|
COVANSYS IMPLEMENTS NEW UPC SYSTEM FOR
CABELA'S IMPROVING BUSINESS EFFICIENCIES
World's Foremost Outfitter(R) of Hunting, Fishing
and Outdoor Gear
Standardizes Bar Code System, Complies with CSI and Sunrise Date
Regulations
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.--Jan. 7, 2003--Covansys Corporation
(Nasdaq: CVNS), a global consulting and technology services company,
announced today the successful implementation of a Universal Product
Code (UPC) system for Cabela's. The new system, which was designed
to replace Cabela's internal proprietary bar code system, increases
efficiencies throughout the production and sales cycle and enables
Cabela's to meet the Container Security Initiative (CSI) mandates
and the Sunrise Date UPC recommendations.
For this project, Cabela's utilized Covansys' unique, blended onsite/offshore
outsourcing model that allows for seamless operations 24 hours a day, 7
days a week.
"Cabela's now has the ability to track products from the issuance of a purchase
order through the receiving and fulfillment process, to the point of sale, to
the payment of the invoice. This has significantly increased efficiency within
our distribution centers, retail stores and vendor interactions, as many of them
already use UPC bar codes. We partnered with Covansys for this project because
of its proven reputation, technical expertise, and offshore outsourcing capabilities--and
they didn't disappoint," said Larry Popps, M.I.S. director of Cabela's.
CSI regulations were recently implemented to improve U.S. security by tightening
and expanding cargo-reporting requirements, and by establishing standards
for the security and integrity of containers and cargo throughout the transportation
supply chain. Companies, such as Cabela's, that convert their proprietary
barcode systems to meet the new CSI regulations and Sunrise Date recommendations
will be much better
equipped to expand global trade opportunities.
"We believe that Cabela's is already reaping value-added benefits from their
new UPC system," said Martin C. Clague, Covansys president and CEO. "In
addition to increased efficiencies resulting from converting to UPC standards,
Cabela's is well-positioned to meet the new business challenges and opportunities
posed by two converging events in supply chain management: The Container Security
Initiative and The Sunrise Date."
A secure and effective supply chain relies on Global Trade Item Numbers
(GTINs) as a critical tracking and auditing tool. Barcodes, such as the
UPC codes used by American companies, are one type of GTIN. On January
1, 2005, The Sunrise Date, the Uniform Code Council (UCC), the governing
body that issues barcodes, will no longer support the current 12-digit
UPC barcode. Databases and processes that rely on the 12-digit standard
will need to be altered to manage the new standards. Companies unable to
meet the new standards will face costs associated with relabeling goods,
finding new suppliers, or being shut out of markets.
The CSI and The Sunrise Date are expected to force fundamental changes
in both immediate and long-term supply chain practices. Supply chain planning
now demands a broad knowledge of government security regulations, overseas
procurement, flexible cargo routing, and effective integration of systems
reporting product status at every management level.
Covansys recently launched their Secure Supply Chain Solution to help retail
and distribution companies develop customized solutions to address the
sweeping changes resulting from the CSI regulations and The Sunrise Date.
Covansys has been executing similar conversion projects for the past 18
years for leading retailers such as Lands' End and The Kroger Company.
Covansys also possesses a decade-long track record of success in managing
outsourcing for more than four-dozen top companies, including SIRVA, Guardian
Insurance, Henry Ford Health Systems, and UNUMProvident Corporation. Covansys
currently has three offshore development centers in India.
About Covansys Corporation
Headquartered in Michigan, Covansys Corporation (Nasdaq: CVNS)
is a global consulting and technology services company specializing
in industry-specific solutions, strategic outsourcing and integration
services. Our clients gain competitive advantage by leveraging
our unique on-site, offsite, offshore delivery capability to achieve
rapid deployment, world-class quality and reduced costs. Since
its founding in1985, Covansys has successfully delivered an array
of innovative and cost-effective business and technical solutions
to leaders in the private and public sector. Our 4,800 employees
offer a professional heritage spanning Old World legacy systems
and the New Economy's leading-edge technologies. Covansys has 30
locations worldwide, including six development centers. Covansys
offers one of the largest offshore capabilities among U.S.-based
technology services providers, and two of the company's three wholly
owned development centers in India are SEI CMM® and
PCMM® Level 5 certified. Covansys
was named one of the top 500 solution providers in North America
in 2002 by VARBusiness magazine.
Contact:
Covansys
Laura Livingstone,
401/457-8514
llivings@covansys.com
or
Morrissey & Company
Margaret Brady 617/523-4141
mbrady@morrisseypr.com
|
