WMS:

It is difficult to envisage a logistics center that does not use an efficient warehouse management system (WMS). These systems are designed to optimize everyday operations (reception and storage, launch of preparation batches, preparation, shipments) and to:

• optimize storage (choosing the right location for the stored handling units, optimization of movements),
• make incoming and outgoing operations more reliable through the use of assistance tools (radio, vocal, etc.),
• guarantee product traceability (batches, BIUB, Best before, Sell by date, etc.),
• manage product specifics(hazardous products, alcohol, etc.),
• keep track of operator performance and react to changes in flows,
• manage the activity of the warehouse.

In order to select and implement a WMS, it is necessary to fully understand the specifics of the warehouse processes (hot or cold picking reorders, possibility of implementing triangular forklift movements, algorithms for the reserves, etc.) that make a key contribution to achieving the productivity targets and must be compared with the functionality of the available tools. These projects demand high levels of expert knowledge, which in turn demand a good understanding of the factors impacting operational productivity.

TMS:

When organizing daily transport flows, the transport units must:

• sort and consolidate transport demands,
• organize the delivery rounds,
• assign transporters according to constraints (location, access, resources, service rates, etc.) and prices,
• optimize the load factor of vehicles and containers,
• optimize the transport plan, while taking account of costs and service levels,
• coordinate and control the transport activity,
• respect the service level agreements,
• take care of administrative management and appointments,
• track deliveries and manage incidents,
• track costs in real time and control transporter invoices.

Operational staff can now use computerized tools (TMS) to execute all or part of these tasks. The TMS market has not yet reached the same level of maturity as the WMS market and remains very disparate in terms of functional coverage. Each publisher targets a specific population (shippers, transporters) or even offers specific functional coverage (route optimization or traceability of flows).

Moreover, the implementation of a TMS raises the question of how warehouse activity is managed (flows that are pushed or pulled by transport), which in turn affects the overall productivity of operations.

Therefore, this type of project demands good business skills and a thorough understanding of transport organization and operational logistics.

Argon Consulting helps its customers in:

• the identification of their needs,
• the definition of the target functionality,
• the definition of the software selection criteria (cost / functionality),
• the definition of a panel of publishers on the strength of its knowledge of the WMS and TMS market,
• the preparation and management of calls for tender sent to the pre-selected software publishers,
• the analysis of their responses from the functional, technical and economic perspectives,
• the final selection of the solution,
• solution implementation support,
• the identification of the target organization that incorporates the new tool,
• the definition of the target operational processes and the associated parameters,
• the development of the communication and training plan,
• acceptance assistance,
• the definition of the startup and implementation strategy.