Meet the challenges of change with Vanderlande’s VISION Warehouse Management System

Warehouses and distribution centres are facing tough challenges. Shorter order lead times, more frequent deliveries of (smaller) orders, high delivery reliability (the right product at the right time), store-friendly and shelf-ready delivery of products. In addition, warehouses and distribution centres must reduce costs and must often handle multiple retail formats within their facility which makes their operations increasingly complex.

These challenges provide opportunities to automate the warehouse process by implementing intelligent material handling and Warehouse Management Systems, based on a thorough understanding of the supply chain and warehouse processes. In fact, automation is no longer a luxury, but has become a bare necessity.

Vanderlande Industries has long-standing experience in automating warehouse logistics. In addition to designing and implementing automated material handling systems, Vanderlande also has significant experience in implementing Warehouse Management Systems. Our VISION Logistics Software Suite provides all the required functionality to manage increasingly complex warehouse processes, from Goods Receiving to Shipping. Vanderlande’s VISION WMS has recently been certified for the 10th year in a row by the renowned German Fraunhofer Institute of Logistics and Material Flow. For customers, the validation “seal of approval” is a de-facto quality standard. Earlier this year, Vanderlande also strengthened its partnership with SAP® by joining the SAP PartnerEdge™ program. Vanderlande has already cooperated intensively with SAP since 2003. As part of the PartnerEdge program, Vanderlande has optimised the interface between the SAP environment and Vanderlande’s VISION WMS. Optimising this interface ensures seamless integration of the SAP ERP system and Vanderlande’s VISION WMS in automated warehouses and distribution centres.

Vanderlande has implemented VISION WMS at many well-known companies, such as Arrow Electronics. Arrow Electronics is the world's largest distributor of electronic components. By supplying products, services and solutions for users of electronic components and computer products, the company has achieved a turnover in excess of € 10 billion. In the last 15 years, Arrow has been consistently growing at a rate of more than 20 per cent per year. Arrow has the largest and most modern electronic components warehouse in Europe. The Distribution Logistics Centre (DLC) in Venlo (Netherlands) supplies 35,000 European customers. In addition, more than 500 different documents (e.g. invoices, order confirmations, delivery notes) are generated in the customer’s native language. The DLC is equipped with the latest technology that includes semi-automatic wireless picking systems, microprocessor-controlled conveyor belts with a total length of 4.5 km, high-bay palette storage locations and a total storage area of 41,000 m². All combined, this allows for streamlined loading, order picking, and shipment, improving responsiveness and customer service. Delivery reliability exceeds 99.5% and 95% of shipments are delivered the next day. By automating the consolidation process, quality has been improved and the time required for executing orders is drastically reduced. The entire warehouse process is managed by the VISION Warehouse Management System.

More information
www.vanderlande.com