Auto-Wares to Standardize Merchandising and Demand Chain Processes On Evant Software

27-Year Old Auto Parts Company Purchases Scientific Demand Planning And Replenishment Software to Reduce Inventory and Increase Service Levels

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 10 -- Evant, a leading provider of retail management software and services, today announced that Auto-Wares has selected Evant Demand Forecasting and Replenishment solution to centralize its inventory management, and optimize forecast and replenishment accuracy for over 800 auto parts locations. With the Evant solution, Auto-Wares expects to increase service levels and significantly reduce inventory.

Auto-Wares is a 27-year old group of automotive aftermarket companies, which owns 92 retail stores across the Midwest, and distributes over 800 auto parts product lines to other independent retail stores. The U.S. Commerce Department reports that Americans spend nearly $38 billion each year on repairing their cars, and, in order to capitalize on the large, competitive automotive market, Auto-Wares recognized that it was necessary to overhaul its arbitrary trigger replenishment system. Evant Demand Planning and Replenishment will replace the company's current solution, enabling Auto-Wares to develop time-phased replenishment plans with advanced forecasting formulas and optimization technology to maximize service-level goals, and minimize the company's inventory investment across its multi-tiered distribution network.

Using Evant's solution, Auto-Wares aims to increase its level of product visibility, so buying staff and inventory analysts are able to meet demands efficiently throughout all levels of the retail store and distribution warehouse supply chain.

"With our demand and supply variables for both our retail stores and distribution network centralized to a single optimization process, we expect to see immediate and significant financial improvements, freeing up the resources we need to effectively grow and compete in our industry," said Shelly Hook, corporate director of inventory control at Auto-Wares Corporation. "Evant Demand Planning and Replenishment will deliver the advanced technology we need to give us the competitive advantage necessary to succeed in the automotive market."

"We are pleased that Auto-Wares has selected Evant to increase forecast and replenishment efficiencies across its business," said Katrina Roche, president and COO of Evant. "We look forward to helping support Auto-Wares goals in delivering the best customer experience by assuring customers quality goods, while maximizing their business goals."

About Evant Demand Planning and Replenishment

Evant Demand Planning and Replenishment is the industry's most advanced integrated forecasting, replenishment and allocations solution. At the heart of the solution is a statistical forecasting engine that combines proven forecasting techniques with sophisticated demand cleansing, day-of-the-week and seasonal profiling tools. The system enables retailers to forecast demand more accurately and minimize their inventory investment by automatically adapting to changing demand patterns. Retailers gain maximum forecast accuracy for all types of demand, including seasonal goods, new items, promotions and slow-movers.

About Auto-Wares

Auto-Wares is a group of companies in the automotive aftermarket business. Auto-Wares is a distribution company headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company has been providing the complete parts needs for jobbers since 1976. Auto-Wares is made up of a group of companies: Battery Specialists, Auto Paint, Auto Performance, Auto-Wares Tool Co., CounterWorks computer systems, and A-1 Truck and Heavy Duty, all providing specialization in inventory, product knowledge, and programs. Auto-Wares is a member of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, one of the country's leading automotive aftermarket organizations that helps auto parts stores deliver quality products and affordable prices to consumers, particularly focused on delivering marketing programs and products that make it possible for businesses to survive in the intensely competitive automotive market. For more information, visit http://www.auto-wares.com/ .

About Evant, Inc.

Evant is leading the world's top multi-channel retailers, wholesalers and distributors into the new technological age by providing retail management software that frees up millions of dollars in working capital and enables greater competitive advantage. Clients such as Staples, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Camping World and AmerisourceBergen choose Evant for its best-of-breed solutions that are based on the industry's most advanced science that are delivered on the IBM iSeries and J2EE platforms. The company is privately held and is headquartered in San Francisco, with operations in Atlanta, London and Frankfurt. For more information, visit www.evant.com.