MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS enhance procedures. “Over the years there have been so
many things that we have tweaked and developed and we are always looking at what else we can do to make things simpler and better. That is another big benefit of choosing the SAP system; I don’t think we would have been able to make as many changes if we hadn’t chosen it.” As well as being responsible for the current IT systems, Amanda is working on introducing a new Warehouse Management System (WMS), which will enable Fastbolt to automate many of the operations in both UK and German warehouses. “At the moment we are using a paper based system, involving printing of picking sheets, which isn’t very productive or efficient,” explains Amanda. “The new WMS will automate it. Barcode scanning will reduce picking errors and pickers will be told in what order to pick the products. The usage of the trucks will also become more efficient, as the system will know where trucks are and won’t send another truck down a busy aisle. Put simply it will enable us to make everything more productive, efficient and less hard work.” Depending on system
compatibility, Amanda also intends to link the new WMS directly to the carrier system, so that immediately the picker confirms an order the labels and the paperwork will automatically be printed and ready for when the boxes are packed. Fastbolt is currently in the
“With the new IDocs and WMS I am testing as much as I can
to ensure that we are fully prepared for when we go live,” says Amanda. “The simplicity of the IDoc makes it easy to transfer between the two systems. The fun part is going to be keeping the flow between the two systems up to date, because, especially within the UK, the requirements of the market mean that you have to be able to offer a quick service.” Whilst the test environment will allow Fastbolt to prepare
for when the WMS goes live, Amanda is only too aware that the important part will be effectively handling any issues that may arise. “You can test as much as you like, but there is always something that will happen when you go live,” states Amanda. “It is important to be prepared and think quickly on how you can resolve the issue and move on. The experience we had when implementing the SAP system will help us with this as we have been through the process before.” The German WMS is planned to go live in December 2011, with the UK WMS (requiring some extra customisation) due to go live within the first six months of 2012.
“Everyone is keen to see
process of getting the test system for the WMS up and running, which will enable it to make sure the flow of information between the WMS and its SAP system is smooth and there are no problems. Amanda’s main responsibility is the link and flow of information between the two systems, making sure it is seamless. “To connect the two systems we will be using IDocs, which are electronic files that contain all the necessary information. Every time we send a picking note to the warehouse, it will contain an IDoc, which will be read into the WMS. The challenge at the moment is to get the different programs to run from different entry points in the system, and to make sure the system recognises the IDoc. We also need to ensure that the new WMS will link into the customisation that we have made in the SAP system.” An IDoc, incidentally is an intermediate document, used by
“ You can test as much as you like, but there is always something that will happen when you go live… it is important to be prepared and think quickly on how you can resolve the issue and move on.”
the new WMS on board and benefit from the efficiencies and improvements that the new system will bring,” says Amanda. “There is a real excitement in the company at being able to develop how we currently do things. We are always looking to make sure that the flow of information, from taking the order to getting the delivery out, is as efficient and quick as possible and the new WMS will help us to get a step closer.”
It is this dedication to
developing Fastbolt’s IT system and Amanda’s ability to constantly enhance procedures, based on a first hand understanding of all of the company’s processes, which
SAP for electronic data interchange (EDI) between application programs. It’s a self contained text file that can be transmitted directly to a chosen workstation. To thoroughly evaluate the WMS before it is fully implemented
Fastbolt has a test environment, which is a mirror image of the real system.
134 Fastener + Fixing Magazine • Issue 72 November 2011
has seen Amanda rise through the company. Her contribution to Fastbolt’s continuous commitment to improving its efficiency and already high customer service standards, has now been deservedly recognised through her appointment as director. She, though, remains modest as ever. “I just enjoy doing my job. I’m naturally an inquisitive person who needs to know how things work and how they can be made better. Luckily, with our test environment, I am able to play around with the system and can introduce processes that will answer my own curiosity, and more importantly help all the departments become more efficient, which ultimately enhances Fastbolt’s reputation as a company absolutely committed to meeting its customers’ needs.”
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