SmartStart

IBM's SmartStart offering allows you to quickly visualize the impact of using Fulfillment Optimizer on your business and test the integration between Fulfillment Optimizer and IBM Sterling Order Management prior to making major changes to your existing processes.

When IBM Sterling Order Management receives an order, it calls the Fulfillment Optimizer APIs during the scheduling process to obtain a recommendation for where to fulfill each line item. In order for this call and response to occur, the two applications must be integrated synchronously. However, the SmartStart offering allows Fulfillment Optimizer to process the orders that it receives from IBM Sterling Order Management asynchronously. As a result, you can visualize the potential benefits of using Fulfillment Optimizer and test the integration prior to switching to a synchronous integration between the two systems. To initiate Fulfillment Optimizer, SmartStart requires asynchronous integration between your order management system and Fulfillment Optimizer. For more information, see Sending real-time orders during SmartStart.

You can activate Fulfillment Optimizer using SmartStart in about 2 to 4 weeks. During that time, you can analyze the data in Benefits report to see where you could be optimizing your processes and ultimately saving money with Fulfillment Optimizer.