Spartan Stores said it is rolling out SofTechnics' Perpetual Inventory (PI) and Computer Automated Ordering (CAO) to help improve product selection management, reduce out-of-stocks, provide better forecasting and profitability at SKU level, and reduce costs.

Spartan's new solutions are comprised of Online Ordering and Perpetual Inventory applications developed by SofTechnics, a Mettler-Toledo Co., which is tightly integrated with a field-proven Demand Forecasting and Inventory On-Hand Optimization application from SAF-AG, a Swiss software firm.

Dave Couch, Spartan Stores' v.p. of information technology, said the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer/distributor is thus far pleased with the results of its solution partnership with SofTechnics.

"Spartan Stores will move in an exciting new direction as the result of the CAO/PI project," Couch said. Our objective is to implement a CAO system that provides forecasted orders that are optimal and accurate."

The SofTechnics/SAF approach utilizes SofTechnics suite of store-level mobile applications to provide data where and when needed, combined with SAF's SuperStore application, to provide fully automated replenishment, automated perpetual inventory, and optimization of inventory units on-hand.

The application tools provide the data required by SAF SuperStore to generate the demand forecast and consider inventory levels to create a fully optimized order for each SKU. The SAF SuperStore application automatically considers movement, price, promotions, seasonality, and other external factors in creating a single, unified forecast for the unique store / SKU. The system allows for complete retailer control of presentation stock levels, service level, and a variety of other parameters, which permits the retailer to make the decisions on how to merchandise their store.

Spartan Stores owns and operates 84 supermarkets and drugstores in Michigan under the D&W Fresh Markets, Family Fare Supermarkets, Felpausch Food Centers and Glen's Markets banners. The company also supplies more than 40,000 private label and national brand products to nearly 400 independent grocery stores.