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Auto-Parts Warehouse Puts Solvo.WMS in the Driver’s Seat

26.02.2016

SOLVO has completed yet another Solvo.WMS implementation project at the warehouse of wholesale auto-parts distributor Avtokontinent.

SOLVO has completed yet another Solvo.WMS implementation project at the warehouse of wholesale auto-parts distributor Avtokontinent.

Avtokontinent is part of the ATR group, which includes some of the largest wholesale companies in Europe, Asia, and Africa, for a full assortment of products from leading producers of auto-parts for passenger cars as well as commercial transport.

Solvo.WMS Deployment

The aim of introducing a warehouse management system was to increase throughput as well as provide greater control over the movement of each unit of storage at every processing stage. Upon analyzing the various WMS-system offerings on the market, the company selected Solvo.WMS as a professional grade system with many years of success, particularly at auto-parts warehouses (Omega-Avtopostavka, city of Kharkov).

Warehouse specifications

The Avtokontinent warehouse has an area of 3,500 sq. m, located in Shushary on the outskirts of Saint Petersburg. It stores a large assortment of auto-parts and accompanying goods (number of active SKUs comprises over 140,000 items).

Due to the specificities of storing auto-parts (small packages, large assortment), the warehouse mainly uses shelves. The number of storage locations exceeds 42,000.

Processes under Solvo.WMS control

The warehouse actively uses static picking channels. Thanks to information on the minimum inventory stock that was preloaded into the system, main storage zone constantly maintain a reserve for picking. Replenishment of picking channels is carried out from receiving as well as from the long term large batch pallet storage zone.

Receiving is carried out via piece scanning of each cargo item since parts can have similar packages and appearance, and only differ by their code. After receiving, the carton container is sent to all zones, where replenishment with the given goods is required while the remainder is delivered to the long term storage zone.

The assembly of products into orders is performed using radio terminals as well as with paper pick lists. Paper pick lists are printed automatically as soon as a request for assembly is launched into operation.

After assembly, the products are sent to one of the control stations, where a worker scans and checks the item and wraps it in a plastic package or carton to be subsequently sent to the end client. After packing, a shipping label is printed by the system that contains information on the consignee and is used by forwarder-drivers when issuing the goods. Information on the contents of each cargo item is stored in the system and is then uploaded into the host system. Upon issuance to the driver, the system checks whether loading of scanned cargo items into the vehicle, which is standing at a specific dock, is allowed.

Future development plans

Future plans for the Avtokontinent logistics company includes the expansion of assortment and spaces at the Saint Petersburg warehouse as well as the integration of »Remote warehouses« technology to the central WMS-system based in Moscow.