New warehouse management system hits local market

Jan Sykes - phenomenal response David Shackleton - major benefit is its flexibility Derek Holmes - the big issue is warehouse optimisation A NEW warehouse management system designed to optimise end-to-end supply chain performance and deliver true visibility into the supply chain has just hit the local logistics market. Marketed by Singapore-based Exclusive Business Solutions, the V3 product brings to the market a new level of flexibility and cost-effectiveness, according to EBS chairman Derek Holmes and head of marketing Jan Sykes. Now based in Singapore, the dynamic duo believes that the 'phenomenal' response from local 3PLs (third party logistics providers) is testimony to its practical benefits. "All 3PLs have warehouses, but they don't always have the systems to drive them. The V3 product interfaces with the company's enterprise systems enabling visibility and reporting throughout the distribution process," says Holmes. "Every distribution network environment is unique, and because the V3 system supports the many supply chain variations that exist between and within industries, it can be configured to address the demands of business to business, business to consumer, multi company and multi facility supply chain operations." The big issue in Holmes' view is warehouse optimisation, reduction in space and inventory. And here he is confident that the statistics tell the story. In a typical application V3 could increase the maximum pieces handled per hour eight-fold, reduce inventory on hand by two thirds and decrease the average order cycle time from three days to less than an hour. A significant reduction in employees required has also been recorded. The user has a dashboard on the internet which provides visibility at every stage of the cycle. One of its major benefits, according to Johannesburg-based CEO David Shackleton, is the flexibility. "Other systems have a fixed architecture. You have to fit your business into the system. "Ours is not a system but a tool set." He likens it to a lego set where the customer makes use of the pieces or tools he requires to meet his unique requirements.