Runaway success of company’s SaaS WMS and financial growth spur expansion into new San Francisco headquarters

SAN FRANCISCO — 2008 marked a major milestone for SmartTurn as the leading On-Demand Inventory and Warehouse Management System (WMS) provider experienced wide adoption with 3PLs, wholesale distributors, and manufacturers among others. SmartTurn’s on-demand WMS has rapidly become the solution of choice for companies striving for inventory visibility and supply chain collaboration. The company approaches 2009 and beyond with a solid position in the marketplace and continues to add to an already impressive customers list.

SmartTurn’s easy-to-use, Web-based WMS continues to break the traditional enterprise WMS software mold of expensive upfront license and consulting fees, long deployment times, and ongoing maintenance costs. More importantly, the company’s Software-as-a -Service (SaaS) model provides a modern, secure Internet architecture that promotes connectivity to other systems (e.g., ERP and CRM), and pushing/pulling inventory from the warehouse. SmartTurn customers have integrated with everything from QuickBooks to SAP to custom-in house procurement or Web storefronts. In terms of affordability, SmartTurn packages start at $500 per month per warehouse, allowing for an unlimited number of users, support, upgrades, training and maintenance. Traditional, on-premise software, in contrast, can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in consulting and licensing fees alone.

Manufacturers and 3PLs, in particular, have embraced the instant collaboration that a true, multi-tenant SaaS architecture enables. Any warehouse, anywhere is instantly integrated if they are both running an instance of SmartTurn.

“SmartTurn consistently delivers on the promise of easy integration, fast implementation, and top-notch customer support and is committed to developing and sustaining long-term relationships beyond the initial purchase,” said Ray Moya, Chief Operations Officer, Argent Associates, a global 3PL supply chain management solutions provider. “While there are plenty of products out there, none are in the same league with SmartTurn in terms of functionality and ROI.”

Changing Trends in Supply Chain Management

WMS 2.0(TM) refers to what SmartTurn considers next generation inventory and warehouse management software that addresses secure information sharing, collaboration and Web 2.0 functionality driven by the Internet and business- networking practices. This approach has garnered significant attention with SmartTurn customers by leveraging social networking tools to improve customer and partner collaboration and can save a typical warehouse thousands of dollars per month. In addition, capabilities in SmartTurn such as secure, role-based permissions for unlimited users per facility, adaptive pick policies, and collaborative kitting and assembly (supported by industry-standard Web services including SOAP/XML), enable customers to leapfrog competitors that run insular, legacy systems.

“Real-time visibility is essential when it comes to distribution requirements and the ever-changing needs of the marketplace, and SmartTurn has enabled us to meet those challenges,” said Greg McRoberts, President of Verde Fulfillment USA, a leading fulfillment and distribution services company. “The heart of our business is our customers, and SmartTurn is the lifeline on which we rely on to satisfy our customers.”

While the SmartTurn WMS has proven to be a success with small to medium enterprises, larger companies have also adopted the company’s platform because of the rapid, adaptive and lean application deployment provided by the SaaS model. Companies such as Komyo America Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Honda Logistics and Honda Motor Company (http://www.honda.com) have discovered that SmartTurn’s approach is a better fit to support growing lines of business, and short-run or dynamic supply chains than traditional software.

“More than ever, connecting with partners, inventory hubs, or simply internal inventory locations within a dynamic marketplace are crucial,” said Richard Franklin, Corporate Director of Operations, Komyo America Co. Inc. “A SaaS WMS gives us the flexibility and low cost that traditional enterprise software just cannot provide, which is why SmartTurn should be the obvious choice for any company.”

According to the Georgia Institute of Technology, only 30% of the 600,000 warehouses in the U.S. have a WMS which means inventory visibility, and supply chain visibility remain spotty with many “dark spot” warehouses throughout the supply chain. Companies see SmartTurn’s WMS 2.0 approach as a dramatic step forward combining the best enabling Internet technologies, the social culture or behavior it encourages, and the disciplines of managing inventory within a warehouse or across a global supply chain.

Industry-leading Customer Support Team

SmartTurn continues to invest heavily in customer service programs with its “Customer First” philosophy, which ensures the customer’s voice is heard in the ongoing development of SmartTurn products and services. At the heart of SmartTurn’s success is its ability to effectively support customers in addition to the strength of its WMS product and service offerings. SmartTurn’s team of Customer Experience Managers (CEMs) provides the highest quality support in the industry.

“I worked for IBM/Lexmark for more than three decades so customer service is priority one for me,” said Kenny Gravitt, Managing Partner of Global Environmental Services, an environmentally-focused electronics recycling broker. “In my career, I’ve always been taught that customers come first and foremost. Never have I seen a company outside my tenure with IBM/Lexmark that takes this to heart like SmartTurn.”

SmartTurn Leaps and Bounds

SmartTurn experienced significant financial successes since the company’s inception in 2007 with its spinoff from Navis LLC. The company plans to expand its offerings this year to support domestic and international market development as well as environmental “green” initiatives.

“We see the milestones of 2008 as just the beginning, and as more companies evaluate their supply chain priorities, they will realize SmartTurn offers the only WMS they need,” said Jim Burleigh, CEO of SmartTurn. “As we expand our reach within a rapidly changing supply chain environment and throughout our channel partnerships, we are creating a company uniquely positioned to lead the on-demand WMS space.”

The company also moved to new corporate headquarters at 177 Fremont St. in San Francisco. The new facilities bolster the company’s rapid ascension as the leader in on-demand WMS for today’s supply chain.

“We are growing at a tremendous pace, and San Francisco complements the creativity and innovation of SmartTurn,” continued Burleigh. “This move represents both a growth opportunity and also the recognition of the success that we have had. Our company would not be where we are today without the amazing group of professionals who have been, and continue to be, the reason for our success.”

About SmartTurn

SmartTurn(TM) Inventory and Warehouse Management System and the SmartTurn Inventory Grid(TM) are the first true on-demand warehouse management systems to provide enterprise class functionality at a fraction of the cost of traditional license and install software. Designed for quick implementation, ease-of-use, real-time inventory accuracy and warehouses performance, the SmartTurn system provides visibility on every item across single or multiple warehouses. Founded on the premise that software should be smart, simple and safe, SmartTurn’s customers span the value chain of most industries to include manufacturers, wholesalers as well as 3PLs. SmartTurn is privately held and backed by leading investors, NEA and Emergence Capital Partners. Please visit our Web site at http://www.smartturn.com.

Contact:

Albert Fong
SmartTurn
(415) 685-4162
pr@smartturn.com