Process Consulting and Selection of a WMS

Transparent processes, clear requirements, reliable system selection

Groninger & co. GmbH is a leading international manufacturer of specialized machinery for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and consumer healthcare industries. At its Crailsheim location, the existing warehouse management system was to be replaced with a future-proof solution, and the logistics processes were to be realigned accordingly. To this end, Rothbaum Consulting analyzed the existing processes and system landscape, developed target processes for the future, and translated these into a comprehensive requirements specification. Based on this, suitable WMS providers were evaluated and assessed through a structured selection process, resulting in a well-founded recommendation for the final system selection.

With Rothbaum, we had a partner who advised and supported us as equals. The structured and analytical approach helped with the system selection and is now also providing the right basis for the implementation project.
Tobias Wollmershäuser, Head of Warehouse & Logistics, groninger & co. GmbH

Vision and System Selection for Future Logistics

Challenge

At the Crailsheim site, the existing warehouse management system was to be phased out and replaced with a future-proof solution. To achieve this, it was necessary to analyze the existing logistics processes and the system landscape, identify opportunities for optimization, and use these findings to define clear requirements for the future WMS.

Implementation

First, the current processes and the existing system landscape were analyzed. Building on this, future target processes and specific requirements were developed in joint workshops and visualized as end-to-end processes in BPMN. These formed the basis for the requirements specification, the request for proposal, and the subsequent evaluation of potential WMS providers.

Results

This resulted in a structured basis for decision-making regarding the selection of the future WMS. Optimized target processes, a comprehensive list of requirements, and a long and short list of suitable vendors enabled an objective evaluation and led to a well-founded recommendation for the final system selection.

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Selection Criteria for the Most Suitable System Controller

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Requirements Specifications as the Basis for the WMS RFP

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A Vision for the Future of Logistics Processes

Flowchart overview of the target process for control station, picking and consolidation with several process steps and branches — The core logistics processes were analyzed, optimized and converted into target processes. The process visualization in BPMN notation provides a clear and comprehensible basis for the system requirements and shows the superordinate material and information flows as well as responsibilities in logistics.

Detailed Results

The structured analysis of the existing logistics processes, the development of target processes and the close involvement of the process owners created a clear and consistent target image for the future logistics processes at groninger.
The end-to-end target processes formed the basis for a detailed catalog of requirements and the functional tender document. This made it possible to objectively evaluate supplier offers and check their suitability.
On this basis, a longlist and then a prioritized shortlist of suitable WMS providers were created in a multi-stage selection process. The structured evaluation process resulted in a reliable, fact-based recommendation.
With the defined target image, the clearly formulated requirements and the careful selection of providers, a decisive foundation stone was laid for implementing the WMS efficiently, purposefully and with a high level of acceptance.

Flowchart with four steps for evaluating suppliers in the beauty contest based on the utility value method, including presentation, scoring system, weighting factors and overall utility value determination — In a two-stage evaluation process, the most sustainable WM system provider for groninger was selected from a longlist via a shortlist.

rothbaum-consulting-success-story-process-consulting-wms-groninger

Dominik Fackler

Manager, Business and System Transformation

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