The software application effectively covered the key processes of Ferona's warehouse

Ferona, a.s. is a trading company engaged in the purchase, storage, processing, logistics and sale of metallurgical products, iron and non-ferrous metals, on a wholesale basis. Ferona, a.s. has 17 branches in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland and more than 100 trucks of its own.

SITUATION BEFORE THE SOLUTION WAS IMPLEMENTED

The warehouse material receiving process was performed using pre-printed punch cards, which caused higher labour intensity during material receiving and a possible risk of errors when transcribing data both in the plant and during the subsequent transcription of data into the ERP. There was no possibility to obtain information about the material stored in the warehouse directly at the workplace.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

To simplify the work of warehouse and administrative staff
Unquestionable data for management and further development
Possibility to extend these solutions to other division centres in Ferona

SOLUTION

Thorough analysis of all warehouse processes
Development, design and deployment of a software application on mobile terminals to cover the complete needs of the receiving and restocking process in a warehouse with metallurgical products
Interfacing this mobile application with the customer's BPCS information system
Hardware supply - Zebra TC70 rugged terminals with Android OS
Implementation of Ethernet infrastructure and industrial Wi-Fi network - Extreme Networks AP7522 in non-tempered warehouses
Supplies - polyethylene labels with preprinting

CONTRIBUTIONS

Simplify, speed up and streamline warehouse processes
Mobile app covers all activities of roll identification, roll receipt to inventory, roll placement to warehouse position, discrepancy resolution and inventory
Reduce circulation of printed documents - increase efficiency
Possibility to deploy the mobile app to other Ferona branches
Simplify warehouse work with mobile terminals - increase productivity
Use of barcode and system control

RESULT

Workers on the production floor are the latest to use Zebra TC70 mobile terminals with a mobile app that communicates wirelessly with Ferona's ERP. Using the terminal and the use of the barcode, the workers perform electronic goods receipt (hall call) as well as continuous inspection. Thanks to the mobile application, a complete overview of the incoming material is also available, with the possibility to restock the material. The main benefit for Ferona is the current speeding up of the goods receipt process, the increase in efficiency of other activities related to the receipt, the use of electronic advice and, last but not least, the clarity and traceability of the data.

THE RESULT IN THE EYES OF THE CUSTOMER

"The aim of the tender was to select a supplier who, with its knowledge and experience, will be able to provide the required services and satisfy the requirements in the long term in after-sales service and further development of the solution. A supplier who will bring new perspectives and ideas for increasing productivity outside the consulting routine. As part of a warehouse process automation project, KODYS helped to optimize the process of receiving material into the warehouse and reduce the proportion of printed documents. The next step in the digitalisation of warehouse processes, which we are working on together, will be the use of terminals in other activities such as production and dispatch."

Tomáš Kuncman, SSC Quality Commissioner