Warehouse Management Success story
CLASS conversion for The Co-operative Group
A
long-time user of a warehouse modelling tool, the logistics services team at The Co- operative Group first became aware of Cirrus Logistics’
CLASS (Computerised Layout and Simulation Software) when the business acquired Somerfield and, along with it, a CLASS licence. Until this point, the team was quite happy with the technology it was using and was initially doubtful that CLASS could better it. However, they decided to attend a Cirrus Logistics training course to learn more about CLASS. Then, the team led by The Co- operative’s warehouse design and project analyst Chris Sollinger trialled CLASS on a modelling exercise that had already been undertaken using the existing tool.
Testing CLASS
The test project was for the design of a new warehouse in Scotland, transporting an AutoCAD design into CLASS and then preparing a
presentation for The Co-operative senior management team. This included an animated fly-through video which was so well received and understood that the logistics team decided immediately to use this element of CLASS for all future
“ 40
now available. Sollinger decided that it was time to employ the technology to tackle a problem at the new purpose-designed CDC in Newhouse, Scotland which was currently under construction.
The graphics are a million times better than what we had before, the help function is brilliant, the modifications between projects are easy because you don’t have to change all the co-ordinates, and being able to bring data in from the WMS makes a massive difference.”
– Chris Sollinger, The Co-operative.
presentations of new depots to the board. Previously, The Co-operative had used architects to prepare these. Now Sollinger and his team had a tool that they could use themselves in-house which delivered compelling presentations – achieving an instant saving in architects’ fees.
MANUFACTURING &LOGISTICS
IT December 2011
The centre had its own dedicated de-kit area where the cages, trays and other used packaging were taken off vehicles returning from making deliveries. A degree of congestion was occurring in this area and the logistics team wanted to understand its extent and explore options for improvement. This required
Faster and more accurate model building
However, the team remained sceptical about the power of CLASS to successfully assess the real warehouse scenario until the latest generation of CLASS was released. This introduced a number of new features, key among which was the ability to import real warehouse activity direct from the warehouse management system. The facility meant that even faster and more accurate model building than before was now possible and that a range of simulation possibilities based on accurate and current data were
the use of the Site Traffic Yard module of CLASS to simulate activity across the site – a capability that did not exist within The Co- operative’s previous system. Once again, The Co-operative team was trained by Cirrus, this time in the use of the module, so that the entire project could be handled in-house. The first simulation looked at movements in the de-kit area when the yard was at its busiest with both Co-operative and 3PL vehicles and it established that the perceived congestion
problem was not as serious as initially thought and that there were, in fact, sufficient bays. As before, the 3D modelling and fly-throughs meant that Sollinger’s team was able to demonstrate this clearly to the depot’s general manager and the senior team before moving on to test a plan to extend the vehicle turnaround time. This, CLASS showed, would actually result in an increase in site congestion. While the results of the simulations were convincing, Sollinger was also impressed by the responsiveness and reliability of Cirrus in dealing with any teething problems that arose – an important factor for a team determined to handle the work in-house.
Onto the next level
With the business case made for CLASS, the logistics services team is now preparing for a major new project using the technology. Until now, The Co-operative has opted for an entirely pick-by-store approach in its warehouses. In the next project, after Sollinger and his team have been through a tailored advanced training course, they will be using CLASS to explore the impact on efficiency of the introduction of pick- by-line operations in a number of their warehouses.
www.logisticsit.com
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