LIFECYCLE: INNOVATION - 29th March 2009 LAST UPDATED September 2009 By
Jeanne-Vida Douglas (BRW)
There
was software and services, but no one was offering an end-to-end service to
companies with logistics requirements
Infoactiv
Position:
Managing Director
Milestones: 1999: Infoactiv launched
2001: Entry into the
Asia-Pacific market
2003: Loginet software developed
2004: e-waste product launched
2007: Awarded tender to recycle mobile phones
A few years working in the logistics and freight sector made Helen Jarman
realise the hidden headaches that lie in the transport and distribution of
products and inputs.
"Companies that manufacture and distribute products have [unique] supply
chain requirements and typically have to manage multiple supply chain
suppliers," Jarman says. "Its a complex problem, and while there was
software and different service providers available, no one was offering a
true end-to-end service to companies for their logistics requirements."
in 1999, Jarman launched Infoactiv to offer a complete transportation and
logistics management service. She did not have much to start with, which made
the first year difficult. But by the end of this first 12 months, a computer
giant had signed up as Infoactiv's first major client.
Two years later, Infoactiv began an expansion into the Asia-Pacific region,
and Jarman began turning the company's experience into managed software
solutions.
The result was the 2003 launch of the Loginet Software, a web-based
supply-chain management system, and the company shifted from being a supply
chain operator to selling technology to supply chain operators. "We can become a
company's entire logistics department, or sell a managed solution utilizing our
technology to streamline and support an internal logistics department," Jarman
says.
"We don't own the physical infrastructure - we manage multiple [hub and
satellite] warehouses, but we don't own them."
By 2004, Infoactiv had built a solid reputation in asset-management services
to the information technology sector, and had customers in 10 countries
throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Behind the company's growth is the pressure on computer [and electronics]
makers to account for old hardware when their customers eventually throw it out.
"Australia is one of the few developed nations that allows electronic waste to
be dumped into landfill," Jarman says. "In many countries, manufacturers are
responsible not only for the product's initial shipping, but also its
end-of-life disposal."
The e-waste Reverse Logistics and Disposal management was launched in 2004,
and now accounts for a large proportion of the company's revenue. By investing
heavily in software and software development and focusing on web-based delivery,
Jarman has been able to expand throughout the region and keep staff levels low.
"The web is the only way you can truly provide the flexibility and manage the
range of different clients we have," she says.
"We manage by exception - we control and track all activity, but only drill
down and actively manage about 10 to 15 per cent of that data. This allows us to
automate and handle very large [global] volumes with a small team."
"The next 12 months is based on expanding the capabilities of the technology,
we're focusing on double-digit growth in all our four main areas, and we'll be
looking at [further] investment in our management expertise to expand our
presence in Asia."
For more information on Infoactiv’s products and services, please email info@infoactiv.com.au
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