Compared to individual package rates, the application produced an average savings of over 40%.

Tom Zinner, Director of Software Development at transportation software provider, IES, Ltd, explains the study in more detail, "Simply stated, the application of packing optimization software results in a significant savings in the long run. Mr. Zinner continues, "The joint case-study focused on the implementation of an innovative new drop-ship program with its client's US-based retail stores. The team immediately recognized the challenge of consolidating multiple shipments destined for a single destination into the fewest number of cartons while still minimizing domestic shipping costs."

"Our optimization process allows clients to utilize a small package carrier to move goods to the final destination for the same price as LTL, but without the added paperwork. The result is up to 40% savings is shipping cost. Multiplied repeatedly across the entire supply chain, the cost savings is significant and presents a clear competitive advantage."

"A visual example is often the best way to illustrate the benefits of package optimization. Through a complex series of algorithms, the software analyzes the most efficient way to load a package based on delivery rates of the small parcel carrier. The software then generates an easy-to-read, step-by-step series of pick-tickets that clearly show how each of the inner packages should be placed into the over-pack."