Danone Russia and Generix Group Vostok developed methodology of remote implementation of WMS in parallel in several warehouses

2020: Development of methodology of remote implementation of WMS in parallel in several warehouses

Danone Russia and Generix Group Vostok developed methodology of remote implementation of WMS in parallel in several warehouses. Announced this Generix Group on January 28, 2021.

Considering high standards of ensuring sanitary standards and safety of employees on objects of Danone, the companies jointly developed methodology of replication of remote starts of warehouses in regions using VR technology. Generix Group, the global supplier of solutions SaaS for shared control by supply chains of industrial and retail ecosystems, applied methodology of remote system implementation of management of a warehouse (WMS) on an object of Danone in Lipetsk, the first of fifteen within all project.

The history of cooperation of Generix Group Vostok with Danone began since 2018 — with implementation of WMS in a warehouse in Samara where the project was implemented in the SaaS format (Software as a Service). In the conditions of rapid growth of production volume and also emergence of a wide product matrix with different requirements to storage was decided to continue replication of a system on 15 additional objects across all Russia. Considering high standards of security on objects of Danone and project deadlines – until the end of 2021, Danone and Generix developed methodology of parallel start of several warehouses at once.

The project on scaling of WMS based on SaaS included deep preparatory work where based on audit 3 function models (Core-models) were developed for deployment in warehouses depending on their type: prizavodsky warehouse, distribution center, hub. Each model covers as the functional solution providing basic processes of the enterprise (different processes of acceptance, shipment of goods, the strategy of placement and selection, inventory processes), and tools for implementation of local specifics of each platform (warehouse topology, promotion routes, types of the equipment and the related rules of movement, etc.). An important part of model is made by the description and preparation of operational changes of the enterprise which concerns development of instructions for new processes for the operational independent solution of incidents, preparation of the plan of informing and personnel training and also the offer of the plan of support from Generix.

As a result of use of core-models of a command of Danone and Generix Group Vostok each two weeks on a new regional object can start remote implementation of WMS, the distance between warehouses in case of parallel operations can make up to 4700 km.

"The innovation of Danone is shown as in production of the food corresponding to modern consumer preferences and in use of advanced technologies in our daily operating activities.  We are grateful to Generix Group Vostok company for great job which certainly will help further development of our business" — Natalya Grekhova, the logistics director and to customer relations, Russia, the CIS, Danone said division "Fresh dairy products and products on a vegetable basis".

The developed methodology of parallel replication allows to gain advantage in several directions at once:

• unification of project activities and minimization of deviations from core-model will provide more flexible and rational resource management;
• standardization of warehouse processes simplifies further management and support of the implemented solution;
• duration of presence of a project team on the platform at a stage of deployment is almost reduced;
• the general duration of implementation of systems will noticeably be reduced and will be 3-4 months instead of usual 6-9.

Start of the first warehouse in Lipetsk matched the period of strict self-isolation in 2020. The important role in remote work was played by VR glasses. The key users of WMS from Danone having access to a warehouse and production during self-isolation were provided with special glasses and had expanded training (training and practice) on functionality of a system and the implemented processes. Thanks to VR glasses specialists of Generix got access to what is seen by the customer's employees, and thus, started a warehouse according to initially accepted diagram of project implementation.