UK Paper Specialists gm2 Logistics Enhance Workflow Efficiency Using HighJump Software from 3M
gm2 Logistics has gone live with 3M's adaptable supply chain execution software
[UKPRwire, Tue Apr 10 2007] 3M Supply Chain Solutions, the international operating arm of HighJump Software and a division of diversified technology company 3M, today announced that gm2 Logistics has gone live with its adaptable supply chain execution software. gm2 has already achieved enhanced business process configuration and performance efficiencies at the company’s two Central Distribution Centres (CDCs) in Leicestershire and Kent.
As part of the MAP Merchant group of companies, gm2 Logistics provides specialist warehousing and logistics services for two of the UK’s largest paper merchants, James McNaughton Group and Premier Paper Group. Seeking to replace an ageing and highly customised warehouse management system (WMS), the company decided to start afresh in search of a new state-of-the-art system which could be implemented quickly, with minimum disruption and no additional expense or requirements for time-consuming re-applications. gm2 presented potential suppliers with an additional challenge, to deliver a WMS capable of supporting a variety of process requirements, such as picking procedures, for several third-party paper suppliers, to whom gm2 provides warehousing and logistics management services from its own CDCs.
“The 3M Supply Chain Solutions team have been true to their word, thoroughly impressing us with their ability to react quickly to revised changes in functionality. New requirements arising from our “Mock-Go-Live” were incorporated in a matter of days,” commented Haydn Costin, WMS Project Manager at gm2 Logistics. “HighJump Software not only stood out from competitive offerings as being configurable to all gm2 sites but it presented key benefits in terms of its speed of implementation, unique architecture, and advanced adaptability toolkit. The system can be extensively customised without compromising its fundamental stability, which bodes well for future evolution. We were also able to replicate the functionality and usability of our old system very closely, allowing a smooth transition to the new system with minimal retraining.”
The HighJump WebWise reporting tool enhances the flexibility to customise the user interface and tailor reports to meet specific operational requirements. WebWise also streamlines development of programs to analyse processes and practices to support optimisation and continuous improvement. These include algorithms to extract a task summary from the system and to monitor pick missions, which have been implemented quickly and easily, requiring minimal engineering effort.
Data interfaces between the WMS and enterprise systems have also been improved. “gm2 had made considerable investment to develop these interfaces,” said Costin. “The 3M Supply Chain Solutions team was able to preserve this investment, and the integrity of the interface has also been enhanced in practice thanks to safer handling of inbound data. The resulting stability and reliability improvements eliminate errors and stoppages.”
Under the previous system, picking within gm2 warehouses was conducted on an exclusively ‘sheet’ basis which resulted in occasional issues where the number of packs to pick was miscalculated. Such errors have been reduced since the HighJump system go live as it has the capability to present quantities to pick by packs with minimum additional data setup required. Using its accurate order picking functionality, gm2 is able to increase fill rates, resulting in faster fulfilment of complete customer orders. In addition, overall process efficiency improvements have reduced cycle times, driving the percentage of on-time shipments to unprecedented high levels.
“This is a perfect example of how our highly adaptable WMS architecture can manage complex customer business processes effectively,” said Hugh Murphy, Regional Sales and Marketing Manager, 3M Supply Chain Solutions. “HighJump Software empowers end users to make changes to the system themselves within minutes, without the need for expensive custom coding, so that they can meet customer expectations, reduce costs and achieve lower total cost of ownership.”
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3M and HighJump are registered trade marks of 3M
For more information please visit www.3msupplychainsolutions.com.
About 3M
3M is a $22.9 billion diversified technology company, creating innovative products that help make the world smarter, faster, healthier and safer. Well known 3M brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate and Scotch-Brite.
3M has pioneered innovation since 1902 and, today, invests more than $1.5 billion a year in R&D. It has applied its expertise in RFID technology to deliver biometric passports; it is using its understanding of the healthcare industry to provide hospitals with infection prevention solutions; and its digital signage offerings are set to revolutionise the way businesses communicate with their customers, their employees and the general public.
3M employs 75,000 people worldwide to deliver more than 55,000 products to customers in some 200 countries. Its diverse technologies touch nearly every aspect of modern life, serving markets such as consumer and office, display and graphics, electronics and communications, safety, security and protection services, healthcare, industrial and transportation.
The UK and Ireland is home to one of the largest 3M subsidiaries outside the USA, employing 3650 people across 15 locations, including ten manufacturing sites. Products manufactured in the UK include coated abrasives, respirators, adhesive tapes, industrial microbiology products, drug delivery systems and secure documents.
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