Case study

International Warehousing and Logistics Company Creates Its First US-Based Automated Warehouse

Supply Chain and Logistics
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Challenge

The client's usage of paper and manual products slowed down efficiency and decreased customer focus. Other obstacles included tackling antiquated legacy warehouse systems and implementing temperature-withstanding warehouse hardware. On top of this, we needed to implement a product management strategy and oversee inbound and outbound food distribution.

Outcome

To provide the amount of automation the client sought, we decided to develop a solution that reduces each warehouse's reliance on paper. The process included developing a front-end solution to minimise paper usage and creating a experience that automates track charging .

International Warehousing and Logistics Company Creates its First Automated Warehouse in the U.S.

An international warehousing and logistics company decided to create their first automated warehouse in the United States.
 
Automation would help increase efficiency and productivity, meet customer demand, and expedite turnaround time for both retailers and customers. With Endava’s help, the client’s end goal was to ultimately reach full warehouse automation.

The challenge of moving away from manual processes

Keeping pace in the food distribution space was a challenge as reliance on manual and paper processes affected the client’s ability to swiftly meet customer demand.

To stay competitive, product delivery, efficiency and timeliness were at the forefront of the client’s mind.

Challenges in automation included:

  • Outdated, legacy warehouse system(s)
  • Implementation of hardware that could withstand temperature-controlled warehouse 
  • Implementation of product management 
  • Manual logistics of inbound and outbound food distribution 
  • Merging disparate systems among manual processes 
  • Interacting with physical entities in real-time that require regulations for safe warehouse operations 
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Delivery production and efficiency is up, while focus on safety and the customer and employee experiences have increased. Furthermore, we've seen:

  • Boosts in customer success

  • Increased efficiency in service delivery
  • Fewer billing mistakes
  • Speedier uploading and unloading
  • Improved morale
  • Fewer service interruptions
  • Decrease in warehouse injuries
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Building an application to support an automated warehouse

Endava’s mission was to spearhead automation efforts by building an application that could shift the client to a paperless warehouse. 

 

A user research assessment evaluated the general process of automation, looking at where paper is being currently used within warehouse processes.

Once the development stage was underway, the logistics client needed to: 

  • Build a front-end application to help reduce waste (and paper) in the warehouse
  • Create a digital experience to track charges (versus physically writing them down)
  • Integrate with physical hardware in warehouse
  • Generate new code to bridge gap between outdated WMS (warehouse management system) for a more modern environment

Finding success in safety and customer satisfaction

Since enabling warehouse automation, the logistics client has been able to promote delivery productivity and efficiency.

Inbound and outbound food distribution lanes are fully operational and have seen improvements from a customer, employee and safety perspective such us:

  • Customer success

  • More efficient service delivery for client’s customers

  • Deliveries that are higher quality, more accurate and timelier

  • Less mistakes on billing for services

  • Employee success

  • Speedier unloading and loading, which led to increased performance-based compensation for employees

  • Less time spent in the warehouse where cold temperatures are common

  • Boosted warehouse worker morale

  • Safer manufacturing

  • Automation created less service interruptions

  • Warehouse injuries greatly reduced

  • Implemented new safety protocols for moving products on and off trucks

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