IT in the focus of intralogistics

“As a result of the increasing growth and relevance of eCommerce, retailers are taking logistics into their own hands again.” Up to now, many preferred to outsource these tasks to external suppliers. Ultimately, online and offline sales channels and stocks are no longer maintained in parallel, but instead in a combined manner. E-commerce, in all its forms right up to omni-channelling, is changing the preconditions for companies. Individualised production, increased customer expectations, shorter product life cycles and rapidly changing product variety are the result. More frequent yet smaller ordered quantities present the intralogistics sector with the challenge of satisfying the customer's individual requirements.

In order to respond to market conditions, a standardised logistics platform for all sales channels is needed, along with the associated planning, material planning and control of the logistics processes across all sales channels in a flexible warehouse management system. Where the logistics software is concerned, these trends demand a reassessment by the company. The software is no longer merely a supporting pillar, but instead is of exceptional strategic importance for the internal material flows and processes. Companies are not simply looking for pure software modules anymore; now they need system solutions for specific requirements.

Optimise the supply chain

The IT in the intralogistics process used to resemble a patchwork quilt of individual modules. At the start of the transformation process, a logistics module was added to existing ERP systems or separate warehouse management systems were installed. In these traditional systems, each system optimises the area of the supply chain assigned to it. The changes to logistics tasks and the rise in complexity increase the demand for coordination between the individual fulfilment subprocesses.

A superordinate control instance to optimise, control and monitor all data and goods flows along the supply chain is needed, in order to be able to clearly track all relevant goods movements and postings. It is essential to take a holistic approach to controlling the logistics network. All orders, master data, stocks and stock changes, execution instances and the status of every participant must be linked in real time. This enables the supply chain to be actively and fully controlled. In accordance with digital readiness, the intralogistics must be capable of optimising the preparation of the supply chain strategies and thus analysing the costs in parallel so they can be proactively corrected.

Software solution that goes above and beyond requirements

The logistics software must be understood as a complete solution, which, on the one hand operates the system with maximum efficiency and, on the other, rules out potential interface problems. SSI SCHAEFER stands out with its logistics software, WAMAS^®, which is an upgrade-compatible software solution that goes above and beyond this requirement. Another unique selling point is that the solutions can be fully integrated: third-party systems can also be taken into account by SSI SCHAEFER experts and controlled in a holistic manner.

Thanks to its wide range of products and services and wealth of expertise in consultancy and customer service, SSI SCHAEFER provides its customers with all the tools they need for their transformation. The answer to the transition from established to customer- and technology-driven business models is an "omni-channel fulfilment platform". This will guarantee that the customers' processes lead the way. The goal of the SSI SCHAEFER solution is to achieve a holistic logistics platform for all sales channels, along with the associated planning, material planning and control of the logistics processes across all channels.