Member Article

Logistics firm selects IT system from Advanced to help grow its e-commerce fulfilment operation

Logistics firm selects IT system from Advanced to help grow its e-commerce fulfilment operation

Health and beauty distributor strives for more speed and accuracy with new warehouse management system

4 June 2014 – FDD, a leading supplier of health and beauty products to retailers across the UK, has chosen a warehouse management system (WMS) from Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced) to help grow its rapidly expanding e-commerce fulfilment operation. The system is being implemented in the summer.

The Ascot-based business, which imports goods from around the globe for distribution to the UK as well as European retailers in both traditional and e-markets, saw its turnover increase substantially from £7m in 2012 to £12m in 2013, with much of that growth stemming from contracts with web retailers.

The new Advanced WMS system will help FDD address a number of issues unique to e-commerce, such as order processing times, and allow the firm to win new business to maintain its impressive growth figures. The solution will also enable FDD to sharpen its entire warehousing operation from order to dispatch, by improving accuracy, speeding up pick times, and enhancing traceability.

FDD, which counts Boots and Superdrug among its customer base, chose Advanced after a competitive tendering process involving two other IT software providers.

Dan Clark, Operations Director at FDD, said: “Since the credit crisis, a lot of retailers are holding the bare minimum of stock, ordering from us on a weekly or even a daily basis. This means we have to work faster and therefore smarter, which the new WMS will allow us to do.

“While the website side of the business has created a new and exciting element to our operation, it has also created new challenges to overcome, particularly as e-commerce retailers respond more quickly to customers than traditional retailers.

“Our aim is to improve accuracies and speed in the warehouse, to reduce time-consuming back office administration and be more productive in our general operations.”

The WMS will also include a carrier integration module, allowing the company to integrate into its parcel carriers’ systems. Automating processes such as label printing and customer address verification will help speed-up order turnaround times and will also prevent data entry errors by staff.

Clark added, “There will be a lot of change, but it will all be positive. We’ll be able to operate more efficiently and with greater accuracy, allowing us to receive orders and pick and then dispatch them faster. In the longer term, we are anticipating cost savings as a result of improved efficiencies.”

Advanced Business Solutions is a market-leading business applications and services provider with over 20 years’ experience providing a range of back office solutions, including warehouse management and logistics systems to UK organisations.

Advanced Business Solutions is a division of Advanced Computer Software Group plc, a leading supplier of software and IT services to the health, care and business services sectors.

-ENDS-

Notes to editor

About FDD

http://www.fddinternational.co.uk/

About Advanced Business Solutions www.advancedcomputersoftware.com/abs

Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced) provides leading integrated business applications and services that enable public, private and third sector organisations to retain control, improve visibility and gain efficiencies whilst continually improving corporate performance. Advanced prides itself on getting close to its customers by understanding their businesses and responding to their evolving needs.

Advanced’s software systems comprise core accounting/financial management, procurement, supply chain management, human resource and payroll systems, integrated with a range of collaborative, document management and business intelligence solutions to extend the value and effectiveness of the finance, human resource and payroll departments.

Management information systems for school and academies are also provided through Advanced’s subsidiary, Advanced Learning. Advanced also provides specialist vertical solutions for the not-for-profit and legal markets. All solutions can be delivered as a managed or bureau service.

Customers are from both the public and private sectors and include Companies House, Newcastle City Council, NHSScotland, Norfolk Constabulary, Edge Hill University, WH Smith, Royal Bank of Scotland, Aer Lingus, National Express Group, DFS and RSPB.

Advanced Business Solutions is a division of Advanced Computer Software Group plc, a leading supplier of software and IT services to the health, care and business services sectors.

Press contacts

Angela Mycock and Rob Downes, Advanced Computer Software Group

pr@advancedcomputersoftware.com

+44(0)1625 856 513

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Advanced .