Pacer readies for company-wide SAP integration

Pacer readies for company-wide SAP integration Pacer International Inc. said Wednesday it has completed the initial phase of its company-wide implementation of a SAP information technology system.
   The blueprint phase, under development since October 2007, provided a framework for the full integration of the Concord, Calif.-based transportation firm's business units under a single IT system, scheduled to commence in the second half of 2008.
   Despite full implementation of the SAP system at least six months down the road, Pacer said it is already reaping benefits from the blueprinting process.
   'Our development team has found new common interests across the business units,' said Michael E. Uremovich, Pacer chairman and chief executive officer.
   The implementation involves the deployment of an SAP framework to accommodate Pacer's newly defined business processes and with the aim of ultimately providing thorough visibility to client shipments.
   'From our customers' perspective, this system will provide seamless customer service, shipment information, and invoicing across all Pacer units. It will allow our customers to optimize their supply chain systems from a single point of contact that provides instantaneous information visibility,' Uremovich said.