AAT Announces Contracts With Bose Corporation and Hunter Douglas to Implement High-Volume Shipping Software at 13 U.S. Facilities

Business Wire, Oct 8, 1999

MIAMI LAKES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 1999--

AutoTrak(R)/AutoShip(R) 6.0 offers unique outbound logistics

functionality for high volume, complex shipping challenges and

certified interface with SAP(TM) R/3(R) software.

Applied Automation Techniques, Inc. (AAT) has signed agreements with Bose Corporation and Hunter Douglas to install AutoTrak(R) and AutoShip(R) 6.0 at a total of 13 facilities running SAP R/3 software.

Hunter Douglas, which has installed R/3 software at 11 U.S. locations for the company's Window Fashions Division, is now installing AutoShip to manage what the company describes as "a highly complex shipping distribution environment." The decision to implement AutoShip, which has a certified interface with R/3, was made at the time the SAP ERP software was selected. Four of the 11 locations are currently running AutoShip, and an additional seven will be on line by the end of the year.

AutoShip allows Hunter Douglas to simultaneously manage bulk shipments of parts and components to fabricators and completed assemblies to dealers and end-user customers. With an average of 1,000 daily shipments at each location, ranging from simple to complex orders, AutoShip also allows Hunter Douglas to keep individual orders opened across multiple shifts and to fulfill highly varied configurations and shipping requirements.

Bose, a manufacturer of high-end speakers and stereo systems, will be using AutoTrak and AutoShip to manage pick, pack and ship operations at the company's two national distribution centers in Tolleson, Ariz. and Columbia, S.C.

Bose installed SAP R/3 software in 1996. The AutoTrak and AutoShip installation will occur this year. According to a Bose spokesperson, they selected the AAT software to "... help create productivity gains in warehousing with what we see as major increases in shipping volume."

While offering "full-featured" warehouse management functions that couple seamlessly with data collection devices and a range of ERP systems, the AAT software offers unique capabilities in automating shipping and manifesting. Both the warehouse management (AutoTrak) and the pick, pack and ship applications (AutoShip) are available separately.

The company also offers AutoTime(R), considered the most powerful and flexible execution-level application for time, attendance and labor collection in manufacturing. All three applications integrate with SAP, Baan, Oracle and a range of legacy systems.

AAT targets its products toward the manufacturing and distribution operations of medium sized and large companies, with particular focus on aerospace & defense (A&D), automotive, industrial machinery & equipment, and electronics industries. With over 100 sites installed, AAT has a significant presence in A&D.

For more information about AAT or the privately-held company's products and services, contact Michael Register, vice president of marketing at michael@aatech.com, at 305/819-4000, ext. 248 or visit AAT's website at www.aatech.com.