Slash Downtime by Tackling Recurring Issues in Real-time

Ziegler, a multimodal logistics provider, has taken a major step forward in digitalising and streamlining its warehouse operations through the deployment of DexoryView from Dexory, a leading robotics and data intelligence company. Following a recent implementation, Ziegler has already seen improvements in stock accuracy, process enforcement and operational efficiency at one of its key UK sites that comprises a complex layout and over 55,000 pallet locations.

Faced with the challenge of high stock throughput and a vast storage area, Ziegler realised that it needed to improve the visibility and integrity of its warehouse data. Operating in an industry where even a minor scanning error can have a significant impact, Ziegler wanted to reduce time spent on manual cycle counting, ensure it was able to eliminate stock loss and improve real-time visibility on the state of its key UK warehouse. After exploring options including automated shuttle racking and drone-based solutions, the company turned to DexoryView. The solution combines state-of-the-art robotics technologies and AI-powered digital twin platform to provide real-time intelligence of the health and integrity of the entire warehouse.

“We recognised that even a 1% miss-scan rate could create major issues, from stock rotation delays to customer service impacts,” says Ignas Saknaitis, Divisional General Manager for Logistics at Ziegler. “Our big turning point came after a full stock take took four days and a full weekend of working, with stock anomalies requiring weeks of investigation. With DexoryView, we can now identify and resolve issues in real time before they escalate.”

Real-time data intelligence platform detects inefficiencies and enhances goods movement accuracy

Ziegler has seen a number of benefits in just a month since going live with the solution. It has been able to locate missing pallets, identify mispicks earlier and has been able to address operational pain points such as incorrectly labelled pallets and misplaced inventory, without costly warehouse shutdowns. One of the core benefits of DexoryView has been that Ziegler is now able to pinpoint recurring errors and target root causes of these issues, making the operations more efficient and seamless.

Due to these benefits, Ziegler is seeing a cultural shift in how it approaches inventory control, which the company sees leading to better operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

Slash Downtime

“In busy warehouse environments there is no room for guesswork and outdated data can lead to deliveries being returned and ultimately impact customer satisfaction,” says Oana Jinga, Chief Commercial and Product Officer and Co-Founder at Dexory. “We are working together with Ziegler to replace guesswork with insight and are allowing the business to find root causes to issues that in turn will help their business become more efficient.”

DexoryView Partnership

Ziegler is already looking into the future with DexoryView. It is planning on using the new optimisation functionalities to optimise warehouse layouts based on movement trends. It is also aiming to provide its customers with live access to inventory data for additional peace of mind. There are also plans to expand the rollout of the technology to other Ziegler sites after ROI review from the first deployment.

similar news

New Era of Warehouse Intelligence

 

Dashboard Displays Warehouse Data

Logistics providers need to process large quantities of warehouse data every day to control their material flow efficiently. The German Fressnapf Group supplies more than 1,800 branches and regional warehouses in eleven European countries from its central warehouse in Krefeld. This requires efficient, forward-looking warehouse management. That’s why Europe’s market leader in pet supplies places its trust in both the LFS warehouse management system and the Timesquare supply chain control tower by EPG (Ehrhardt Partner Group). The all-in-one dashboard serves as a cockpit for process monitoring, displays all relevant figures and thus helps to ensure greater flexibility during everyday logistics operations. The leading pet supplies provider was the first Timesquare client to introduce the dashboard in its automatic small parts warehouse at its Krefeld central warehouse back in 2018. In the future, user-friendly dashboards will be used in the entire central warehouse and then also gradually introduced in the regional warehouses.

In 2015, Fressnapf decided to replace its manual small parts warehouse with an automatic one with three aisles and storage spaces for around 80,000 containers. This was due to an increase in customer demand for toys, pet food, dog clothing, care products and other pet accessories. A forwarding system handles picking, carrying the boxes to different picking stations automatically once an order has been placed. In addition to the currently eighteen pick-by-light stations, there are also two pick-to-tote stations. This automatic small parts warehouse is currently being expanded.

Timesquare reduces costs and minimises risks

As its order volumes increased, Fressnapf was finding it increasing more time-consuming to obtain maximum transparency for material flows. “We had to compile the current figures from different menus by hand and analyse them individually. That not only took considerable time; it was also prone to errors,” states Larissa Strippel, Project Manager for Logistics Systems at Fressnapf. Timesquare provides an overview of all relevant key figures. The central dashboard delivers forecasts, status reports, and, importantly, reliable data on the individual warehouse processes in real time. In this way, the control centre receives a continually updated overview and can intervene in picking faster if necessary. “Timesquare enables us to monitor our processes and KPIs in logistics in real time. As a result, we receive active support for everyday logistics operations, create transparency and save time and costs considerably,” explains Strippel. This big data solution enables Fressnapf to reduce costs, minimise risks and increase productivity based on targeted analyses. Timesquare provides information on the order status and commissioning automatically and presents it in a transparent format.

Picking aisles in small parts warehouse feature dashboards

The retail chain started with a dashboard to control material flows in its small parts warehouse control centre back in 2018. The picking aisles in the central warehouse are now also equipped with a control tower. As a result, Fressnapf increases employee autonomy and efficacy significantly since employees can now immediately see which picking point needs them the most. This eliminates unnecessary walking distances and detours. As the dashboard is hosted online, new users and other departments can be easily added at any time.

Timesquare encompasses everything from incoming goods and monitoring various logistics areas through to transport systems, loading gates and shipment. The clearly organised dashboards can be custom-configured to meet the users’ specific needs. Fressnapf has been using the EPG LFS warehouse management system for more than ten years now. It also benefits from the LYDIA Voice pick-by-voice solution, the WCS warehouse control system, the TMS transportation management system, and the WFM workforce management system, which was developed in a joint project between EPG and Fressnapf. The different software solutions can be easily connected to Timesquare thanks to the close integration between the control tower and the EPG ONE suite. The control tower has been further developed in close cooperation with Fressnapf on a continuous basis. This is also why warehouse management has progressed from a static solution to a dynamic one.

Third-party software in new shuttle warehouse can also be integrated

The pet supplies specialist is currently expanding its small parts warehouse. Shipping is also being upgraded to include an efficient shuttle warehouse system. Controlled by a third-party software, the new shuttle warehouse is where the completed shipment boxes are buffered, sequenced and then automatically palletised. This warehouse will also be connected to Timesquare. “At the moment, we are still working with individual shipment conveyors. Our employees have to lift the boxes physically, place them on their intended pallets and then secure the shipment by hand. We’ll make this work step easier by automating the shipment area significantly, thus alleviating our employees. Timesquare will allow them to organise their work themselves and keep track of their successes,” affirms Strippel. In a next step, Fressnapf will be incorporating incoming goods, technical incident handling and the large parts warehouse. A third-party material flow computer is also being integrated into the new shuttle warehouse.

Subscribe

Get notified about New Episodes of our Podcast, New Magazine Issues and stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter.