Australian independent supermarket chain - Warehouse operational diagnostic

Key challenges

The client had ambitions to grow their store network but are heavily constrained by their existing warehouse capacity and manual operations. They were challenged by:

• Manual processes contribute to lack of visibility and accuracy of inventory information, including at the store level and creating difficulty for stores in ordering replenishment products.
• Large amount of ullage due to systemic capability to move product in FEFO order.

Our approach

To ensure the best results for the client, TMX:

• Undertook multiple DC and store visits, including team member interviews and observation of process and site layout.
• Requested and analyzed site, inventory, and transactional data, to identify tactical opportunities for improvement in lay-out, slotting, process, systems, and labor planning.
• Captured detailed WMS requirements and upstream changes required to support.
• Ran a WMS RFP to validate the client's preferred vendor against requirements.

The results

• Determined that the client's preferred option of utilizing the in-built WMS capability of their ERP would not meet their requirements prior to wasting time and money on implementing.
• Alternative WMS options investigated and priced which would meet requirements and add value to the operation.
• Identified a WMS with native integration capability with an ERP solution.
• Cost/benefit justification of additional capability vs additional cost of a standalone WMS.