Distribution Master Scheduling software-better profit and service
March 8th, 2009. Published under Software. No Comments.
Scheduling software is nothing new. It has been streamlining work for companies for years. It is however, the integrated scheduling approach that is new, called Distribution Master Scheduling. It can integrate all scheduling and make decisions from labor scheduling to transport scheduling.
This software puts it all together and takes what has been a complexity of systems and handles all of the management issues. Such as: 1) the different data sources – as an example current and future orders that are in a management system already in the execution system; 2) the many conflicting constraints from a limited number of dock doors to warehouse opening time; 3) supervising the time required to perform actions, such as getting products from one remote building to another; 4) different silos – people and departments that control everything from what gets produced to labor availability.
Distribution Master Scheduling software needs to contain optimization technology to deal with this complexity while minimizing cost and meeting customers requirements for on time, in-full shipments.
This software provides some substantial benefits. Procter & Gamble announced a $3 million dollar annual savings at just one site. P&G together with Transportation | Warehouse Optimization developed scheduling software called AutoScheduler. This software will drive distribution decisions and tell the Warehouse Management System what to do and when to do it. But it does much more than that. A key factor for P&G, customer service improved as trucks contained everything that was ordered and left on schedule.
An additional benefit is flexibility and the knack to react to everyday changes. Large ERP systems work in daily time buckets. Because of this, the ability to deploy product just in time is beyond their capabilities. Re-planning manually becomes a nightmare. Distribution Master Scheduling software overcomes these issues.
The epitome of the best Distribution Master Scheduling software application is that it deals with a series of dependent events that include a chain of decisions made by the software. For example, to load a customer shipment, several factors have to be considered. Picking the product is the first thing, receiving it before that, etc., etc. The software has to manage around constraints such as: 1-labor availability on product shortages; 2-since a product ages, picking the product that ages first before it reaches expiration date and placing that in priority shipment order before newer materials; 3- interface with many different systems.
Mid-sized and small operators can gain huge benefits with Master Distribution Scheduling software also ” it is not just for large companies. The mid-sized to smaller operators can gain benefits from the kind of reports and pro-active provisions of information. Good management techniques benefit every size company.
When you consider a transportation consultant, Transportation | Warehouse Optimization have been working with some of the top companies in America, finding practical solutions that have resulted in saving millions of dollars. They take a long-term view and keep the client as top priority. Contact them at www.TransportationOptimization.com for transportation cost reductions or solutions to warehouse challenges.