Warehouse automation software for Savona

Savona, the foodservice wholesaler, has purchased warehouse automation software to manage GBP12million worth of annual stock and reduce human error, by offering accurate warehouse mapping.

Savona, the foodservice wholesaler, has announced the implementation of Solarsoft Warehouse Automation software to upgrade its existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.

The new software, costing GBP15k, extends the Savona existing ERP functionality, also a Solarsoft product, enabling accurate warehouse mapping and monitoring of GBP12million worth of stock per year, reducing human errors and providing enhanced reporting capabilities, all contributing to a significant decline in stock write-offs - currently amounting to as much as GBP25k per annum.

The principal benefit of the software is that it will alleviate errors and replace the labour-intensive warehouse labelling system previously used.

Adam Holloway, Commercial Director at Savona, comments, "Warehouse Automation allows for better warehouse efficiencies.

The new software will reduce stock control errors and incorrect labelling, whilst alerting us to low stock levels that require replenishing.

Manual labelling opened us up to human error, but with the handheld and forklift mounted scanners we can track and manage every single case of every product in the warehouse.

By allowing us to manage our stock in such a way, we can reduce our wastage by managing best before dates in a much more proactive way.

In the first week of implementation, we are already seeing some real benefits in stock management and are looking forward to real productivity improvements once all staff are fully trained".

Holloway continues, "Previously products were manually labelled and allocated places that were not necessarily the best location for efficiency, but with warehouse automation we can computerise all our information to enable better organisation.

Extending our existing ERP functionality enables us to accurately map our warehouse, allocating specific bays for stock so we can store every pallet in its rightful place, whilst stock figures are accurately maintained on a real-time basis through the use of handheld and forklift mounted infrared scanners".

Savona, a member of The Country Range Group, has been using Solarsoft products for four years now.

Its product range includes over 5000 product lines, varying from leading brand names to quality own brand alternatives, including the Country Range brand.

It supplies dry, chilled and frozen goods on a flexible, next-day delivery service to a broad customer base including colleges, schools, restaurants, pubs and offices throughout Central and Southern England.

Solarsoft Warehouse Automation also allows Savona to benefit from increased reporting capabilities.

As Holloway explains, "The scanning makes it possible for us to easily run reports at any time, based on information such as dates of stock entry and rate of sale so as to monitor stock movements and levels.

We can now use this information to manage our supply chain to ensure we do not run out of more popular items and are not over-stocking on less popular ones".

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