OTTAWA, Ontario, Nov. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kinaxis®, provider of RapidResponse®, a cloud solution at the heart of planning and response management for value chain operations, today announced an extension of their JFE Systems reseller relationship to deliver RapidResponse as a cloud service for small and medium business (SMB) manufacturers.

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JFE Systems, a distinguished systems integrator providing IT services for the manufacturing industry, will offer mid-market customers access to the cloud-based RapidResponse SCM and S&OP solution as a value-add compliment to existing on–premise planning systems, in particular, Microsoft Dynamics AX, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software which is gaining rapid adoption among SMB manufacturers and overseas divisions of large enterprises.

With a proposed standard integration offering, along with SCM and S&OP best-practices packaged in, RapidResponse can be put into production in as little as twelve-weeks, and without the large investments of internal resources typically expected with enterprise software deployments.  The expected return on investment (ROI) is under a year, with the added benefit that the functionality provided in the initial implementation could support future supply chain service options.

"I think SCM is not only a key strategy for enterprises to strengthen their competitiveness and achieve their goals, but the key infrastructure whereby they can continuously improve and grow in response to changing market conditions. In addition, today, it is essential for enterprises to make decisions across all functions  ̶  not only from the viewpoint of the chain of sales, production, and distribution, but also across key performance indicators of cost and profit. RapidResponse is an excellent solution to support SCM planners' decision-making through instantaneous multi-scenario analysis in response to the changing environment," says Hiroyuki Kikugawa, CEO of JFE Systems. "Building on our successful partnership, we are delighted to work with Kinaxis to make RapidResponse readily available to Microsoft Dynamics AX customers, so they too can experience the benefit of a modern day solution to their modern day challenges."

"JFE Systems shares our vision of supply chain management for the 21^st century," said Bob Dolan, vice president of worldwide sales channels, Kinaxis.  "They have successfully brought RapidResponse to many enterprise organizations and see the opportunity to extend the availability of the solution to Microsoft Dynamics AX customers specifically, through an off-the-shelf solution.  Having a shared goal to introduce a solution used by global industry leaders such as Cisco, Lockheed Martin, Qualcomm and Avaya to a new market makes the path forward for the joint offering clear and persuasive."

RapidResponse® is a single product that delivers the underlying visibility, simulation and planning capabilities essential to making long-term and short-term demand and supply balancing decisions across the enterprise. RapidResponse is the foundation on which many supply chain applications — S&OP, Master Planning & Scheduling, Capacity and Constraint Management, Inventory and Supply Management, Engineering Change Management, Demand Management, Order Promise Management, and Integrated Project Management — can be deployed rapidly using a common data model and user interface.  By leveraging the data in Microsoft Dynamics AX, companies implementing RapidResponse can achieve new and agile planning capabilities that address a multitude of supply chain functions.  

About JFE Systems, Inc.

JFE Systems is a spin-off from JFE Steel, one of the largest steel companies in the world. Known for its reliable service and support for more than 29 years, JFE Systems specializes in providing leading companies advanced business application, supply chain management (SCM), customer relationship management and B2B/e-business systems. Its global clients include leading automotive, high tech, process industry, telecommunications, finance & banking, insurance, consumer packaged goods, public and utility services including JFE Steel, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Toshiba, Komatsu, Omron, Ajinomoto, Asahi Breweries. The company is traded on the 2nd section of Tokyo Stock Exchange under the code "4832".

About Kinaxis

Kinaxis delivers a cloud-based solution at the heart of planning and response management for value chain operations. Manufacturing companies with complex supply chain networks and volatile business environments rely on RapidResponse for collaborative planning, continuous performance monitoring, and coordinated response to plan variances across multiple areas of the business. With RapidResponse, enterprises are able to attain a control tower solution that encompasses a full spectrum of supply chain related business processes, including such functions as: S&OP, supply and capacity planning, demand planning, and supplier collaboration. As a result, Kinaxis customers have replaced disparate planning and performance management tools and are realizing significant operations performance breakthroughs. From a single product, customers are able to make both long-term and real-time demand and supply balancing decisions quickly, collaboratively, and in line with the shared business objectives of multiple stakeholders.

CONTACT: Melissa Clow, 613.592.5780 ext. 5513, mclow@kinaxis.com

SOURCE Kinaxis