TOKYO and GAITHERSBURG, Md. — December 16, 2008 — GXS, a leading provider of business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce solutions, today announced that Yamaha Motors has deployed GXS Trading Grid® Logistics Visibility in Japan and North America to achieve real-time visibility into its global logistics operations for the distribution and sale of repair parts. Yamaha is a global manufacturer of motorcycle, marine and power products with production and sales sites and business partners worldwide. The company needed a solution to dynamically control international logistics operations for repair parts that could integrate seamlessly with its global electronic ordering system.

In response, Yamaha deployed GXS Logistics Visibility, and connected the software-as-a-service (SaaS)-based solution to its FAST-web proprietary ordering system. GXS Logistics Visibility gathers location and product information including parts numbers, quantities and packaging configurations at each step in the logistics process including factory inspection, shipping point, loading, customs clearance and delivery. GXS Trading Grid, GXS’ global integration services platform, relays the information at each step in the process to the customer or trading partner via a customized web portal.

“Logistics operations are all about real-time data and control. Without those elements—which most companies lack—the logistics process becomes a black hole devoid of insight and visibility, where guesswork is standard practice,” said Yoshiyuki Tanaka, country manager of GXS Japan. “Yamaha Motor is leading the charge in the automotive industry in better managing the distribution of repair parts, a common difficulty for companies in this industry. We feel honored to assist Yamaha in achieving its business goals, as a strong partner in Japan and the global market.”

As a result of its adoption of GXS Logistics Visibility, Yamaha Motor can carry out shipment and distribution transactions with improved quality and higher accuracy. The company also can access accurate shipment information from the exporter with greater ease. This has led to quicker responses based on need, and reinforced its transportation cost management structure. Yamaha also utilizes information from GXS Logistics Visibility to improve export service quality, as well as to provide accurate delivery information to customers. Moving forward, Yamaha plans to expand its implementation of GXS Logistics Visibility to additional countries and regions.
In the current economic environment, investments in cost-savings B2B technologies are expected to grow globally. In a recent forecast report1, AMR Research said, “Our long-term forecast is for the SCM applications market to grow 7% overall on a CAGR rate basis over the next five years. Demand for applications to support the management of global operations will continue to accelerate, particularly given the economic pressures the next five years will bring.”

GXS’ suite of on-demand GXS Trading Grid visibility solutions provides customers and their global trading partners with a highly-accessible, Web-based view into all aspects of the supply chain, including trading partner networks and transactions, order lifecycles, logistics networks and inventory status. GXS’ visibility solutions enable customers to rapidly respond to changing customer demand signals and optimize sales through increased product availability and improved promotional planning. GXS also provides customers with current and complete status information on all in-transit shipments, including dynamic estimated time of arrival data, customs status, order and shipment correlation and supplier performance reports.

About Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

About GXS
GXS is a leading global provider of B2B e-commerce solutions that simplify and enhance business process integration and collaboration among trading partners.  Organizations worldwide, including more than 70 percent of the Fortune 500, leverage the on-demand services on GXS Trading Grid® to extend supply chain networks, optimize product launches, automate warehouse receiving, manage electronic payments and gain supply chain visibility.  GXS Managed Services, GXS’ B2B outsourcing solution, empowers customers with the expertise, technical infrastructure and program support to conduct B2B e-commerce with trading partners globally. 

Based in Gaithersburg, Md., GXS has an extensive global network and has local offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions.  GXS can be found on the Web at www.gxs.com.

All products and services mentioned are trademarks of their respective companies.

1 AMR Research “The Supply Chain Management Market Sizing Report, 2007–2012,” November 2008.