Federated Ratchets Up Inventory ManagementFederated Ratchets Up Inventory Management

Federated Department Stores Inc., which operates well-known retail stores such as Macy's and Bloomingdale's, is hoping to more accurately match demand and supply with inventory-management software from EXE Technologies Inc.

Federated plans to use the EXE software for its private-label clothing lines.

The EXE Adaptive Inventory Management software centralizes inventory data and automates processes such as replenishment planning, demand forecasting, and purchase-order generation. The goal is to reduce the amount of time buyers spend manually entering and manipulating data so they'll have more time to analyze how well the company is meeting customer demand. Federated expects to have the software operational in six months.

The deployment includes the latest version of EXE's Exceed Adaptive Inventory Management software, unveiled last month. Features include a demand-planning module that lets users compare adjusted forecasts with system-generated forecasts, view predicted inventory levels, and see future order forecasts.

Like many software vendors, EXE had a tough year. But according to an AMR Research report, the new software and EXE's Supply Chain Network Execution Suite promise to stitch "together supply-chain planning and execution into a cohesive process."