Syncata Deploys Interactive Spare Parts Supply Chain Assessment Tool; Automotive, Industrial Manufacturers and Aftermarket Suppliers Get Online Analysis
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--July 31, 2002--Business consulting and systems integration firm Syncata Corp. (http://www.syncata.com), which specializes in providing services to vehicle and equipment manufacturers, has uploaded an interactive assessment tool to the Internet, which lets service parts and other aftermarket companies analyze the effectiveness of their supply chain operations."We have been overwhelmed by the amount of activity the SPARES diagnostic tool has received," said Sasha Banks, director of marketing at Syncata Corporation. "The vehicle and equipment aftermarket appears to be ready to take a close, hard look at their supply chain operations. New registrations among manufacturing companies at Syncata.com are up fifty percent."
The diagnostic tool drawing all the new users is available at Syncata's Service Parts Assessment and Re-Engineering Strategies (SPARES) resource center (http://www.syncata.com/spares/home.asp). This tool can be used free of charge in exchange for registering. To provide a high-level "snapshot" view of current state capabilities, the assessment tool asks visitors a series of questions in five categories: demand planning, inventory management, procurement, warehouse management and supply chain strategy. Once users have answered the questions, the tool delivers a simple quantitative analysis and summary of their company's aftermarket parts supply chain strengths and weaknesses.
Based on the responses it receives, the SPARES assessment tool scores users in each of the five categories, with each score having a different meaning based on the particular category. For example, a score of zero to two for inventory management implies that inventory management capabilities are at a basic level compared to best practices in inventory management utilized in the industry. This suggests that alternative strategies, like vendor managed inventories, should be considered and relevant inventory management segmentation should be performed to maximize the value potential of improving inventory management.
In addition to the basic quantitative analysis function, the SPARES assessment tool also delivers some general recommendations in each of the five categories based on the numerical scores awarded. For a score of 3.5 in demand planning, the assessment tool recommends that the company consider systems that can process repair data from dealers, repair shops and wholesalers as part of their demand forecasting data, while companies scoring 2.5 are advised to consider supplier alliance programs to lower operating costs and improve collaborative efforts.
"We created this tool to provide manufacturers with the ability to quickly assess the current state of their aftermarket supply chains online," said Rakesh Batra, director of Syncata's supply chain management practice. "But in order to actually help them improve their supply chain performance, Syncata's SPARES solution provides a comprehensive assessment and performance improvement capability spanning the end-to-end supply chain. This enables companies to identify gaps between current and desired states, determine necessary business process improvements, technology enhancements and change management requirements, and most importantly, implement capabilities that will have measurable results."
About Syncata Corporation
Founded in 1990, Syncata (www.syncata.com/tread/registration.asp) provides business consulting and systems integration services that help vehicle and equipment manufacturers and their suppliers plan and implement innovative demand and supply chain solutions. The firm helps clients collaborate effectively, plan adaptively, and respond rapidly to enhance business performance and realize measurable value. Syncata helps clients assess strategic options and guides them through the detailed business and technology issues involved in delivering practical return on investment-driven solutions.