Improve logistics processes with WMS quality

The complexity of some logistics processes at Rhima Netherlands called for a WMS. The wholesaler chose SCExpert WMS from Made4net. Jethro Groenescheij, IT administrator at Rhima: “Quality in our warehouse processes, service provision, traceability and linking with transporters were central to this choice.”

Rhima Netherlands imports and supplies professional dishwashing equipment and accessories. Customers, such as catering establishments, expect fast and high-quality delivery. According to Groenescheij, the logistics processes were always geared to that, but the conclusion was nevertheless that a WMS would lead to a quality improvement. The first choice of warehouse management software did not prove successful; the second emphatically did. The wholesaler chose Made4Logistics as its implementation partner for the Made4net SCExpert WMS.

Traceability

Groenescheij: “With our current ERP we can handle many processes, but in properly organizing something like product traceability, a WMS is really better. When choosing a WMS, we wanted to avoid customization as much as possible.” There were more reasons for a WMS rollout, such as managing a parts shuttle cabinet. “That's a relatively small system equipped with many items. That cannot be managed without a scanning solution, and a WMS is indispensable for that. If an ERP already provides that functionality, there's a maximum number of users on it.”

Linking with carriers

A WMS was also preferred for interfacing with external carriers. “That can be handled with an ERP as well, but from a WMS it is much easier to pass on details,“ he says. ”As soon as the items are out the door here, this is registered in the ERP via the WMS." Dishwashing detergent products are stored at the site in Baarn, province of Utrecht. There, the WMS reduced processing time by half.

Logistic control

The WMS is a godsend, providing more logistical control. “We are not box shoppers, our logistics activities include customization for customers, picking and packing of products, as well as assembly. Because we want to provide quality service, controlling inventory and being able to store it in multiple locations at the same time is important. Think bulk and grab locations.” The use of RF scanners in conjunction with the WMS has increased quality and greatly reduced the use of paper, according to Groenescheij. “Quality manifests itself in many ways. If a customer receives the wrong standpipe for a dishwasher, the machine doesn't work. Then if the dishes pile up, a restaurant has a problem. Similarly, when delivering an entire car wash, nothing should go wrong.”

Spend a day on the shop floor

Something Rhima additionally profiles in today's labor-scarce market is that the WMS implementation has resulted in a smaller human factor, fewer complaints and more control over inbound and outbound flows. “Performing fewer human actions also saves time,” he says. That, too, is the result of this choice as well as the cooperation with Made4Logistics, says the IT administrator. “That cooperation was good anyway. What I myself experienced as very pleasant is that the implementation team here once walked along with the employees. That made it immediately clear what we needed and how that translated into software and software.”