WWO Finalist

SCANDATA SELECTED AS FINALIST FOR WINDOWS WORLD OPEN

ScanData Systems' Nationwide Papers implementation was announced as a finalist in the Windows World Open for its software application, DCS, which automates Nationwide's product distribution and replicates the data among its various sites. The company's software was developed by ScanData Systems of Dublin Ohio.

The competition for company business solutions and third-party development represents ScanData's second consecutive finalist award. The Windows World Open recognizes excellence in Microsoft Windows Software development as part of COMDEX/ Spring and will be held this year June 2-5 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta . Bill Gates of Microsoft, following his keynote address at COMDEX, will present awards to this year's winners. Gates is founder and CEO of Microsoft Corporation, which is based in Seattle , WA .

The Windows World Open competition rewards developers of innovative custom applications that use the Microsoft Windows platform to solve a business or organization's problem. Companies entering the competition developed custom applications that increased profits, used a legacy system or helped achieve a higher level of customer satisfaction in one of eight categories. Nationwide Papers and ScanData are finalists in the category Core Business Process Systems. This category is for systems that handle fundamental operations critical for a company or organization to carry out its fundamental mission.

Nationwide Papers, a division of Champion International, has been a distributor of fine printing and industrial paper for over 100 years. The company is headquartered in Stamford , CT ; employs 13,000 people; and operates 40 distribution centers throughout the United States . Its current product line includes printing papers; packaging materials and equipment; and industrial/ commercial supplies such as tissues, paper towels, soaps, and waxes. Nationwide Papers services over 30,000 customers.

Nationwide Papers will have the ability to exchange data between multiple sites. This is made possible by connecting all 40 sites via Wide Area Network (WAN) to a central replication server to manage site data-to-host communications. The WAN uses data circuits with connection and bandwidth on-demand routers. As a result of implementing the WAN, Nationwide Papers will gain terminal access to host computer Telnet file transfer and directory services, the benefits of office automation, as well as company-wide e-mail and desktop services. In addition, remote clients will be installed at customer sites to allow Nationwide Papers to manage customers' inventory.

Nationwide Papers utilizes ScanData's Distribution Control System (DCS) to automate all areas of distribution, from receipt of in-bound goods through location management and shipping. This includes ScanData's Receiving, Putaway, Locator, Cycle Counting, Picking, SmartPac, Compliant Labeling, and Shipping applications.

Real-time management of the location and level of inventory within each distribution center is aided through the power of the system's Locator, based on Microsoft's SQL Server database. The system also offers complete outbound product scanning for EDI, compliance to UCC standards and manifesting for shipping carrier requirements.

Microsoft's BackOffice integrated family of server software and Windows 95 client software was integrated into the DCS for true client-server technology. Microsoft's NT Server is the network foundation; Microsoft SQL Server is used for managing and storing data; Microsoft SNA Server conducts host connectivity; Microsoft SNA Server is used for managing PC's and servers; and Microsoft Mail Server is employed for distributing information.

This is the second consecutive year that ScanData has placed as a finalist in the competition. The systems integrator and Microsoft Solution Provider was recognized last year in the Core Business Process Systems category for its application for Distribution and Fulfillment Services (DFS) in Columbus , OH . Last year's COMDEX/Spring in Chicago had on display over 1,100 exhibitors, over 3,500 new products, and was attended by nearly 100,000 computer professionals.

DFS, a division of Spiegel, Inc. handles catalog and retail fulfillment and distribution for specialty retailers Spiegel and Spiegel's subsidiary, Eddie Bauer. In order to increase the efficiency of its distribution center and reduce costs associated with the handling and shipping of goods, DFS implemented DCS. The flexibility of the system gives DFS the ability to connect with multiple platforms and host databases (Eddie Bauer and Spiegel) to verify inbound goods and shipments. Uploads of data throughout the day allow DFS to advise customers on the status of their orders in a real-time mode.

The announcement follows a string of accolades for ScanData. With recognition last year at Windows World Open, the company was also a winner of ENT magazine's Readers Choice Award for manufacturing systems. Microsoft recently announced that ScanData was selected as a team member for its Value Chain Initiative to provide solutions to the transportation and logistics industry.

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