Mt. Laurel, N.J. -- February 3, 2003 -- Industri-Matematik International Corp. today announced Wild Oats Markets Inc. (NASDAQ: OATS), a leading national natural and organic foods retailer, has selected IMI Retail software to help improve replenishment and order processes across its 101 stores in the U.S. and Canada. Wild Oats will use IMI Retail software to support its on-going effort to reduce out-of-stock levels and improve service to its customers, while also reducing excess inventory and transportation costs.
IMI software is the cornerstone of a major supply chain initiative at Wild Oats covering order management, replenishment, transportation, and warehousing. With IMI Store software, Wild Oats store directors will be able to create an accurate store order to replenish store shelves based on consumer demand forecasts. This order will be sent to the Wild Oats centralized order-well managed by IMI Order software, which consolidates all orders for every product across the company's entire retail store network. IMI Order will source product from the Wild Oats warehouses, distribution centers and suppliers, thereby consolidating orders to achieve pricing efficiencies and to optimize product flow to the stores for greater distribution efficiencies.
"During our extensive, multi-vendor evaluation, IMI demonstrated it could provide a comprehensive order and replenishment solution that addresses our end-to-end needs ? from individual stores to our centrally hosted order-well and out to our suppliers," said John Lauderbach, vice president, Technology and Logistics at Wild Oats. "IMI Retail software has proven itself in other demanding retail environments and has demonstrated that its systems can produce measurable results quickly both in our existing store base and as we continue to grow."
According to Timothy Campbell, president and CEO, Industri-Matematik International Corp., "Wild Oats is taking an innovative approach by aligning its supply chain processes with consumer demand at the store shelf. By focusing on the source of orders ? the actual demand ? their stores will have the right product on the shelf at the right time to better meet customers' needs. Our selection by Wild Oats is another significant milestone in retail for us. The IMI Retail software suite continues to exceed expectations and demonstrate strength when evaluated by our retail prospects."
IMI Store software creates retail sales forecasts and leverages a combination of forecasts and point-of-sale data so Wild Oats can generate perfect replenishment orders based on local store conditions that are matched with product available in its distribution network. IMI Order software will enable Wild Oats to capture and process orders to eliminate inefficiencies and optimize inventory allocation. The software will be integrated with Wild Oats' ERP application, closing the loop between order management and accounts payable processes. IMI Store and IMI Order are part of the IMI Retail software suite.
