Int freds case_study
- 2. Fred’s Values Consistency Required to replace its aging distribution A Long Relationship center server, a regional retail chain takes the opportunity to upgrade its order Fred’s relationship with Intelligrated dates back to fulfillment software — and doesn’t miss a beat during the changeover. the retrofit of its 800,000-square-foot Memphis distribution center in 1998. The DC features four Intelligrated multilevel pick-to-light modules for full- Please note: Intelligrated acquired the North and South case picking, one multilevel pick-to-light module for American operations of FKI Logistex® in June 2009. less-than-full-case picking, an Intelligrated sliding shoe sortation system for shipping full and less-than-full- When the first Bargain Center opened in Coldwater, case cartons to retail stores. Mississippi in 1947, a 12-ounce bottle of Pepsi sold for five cents. More than 60 years and a name change later, With more than 10 years of experience using Real Time what was once a humble variety store has grown into Solutions ® (RTS) order fulfillment software, Fred’s is a regional retail powerhouse consisting of more than a believer in the software. Corey Punches, Director 700 Fred’s stores and 300 Fred’s pharmacies. But after of Distribution Systems, Fred’s Memphis, appreciates six decades of growth, one thing hasn’t changed — how seamless the transition to RTS order fulfillment the company’s dedication to offering values that rival software version 16 was. “The interface is familiar, so a nickel soda. even though it has additional functionality we didn’t have to train associates out on the floor,” he said. “In That’s why, when faced with the need to replace the fact, it’s even easier to use than the previous version.” aging Hewlett Packard HP D270 server at its 10-year- old distribution center in Memphis, Tennessee, Fred’s management team decided to upgrade its order New Functionality Enhances Efficiency fulfillment software at the same time. ”Productivity and Convenience is a key factor in all of our decision-making processes. This is the one area where we can continue to drive One of the new features of RTS software is its leverage into our business, which allows us to protect “suspend” function. When a picker comes to a location pricing for our customers,” said Reggie Jacobs, that is out of stock, he or she can place the missing Executive Vice President of Distribution, Transportation item on hold and move to the next location. The and Store Services, Fred’s Headquarters. “We’ve been system will send the picker back to the suspended pick using Real Time Solutions order fulfillment software location when the item has been restocked. “Allowing from Intelligrated® (formerly FKI Logistex®) since workers to move past a problem and continue picking 1998, so as long as we were going to have to load adds to their work efficiency,” said George Christian, software on the new server anyway, we decided to an Intelligrated senior project manager. “By reducing take advantage of the added functionality of the the potential for an operator to confirm a pick without latest version of Real Time Solutions order fulfillment actually picking an item, the suspend function also software.” increases the accuracy of orders,” he added. www.intelligrated.com 2
- 3. In addition to the suspend function, the latest RTS upgrade also adds enhanced reporting tools for workload planning management, quality assurance and audits, productivity, order status, wave management and user maintenance. Users can create detailed and customized reports, which can be exported to Crystal Reports and other business intelligence applications. Using the dynamic zoning tools offered by RTS version 16, Fred’s supervisors and order pickers can easily manage the system during operations. Supervisors can reassign workers to order-picking zones based on available personnel or remaining time in a shift, and order pickers can reduce or increase their zones by scanning bar codes to add or drop sections. The new version of RTS also includes a “My View” feature, which allows logged-in users to customize screen views and specify the section ranges that appear on employee work Fred’s uses the Real Time Solutions status, workload planning, and work history screens. pick-to-light order fulfillment system from Intelligrated to increase productivity and The software’s new graphical user interface connects through an application efficiency in its distribution center. downloaded onto the computer, instead of through a browser. This technology provides intuitive navigation and supplies users with the convenience of remote access via an intranet or internet connection. Fred’s Memphis DC Volume and Upgrade is Completed Without Missing a Shipment Usage Stats 7.5-hour shifts 2 To minimize disruption to its distribution operation, Fred’s decided to implement the Pick locations 6,000 new system in mid-December, its slowest time of the year. Intelligrated completed all Real Time 236 of the design work, hardware purchasing (including the new HP server), and system Solutions sections testing at their Alameda, California facility in the fall of 2007 and began installing Orders per shift 8,200 the system at the end of the day shift on Friday, December 14. The system was up and Order lines per shift 140,000 running by the following Monday. Orders in the 16,500 database at one time “This was a very easy process for us,” Punches said. “Intelligrated did a great job with the upgrade. Once they finished installing the new system all we had to do was plug it Order lines in the 280,000 database at one time in and turn it on.” Batches in the 250 database at one time With the new hardware platform supportable for another five to ten years, it is fully capable of keeping up with Fred’s future growth. Fred’s plans to upgrade its Dublin, Simultaneous order 56 fillers using tethered Georgia DC to the latest EASYpick release soon, which will provide company-wide scanners consistency and allow the chain to maximize order fulfillment efficiency. Working with Intelligrated, Fred’s can continue to offer the values and customer service that have fueled its growth for more than six decades. www.intelligrated.com 3
- 4. About Intelligrated Intelligrated Service & Support Intelligrated is a leading American-owned, single-point The in-house Customer Service and Support (CSS) program provider of automated material handling solutions with offered by Intelligrated backs all of our products. Services operations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Headquartered available include: in Cincinnati, Intelligrated designs, manufactures and • IN-24x7® technical support hotline installs complete material handling automation solutions, • Spare parts logistics including IntelliSort® line sortation systems, Crisplant® • Field service tilt-tray and cross-belt sortation systems, conveyor systems, Alvey® palletizers and robotics, Real Time Solutions® • Equipment and system audits order fulfillment systems, warehouse control software • Upgrades and modifications and advanced machine controls—all supported by 24x7 • Full service and maintenance contracts Customer Service and Support. • Preventive maintenance • Customer training Serving the warehousing, distribution, consumer product CSS is available 24x7 to provide all of the services needed manufacturing, postal and parcel markets, Intelligrated to keep your equipment running at peak efficiency. collaborates closely with its clients to develop productivity Whether it’s on-site support or troubleshooting via solutions and responds to their needs throughout the life our hotline, Intelligrated has the most comprehensive of their material handling systems. customer support program in the industry. Service and Parts Hotline Phone + 1 877.315.3400 Intelligrated Products www.ontimeparts.com and Services • Systems Integration • Sortation Systems • Conveyor Systems • Palletizing Solutions • Software & Controls • Order Fulfillment Systems • 24x7 Technical Support • Design & Build Headquarters in Mason, Ohio For more information, contact: 7901 Innovation Way, Mason, Ohio 45040 + 1 866.936.7300 info@intelligrated.com www.intelligrated.com CSF01 1.10 © 2010 Intelligrated. All rights reserved.