Product category:
Supply chain planning and execution software
News Release from: Aldata | Subject: GOLD Supply Chain Management software
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 23 March 2007
Web enabled supply chain software
Central data management, order management, warehouse management and replenishment optimisation all based on Aldata GOLD range of modules
Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO), the largest formally constituted public sector consortia providing goods and services primarily to the Education and Local Authority sectors in the UK, has adopted the GOLD Supply Chain Management software from solutions provider, Aldata, to support its wholesale operations YPO can be described as a combination of a wholesaler and a mail order company supplying around 15,000 schools and 35,000 customers over all, which include the Police, local authorities, prisons, museums and fire services
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 16 Jun 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Each customer has its own particular requirements and ways of ordering, ranging from letter, fax, telephone, Internet and some EDI.
Orders can range from the tiniest stationery order all the way up to projects that will include all the furniture for a school classroom.
YPO operates from its warehouses in Wakefield and makes extensive use of 3rd party logistics providers as well as its own transport.
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A business of this scale and complexity requires sophisticated and flexible systems.
However, YPO's existing first generation systems had been continuously developed in house over the years but had lost their integrated feel.
As Steve Atherton, managing director of YPO explains, "the systems were no longer equipped to provide information, data and management control over our supply chain".
Moreover, the organisation had grown ten fold since the first system was installed and no longer satisfied the requirements of the larger business.
After evaluating a range of solutions under the approved European Tendering Process, YPO concluded that there was little available on the market that could satisfy its particular needs.
Aldata however, proved the ideal choice, because of its track record in wholesaling and range of integrated solutions that would be able to span YPO's entire business.
Atherton added, "Aldata's solution was also chosen for its functionality, value for money and the Aldata team".
YPO built a team to manage the implementation with Aldata, driven by Atherton as managing director, drawing on key users from the business, from warehouse operatives all the way up to procurement officers.
Atherton explained, "We saw this as a business operations programme, not an IT programme".
The order covered central data management, order management, warehouse management and replenishment optimisation based on Aldata GOLD range of modules.
Atherton said, "YPO has been successful because of the high levels of service we have offered".
"Now we are looking to increase our supply chain efficiencies and control of the business as well as expand our operations".
"We are convinced that Aldata's solution and experience are ideal to help us achieve this".
Aldata provided not just software but consultancy that has enabled YPO to redesign and improve its business processes.
The solution is now live in both of YPO's warehouses.
Following the implementation of GOLD, YPO has confirmed that it is processing more business through the same amount of warehouse space.
In addition to the savings that this brings as well improve customer service, YPO is now better positioned to compete with commercial companies that are coming increasingly into the public sector procurement space.
The new solutions will also enable YPO to increase throughput dramatically, crucial as the company is ambitious for further growth.
Further competitive advantage will be provided through Internet - based functions, Aldata GOLD is fully browser-based allowing all data and processing to be controlled centrally, and avoids complex software distribution challenges.
This is important to YPO as it will be offering Internet-based value added services to its customers in the future.
On line orders will also enable YPO to offer a more personalised service, critical in its desire to build customer satisfaction.
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