Vendor Managed Inventory is ''Hot Topic'' at Council of Fleet Specialists Conference & HDDA Symposium

CINCINNATI--May 1, 20048, 2004--

-- VMI Topic Covered in Keynote Presentations, General Sessions, and Best Practices Forums

-- Enterprise Data Management Participates on Best Practices for Emerging Technologies Committee

At the recent Council of Fleet Specialists (CFS) Executive Conference & HDDA Heavy Vehicle Aftermarket Symposium held in Las Vegas, NV, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) was the emerging technology topic of interest. VMI was mentioned in strategic keynote and general sessions, as well as in individual breakout sessions and best practices forums. This program offered CFS and HDDA members the opportunity to participate in a full range of educational and networking sessions.

Keynote and General Sessions

In one of the keynote presentations, Bill Wade, president, Wade and Partners, identified VMI as one of the emerging technologies that is helping both suppliers and distributors in the heavy duty industry enhance customer service and improve the bottom line.

Bill Ryan, CEO, Point Spring and Driveshaft Company, participated in a general session panel discussion in which he explained the impact that VMI has had on his company. "Today, with VMI, we are much smarter about how we manage inventory," said Ryan. "We have reduced our reaction time, allowing quick response to customer demand and communication with key suppliers. Our sales are up 7-10%, even higher in our VMI lines, but at the same time, we have not had to increase inventory. By having the right combination of inventory on-hand, we decrease inventory carrying costs and expediting costs which directly improves our margins and ultimately profits." Point Spring & Driveshaft Company is a leading distributor of medium and heavy-duty truck parts to customers ranging from individual owner-operators to large, nationwide fleet operators, including UPS and the U.S. Postal Service.

Breakout Sessions and Best Practices Forums

The conference agenda included detailed discussion sessions on specific topics of interest to the Heavy Duty industry. Gary Smalley, president, Dayton Parts, LLC, participated in a Best Practices discussion on VMI and emerging technologies. Reinforcing the interest level in VMI at the conference, Smalley stated, "Not only are people interested in talking about VMI, but after hearing the results that we have experienced with our VMI initiative, we actually signed up an additional four customers for our VMI program. VMI is a key technology that is helping us improve customer service and speed-to-market." Dayton Parts LLC, is the most comprehensive manufacturer and distributor of undercarriage replacement products for the heavy-duty aftermarket in the U.S.

As an industry expert on VMI, Carl Hall, president of EDM was a guest participant on the Best Practices for Emerging Technologies Committee. "VMI was certainly a popular topic at all levels of the conference," noted Hall. "Many of the leading companies in the heavy duty industry have embraced VMI and more importantly, are realizing significant business results. This is getting the attention of the industry as a whole and adding to the VMI momentum."

About Datalliance

Datalliance is a comprehensive VMI service designed to meet the specific needs of both suppliers and distributors in the Heavy Duty industry. Datalliance enables suppliers and their customers to establish effective VMI relationships quickly and easily as well as facilitating collaboration across the Internet. For more information about Datalliance and Vendor Managed Inventory, please visit:www.datalliance.net.