Lianhua Supermarkets, IBM and B&S Link Win Three SCM Awards

We are proud to announce that B&S Link, Test-Rite 100% owned subsidiary together with IBM and Lianhua Supermarket won “Best Solutions for Retailing” , “Best Consultation on Supply Chain Management” and “2005 Supply Chain Management ” the top three industry awards awarded by Global Supply Chain Magazine, a specialist supply chain management publication, in conjunction with the Institute of Logistics and Transport, UK, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, UK and the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business.

The Award Committee was composed of numerous domestic and foreign authorities in the supply chain management field. Nearly 60 multinational corporations as well as hundreds of top manufacturers and retailers participated in this year’s awards. Our entry emerged to the top as the Lianhua SCM platform was highly innovative and surpassed traditional supply chain management solutions and best of all it has given rise to strategic changes affecting the long-term development of our customer.

Thank you for sharing our joy with us and we appreciate your continuing support on Test Rite.

Best regards,
Test Rite International Co., Ltd.
(info,quotes directly from the news below)

December 15, 2005, Shanghai - Today the China Supply Chain Management (SCM) Awards Committee announced that it awarded an entry from IBM, Lianhua Supermarkets and B&S Link, the top three industry awards at its annual awards ceremony in Shanghai. The joint entry was named, “Best Solution for Retailing and Best Consultation on Supply Chain Management” and was selected based on the team’s innovative approach, the application of advanced technology and the effective implementation and promotion.

The awards were hosted by Global Supply Chain Magazine, a specialist supply chain management publication, in conjunction with the Institute of Logistics and Transport, UK, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, UK and the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business. Mr. Steven Rinsler, Chairman of the Institute of Logisitics and Transport served as chairman of the Awards Committee for the entries from the China market. In addition, the Committee was composed of numerous domestic and foreign authorities in the supply chain management field. Nearly 60 multinational corporations as well as hundreds of top manufacturers and retailers participated in this year’s awards.

The Awards Committee graded nominees on their success in three areas: 1) Innovative use of technology to solve complex problems; 2) Logic and applicability of the solution; and 3) performance of the solution in action (cost control/increase in efficiency). After careful consideration, the IBM, Lianhua Supermarket, B&S Link solution was awareded the “2005 SCM Award” and also secured the “Best Solutions for Retailing” and Best Consultation on Supply Chain Management” awards as well.

In its appraisal of the the Lianhua supply chain, the Awards Committee noted that the business model introduced by the solution was highly innovative, demonstrating significant advances in the digitalization of the domestic retail market. It was also noted that during the project’s development, the extent of collaboration among the various parties was indicative of a strong strategic partnership, a fact that greatly impressed the Committee.

Ultimately, what swayed the judges in favor of the Lianhua SCM platform was the fact that the solution surpassed traditional supply chain management solutions and has given rise to strategic changes affecting the long-term development of the Lianhua Group. In cooperation with IBM, Lianhua has adopted the technial aspects of an updated retail application scheme, introduced a third party outsourced provider for operation and service and successfully drove innovation and industrial and commercial collaboration. Hence the solution was not restricted to IT, but reflected an all-around improvement, ranging from IT architecture to the enterprise business model. It is expected that the solution will have a wide-ranging impact on the development of the domestic retail industry.

The Lianhua Supply Chain Management Platform will run for six years, with a total investment of 120 million RMB. The project will not only cover Lianhua’s subsidiary companies such as Century Mart, Lianhua Supermarket and Lianhua Quik, but will also extend to the company’s thousands of suppliers. With the first stage complete, the platform has already obtained remarkable results. The supply chain solution enables Centurymart to maintain control and tracking for delivery status, to process goods and payments simultaneously and to avoid missed orders. At the same time, the system greatly reduces inventory costs and enhances labor productivity and employee satisfaction. Ultimately, it is estimated that Lianhua will realize real return on its investment in this solution in the form of economies of scale and higher profitability.

Shirley Yu-Tsui, General Manager, IBM Global Services, Greater China Group, who accepted the award on behalf of all parties involved in the Lianhua Supply Chain Management Platform, pointed out, “This award is not only recognition of the IT and consulting service IBM has contributed in the area of supply chain management, but more importantly, it is a testament to the close ties between IBM and its strategic partners. This platform will become a milestone in the digitalization of the domestic retail sector. By holding close to the concept of “helping the client grow”, we have linked our future closely with the success of our partners. We will continue to collaborate with Lianhua and other partners to help them sharpen their competitive edge.”

Benefitting from the gradual opening of the domestic market, China’s retail industry has entered a phase of booming development and intensified competition, giving rise to new challenges for modern enterprises. In this context, IT has become a critical component to building competitiveness in the retail sector. Ms. Yu-Tsui reiterated that IBM, which has focused on driving the “On Demand” transformation in China, will continue to offer a helping hand, sharing its experience in delivering services across a global network.

About LIANHUA SUPERMARKET

In the domestic chain store industry, LIANHUA Supermarket Co., Ltd. is the leading enterprise ranking first place for eight consecutive years. After years of efforts, LIANHUA has forged its advantages in large-scale development with mutual complementation of diversified subsidiaries such as big shopping malls, supermarkets and convenience stores. Presently, LIANHUA has possessed 3,500 chain stores and established business cooperation with more than 10,000 suppliers all through the country. It is a listed company at Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

About IBM Global Services

IBM Global Services is the world's largest information technology services and consulting provider. Some 190,000 professionals in more than 160 countries help clients integrate information technology with business value -- from the business transformation and industry expertise of IBM Business Consulting Services to hosting, infrastructure, technology design and training services. IBM Global Services delivers integrated, flexible and resilient processes across companies and through business partners, enabling clients to save money and transform their businesses to be more competitive. For more information, visit www.ibm.com/services.

About B&S Link

B&S Link, headquarter in Taipei, a subsidiary of Taiwan-based Test Rite Group. It mainly engages in information service in the field of supply chain management and has its service bases in Shenzhen and Shanghai. With solid industrial and knowledge background and based on the application of information technology, B&S has committed itself to developing solution schemes in accordance with demands of clients, helping the clients get familiarized with and proficient in the application of information with its professional customer service team, so that the concepts concerning the realization of informatization can be executed by exerting the most of its potential. B&S, together with IBM, its cooperating partner in the field of e-business, has devoted to promote IT services to Chinese retail enterprises. To achieve this ambition, B&S has positioned itself as the long-term partner of clients and intended to participate in and reinforce the application of information technology by constantly introducing new concepts and effective practices into the industry. For further information, please log on http://www.bnslink.com.