Free WMS WhitePaper Download!

Free WMS WhitePaper Download!

Do you have difficulty selecting a warehouse management system?

Ready, Set, Delay! The Pitfalls and Gotcha’s of a New WMS Software Selection and Implementation Project.

Selecting and installing a WMS is an expensive and long-term decision that can often make or break a career. Choosing the right system for your current and future needs takes a lot of work, and you need to take into consideration your resource constraints, industry knowledge and overall strategies and put together an end-to-end plan that will accomplish your goals. 
Download our free white paper to walk through the steps:
-Determining what type of warehouse solution you need
-Creating an RFP
-Assessing, comparing and selecting the right vendor
-Negotiating contracts
-Making a solid plan for implementation. 
Do you need help navigating the perils of a 7-15-year WMS decision? Give us a call – we’ve been doing it for many years and we’re happy to help. 
Download the Warehouse Management Systems White Paper today! Also, check out our white paper on business intelligence!
Excerpt from “Ready – Set – Delay!: The Pitfalls and Gotcha’s of a new WMS Vendor Software Selection
and Implementation Project”:
Much has been written and showcased on the topic of selecting and implementing a new Warehouse
Management System (WMS), pronounced in my part of the country as “Dubya-M-S”. You can Google the
topic and you will get ~ 99,700 results, varying in detail from supply chain vendor websites, published
articles and topics totally unrelated to what you were looking for.
If you filter your results into a more manageable set of results, you will find varying opinions on the Top
“X” number of Factors/Successes/Steps/Benefits on how to successfully choose the right software
vendor to satisfy your business goals. Good luck weeding through the reams of documented “what and
what not to do’s.” For many people, selecting and installing a WMS is a once, maybe twice in a career
decision. Unless of course you move companies often. Even then, the average lifespan of an installed
WMS is about 7-15 years, and longer in some vertical markets. Not to spook you, but this is an
expensive, long-term decision that can often make or break a career.
First, let’s decide what is a Warehouse Management System. In the 80’s, 90’s and even the early 2000’s,
it was a pretty simple and straightforward explanation. Today, however, the topic can be and is often
heavily debated…
“Software that eases labor pains”

“Software that eases labor pains”

Alpine was featured in an article from Ben Ames of DC Velocity on the benefits of Labor Management Software and the evolution of LMS solutions to meet the demands of the shifting labor landscape.

On shifting labor landscape:

“The recent shift marks the latest stage in labor management systems’ ongoing evolution to meet changing business challenges, says Michael Wohlwend, managing principal with Alpine Supply Chain Solutions, a Chicago-based consulting firm.

In the early ’90s, many companies used their LMS platforms to track workers’ performance against ‘engineered labor standards’ in an effort to gain leverage against unions that were pushing for less-stringent metrics, he says. Then in the late ’90s, managers started using LMS software more strategically, implementing “pay for performance” programs that offered workers incentives to meet specific performance goals.

Today, warehouses are using their LMS systems—often in conjunction with their warehouse management systems (WMS)—to respond to a new challenge: meeting strict order-shipping deadlines. Many e-retailers now promise same-day shipping for all orders placed by, say, 5 p.m. However, fulfilling those promises often results in a last-minute scramble to get orders out the door, forcing managers to shift worker assignments on the fly. During these crunches, performance data from an LMS can help managers quickly identify the workers best suited to the tasks at hand,” said Michael Wohlwend, Managing Principal of Alpine Supply Chain Solutions.

Read the full article here!

The Rise of Robots in Distribution Centers

The Rise of Robots in Distribution Centers

Check out this great article we saw in Supply Chain Dive about the dramatic rise of robotics in distribution centers!

At Alpine, we’ve been working with many of our clients on the same thing. As the cost of labor is rising and the cost of automation is coming down, the tipping point for robotics is upon us. Many of our clients are analyzing opportunities for robots and we have recently helped three of them justify “goods to person” system. And, we are installing one right now!

In addition, the success of several robot installations in a “Layer” pick environment has been proven, so now we are working with several CPG companies to develop an adoption plan for this application. There are some great insights from Gartner in the article, as well, from their “Hype Cycle for Supply Chain Execution Technologies” report. Check it out!

Excerpt from the article:

RaaS warehouse solutions require little infrastructure and can be flexibly deployed in any facility, Parks said. InVia Robotics offers an automated picking system to manage a network of picker robots that can autonomously move inventory from one point to another. The compact robots are two feet tall by two feet wide, can reach up to eight feet high and can carry standard totes weighing up to 40 pounds.

“There really isn’t much infrastructure required,” he said. “You just basically put a bunch of stickers on your existing shelving and the robots go and pick.”

Gigi’s Playhouse and Alpine – Annual Philanthropy

Gigi’s Playhouse and Alpine – Annual Philanthropy

In honor of October being Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Alpine Supply Chain Solutions hosted some local clients for the annual philanthropic Gigi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers Golf Outing: including CTL, American Hotel Register, APL, First Logistics, and School Health. We wanted to thank our partner Optricity for their donation!

GiGi’s is a nonprofit, 100% donation funded, down-syndrome awareness organization that provides opportunities to thousands of families globally, all for free. Our customers really enjoyed learning about GiGi’s Playhouse and were happy to participate in an event that was for such a great cause. We love being able to give back to the community, especially to such a great cause that supports so many children, families, and communities.

About Gigi’s Playhouse:

Our mission and purpose: to change the way the world views Down syndrome and to send a global message of acceptance for all. Our vision: to see a world where individuals with Down syndrome are accepted and embraced in their families, schools and communities. Our niche: we change lives through consistent delivery of free educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community, through a replicable playhouse model. Our promise: a lifetime commitment to families.

Learn more about Gigi’s Playhouse here!

HighJump Empowers Good Eggs with Future of Warehousing & Logistics for E-Commerce Grocery

HighJump Empowers Good Eggs with Future of Warehousing & Logistics for E-Commerce Grocery

MINNEAPOLIS – July 30 – HighJump, a global provider of supply chain solutions, today announces it is enabling online grocery delivery service Good Eggs with the connected, automated supply chain of the future. With HighJump, Good Eggs meets the unique needs of ecommerce grocery and capitalizes on the market’s rapid growth.

According to Nielsen, in as few as five to seven years, 70% of consumers will be grocery shopping online – leading to an estimated $100 billion in spend by 2024. To capitalize on this, grocers must continue adhering to stringent requirements for food, beverage and other perishable goods, while meeting consumer expectations for freshness, purchasing convenience and delivery speed. HighJump makes this possible.

Based in San Francisco, Good Eggs provides online grocery distribution from local farmers – spanning fresh produce, meal kits, everyday staples, wine, beer and spirits. As a result, Good Eggs’ inventory is constantly changing. Good Eggs partnered with Alpine Supply Chain Solutions, a leading supply chain consulting provider, to lead a WMS selection and ensure their new distribution center leveraged best practices to support their growth and evolving logistics needs.

“The HighJump Warehouse Management System (WMS) uniquely allows Good Eggs to adjust the system around specific processes – by product, by customer demand, and beyond. This guarantees the adaptability to meet today’s requirements, while seamlessly scaling with the rapid growth trajectory of online grocery,” said Michael Wohlwend, managing principal of Alpine Supply Chain Solutions.

“Online grocery is about more than delivering products – it’s about creating experiences,” said Bill Ryan, chief operating officer of North America at HighJump. “Whether a multichannel chain or niche, ecommerce player, HighJump allows grocers and the vendors they represent to be true to their brands – fulfilling online food orders how and when needed at the quality, consistency, and delivery options consumers expect.”

“At Good Eggs, we’re committed to providing an ‘absurdly fresh’ experience to our customers,” said Tess Furge, vice president of expansion & strategy at Good Eggs. “The HighJump WMS provides the flexibility for us to properly manage online food sales and refrigerated storage to assure we stay true to this commitment now and as we grow in this dynamic market.”

The HighJump WMS scales and adapts to the needs of small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs), global enterprises and third party logistics (3PL). Further information on the HighJump WMS is here.

About Good Eggs

Good Eggs is a pioneering online grocer and meal kit delivery service with a mission to reinvent your food system, for good. The Bay Area-based company is the only service that combines absurdly fresh local produce, meal kits for every occasion, grocery staples, and wine, beer, and spirits to wash it down. With same-day delivery across the Bay Area, Good Eggs is the simplest way to feed your family well all week long.

Over the past two years, Good Eggs has added over 1,000 items across categories to its marketplace and expanded its delivery footprint throughout SF, East Bay, Marin, and the South Bay and Peninsula. As the company has grown, they remain steadfast in their mission. The majority of Good Eggs’ product & produce assortment is local, and every item carried must meet a strict list of sourcing standards. In addition to good food, the company provides good jobs. Every operations team member receives benefits, carries equity, and is paid 20 to 50% above industry average.

Good Eggs is privately owned. Investors include Benchmark, Index Ventures, Obvious Ventures, S2G Ventures and others. The company was awarded Best Grocery Delivery by San Francisco Magazine in 2019 and 2017, and was awarded Best Grocery Delivery by SF Weekly in 2019. For more information about Good Eggs visit https://about.goodeggs.com

About Alpine Supply Chain Solutions

Alpine Supply Chain Solutions, based in Chicago, IL is a supply chain consulting company driven to ensure their clients get the most value from their investments. Their approach to every project starts with the data and ends with a cost justifiable solution. With deep roots in industrial engineering, Alpine’s approach is unique. For more information please visit the company web site WWW.AlpineSupplyChainSolutions.com.

About HighJump

Today’s consumer has ever-higher expectations for purchasing convenience, delivery speed, choice and adaptability. More options for consumers spell greater complexity for the supply chain. It’s no longer enough to fulfill demand – you must anticipate it, predict it and make smarter, faster decisions.

With resources tight and competitive pressure relentless, staying ahead means selecting a technology partner with a proven track record of delivering efficiency and a lower cost of ownership. A partner whose flexible, extensible platform integrates quickly and smoothly with your existing systems. All backed by a team with unmatched transportation and logistics expertise – working to help you adapt, grow and succeed.

At HighJump, we’re integrating our proven solutions for the warehouse, transportation and logistics ecosystem with emerging technologies – from around our company and around the world – to build the supply chain of the future. Leveraging advanced cloud technology, we can help you ride the wave of data to achieve greater efficiency, uncover actionable insights, and stay ahead of the curve.

HighJump – Supply Chain of the Future: Learn more – https://www.highjump.com/

HighJump

1-800-328-3271 x 2717

Heather.Smith@highjump.com

Warehouse Scientist

Warehouse Scientist

What if a warehouse scientist proved that the equation, we all have come to know, and love was incorrect? What if 2 + 2 didn’t equal 4. What if 2 + 2 = 5?

If you start with a bad assumption, then you start to calculate with bad data. Once you start to make errors, they will roll into more and more errors. Don’t let this happen to your operation.

The Truth is out there, the question is your company open to understanding the data, the story it tells, and how it impacts your warehouse assets? Every warehouse has 4 assets: Space, Equipment, Labor, and Control. Every operation has different constraints that must be addressed accordingly. The one consistent across all verticals, size of facilities, number of items, & people is the “Reality” is impacting your warehouse assets. With the correct data the truth will present it-self. Here are the key’s to understanding your operations “Reality” and improving your Assets.

Cube on Hand for each item = Proper sized location to managing storage space

Cube Movement = Correct size of the forward pick location to minimize the number of replenishments

The number of times an item appears on an order = Where the item should be slotted to minimize travel distance

Once you have this data, then you can look at ways to improve your current operation. Many companies leverage a system to manage all this data on daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly basis. This allows them to consistently evaluate and improve their current operation and get the most value from their investment.