New Service Sharpens Visibility In Steel Supply Chain

Compiled ByDeborah Austin Straightline Source -- the technology-enabled steel distribution division of United States Steel Corp., Pittsburgh -- has launched a new service called StraightEdge, offering customers real-time information reporting and applications to manage steel supplies. Capabilities include:

Forecast Upload -- lets customers upload forecasts directly to Straightline.

View Contract -- detailed views of committed quantities and prices for each contractual item.

View Part File -- visibility to product, processing and packaging specifications for each item.

Inventory and Forecast Report -- lets customers view historical usage and forecasted releases by part number, along with Straightline's currently available finished goods inventory.

Contract Release -- allows electronic submission.

Order Status -- to view each item's delivery status. Straightline Source specializes in distribution for carbon flat-rolled steel to customers typically not buying steel goods directly from producers.