Kewill
Encyclopedia
Kewill plc is a notable provider of software to support companies of all sizes manage their supply chains. Kewill trades on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: KWL).
Kewill's software covers the following aspects of a supply chain:
Functionally these solution sets recently termed Local or Global Trade Management. GTM/LTM trade systems track orders, freight packages and comply with international trade logistics and industry technical standards. Physical goods flow within supply chain between business and across borders. Multiple modes of transportation are supported meeting security and customs clearance requirements. End-to-end supply chain execution systems reduce business risk by helping increase transparency of physical goods in today's virtualized supply chains.
Kewill's trade solutions enable organizations of all sizes to trade locally, nationally or globally by synchronizing the physical movement of goods via internet-based integration and messaging. Hub and Spoke solutions are provided via software as a service
(SaaS) hosting.
In many cases Internet orders pull goods straight from factories or in transit supply chains enabling organizations to orchestrate the physical movement of goods without handling the physical goods. This type of virtualization connects business systems via web services over the Internet, increasing productivity and lowering prices.
Kewill transportation solutions typically tie into multiple parcel carriers (DHL
/ FedEx
/ Purolator
/ UPS
). Enterprise shipping systems can be multi-modal: shipping containers, trains, trucks, to point of distribution, or distribution centre bypass direct to consumer.
Solutions
Kewill develops software aimed to simplify the supply chain. Its software covers Reverse Logistics (RLM), Customs Compliance (GTM), Freight Forwarding (FMS), Transportation & Warehousing (TMS, WMS), Parcel Shipping, Trade Compliance and Integration & Visibility (EDI, Integration as a Service).Kewill's software covers the following aspects of a supply chain:
- Software to manage cross-border security and declarations
- Software to manage physical movement and storage
- Software to manage return and repair
- Software to connect businesses and monitor progress
Functionally these solution sets recently termed Local or Global Trade Management. GTM/LTM trade systems track orders, freight packages and comply with international trade logistics and industry technical standards. Physical goods flow within supply chain between business and across borders. Multiple modes of transportation are supported meeting security and customs clearance requirements. End-to-end supply chain execution systems reduce business risk by helping increase transparency of physical goods in today's virtualized supply chains.
Kewill's trade solutions enable organizations of all sizes to trade locally, nationally or globally by synchronizing the physical movement of goods via internet-based integration and messaging. Hub and Spoke solutions are provided via software as a service
Software as a Service
Software as a service , sometimes referred to as "on-demand software," is a software delivery model in which software and its associated data are hosted centrally and are typically accessed by users using a thin client, normally using a web browser over the Internet.SaaS has become a common...
(SaaS) hosting.
In many cases Internet orders pull goods straight from factories or in transit supply chains enabling organizations to orchestrate the physical movement of goods without handling the physical goods. This type of virtualization connects business systems via web services over the Internet, increasing productivity and lowering prices.
Kewill transportation solutions typically tie into multiple parcel carriers (DHL
DHL
DHL Express is a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post providing international express mail services. DHL is a world market leader in sea and air mail....
/ FedEx
FedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
/ Purolator
Purolator Courier
Purolator Courier Ltd. is a Canadian courier that is 91% owned by Canada Post Corporation, 7% owned by Barry Lapointe Holdings Ltd. and 2% by others....
/ UPS
United Parcel Service
United Parcel Service, Inc. , typically referred to by the acronym UPS, is a package delivery company. Headquartered in Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States, UPS delivers more than 15 million packages a day to 6.1 million customers in more than 220 countries and territories around the...
). Enterprise shipping systems can be multi-modal: shipping containers, trains, trucks, to point of distribution, or distribution centre bypass direct to consumer.
Founding
Kewill has been in business since 1972. The name "Kewill" (Ke and Will) is taken from its 2 founders names (Kevin and William) was founded in 1972 by Kevin Overstall and William Loeffen - it became consistently profitable trading on its reputation for Production Scheduling and Materials Management software. The early standalone PC apps evolved into a popular modular networked ERP suite named MICROSS. As PCs evolved capabilities more capable client-server suites more profits allowed acquisitions of Logistics and e-Commerce solutions. With the advent of the Internet browser Kewill changed from Founder leadership to leadership under CEO Geoffrey Finlay and focused on Internet related growth. The company went through a metamorphosis and was grouped into 3 operating divisions: Kewill-ERP, Kewill-Logistics and Kewill e-Commerce. After a massive climb in valuation related to both Internet and Y2K boom Kewill experienced a great fall from grace in the during the dot com nuclear winter. As the new Kewill searched to gain profits Kewill traditional Logistics and core ERP were sold off to provide funding for the e-Commerce. But as the market expectations shifted to profit revenue away from growth projections market pressures forced new leadership on Kewill. Paul Nichols current CEO experienced in senior roles with both Logica and IBM, rebuilt Kewill's senior management team and the companies product portfolio of specialist software products expanded and enabled for local, and global trade logistics all using internet (rather than PC networks).Leadership
| CEO | from | to | CFO | from | to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Nichols | August 2002 | present | David Gibbon | January 2011 | present |
| Paul Nichols | August 2002 | present | Karen Bach | August 2009 | December 2010 |
| Paul Nichols | August 2002 | present | Guy Millward | Oct 2002 | June 2009 |
| Robert "Bob" Malley | July 2001 | August 2002 | Barbara Moorhouse | Oct 2002 | |
| Geoffrey Finlay | April 1998 | July 2001 | Barbara Moorhouse | Oct 1998 | |
| Kevin Overstall | Inception | April 2001 | Richard Broad (FD & Co. Secretary) | Sept 1992 | Sept 1998 |
Locations
Kewill is headquartered in the UK with offices located in logistics hotspots across Asia, Europe and North America. Locations.Related logistics links
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