Efficiency from receiving to shipping
It speaks for itself that ACS always needs to know where every product is in the warehouse. "When you know that ACS easily stores some 8,000 to 10,000 pallets at any given time, you'll understand this is an enormous logistical undertaking, involving countless transactions we need to keep close track of," ACS CEO Ben Van Wolput explains. "Sparklink's software manages this process for us. At any time, we know exactly where a pallet is as well as the type and amount of goods on it. All transactions are registered in the warehouse management system. From when we receive the goods to the moment we ship them out."
A unique number, which is scanned at different locations and for every transaction in the warehouse, allows ACS to perfectly trace the goods' itinerary. Because the tool is cloud-based, the company can manage and keep track of the operations from anywhere in the world. "As soon as we receive them, our customers’ goods are our responsibility," Ben continues. "It's important that everything is done flawlessly. For the inbound goods, we create stock in the system, and ensure they can then be stacked in the warehouse as soon as possible."
That needs to be done quickly and efficiently—the staging area is not climate-controlled. Fortunately, ACS usually knows in advance what goods to expect, so they can prepare for receiving them. "An inbound order details everything: the freight, the contents, the paperwork that needs to be taken care of, even down to the name of the driver and the truck's number plate," says Maarten from Sparklink. "Sometimes, our software even communicates with that of ACS's customer, automatically letting us know—down to the pallet level—what's coming up."