When FedEx was founded more than 30 years ago, it changed the business landscape for manufacturers and distributors forever. No longer would we accept long lead times or disorganized shipping processes from our suppliers. We expected fast, efficient shipping—and our customers expected the same from us.

Today, shipping plays a huge role in how MFG/PRO users beat their competitors by providing better service and more value to their customers. As an MFG/PRO user, you know how important it is to offer same-day shipping or other guarantees on getting product to your customers.

And likewise, here at PICS, our consultants understand how important shipping is to you because we have worked through many engagements focused on shipping workbench and confirmation performance issues. We know that resolving an issue can literally change the lives of shipping personnel, not to mention customer service levels. We’ve seen it: Confirm Shipper run-times dropping from 30 minutes to four seconds have made shipping managers jump for joy. Expedited pick-to-pack times have brought our customers to tears.

Throughout this issue of the newsletter, you’ll read similar stories – stories of customers who have streamlined their processes to improve service and cut costs. And we hope that if you have shipping “challenges,” you contact PICS for help.

Here at PICS, we work hard to develop products and services that will help you build your business. And we think that it’s important to tell you how you can use these products and services to your advantage.

You may have noticed that we are now reaching out to you—through this newsletter and other avenues—to introduce you to some of our newest offerings and how companies like yours, are taking advantage of them. In 2007 we will be conducting free Webinars highlighting a PICS product or service. These Webinars are produced by the PICS Sales Team and are conducted by either a senior PICS Consultant or Developer and will include an online, actual demonstration of the software product. The first Webinar was a huge success with many of our customers throughout North America attending. You can read more about these Webinars including the schedule on page 6 of this Newsletter.

We hope that you will take advantage of these Webinars and join us for an upcoming session.

I welcome your feedback on our new initiatives. We are always looking for new ways to keep you informed with what is available and to help you take advantage of new technology. We want to make sure that our contacts with you bring value and are worth your time.