RedPrairie

Infobox_Company
company_name = RedPrairie Corporation
company_
company_type = Private
foundation = 1975
location = Waukesha, Wis., USA
key_people = Mike Mayoras, CEO
num_employees = 1,300 (2008)
industry = Supply Chain Management
revenue = $253 million (2007)
operating_income =
net_income =
homepage = [http://www.redprairie.com/ RedPrairie.com]

RedPrairie is a privately-held supply chain and store operations software corporation based in Waukesha, WI. The company’s products center largely on an advanced service-oriented architecture that allows management to adapt a program’s function to changing technology and business requirements. RedPrairie has over 20 locations worldwide, and was founded in 1975.

History

RedPrairie was originally named McHugh Freeman & Associates, started by partners Jim McHugh and Doug Freeman, and is known for pioneering one of the first comprehensive warehouse management systems. Used by large companies to direct operations in and between stockrooms and distribution centers, the software focused on advising the movement of people and products from hand to shelf to transport. The firm’s flagship WMS product went on the market in the mid 80’s and was an extremely profitable and influential endeavor.

McHugh Freeman was acquired by Alvey Holdings (later Pinnacle Automation) in 1989, and was involved in producing a wide range of products for the supply chain industry by the early 1990s – both software and resold hardware. These additions included advanced task management, integrated use of radio frequency equipment, bar code applicators and readers, specialty computer hardware, and others that allowed the company to take on several clients including Procter & Gamble, Compaq Computer, Pepsi-Cola, and Nabisco. During this time, McHugh Freeman continued to develop and refine their WMS solution, incorporating new developments such as RFID technology, point-and-click applications, and “off-the-shelf” software, allowing for continually improved flexibility and functionality in the products they produced.

By 1998, the newly named McHugh Software International had acquired additional companies that contributed to an extended supply chain execution platform. These groups included Wesely Software (specializing in transportation management systems), Gagnon & Associates (labor management and engineering), and Software Architects Inc. (advanced service-oriented platforms). In addition, McHugh expanded internationally with offices in the UK and Europe.

In 2002, the company was renamed RedPrairie, and adopted a new business model that focused on the entire supply chain execution solution. Later that year, their first Asia Pacific office opened in Shanghai. The company bought European WMS provider LIS in 2004 to create the global infrastructure required to support an increasingly worldwide customer base. Further acquisition of BlueCube Software and StorePerform came in 2006, along with additional product expansion including retail workforce execution, and back office as well as distributed task management.

RedPrairie is still headquartered in Wisconsin and supplies arguably the broadest set of execution components for supply chain and retail store operations. [ [http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history/Qu-Ro/RedPrairie-Corporation.html Reference For Business] ]

ervices & Accomplishments

The company’s executives and practices have been recognized as some of the most important in the logistics trade, finding recognition in publications such as DC Velocity, InformationWeek, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. RedPrairie’s product line has also expanded into store operations, developing directive execution management, workforce management, inventory management, execution management, learning management, and performance management. The company serves clients in all of the following industries:

* Automotive/Service Parts
* Building Products/Paper
* Consumer Goods
* Food & Beverage
* Food Service
* Furniture
* High Tech/Electronics
* Industrial/Wholesale
* Pharmaceuticals/Life Sciences
* Retail
* Third Party Logistics

The company’s supply chain software also directs operations in transportation management, warehouse management, workforce management, retail store operations, and visibility. RedPrairie was acquired in 2005 by [http://www.franciscopartners.com/company/redprairie/ Francisco Partners] , a California-based private equity firm. [ [http://www.redprairie.com RedPrairie Web site] ]

Notable Press

[http://www.informationweek.com/news/management/interviews/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208801054 "InformationWeek" - June 30, 2008]
[http://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/?article_id=1956 "DC Velocity" - July 2008]
[http://www.redprairie.com/upload/documents/PublishedArticles/usatoday_53008_stores_fashion_licketysplit.pdf "USA Today" - May 30, 2008]

References

[ [http://www.redprairie.com RedPrairie Web site] ] [ [http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history/Qu-Ro/RedPrairie-Corporation.html Reference For Business] ]