Accenture and RILA Offer Supply Chain Certification Program
ARLINGTON, VA; Jan. 28, 2005 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced today development of a new Retail Supply Chain Certification (RSCC) program, with a concentration in inventory management.
This online certification program – designed for both retailers and manufacturers – is based on Accenture’s Supply Chain Academy, a web-based, self-paced learning and training program that aggregates content from academic, industry and functional experts.
“The Retail Supply Chain Certification program sets a new standard of professional excellence,” said Sandy Kennedy, president, Retail Industry Leaders Association. “RILA hopes that by offering this program, a common language and process will develop across the retail industry.”
“The supply chain is an important lever to drive performance for retailers and manufacturers,” said Jeff Smith, global managing partner, Retail and Consumer Goods & Services practice, Accenture and RILA board member. “The development of the Retail Supply Chain Certification program will help the industry and its leaders improve their strategy and execution in areas such as inventory management, forecasting, replenishment and, ultimately, build more high-performing companies.”
The program will create a more unified standard across the industry, recognizing those individuals and companies who have taken and passed the 50-hour course containing modules ranging from calculating safety stock to replenishment to demand management. The RSSC program has been piloted by leading supply chain professionals from Kimberly-Clark, Nestle, and Wal-Mart.
“The Retail Supply Chain Certification program offers companies a chance to give retail forecasting and inventory management professionals the recognition they deserve once they have reached a specified level of achievement,” said Gary Maxwell, senior vice president of replenishment, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
The complete RSCC program is priced at $1,500 for RILA members and $2,000 for RILA non-members per user. Users will be able to begin taking courses on February 14. For more information about the program, contact Accenture’s Jonathan Whitaker at (678) 657-6223. To sign up and learn the benefits of the RSCC program, visit www.retail-leaders.org/certification or contact RILA’s Nikki Ducas at (703) 600-2017.
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With more than 100,000 people in 48 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$13.67 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2004. Its home page is www.accenture.com.
About RILA
The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is an alliance of the world’s most successful and innovative retailer and supplier companies – the leaders of the retail industry. RILA members represent more than $1 trillion in sales annually and operate more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers nationwide. Its member retailers and suppliers have facilities in all 50 states, as well as internationally, and employ millions of workers domestically and worldwide. Through RILA, leaders in the critical disciplines of the retail industry work together to improve their businesses and the industry as a whole.
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Caitlin Storhaug
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