Digitalising information management - a success story in boosting logistics efficiency

Our client, a company in the steel container industry, was facing a familiar challenge: managing a high volume of documents tied to their inbound and outbound deliveries. Like many in the sector, they relied heavily on manual processes. For instance, details from incoming waybills had to be manually entered into their ERP system, an inefficient task that consumed staff time and diverted attention from more strategic work. Once the issue was clearly identified, the focus was shifted to finding a workable solution and on a system upgrade that would enable smoother, more efficient data flows.

Logistics operations are fuelled by data and the smooth flow of information is essential to efficient operations. Our client needed to improve their ability to respond to rapid change, optimise their services and costs, optimise their inventory turnover, and support the product lifecycle.

As part of a broader warehouse development initiative, the client wanted to tackle the inefficiencies in data flow and capture. They aimed to implement a barcode-based information management system that would track products throughout their lifecycle. They wanted barcode data to feed directly into the ERP system, reducing manual input and reducing the risk of errors. With up to 90,000 units delivered annually, automation wasn’t just a nice-to-have, it was essential.

Our extensive experience in end-to-end information lifecycle solutions helped us understand the customer's challenge and deliver targeted improvements. A key focus was ensuring high-quality data capture, as structured data is critical for operational efficiency.

Our solution redefined the relationship between data and logistics. Now, when shipments arrive, staff can scan key details, such as product numbers, waybill numbers, batch numbers, quantities, and dimensions, directly into the ERP system. This streamlined process has significantly reduced manual work, improved accuracy, and freed up employees to focus on higher-value tasks. The benefits are measurable in time saved, cost reductions, and overall peace of mind.

A well-designed information management system delivers wide-ranging benefits:

1. Better Inventory Insights
Accurate data capture supports real-time inventory monitoring and forecasting.

2. Improved customer satisfaction
Faster order processing and real-time delivery tracking enhance the customer experience and build trust.

3. Gaining a competitive advantage
Reliable data enables trend analysis and informed decision-making, key to staying ahead in a competitive market.

4. Ensuring compliance and managing risk
Automated data extraction ensures regulatory compliance and improves internal information availability, reducing the risk of penalties or reputational harm.

5. Increased digitalisation
Automating document processing increases your organisation’s overall level of digitalisation, benefiting both your team and your customers.

6. Improving employee satisfaction
Eliminating repetitive manual tasks boosts employee satisfaction and streamlines workflows.