Dépêches

FedEx Introduces SenseAware, the Next Generation Supply Chain Information Platform

Dépèche transmise le 17 novembre 2009 par Business Wire

FedEx Introduces SenseAware, the Next Generation Supply Chain Information Platform

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), today announced SenseAware^SM powered by FedEx, a next generation, first-of-its-kind information service that combines a GPS sensor device and a web-based collaboration platform. Developed by the FedEx innovation team, SenseAware will provide increased access to information between business partners and customers to aid in the management of supply chain interactions and will target the life sciences industry at launch.

Available in the spring of 2010, SenseAware is an open, highly adaptive and easy-to-use sensor information sharing platform. It is a multi-modal solution that will serve customers who desire near real-time visibility and insight into their shipments. SenseAware will provide business decision makers the ability to quickly and easily collaborate on many types of information data across their global supply chain.

SenseAware is permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration to be used during flight on FedEx aircraft and will allow customers to monitor in-transit conditions during ground transportation.

A SenseAware device riding with a FedEx shipment can provide the following information:

• Precise temperature readings
• A shipment’s exact location
• When a shipment is opened or if the contents have been exposed to light
• Real-time alerts and analytics between trusted parties regarding the above vital signs of a shipment

SenseAware can be easily adopted as it does not require a costly software installation, infrastructure or large managed-service commitments. The added flexibility of the SenseAware device enables it to be used for single shipments or in large palletized shipments.

“One of the basic needs we saw was a sensor-based logistics industry that wasn’t solidifying as quickly as we thought it should around useful sharing of sensor information,” said Robert B. Carter, executive vice president and chief information officer, FedEx Corp. “We developed a point-of-view that sharing sensor information dynamically and in useful ways with supply chain partners proved too difficult, so we attacked this on a number of fronts and the result is SenseAware.”

Life Science Industry First to Benefit from SenseAware

Available in 2010, SenseAware will initially target the health care and life sciences industry. SenseAware was created through intensive research and beta-testing with customers within those industries. Pilot customers immediately recognized the benefits of the technology during an internal testing phase and realized the potential to shorten inventory turnaround time on closed loop shipments by having complete inbound visibility to all shipments.

“Life science companies are looking to squeeze more value out of their existing data, both upstream and downstream, to improve workflow, process efficiency, and strategic insight across the enterprise,” says Eric Newmark, research manager, IDC Health Insights. “With SenseAware, FedEx is seeking to give business users next-generation sensing capabilities, coupled with an information service that provides a new level of visibility to critical information. This collaborative model could help businesses overcome many of the challenges commonly faced in delivering world-class healthcare services.”

Shipments within the life sciences industry are often very high value and/or extremely time sensitive. In this industry, knowing the location of such packages during the shipping process is highly desirable. By providing extensive aggregated data shipment information, the technology will help life science customers comply with audits and quality checks, which occur regularly on such highly regulated products, For example, within the industry, many shipments must remain within a specified ambient or cold-chain temperature range to be effective for use in patient care. By having the correct and necessary data, users can make the proper business decisions to replenish or make other arrangements to meet the business requirement.

A limited number of SenseAware sensor devices are expected to be available during the initial launch for U.S. customers within the healthcare and life sciences industry.

About SenseAware

SenseAware combines the power of FedEx innovation and the FedEx brand to bring a unique service offering that is first of its kind in the FedEx portfolio.

“SenseAware is more than a technology solution for the supply chain,” said Laurie A. Tucker, senior vice president of marketing, FedEx Services. “SenseAware combines the power of the FedEx brand and heritage of innovation with a new product and platform to serve the customers of the broad transportation and logistics industry. We are motivated and driven to create, market and cultivate yet another breakthrough that has the capability to transform the life sciences industry.”

Customers and businesses can learn more about SenseAware on www.senseaware.com.

About FedEx

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $34 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 275,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6101782&lang=en