S U C C E S S S T O R I ES

A Master-class in reliable warehouse management solutions

The hallmark of a successful logistics business lies in the infrastructural ability to handle large volumes of transactions, and yet be flexible enough to adapt to changes in the industry. Leveraging on the technical; expertise of Boon Software and Sun microsystems has helped Addicon Logistics achieve a new level of efficiency and growth in recent years.

Since its inception in 2001, Addicon Logistics Management (S) Pte Ltd. has matured into a global entity with an extensive customer base worldwide and a multimillion dollar annual turnover. Headquartered in Singapore, Addicon Logistics works closely with an overseas network spanning 98 countries, with strategic offices in China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The company is strongly committed to providing integrated logistics solutions, especially quality warehouse management services to address the globalisation needs to its clients.

A Master-class in reliable warehouse management solutions

Boon Software incorporated in 1993 is a leading logistics solution provider in Asia specializing in warehouse management systems. Boon Software’s warehouse management solutions have been deployed throughout Asia and US in a wide array of industry verticals such as Chemical, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Electronics & Computers, Consumer Products, Industrial Hardware and others. It has been deployed in the context of 3PL/4PL Service Providers, Distribution Centres and Manufacturing.

   

     

 

“With the same number of employees, Addicon Logistics is now able to handle approximately 20% more transaction compared to the previous system,” said Mr. See Toh, CFO of Addicon Logistics

In line with bullish market trends, Addicon Logistics has seen a surge in demand for its services, especially in its warehouse management operations, where high traffic volumes can become a threat to operational efficiency.

To stay relevant in the industry and adapt to changing demands, Addicon Logistics found it critical to implement a compatible suite of software solutions that will complement its business needs and improve its operational capacity. This would allow it to handle an ever-increasing volume of business traffic with compounded efficiency.

A Total Solution

Based on strong recommendations from another key player in the logistics sector, Addicon Logistics approached Boon Software Consulting Pte. Ltd. for an efficient warehouse management solution. In 2007, boon Software was tasked to provide Addicon Logistics with a full- fledge information technology infrastructure to improve its warehousing, cataloguing, delivery and shipping operations.

In an effort to streamline operations, Boon Software implemented Symphony WMS-Online, a server based solution which is part of their flagship Symphony Logistics Suite for Addicon Logistics. This application was chosen for its flexible system architecture, which allows it to be specifically configured to suit the dynamic settings of a logistics business.

Symphony WMS-Online is designed on an Oracle platform and sits on Oracle 10g Application server and 10g Database in order to maximise its performance. Oracle database was chosen due to its ability to cope with high volumes of transactions with no compromise on performance. Support wise, Oracle Metalink is able to provide a good structure for the support and escalation process.

   

     

 

 

 

Business Issues

• Upgrading existing operations management system to offer Warehouse Management services (WMS)

• High Operating Cost • Inefficient operations due to

system incompatibilities

Superior Accuracy

Part of Symphony WMS-Online uses RFID technology to track the loading and shipping of goods prior to export. This works by setting up gantries before the entrance of containers to be loaded. As shipments are pre-tagged with RFID labels, any incorrectly loaded cargo would trigger an alarm to alert the loading staff of the mistake.

Accuracy is of critical importance in the logistics business as mistakes could prove costly, especially when shipments are bound for locations with stringent customs import procedures. For instance, administrative and logistical export errors used to result in fines of hundreds of thousands of dollars to countries such as Brazil. Assuredly, this has not happened since the implementation of the new warehouse management solution.

Symphony WMS-Online has significantly improved the visibility of warehouse activities and added capacity to generate real time updates of the job status of every task. The solution, in other words, has brought about an unprecedented level of accuracy to Addicon Logistics’ operations.

Symphony WMS-Online used Sun’s platform and it also supported the WMS-Online application. System downtime has decreased remarkably, hence increased productivity. The stability was evident when Addicon Logistics decided to shift its entire system setup from its original premises in Great World City to Toh Guan Road. The server was re-implemented smoothly without a single technical glitch. As a safeguard, Addicon Logistics further deployed Sun Storage Tek DAT 72 tape drive to back up its off-site and on-site transaction data.

   

     

The benefits were tangible and immediate, and with funding provided by Spring Singapore, a government development agency, Addicon Logistics saw a Return on Investment (ROI) within a year. The implementation of Symphony WMS-Online on Sun servers and tape drive enabled a shift towards and improved automated warehouse management system. Incidences of human errors dropped significantly and so did manpower requirements. Work group sizes were reduced, freeing up resources for other critical tasks.

Together with improved accuracy, reduced manpower and material wastage, operating costs were cut down by 20%.

Moving Forward

The versatility of Symphony WMS-Online means that Addicon Logistics is able to integrate with their clients’ SAP based systems- a move which is already in the pipeline. The objective is to improve data communication, automation and expansion of its range of service features, with the promise of more business opportunities in the future.

Boonsoftware, in the essence of a long term partnership, will continue to work closely to address the needs of Addicon Logistics as its business grows. The two parties will also collaborate on other product development projects in future.

Singapore: 3791 Jalan Bukit Merah, #07-26/27, E-Centre @ Redhill, Singapore 159471 Phone: (65) 6732 2669 Fax: (65) 6276 4149 Indonesia: Business Park Kebon Jeruk Gd. Kencana Tower B12 Jl. Raya meruya, IIi r No.88 Indonesia Phone: (62) 21 30067831 Fax: (62) 21 30067832 Email: marketing@boonsoftware.com

Business Results

• Lowered operating costs by 20% • Improved automation • Freed up manpower to handle

more transactions • Increased accuracy of loading

process • Reduced instances of human error • Significantly reduced downtime.