Novità

Major IT re-organization brings SVZ up to speed

23.04.2008

The ERP-system that SVZ developed themselves years ago was replaced with a modern SAP/R3 and an upgrade was made to Windows 2003.

The Freeze-warehouse of SVZ International BV in Etten-Leur went through a dramatic alteration in the process and storage controls. The ERP-system that they developed themselves years ago was replaced with a modern SAP/R3 and an upgrade was made to Windows 2003. Additionally new interfaces were made that make the Consafe Logistics SattStore WMS communicate with SAP. SVZ based in the Dutch city of Etten-Leur is well equipped for the years to come.

The WMS determines the storage location and controls the PLC's that allocate the correct storage-rack in the freeze-warehouse. The forklift driver will receive the correct storage-rack location on his terminal-display, and drive to that spot. With the heated barcode-scanner fitted to the forklift a 'confirmation-cod' (check digit) is scanned on the storage-rack. When the information corresponds with the WMS-data, the driver is given the o.k. signal. At the picking section the WMS receives the input from the ERP-system to remove a certain pallet from a certain storage-rack, and to place it on the conveyor (that leads to the shipping department). Then again a barcode-scanner checks whether the right pallet has been delivered.

The Consafe Logistics WMS SattStore communicates with the PLC’s of the mobile storage-racks and the SAP/R3 ERP system via interfaces built by Consafe Logistics. Also the upgrade to Windows 2003 was handled by Consafe Logistics.

Branch manager Jack Jansen of SVZ Etten-Leur tells us that the transition of the original ERP (self-design) system to SAP, the upgrade to Windows 2003 and the adjustment of the interfaces between the ERP and the WMS, but also between the WMS and the internal transport-storage-rack operating system was 'somewhat complex'. Nevertheless the entire project has gone very well, and was finished on schedule. "The storage operating-system is vital to our business and the control of internal transport and the storage-racks PLC’s, both now have excellent performance", he says. SVZ is well equipped for the next decade.