Ace Hardware Hits the Nail on the Head Using Planalytics Business ...

Earthtimes.org - USA
The intelligence from Planalytics can be used throughout our supply chain
to support more effective strategic plans, improved seasonal inventory
management ...


WAYNE, Pa., June 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Planalytics Inc., the industry-leading provider of business weather solutions, today announced that Ace Hardware Corp., the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry, has selected the Planalytics Business Weather Intelligence platform to measure and manage weather-driven demand influences throughout the chain. Ace Hardware plans to integrate this intelligence into their current business processes.

"Planalytics provides unique opportunities for Ace Hardware and a solution that will bring significant returns on the investment within the first season," comments Frederic Fox, president and CEO at Planalytics, Inc. "Additionally, our solution provides a single point of view on the weather and it's impact throughout the business, which enables more autonomous decision- making at all levels," continues Fox.

"The weather has a significant impact on our business and it's vital that we are able to anticipate and plan for these events. Proactively managing weather means that we can mitigate upcoming risks and take full advantage of capitalizing on opportunities that we would not otherwise have been prepared for. The intelligence from Planalytics can be used throughout our supply chain to support more effective strategic plans, improved seasonal inventory management and better targeted marketing and promotional programs based upon weather-driven changes in customer behavior. We will therefore be implementing Planalytics information as a best practice, prior to integration with our existing JDA Software environment so that the intelligence flows directly through our planning and inventory management processes," says Paul Sikes, director of inventory control for Ace Hardware Corp.

About Planalytics

Planalytics (http://www.planalytics.com/) helps companies reduce risk and improve profitability by identifying and managing the effects of weather on their business. Using a combination of historical and predictive analytics, Planalytics helps clients understand and effectively plan for weather-driven changes in supply, demand, and pricing. The company's products and services provide retailers and manufacturers with specific knowledge of how weather has and will influence their business. Clients use Planalytics' information for improved decision-making both in-season and up to one year in advance to support more effective financial planning, merchandise management, advertising and promotion timing and operational effectiveness.

About Ace Hardware Corp.

Throughout its 80-year history, Ace Hardware has been known as the helpful hardware store by both customers and communities. With 4,600 hardware, home center and building materials stores that generate annual retail sales of more than $12 billion, Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace currently operates 14 distribution centers in the U.S. and one distribution center in Shanghai. Its retailers' stores are located in all 50 states and nearly 60 countries. More information about Ace can be found