Digital transformation in logistics and supply chain industry
Our client is one of the biggest suppliers of spare parts for transport vehicles and buses in Slovakia and the only producer of buses in our country. With more than 90k different kinds of commodities in its warehouses and growing operations every year, the point where all the stock movements in, between and out of the warehouses became particularly challenging was reached. It has had certain implications for controlling, reporting processes and in overall transparency of financial and data flows in company.
As being a long term partner of Microsoft with Navision software as the main ERP solution in place, migration to a whole new set of tools (e.g. SAP) was not an option for our client. If not for other reasons, the learning curve of employees and long-lasting data and process migration would have severe impact on clients operations. Moreover, all the data inputs into ERP system were handled in “analog” way and postprocess — not collected via dedicated devices, but rather recorded in system via web interface once certain activity was finished (e.g. stock cycle counting).
After several blueprinting sessions with the client we decided that the most effective solution (not just in cost manner) would be to create a new Data API layer above existing Navision data structure and create dedicated mobile apps on Android platform as an entry point for crucial data inputs with EAN code integrations. This solution would help to collect and maintain commodities stock data and their transitions in structured, up-to-date and coherent way within the company. Data then could be effectively correlated and processed for controlling and reporting purposes in existing ERP software.
Once the solution was implemented, it turned out that this cost effective and tailored integration changed the way how our client manages stocks in his warehouses in present. All without the need of comprehensive migration to another set of ERP tools. Data are collected in structured way in realtime and this error resilient approach prevents every day operations from potential security risks and financial leaks.
Vladislav Jevcak / Chief Technology Officer
