New WMS system helps support AKW warehouse expansion
Colchester UK, 11 June 2013 – AKW, providers of showering, daily living and kitchen solutions for inclusive living, has implemented Access Delta Warehouse Management System (WMS). Headquartered in Droitwich Spa the growing company, with 143 staff, needed a more comprehensive warehouse management solution to replace its in-house bespoke system.
Louise Marshall, business systems manager for AKW, said, “It was really the scale of our warehousing expansion that led us to take on the Access Delta WMS. We knew our existing solution didn’t meet our requirements in terms of management, picking lists, picking locations, etc. – the system could not handle the number of locations and products. So we decided to get a warehouse solution in, and Access Delta suited our needs.”
AKW continued to expand, to the point that its two present warehouses are each four times the size of its original one facility. The company used to pick from both warehouses on the trading estate, managing them as two separate maps. “We used to pick orders from both warehouses but, occasionally the order had to be split between the warehouses, depending on the location of the products. This caused additional work for the warehouse in order to pick two separate orders.” says Louise.
AKW later redeployed Access Delta WMS as a single graphical warehouse map, bringing both warehouses on to one site map. “That was a big advantage for us; it simplifies processes, and makes it easier to transfer stock between warehouses. Instead of having to do goods-out and goods-in, we can use a drag-and-drop facility to transfer stock between sites. That has reduced our picking errors and increased our service to the customers.”
The single map system enables AKW to take more orders more efficiently, and achieve better recording of stock and traceability. Louise continued, “As an additional service, we have introduced a phased delivery service, so each customer has a weekly delivery day. That gives us benefits because we can forward-plan our picks.”
AKW’s clients include the majority of local authorities, as well as housing associations, contractors and merchants. It supplies over 4,000 products, from wet rooms, shower enclosures and kitchens to accessories such as brassware and grab rails.
Meanwhile, the company is moving into the retail market alongside its traditional business. “Traditionally we have been in the mobility needs and public sector market. We already have a presence in the retail market but are looking to increase our market share, by stocking and supplying bathroom boutiques and other retail outlets.”
AKW’s business has expanded and evolved dramatically and Access Delta WMS is playing a vital role in this. Louise concludes, “Our daily order rate is around 450-500 a day for picking. Without Access Delta, it would be difficult to manage the amount of orders being picked from two different locations.”
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More information on Access’ WMS system can be found on its website along with further details on its full software portfolio: http://www.theaccessgroup.com.
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About Access:
Access is a leading author of fully integrated business management software. The portfolio spans solutions for ERP, finance, HR, Payroll, warehousing, business intelligence, professional service automation and manufacturing. More than 10,000 UK businesses and not-for-profit organisations use Access solutions to improve their performance, profitability and drive growth, unlocking their business potential through improved business insight.
Vertical focus and industry-specific solutions differentiate Access in the market and templated solutions make for rapid and easy deployments. Using Access software to automate operations, streamline processes and share real-time business information anytime, anywhere, businesses can benefit from significant performance improvements.
Access is one of the top five fastest growing UK software developers in The Sunday Times Buyout Track 100 2012 and featured in last year’s Profit Track 100. On-going commitment to excellence, customers and employees has also placed the company among the UK’s top employers in The Sunday Times’ 100 ‘Best Companies to Work For’ 2011.
Accreditations and memberships:
- Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
- Business Application Software Developers Association (BASDA)
- Access’ software is recognised by HM Revenue & Customs
Awards:
- Enabler of the Year finalist at the National Business Awards 2012
- Software Product of the Year finalist at the British Accountancy Awards 2012
- ICT in Manufacturing finalist at the Manufacturer of the Year Awards 2012
- Inclusion in The Sunday Times Buyout Track 100 list (47th)
- Inclusion in The Sunday Times Profit Track 100 list (63rd)
- Inclusion in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list for mid-market companies (85th)
- Accountancy Age Award 2010 for ‘Software Package of the Year’
Media information:
Helen Carpenter
Head of Group PR
Access Group
T: +44 (0) 1206 322575 / 07833 936311
F: +44 (0) 1206 322956
E: helen.carpenter@theaccessgroup.com
W: http://www.theaccessgroup.com
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