Case Study: Retail Flow WMS Implementation

Challenge

• As a concept specialty retailer that sells apparel and accessories via store and web channels, this company was constantly pressed to maintain high service levels in its stores while running an efficient, cost-effective distribution operation.
• The company’s growth strategy entailed the addition of 100 stores per year, further stressing an already overburdened DC. The retailer turned to Tompkins Associates to conduct a network analysis and facilitate a WMS selection to overcome constraints of its current legacy systems.

  The network analysis and new systems implementation helped the retail company overcome expansion constraints as well as increase productivity and service levels.

  
  

Tompkins’ Role

• Led WMS requirements definition and vendor evaluation.
• Selected Manhattan Associates Warehouse Management for Open Systems (WMoS) and Trading Partner Management (TPM – now rebranded as Extended Enterprise Management) solutions.
• Led implementation of WMoS, providing best practices design support, configuration and setup, training, testing, startup and stabilization, and project management services.
• Provided design support and project management services for TPM implementation, including development of a vendor on-boarding program.
• Developed a strategic master plan to address expansion plans and reduce overall freight spend, which resulted in the decision to open a second DC on the east coast.
• Provided same implementation services for WMoS deployment at the second DC.
  

The Results

• Provides true flow-through processing for pre-allocated store distributions via an automated put-to-light system, allowing the company to meet expansion plans while increasing productivity and store service levels.
• Supports case-level ASN receiving for more than 90% of inbound shipments due to implementation of TPM, coupled with the successful vendor on-boarding program, that addressed the retailer’s diverse supplier base.