Introduction of Axelot WMS allowed Premier Foods to accelerate warehouse operations and increase storage density

2023: Axelot WMS rollout at Premier Foods warehouse complex

The introduction of AXELOT WMS in the Premier Foods warehouse complex took place simultaneously with the construction of racks. The updated Premier Foods warehouse is capable of holding more goods and is ready to increase turnover. This was announced on August 30, 2023 by Axelot.

Premier Foods regularly expands its range and increases its geographic reach. Products imported by Premier Foods can be found at every outlet in Armenia. Realizing that an efficient warehouse capable of maintaining a high flow of goods is needed for business development, Premier Foods management assessed the state of warehouse logistics and decided on the need for its conversion and automation.

For example, due to the lack of an automation system, the selection of goods for order took quite a long time, since the staff had to independently find the goods in the warehouse and visually check the remaining shelf life. Also, the implementation of WMS would optimize the use of warehouse space and track the status of business processes at all stages. It was decided to cope with the tasks by implementing AXELOT WMS. The implementation took place in collaboration with the system developer - AXELOT.

The Premier Foods warehouse complex, where WMS was being implemented, is located in Yerevan. The total storage area is 2400 sq. m, the range is about 500 active items. Before starting to design the system layout, AXELOT specialists conducted a survey and revealed the features of business processes that subsequently affected the implemented functionality of AXELOT WMS. The warehouse uses its own method of assembling orders for different types of shipment - shipment to customers and regions is selected using cluster selection, and shipment to distributors and export - using order selection. For both types, two variants of printing plates are used - one for assembling goods with whole pallets, and the other for assembling a piece.

AXELOT WMS has implemented the integration of documents "Shipment Order" into "Flight" with the automatic filling of the fields "Driver" and "Route" in the flight and shipment order. After selection, the order is placed in the place of storage according to the route specified in the shipment order, then the drivers independently move all prepared orders to the vehicle.

Adjustments and cancellations of orders can occur both in minus and in plus, until the goods are ready for shipment after control. If an order is corrected, warehouse employees take action by retrieving the item or seizing it.

During the implementation of AXELOT, WMS was integrated with CIS. Integration was configured via DATAREON Platform. Typical handlers with minor changes were used for exchange. Exchange handlers from the CIS were finalized by the Premier Foods project team. Integration, among other things, made it possible to implement unloading from WMS to CIS of the fact of partial picking of the order.

In parallel with the introduction of AXELOT WMS, shelving was assembled at the Premier Foods warehouse. Since the warehouse is divided into zones depending on the type of products, it was also decided to launch the WMS in stages as the equipment of each zone is ready. After all planned work was completed, the Premier Foods warehouse operated by AXELOT WMS. Automation has enabled Premier Foods to organize targeted storage, improve inventory inventory accuracy and increase storage density through more rational use of space. If previously employees placed the goods in any free space, now the system generates placement tasks and records each action with the goods.

AXELOT WMS automatically schedules the replenishment of the selection area on order, moving the pallets or piece of goods down, so that during the selection, the required goods are always available to the warehouse employees in the required quantity. The Premier Foods warehouse accelerated operations during the stages of acceptance, shipment, placement of goods and during inventory, as well as reduced dependence on personnel. Now all orders are collected quickly and with high accuracy, since AXELOT WMS controls the quantity, expiration date of the item selected in the order and compliance with the FEFO principles. As a result of the project, Premier Foods management received a tool that allows you to make management decisions based on the current state of inventory in terms of shelf life, storage locations and sequence of receipt. AXELOT WMS fully controls the life cycle of an item in a warehouse, providing various company services with the necessary information.