CHESS LOGISTICS TECHNOLOGY
PRESS RELEASES 2001
CHE01/11 - NEW LABOUR PLANNING AND FORECASTING MODULE
STREAMLINES WAREHOUSE, DISTRIBUTION AND LOGISTICS OPERATIONS (28 November 2001)
CHE01/10 - UNWINS UPGRADES CHESS WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM BY ADDING RF CAPABILITY (19 September 2001)
CHE01/09 - CHESS ADDS ADVANCED INTERFACE AND NEW
FUNCTIONS WITH NEW EMPIRICA RELEASE (14 August 2001)
CHE01/08 - TNT NETWORK LOGISTICS STRETCHING THE ENVELOPE
(20 June 2001)
CHE01/03 - BIBBY CHOOSES CHESS FOR RECOTON CONTRACT (21
March 2001)
CHE01/01 - IT'S GO FOR CHESS AT INTERFRIGO (18 January
2001)
BACK TO CURRENT CHESS
LOGISTICS TECHNOLOGY PRESS RELEASES
BACK TO CLIENT PRESS RELEASES
===============================
PRESS INFORMATION (TOP)
Issue Date: 28 November 2001
Ref: CHE01/11
NEW LABOUR PLANNING AND FORECASTING MODULE STREAMLINES
WAREHOUSE, DISTRIBUTION AND LOGISTICS OPERATIONS
The latest module for the Empirica WMS product suite from Chess Logistics
Technology allows users to analyse throughput volumes, measure performance and
perform labour planning calculations to help streamline warehouse, distribution
and logistics operations for maximum efficiency. Empirica VT-P (Volumes, Targets
and Planning) is a discrete module that builds on existing Empirica features as
well as introducing new functionality.
“The addition of the VT-P module further strengthens the substantial reporting
capability of Empirica by providing the dynamic targeting and forecasting tools
needed to add value to existing warehouse and logistics operations,” says Alex
Mills, Sales and Marketing Director, Chess logistics Technology.
Volume analysis provides detailed reporting on warehouse movements and
transactions such as receipts (by line and item), orders/order lines and picking
by type (full pallet, item etc). It also provides enhanced reporting on
stockholding and space utilisation. Reports are available for a specific date
range to provide a breakdown of period average, or by trend, comparing against
previous periods.
Performance reporting measures achievement against target for specific labour
task type by individual or employee group. Targets are set by quantity and time
for each task type, allowing reporting on totals achieved, average completion
time, and performance against target.
These two features provide Empirica users with a valuable tool to quantify
warehouse efficiency. Full visibility of throughput volume and labour
performance will enable management to make strategic decisions on staff
deployment and numbers, as well as measuring overall warehouse or contract
efficiency.
The labour planning feature enables data from both sources to be utilised to
create accurate labour forecasting for a future period. This means Empirica
users can determine requirements based on accurate volume and performance data,
which can be adjusted for percentage increases or decreases, and for labour
fluctuations. Targeted performance may also be used to calculate requirements.
Empirica VT-P is provided as standard with level three Empirica and is
optionally available with level two of the product. Empirica’s three tier
structure is designed to support a wide range of configurations and user
applications.
ABOUT EMPIRICA
Designed for logistics operations working in the ‘Internet age’,
Empirica’s wide range of warehouse management functions and its powerful
standard and web-based interface capabilities offers the optimum solution for
supply chain integration by providing customers and partners access to real time
inventory and stock information. Empirica covers all key elements of warehouse
management and has been designed for ease of use and rapid implementation for
in-house, third party and contract based operations.
Empirica’s three tier structure is designed to support a wide range of
configurations and user applications. Level One is designed for straightforward
or primary site operations; Level Two is ideal for sophisticated RDC-type
operations; Level Three offers multi-company, multi-depot capability and is
suitable for a network of stores or distribution centres. Users can configure
the system to support their unique business processes and warehouse operations.
===============================
PRESS INFORMATION(TOP)
Issue Date: 19 September 2001
Ref: CHE01/10
UNWINS UPGRADES CHESS WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BY ADDING RF CAPABILITY
Click on image to view/download 300dpi version
Unwins, the UK’s largest independent wine merchant, has upgraded the Chess
Logistics Technology warehouse management system at its Dartford warehouse by
adding wireless RF capability to support real time stock control and enhanced
data accuracy.
“We have used the Chess WMS since 1995 and are now implementing the RF
system to help reduce costs with increased stock picking productivity and
accuracy,” says David Harrold, Managing Director of UDS Limited, the
distribution subsidiary of Unwins Wine Group Limited. “This is a natural
extension of the Chess system and will eliminate bottlenecks and paperwork in
the warehouse.”
The Dartford warehouse is operated by Unwins Distribution Services to supply
the company’s 450 retail outlets and the 3000 customers of its Phillips Newman
wholesale business. The Chess WMS system is unusual because it controls stock
for both while ensuring that items can only be assigned to the correct part of
the business. For example, some stock is available to both operations and can be
treated as common to each but certain items are reserved for Philips Newman
customers.
Order picking and stock control must be carefully managed to reflect the
complexity of the distribution operation and the high value of some products.
The warehouse despatches over 90 million units to Unwins outlets and 25 million
units to Phillips Newman account holders each year. Items can range from a full
pallet to a single bottle and over 70 per cent of the operation is split case
picking. Unwins uses third party distribution facilities to cope with seasonal
fluctuations and the Chess WMS also controls stock into and out of these
facilities.
In addition to new components to the software, Chess Logistics Technology has
supplied 65 Teklogix hand held data terminals for the upgrade. The WMS will now
be able to issue order picking and other instructions through the terminals to
warehouse staff who will be required to enter confirmation and other responses
as they carry out their tasks. In this way the combination of WMS and RF
eliminates the need for cumbersome paper picking lists, increases productivity
by speeding up pick times and maximises data accuracy by introducing real time
stock control and eliminating the risk of mistakes by warehouse staff.
Chess Logistics Technology has also supplied printers and software to enable
Unwins to produce labels for orders automatically in the warehouse. The WMS at
Unwins runs on Windows NT and interfaces with the company’s ERP system so that
warehouse information can be accessed by corporate applications.
“Upgrading the Chess WMS lays the ground work for new electronic services
in the future,” says David Harrold. “Once you have electronic information
it’s easy to do this.”
Chess Logistics Technology Limited has provided software for logistics and
distribution applications for more than fifteen years and is recognised as a
specialist in its field. The company has an extensive client list of national
and international companies.
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PRESS INFORMATION(TOP)
Issue Date: 14 August 2001
Ref: CHE01/09
CHESS ADDS ADVANCED INTERFACE AND NEW FUNCTIONS WITH NEW EMPIRICA RELEASE
Click on image to view/download 300dpi version
The latest release of the Empirica warehouse management system from Chess
Logistics Technology incorporates a new interface module to simplify integration
with e-business and other applications and additional functionality to support
innovative supply chain practices. This major upgrade, the first since the
launch of Empirica in 1999, aims to maintain the product’s lead in the market
place and build on a user base that already includes a number of in-house, third
party and contract storage and distribution customers.
NEW INTERFACE MODULE
Empirica’s new interface module has been developed to simplify and reduce
the amount of redevelopment required to integrate Empirica’s advanced
warehouse management capability with other corporate applications. It is
designed to provide complete control over the interface process, reduce
operating costs and enable shorter development cycles for faster system
implementation.
The interface module is designed for simple and intuitive use to process
inbound or outbound files and manage the transfer between local and remote
systems. It can be used in conjunction with other specialist software products
so that files generated by Empirica for export in the ASCII format can be
converted into different messaging protocols such as formal and informal EDI,
XML and ICE and then transferred to other systems using the Internet or
proprietary networks including TRADANET, EDIFACT or EANCOM. Files can be
imported to Empirica using the reverse process. Chess provides a range of
pre-defined ‘standard’ interface definitions that can be used as they are or
modified to match the ASCII exchange file structure.
Users create data export files by selecting the names, sequence and separator
for the fields they want using an intuitive menu. When importing, users select
the inbound fields to populate the existing Empirica data fields. Data integrity
is ensured because the interface places restrictions on incoming data and
automatically defines mandatory and validated fields. This means, for example,
that users cannot create a sales order interface without correctly populating
the sales order number field.
A number of advanced facilities are included to support sophisticated
management and control of a wide range of static, form-based and transactional
data. Filters can be applied to support the conditional export of one piece of
data dependent on another. Data can be added automatically to populate essential
fields that may not be available from external sources. For example, product
details in the incoming file can be matched to related codes already in the
database and associated fields populated automatically with the correct
complementary data.
Actions can be performed at any time or scheduled for automatic execution at
predetermined dates. Completed tasks can be repeated at any time to provide
complete flexibility. The system maintains a complete audit record of
transactions and tasks.
NEW FUNCTIONALITY
Chess has added or modified 47 functions for this second release of Empirica,
including:
- Production Receipt: supports pallet receipts into the warehouse direct
from a production line.
- Replenishment Enhancement: increased flexibility by allowing user-defined
replenishment chains.
- Parts Explosion: supports orders for kitted (multiple component) products
- Outstanding Movements Report: summarises outstanding movements with detail
‘drill-down’ facility.
- Pick/Place Problem Analysis: assists user resolution of pick or placement
problems
- Loads/Order Switching: facilitates manipulation of picked orders between
loads
- Pick Cancellation: allows post pick order cancellation and issues stock
return instruction
- Product Valuation: provides inventory value based on stock in warehouse.
- Web Reporting Suite: allows web browser viewing of standard reporting
suite
- Preferred Work Flows: allows creation of preferred workflow pattern for
individual RF users.
- Stock Check By Summary: simplifies stock check operation for bulk storage
configurations.
- RF Sin Bin: allows use of temporary hold area for RF movement problems
- Store Plan: full graphical view of warehouse, with zoom in and drill down
facilities
ABOUT EMPIRICA
Designed for logistics operations working in the ‘Internet age’,
Empirica’s wide range of warehouse management functions and its powerful
standard and web-based interface capabilities offers the optimum solution for
supply chain integration by providing customers and partners access to real time
inventory and stock information. Empirica covers all key elements of warehouse
management and has been designed for ease of use and rapid implementation for
in-house, third party and contract based operations.
Empirica’s three tier structure is designed to support a wide range of
configurations and user applications. Level One is designed for straightforward
or primary site operations; Level Two is ideal for sophisticated RDC-type
operations; Level Three offers multi-company, multi-depot capability and is
suitable for a network of stores or distribution centres. Users can configure
the system to support their unique business processes and warehouse operations.
The functionality upgrades are common to all three Empirica Levels. The
interface module is included as standard with Level Three applications and is
available for use with Level One and Level Two systems with identical
functionality at all levels.
Chess Logistics Technology Limited has provided software for logistics and
distribution applications for more than fifteen years and is recognised as a
specialist in its field. The company has an extensive client list of national
and international companies.
===============================
Issue
Date: 20 June 2001(TOP)
Ref:
CHE01/08
TNT NETWORK LOGISTICS IS STRETCHING THE ENVELOPE
Click on image to view/download 300dpi version
A combination of Chess Logistics Technology’s warehouse management system
(WMS) and radio frequency (RF) equipment underpins a well organised and
efficient central distribution warehouse operated on behalf of John Dickinson
Stationery by TNT Network Logistics in Braintree, Essex.
“The warehouse management system gives us more control with data accuracy
and integrity and lower administration,” says Chris Cook, Warehouse Operations
Manager at TNT Network Logistics. “RF is essential. You can’t do without
it.”
TNT Network Logistics is the market leader in its specialist field, providing
storage and distribution services. Its cost effective distribution solutions are
tailored to the requirements of manufacturers and distributors of books,
stationery, packaging and paper products. Distribution solutions offered by the
company are designed to provide the best mix of exclusive use customer liveried
vehicles and shared user resources mainly provided by other parts of the TNT
group.
The company has worked with John Dickinson Stationery for over five years,
initially providing a transport solution. When the stationery manufacturer
consolidated its manufacturing on two facilities in Cambridge and Washington at
the beginning of 1998 it decided to outsource the distribution warehouse
function to TNT Network Logistics.
The 125,000ft2 centralised warehouse stores 21,000 pallets of stationery
products. For operational reasons this is split between a main building in
Braintree holding around two thirds of the stock and a smaller facility at
nearby Earls Colne, although the combination is treated as a single warehouse.
Up to 600 pallets are delivered to the warehouse each day for onward delivery to
wholesalers, retailers and commercial customers. Seven regional TNT Network
Logistics warehouses form part of the supply chain that ensures daily delivery
of more than 400 orders to customers.
The warehouse management system in place when the distribution centre opened
did not provide the level of functionality or flexibility required. TNT already
used warehouse management systems from Chess for some of its other contracts and
asked the software company to propose a solution. The primary requirement was
for a system that could support the way TNT wanted to operate the warehouse
rather than one which imposed a way of working.
“The core functions were already there and Chess was able to rewrite some
aspects and add detail so that it worked how we wanted,” says Chris Cook.
“The system is versatile enough to adapt to our needs.”
TNT Network Logistics specified a system that incorporated RF technology and
bar codes to support the use of accurate real time stock control. Chess
recommended using seven truck mounted terminals and 21 hand held scanners from
Teklogix, one of the vendors with whom it has implemented many RF based systems
over the years.
The system was configured to provide all of the functions required by TNT
Network Logistics to operate the warehouse. In addition to implementing all of
the standard functions, Chess’s technical consultants created links between
the HP9000 UNIX host computer and TNT’s corporate systems to enable
communication with head office and customer applications. For example, sales
orders from the customer’s head office are passed to the warehouse by ISDN
from the TNT computer centre in Warwickshire.
A key consideration during the implementation was how to compile data on
stock already in the warehouse. Rather than transfer information from the
existing system, Chess decided to create a special stock check program that
allowed TNT staff to record the data and produce a completely new set of bar
code labels at the same time. This ensured that data was accurate from the very
start.
“It’s easier to do this at the start than when you are running,” says
Chris Cook.
The warehouse is organised so that order picking and other tasks can be
managed efficiently and economically. There are three main storage zones, one
for fast moving items and two for products picked less frequently. All
deliveries from the production plants to the warehouse are pre-advised through
the main computer so the Chess system knows what to expect. The software
incorporates a powerful task scheduler that analyses the jobs in hand and
decides the sequence of pallet movements and picking operations.
Staff using hand held RF terminals check incoming goods and confirm their
arrival at which point a barcode label is printed and applied. Pallets are taken
to pick-and-drop locations at the aisle ends by powered pallet transporter and
handled to the specified storage location by reach truck. The system issues put
away instructions to staff via truck mounted or hand held terminals and, through
the combination of scanning the pallet barcode and entry of a racking check
digit, confirms that the operation has been completed successfully.
Although the Chess system can allocate an incoming pallet to any free
location in the warehouse, it prioritises nearby positions to minimise the
number and length of truck movements and takes into account whether the product
is a fast or slow moving line. Each consignment is normally allocated to
specified operators and trucks as part of the general management of the
warehouse.
Order picking is essentially a reverse process and is either by full pallet
or case. Although operating round the clock on a four shift basis, the warehouse
generally picks during the day for overnight shipping and can accept orders up
to 4.40pm for delivery the following day. When an order is received, warehouse
supervisors can see on their management screens if there are enough items in the
warehouse to fulfil the order and authorise the system to begin issuing
instructions to warehouse staff.
Full pallets are picked on an ‘oldest first’ basis using reach trucks
which take the required load to the pick-and-drop position at the end of the
aisle for transfer to the loading bay by powered pallet transporter. Prime
picking faces are situated throughout the warehouse and are all at ground level
so that staff can compile orders using powered pallet trucks. The elevated
racking levels used for storage are organised logically to simplify control of
stock. Wherever possible the Chess system ensures that stock is placed in the
nearest free location to the corresponding picking face. Pull downs and other
replenishment tasks are controlled by the system and carried out by a reach
truck dedicated to these tasks. For efficiency and to minimise handling
requirements the zone holding fast moving lines is closest to the majority of
the picking areas.
The Chess system knows when a picking location requires replenishment and
issues automatic instruction for these to be carried out. Warehouse staff can
also use their hand held terminals to advise it that the location to which they
have been directed is empty or contains incorrect product. The system can then
redirect them to an alternative location and issue an instruction to the reach
truck to fill the empty space or replace the product.
Because the system prioritises tasks and directs trucks to the nearest
pallets scheduled for picking, the final part of an order can occasionally be
down the picking queue. An override facility built into the system by Chess
enables supervisors to force this final pallet to be picked so that an order can
be closed, the transporter despatched and a loading bay freed for a new vehicle.
Once the loading of an order or vehicle is completed the system automatically
generates a despatch confirmation and transmits it to the customer.
“You need an override option to make sure a vehicle load is finalised,”
says Chris Cook.
Managers and supervisors have a complete real time view of stock by item,
order and customer. Links with the corporate sales order processing and other
systems ensure there is a seamless flow of information with complete data
integrity and accuracy to support a range of business processes. It also ensures
that every product passes through the warehouse with absolute traceability, an
important part of the commitment TNT makes to its customers. Although the Chess
system works automatically, warehouse supervisors are able to view the workload
on their management terminals in real time at any point during the day to
prioritise and assign tasks to individual warehouse staff.
Access to management, truck mounted and hand held terminals is controlled by
passwords and each member of staff has their own rights. For example, only
supervisors can allocate tasks while new staff can be restricted to tasks for
which they have been trained.
Supervisors are provided with a wide range of information that can be viewed
on desktop computers linked to the system. Problems that occur in the warehouse
are highlighted on screen so that supervisors can decide remedial actions or
issue alternative instructions. The management facilities of the system have
made it much easier to oversee operations and two of four supervisors originally
using the system have now been assigned to other tasks in the warehouse.
A number of useful administrative and management facilities are incorporated
in the system. For example, a ‘clear aisle’ function can be used to empty a
set of locations for engineering work, maintenance or stock reworking.
Management statistics have also revealed the efficiency of truck operations,
with hourly movements averaging 35 per truck.
“This is much faster than we would achieve without RF based warehouse
management,” says Chris Cook.
Chess Logistics Technology Limited has provided software for logistics and
distribution applications for more than fifteen years and is recognised as a
specialist in its field. The company has an extensive client list of national
and international companies.
===============================
Issue
Date: 21 March 2001 (TOP)
Ref:
CHE01/03
BIBBY CHOOSES CHESS FOR RECOTON CONTRACT
Click on image to view/download 300dpi version
Warehouse management software from Chess Logistics Technology is helping
Bibby Distribution to support its European logistics contract with leading
entertainment accessory company Recoton. The resultant improvements in
warehouse efficiency have freed up valuable storage capacity that Bibby has been
able to use for contracts with other customers.
Bibby Distribution selected the Chess warehouse management software after it
was awarded the contract to take over the management of the 156,000ft2 warehouse
at Recoton’s headquarters in Walkden, Manchester. Bibby has worked with
Chess for a number of years and uses the company’s software at other
warehouses it operates for contract distribution customers.
“Chess software was ideal for our Recoton contract,” said Bibby
Distribution managing director Theo de Pencier. “It has allowed us to manage
our customer needs efficiently and free up space in the Recoton warehouse.”
With an annual turnover of approximately £25 million, Recoton supplies
headphones, speakers, microphones, computer joysticks and game controllers to
high street electronics retailers such as Dixons and Comet, and car audio and
related components to specialist installers. Under its contract Bibby
manages the distribution of Recoton’s products to customers throughout the UK
and Europe.
Bibby Distribution recognised that the requirements for the Walkden warehouse
were very similar to a distribution centre it operated with Chess software for
another customer in Kettering. The scalability of the Chess warehouse
management system meant that, by providing suitable communications links between
the two warehouses, a single installation of the software could manage both
warehouses. It also meant that deployment time could be minimised so that
efficiency gains could be realised more quickly and support for the system could
be managed from either location for improved flexibility but with reduced
overall costs.
“A major element of the implementation was to co-ordinate the activities of
numerous warehouse and IT staff at Recoton, Bibby and here,” says Robert
Gardiner, software analyst at Chess Logistics Technology. “Achieving
this co-ordination was a major factor in the success of the overall project.”
Theo de Pencier added: “The improvements made in warehouse efficiency at
the Walkden site have enabled us to reduce the amount of storage capacity
required for the Recoton contract.
“This space has been used to provide contract distribution services for a
number of smaller customers in the area and some of the additional revenue this
has generated has been passed to Recoton because it still owns the warehouse.”
The Chess warehouse management software is designed to maximise warehouse
productivity through efficient stock rotation and optimum utilisation of space.
It is widely used throughout industry to support in-house and third party
operations and can interface with existing information technology infrastructure
so that users can extend their enterprise and supply chain information
management into the warehouse. All of the features essential for
successful warehouse management, including the automation of the decision making
processes behind stock placement and retrieval, are incorporated in the system.
This helps minimise the time and effort required to manage stock while also
providing users with better and more accurate information with which to control
their operations. Accurate stock movement history and comprehensive
reporting facilities mean that users can create complete audit trails and
management reports for themselves and their customers.
Notes to Editors: Bibby Distribution is a leading warehousing and contract
distribution operator. It employs some 1,500 people at more than 30 locations in
the UK with 400 vehicles and 3 million square feet of warehouse space. It
is part of the Bibby Line Group.
===============================
PRESS INFORMATION
Issue Date: 18 January 2001 (TOP)
Ref: CHE01/01
IT’S GO FOR CHESS AT INTERFRIGO
Interfrigo, the largest independent cold store operator in Northern Ireland,
has selected the Empirica warehouse management system from Chess Logistics
Technology for its brand new Antrim cold store. The company chose Empirica
because it offered the high level of functionality required in a modern cold
store serving multiple customers.
“We invest in the best possible products,” says Grace Dodds, an
Interfrigo director. “Chess only does warehouse management systems and is
clearly focused on delivering and supporting products that do what their
customers need.”
Established in 1973, Interfrigo provides third party cold storage and
distribution services for a number of local and international food producers.
The company has operated a cold store on the Antrim site since 1985. Sustained
growth and the requirement for increased storage flexibility and capacity led to
the decision to build the new 6400 pallet cold store.
The new cold store incorporates frozen and chilled facilities and has been
designed for efficiency and flexibility with mobile racking to maximise storage
density. Chess was initially recommended by the racking supplier and Interfrigo
was able to visit another cold store that uses the company’s software to see
it in action.
Interfrigo selected the software in conjunction with Empirica’s new RF
module that provides an interface between the application and truck mounted and
hand held radio data terminals. Chess installed and configured the system on a
Windows NT server to match Interfrigo’s operational requirements. The system
interfaces with the company’s other computer systems and manages all stock
control and movement in the cold store. Instructions are issued to cold store
staff through the RF equipment to support highly accurate, real time inventory
control.
“The system is working well,” says Grace Dodds. “It’s very simple to
use.”
Once Interfrigo has gained some more experience with Empirica it plans to
exploit the application’s advanced integration, remote access and email
facilities to allow selected customers to check their stock levels and place
orders remotely using ecommerce.
“The trend in our business is clearly towards speed, accuracy and better
information,” says Grace Dodds.
The new cold store went live in August 2000. Interfrigo’s existing cold
store is currently being refurbished and will also be managed using the Empirica
software when it is re-commissioned. Total capacity on the Antrim site will then
be more than 20,000 tonnes.
Note To Editors: Empirica is a next generation software designed for ease of
use and rapid implementation that supports all key elements of warehouse
management. Empirica’s three tier structure, with access at all levels,
provides a wide choice of configurations to support a user’s unique business
operations and requirements. Each level incorporates a large number of definable
parameters and is highly customisable to provide complete flexibility. Users can
configure the system to support their unique business processes and warehouse
operations. Standard interfacing is supported throughout to deliver simplified
integration with new and existing business applications and to allow supply
chain partners to exchange information more easily.
Empirica supports all elements of warehouse and location management, with put
away, transfers, replenishment, stocktaking and order picking as well as
additional features such as cross docking, non stock-held operations, stock
reworking, substitution and kitting. It provides real time inventory management
by interfacing with a wide range of data capture devices such as hand held,
truck mounted or fixed position RF and barcode systems.
Chess Logistics Technology Limited has provided software for logistics and
distribution applications for more than fifteen years and is recognised as a
specialist in its field. The company has an extensive client list of national
and international companies.
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