The new unit targets companies operating in the United States, Canada and Latin America, particularly those in the automotive, electronics, telecommunications, consumer goods, and life sciences industries.

"This service is part of the company's global strategy to offer solutions to administrate the entire supply chain considering imports and exports, where DHL acts as an intermediary between our client and the exporting company," said German Valencia, CIO for DHL Express in Latin America.

In order to offer this service, DHL is working with global partners such as Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) , as well as local suppliers like Symbol, which offers scanning solutions for employees to scan documents to be delivered.

"With this service, our client does not need infrastructure [to administrate its supply chain] and we offer them not only the platform but also our expertise and knowledge in this business," Valencia said.

Investing in IT

In Latin America, DHL invests 5-9 percent of its regional revenues to build such platforms, matching the investment rate it adopts globally. "Our IT needs are related to commercial and operating tools, and also internal management such as control of revenues and billing and, finally, we also require communications and data links for our internal processes," Valencia added.

For the rest of 2005 and 2006, the company's IT investments include projects related to commercial management and strengthening its relationship with clients, to increase the quality of internal processes and offer better service.

Headquartered in Plantation, Fla., DHL Solutions Americas has staff, warehouses and distribution centers in the United States, Canada, Central and South America, including Mexico and Brazil, as well as the Caribbean.

Source: Business News Americas