Industry: Trade & Logistics
Food wholesaler FRIPA processes every order within 24 hours. For combining the goods in an efficient and error-free manner, FRIPA counts on pick-by-scan and pick-by-voice systems. Paper-based picking lists have become obsolete.
Meat, fish, bakery and delicatessen products as well as fruit and vegetables – delivered just in time and with top quality. What FRIPA customers order today, they can process already tomorrow. More than 20 years ago, managing director Ralf Hahl and his father Wolfgang laid the groundwork for today’s successful business concept. Because manual data processing in picking hit its limits, the managing directors introduced the industry-specific software by CSB-System. “This software always has supported the growth of our company in an optimal manner, so over the years we have activated more and more modules. Today, we control all processes with IT and benefit from efficient order handling – from order entry up to delivery,” reports Ralf Hahl. Paper notes and manual data input in picking are passé. Cuttingedge technology is used instead.
Pick by scan in dry and cold warehouse
In the dry and cold warehouses, the pickers use hand-held terminals with scan function. These devices are connected online with the CSB-System and receive the orders via WLAN for processing. The pickers handle line item by line item, scan the item barcodes and remove the appropriate quantities from the shelf. As the orders were sorted in advance by storage location, the processing sequence and thus the routes of the employees can be optimized. Result: the picking processes have become much faster, and the daily output has increased substantially. When the picker acknowledges the pick process at the MDC device, the completed order is automatically reported to the inventory management system and the stock on hand is updated. With this online data processing, additional data re-entries are eliminated. Furthermore, the control center allows for constant monitoring of the picking status.
Pick by voice in the freezer zone
With freezer zone temperatures of minus 20 degrees and radio scanners maxing out, FRIPA uses voice picking systems here. The customer order data are converted to speech and transmitted to the pickers’ headsets. This ensures error free and secure workflows. Apart from that, the pickers have their hands free and can act faster and more flexibly.
Confirmation of the pick process is also done by speech input. As the CSB-System and the mobile speech computers communicate permanently via WLAN, the stock on hand can be updated in real time. Additional manual processing of the data is not required here either.
Online shop with availability check
In order entry, too, the software meets the need for speed. Traditional telephone sale is still the primary sales channel, but many customers place their orders by EDI, e-mail or fax as well. They can also order their products online. The new online shop is fully integrated in the ERP system so incoming orders are immediately available in the coverage planning modules. Manual, time-consuming and errorprone data maintenance is eliminated. Another important reason for the seamless integration of resource planning is that in addition to price maintenance, any data related to food aspects, for example weight, durability dates, lot sizes and traceability, are provided automatically. Given the direct connection between online shop and ERP system, users can automatically check the availability of the items in the order, taking into account the stipulated delivery times. Picking and dispatch can thus be initiated immediately after receipt of the order
IT as a productive factor
Ralf Hahl is still convinced of the software 20 years after the introduction of the first CSB module. The managing director considers his business well set in terms of technology: “The software is a productive factor for us. In particular, the quality in picking has improved significantly. Compared to before, our processes are much faster and smoother. This is a win-win situation for us and for our customers.”
