Software Gift Makes UNF Logistics Lab Among Best Labs in the Country

Joanna Norris, Assistant Director

Department of Media Relations and Events

(904) 620-2102

The Logistics Information Technology Solutions Laboratory (LITSLAB) in the Coggin College of Business at the University of North Florida received a software donation by Manhattan Associates, Inc., making the UNF logistics lab among the best equipped university labs in the country.

Manhattan Associates, Inc., an Atlanta-based software development company and the largest supplier of warehouse management solutions software in the world, donated 50 user licenses of its Warehouse Management Systems software for use in the University’s logistics lab. Fewer than half a dozen universities in the nation have such similar software programs.

“Most university programs typically use customized academic simulations to teach,” said Dr. Robert Frankel, chair of UNF’s Department of Marketing and Logistics. “Our program will be utilizing not just off-the-shelf teaching tools but the same programs that are used by business executives in the supply chain market.”

            UNF alum Keith Goldsmith, senior vice president of business development for CEVA Logistics, one of the world’s leading logistics companies, was instrumental in obtaining the gift for the LITSLAB. He said CEVA and Manhattan Associates have a close working relationship.

            “We simply wanted the next generation of supply chain leaders to be well grounded in what is happening in the industry,” said Goldsmith. “We wanted to put some of these software tools into the hands of the students themselves.”

            Dr. Yemisi Bolumole, director of UNF’s Transportation and Logistics Program, noted that the software gift will enhance the employability of Transportation and Logistics graduates because it will allow the integration of state-of-the-art technology into an already strong curriculum. “Such knowledge will put students ahead of where they would be by interning as they will be more familiar with logistics IT solutions than many logistics departments and firms,” she said.

Ranked No. 1 in ARC’s Warehouse Management Systems Worldwide Outlook, Manhattan Associates is the largest supplier of WMS solutions in the world with their science-based applications built exclusively for distribution centers. The company’s entire suite of Distribution Management solutions is designed to give companies the flexibility and ability to add complementary solutions such as Supply Chain Intelligence, Total Cost-to-Serve or Labor Scheduling as their supply chain network continues to grow and mature.

Manhattan Associates award winning Distribution Management solution (within the Manhattan SCOPE® - supply chain optimization, planning through execution portfolio) is a complete suite of solutions to automate every link in the most complex supply chains. The WMS gift to UNF is Manhattan's proven and industry-leading warehouse management solutions, and anchors this Distribution Management solution. The WMS is engineered for optimal collaboration and communication with an extensive network of suppliers and partners. WMS such as this, excel at meeting the high-throughput rates and complex order fulfillment requirements demanded by Tier 1 companies.

UNF’s Transportation and Logistics Flagship Program offers a unique and rewarding program for students electing to major in transportation and logistics. The program prepares students for challenging careers in supply chain management, international logistics, transportation and physical distribution.

The program has received considerable state, national and international recognition, including being ranked 13^th in the nation by Supply Chain Management Review magazine as well as a “Program of Distinction” and a “Center of Excellence” within the state university system.

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