Can you launch a new warehouse site with a system in less than a week?
By Christian Miller
Banneker Industries, a Rhode Island based 3PL, can.
I think we can all agree that bringing up a new site fast brings with it lots of benefits: shortened time to value, happier customers and project sponsors. Now we are starting to hear that fast, or faster, deployment of a fully operational site is a competitive edge and may even be critical in a 3PL winning new business. One of the major barriers to a faster deployment of a fully operational site is the implementation of a warehouse management system (WMS). Let’s explore the WMS factors further.
Banneker launched a new customer and a new system in less than a week. This is a remarkable feat, one we were not even thinking about a few years ago. Today, most of us launch a new warehouse site with a familiar distribution model with variations for unique customer, regional or channel requirements. The new location, employees, master data and systems require the most work and time.
So how do you compress these items, and what has changed?
On the systems side, we now have cloud-based systems and newer, flexible architecture. Cloud deployment means the hardware and software installation time gets greatly reduced. However, Banneker has one more advantage – repeatability. Using a WMS with a flexible architecture and template tools, they can quickly replicate their “standardized” current set-up at a new site.
Here are some key factors to think about on the systems side to speed up your next site launch:
1. Utilize cloud deployment to reduce stand up time
2. Work to standardize your system and make it repeatable by vertical
3. Take advantage of modern system architecture to add needed features by site to your standard system
4. Use a system that allows you to rapidly add new SKUs to your master data by changing only the unique characteristics
5. Take advantage of current staff who already know your standard system to implement and train at your new site
We are proud to have a customer like Banneker and to be a partner in their rapid deployment capability. Learn more about their story in this case study.
Christian Miller is a Director at MHI Member Company Softeon
