Xelus

Established in 2000, Xelus, Inc. operated as a provider of cloud-based supply chain management solutions, officially termed Enterprise Service Management (ESM). The company focused on optimizing the aftermarket service of high-value equipment for a range of industries. These sectors included telecommunications, aerospace and defense, commercial aviation, contract repair, high-tech, and transportation. Its client roster featured prominent names such as Lockheed Martin, Delta Air Lines, BAE Systems, Cisco, Dell, and Verizon.

The firm's software was engineered to address the complexities of service parts management, which traditional manufacturing-centric solutions often overlook. Xelus provided applications for forecasting, planning, deployment, and web-based sourcing of service assets. A key feature of its platform was the ability to calculate optimal supply strategies by considering various factors like existing inventory, rebalancing, returns, repairs, and new purchases. The system aimed to merge planning with real-time execution, giving planners access to live data to improve efficiency and reduce costs associated with excess inventory. For instance, its solution for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations utilized historical trends and probabilistic techniques to ensure an optimized inventory position for both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.

Throughout its operation, Xelus secured significant venture capital funding. The company raised a total of $25.5 million, with a notable Series B round of $15 million in early 2002. Its investors included Mellon Ventures, Oak Investment Partners, Integral Capital Partners, and Insight Partners. In a strategic move to enhance its service parts management offerings, Xelus announced a merger with Kirus in late 2002, with the combined entity retaining the Xelus name. The company's trajectory culminated in its acquisition by Click Commerce in May 2005. This acquisition was a strategic move by Click Commerce to integrate Xelus's analytical and service parts planning capabilities, particularly in the context of emerging RFID initiatives.

Keywords: supply chain management, enterprise service management, service parts optimization, inventory management, MRO solutions, reverse logistics, aftermarket service, supply chain planning, procurement software, aerospace and defense, telecommunications, commercial aviation, high-tech, transportation, contract repair