Four Keys To Profitable Fulfillment

By Matt Pillar, chief editor

I was in Phoenix last week for Momentum, Manhattan Associates’ annual user conference. The historically supply chain-centric company’s continued press into the store was on full display. Several educational sessions, for instance, focused on in-store mobile applications enabled by Manhattan’s recent acquisition of Global Bay. Verifone’s Jeff Wakefield was there to speak about mobile payment security.  Forrester’s Sucharita Mulpuru spoke on the future of shopping. Her colleague Adam Silverman presented on the influence of consumers’ digital activity on their in-store decisions and behaviors. Execs from Ulta, PriceSmart and Brown Shoe participated on a main stage panel focused on creating a great customer experience.

The point is, for every in-the-weeds distribution and logistics-focused session at the conference, it seemed there were two more designed to highlight Manhattan’s store-and consumer-facing applications. The event marked big progress for the company since it took bold steps toward its expansion into the store last year, progress that’s fueled by the $439 million Manhattan spent on R&D last year. While CEO Eddie Capel points out that 52 percent of the company’s $492 million in sales is still generated from the sale of its core WMS (warehouse management systems), it’s clear that the company is locked on store applications growth.

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