Introduction
The logistic center of one of the biggest car manufacturers worldwide places orders for spare parts in factories using their ERP system. The logistics service providers, contracted by factories, deliver spare parts to the logistic center.
The logistic center does not use any scheduling system that coordinates unloading deliveries, the logistics service providers and the internal work flow and logistic center resources.
Due to an ineffective and shared information flow and lack of delivery times, trucks with deliveries were forced to queue for unloading, factories faced extra costs related to unloading waiting times and the logistic center couldn’t effectively schedule the workload and manage the peak times.
Additionally, processing of any claims and information exchange related to any parcel damages was paper-based and vague for all of the involved parties.
The internal scheduling and notification system was designed to enhance, automate and share the process of planning and scheduling of deliveries.
The system was available to all of the parties involved (logistic center, factory (supplier), logistics service providers) allowing for effective delivery planning and booking of the time slots for unloading of the trucks.
The main aim of the notification and delivery scheduling system was to enable real-time collaboration all of the all involved parties by improving the information flow and its sharing.
Having detailed and up to date information regarding scheduling and planning of the deliveries, the logistic center could streamline its operation and improve its operational efficiency through more effective planning of its space and resources. The logistic service providers could reduce the unloading waiting times, enhance their operation, and reduce the cost.
The proposed solution consisted of the three functional modules:
Calendar
delivery calendar and scheduled workload for logistic center including notification of current and incoming deliveries for the specific ramps;
Deliveries
definition and management of the deliveries and any related information;
Administration
Administration – user management with its access level rights, warehouse and ramps management.
Upon login the users got access to the real time continuously updated information regarding incoming deliveries and available time slots for unloading. The logistic service providers could look through the available time slots and book the most convenient delivery times.
In case of any changes, the deliveries could be rebooked. The logistic center could decide on the staff required for loading and unloading the parcels, based on the current and planned schedule. The truck unloading and the deliveries could be reported and confirmed in real time including claims and damages, if any.
