Supply chain software provider Manhattan Assoc. created some buzz at its annual customer conference this spring with a futuristic demonstration of a hi-tech supply chain command center.

The demonstration starred “Dave,” supply chain manager for a fictional company, who stood in front of two flat-screen monitors that displayed data about forecasts, inventory levels and transportation plans. During the demo, he held impromptu video conferences with colleagues and received news alerts that prompted him to make changes to sourcing and distribution plans—changes he made with the touch of a finger.

The command center was a collaboration between Manhattan Assoc. and Microsoft, with Microsoft providing most of the whiz-bang visual technology.

The main purpose of the demo, says Manhattan executive vice president Eddie Capel, was to demonstrate the power of having all of a company's supply chain applications running on the same platform.

Another purpose, he says, was to explore the idea of capturing unstructured data, such as data from news alerts and social networking sites, and using it to make logistics decisions.

One popular feature of the demo, Capel says, was Dave's ability to monitor his “total cost to serve.” Dave made changes to orders from Asian suppliers and then easily compared the total cost of bringing those orders through the Port of Los Angeles to the cost of bringing them through Seattle.

According to Capel, Manhattan is actively developing a total-cost product right now and will launch it in the next year.