Industri-Matematik International Selected by Norsk Medisinaldepot to Manage and Streamline Warehouse Operations

Leading Norwegian Pharmaceutical Wholesale Distributor to Improve High-Volume Order Fulfillment and Raise the Quality of Customer Service


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Sept. 8, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Industri-Matematik International Corp. (IMI), a leading provider of supply chain solutions for the retail value chain, today announced that Norsk Medisinaldepot (NMD), Norway's largest wholesale distributor of drugs and hospital supplies, has licensed IMI Warehouse 4.2 software for all warehouse operations in Norway. NMD will deploy the IMI Supply Chain Execution software throughout its central warehouse and distribution centers, replacing its current warehouse system to increase efficiency of shipment and delivery. With advanced supply chain execution capabilities, NMD will shift their logistic model to a centralized distribution model with minimum handling of goods and maximum order throughput.

NMD provides pharmacies and hospitals with a complete product line of both drug and hospital supplies. As the leading drug distributor, warehousing is a mission-critical business process for NMD. Norwegian law requires that pharmaceutical wholesalers must carry all approved drugs and have the ability to deliver prescription and non-prescription products within 24 hours to any pharmacy in the country. The partnership with IMI started back in 1995 when NMD implemented IMI Order software as its IT backbone for the company's entire supply chain operations. In 2002, IMI Replenishment was added to optimize NMD's demand replenishment capacities and enhance customer service.

The IMI Supply Chain Suite provides solutions for increased flexibility, responsiveness and customer fulfillment operations throughout the supply chain. The software supports high-speed, high-transaction volume activities, processing as many as 100,000 transactions per hour.

"We pride ourselves as being recognized as Norway's leading drug and hospital supplies distributor and have over the past 47 years, realized the importance of high-quality deliveries coupled with exceptional service," said Egil Eide, VP Logistics at NMD. "IMI Warehouse will enable us to implement best practices that will streamline delivery performance across the entire supply chain while balancing stock levels and product availability with costs and customer responsiveness. IMI Warehouse provides advance ship notices (ASNs) and cross-dock capabilities that will help us to reduce picking errors and ensure accurate deliveries."

IMI Warehouse functionality includes:



 --  Capabilities to manage transport routes and link warehouse 
     operations to departure schedules
 --  Advanced support for recycling materials by received from 
     vendors and other warehouses
 --  Comprehensive support of advance shipping notices (ASNs)
 --  ASNs with detailed shipment-level, information and content 
     specifications per unique container
 --  Cross-docking functionality for pre-destined transit containers, 
     and opportunistic cross-docking
 --  In depth functionality for reverse logistics processes
 --  Full traceability of picked and shipped goods, retaining all 
     information down to item load level
 --  Radio frequency (RF) client with applications for automatic 
     receiving based on purchase order or ASN information, 
     interleaved movement, inventory audit and real-time picking 
     tasks.

NMD Utilizes Warehouse Solutions from IMI `

"At IMI we know that speed and availability are crucial to wholesale distributors in this intensely competitive environment," said Pat Tinley, CEO of IMI. "NMD can maintain its leadership position in the marketplace by taking advantage of the IMI Warehouse solution, enabling the company to perform to-the-minute shipment department planning and shipping within two hours of receipt of an order."

For suppliers, NMD and IMI developed an integrated services digital network system that provides online access to NMD information, such as daily details on NMD sales to pharmacies. This timely access to information enables NMD and its suppliers to meet customer demands more effectively. Pharmacy customers now have online access to view NMD's inventory and pricing information, place orders and check when they will get delivery.

About Norsk Medisinaldepot

Norsk Medisinaldepot (NMD) is Norway's largest wholesale distributor of drugs and hospital supplies. Founded in 1957, the company established its reputation as a leading drug distributor. The company provides pharmacies and hospitals with a complete product line in both drug and hospital supplies. NMD is headquartered in Oslo, with subsidiaries in Bergen, Trondheim and Hargstad.

About Industri-Matematik

Industri-Matematik International Corp. (IMI) is a leading provider of supply chain solutions for retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and logistics services providers across the retail value chain. IMI focuses on performance-driven customer fulfillment to help companies automate, streamline and measure order management and replenishment processes, based on actual customer demand. IMI offers proven solutions in collaborative order management, fulfillment and distribution center, supply chain visibility and analytics, as well as event management capabilities. IMI products are used by many of the world's leading consumer products and retail companies. IMI is headquartered in Stockholm and Atlanta with offices and support capabilities worldwide.

For more information, contact: Industri-Matematik International Corp. Articulate Communications Inc. Mia Hussner Lauren Ceradini +46 8 676 50 00 +1 212.255.0080, ext. 18 email: mihu@im.se email: ceradini@articulatepr.com

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