UK Paper Specialists gm2 Logistics Enhance Workflow Efficiency Using HighJump Software from 3M

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HighJump Software selected for comprehensive warehouse management functionality, superior configurability and system flexibility
 
3M Supply Chain Solutions, the international operating arm of HighJump Software and a division of diversified technology company 3M, has announced that gm2 Logistics has gone live with its adaptable supply chain execution software. gm2 has already achieved enhanced business process configuration and performance efficiencies at the company's two Central Distribution Centres (CDCs) in Leicestershire and Kent.
 
As part of the MAP Merchant group of companies, gm2 Logistics provides specialist warehousing and logistics services for two of the UK's largest paper merchants, James McNaughton Group and Premier Paper Group. Seeking  to replace an ageing and highly customised warehouse management system (WMS), the company decided to start afresh in search of a new state-of-the-art system which could be implemented quickly, with minimum disruption and no additional expense or requirements for time-consuming re-applications. gm2 presented potential suppliers with an additional challenge, to deliver a WMS capable of supporting a variety of process requirements, such as picking procedures, for several third-party paper suppliers, to whom gm2 provides warehousing and logistics management services from its own CDCs.
 
"The 3M Supply Chain Solutions team have been true to their word, thoroughly impressing us with their ability to react quickly to revised changes in functionality.  New requirements arising from our "Mock-Go-Live" were incorporated in a matter of days," commented Haydn Costin, WMS Project Manager at gm2 Logistics. "HighJump Software not only stood out from competitive offerings as being configurable to all gm2 sites but it presented key benefits in terms of its speed of implementation, unique architecture, and advanced adaptability toolkit. The system can be extensively customised without compromising its fundamental stability, which bodes well for future evolution. We were also able to replicate the functionality and usability of our old system very closely, allowing a smooth transition to the new system with minimal retraining."
 
The HighJump WebWise reporting tool enhances the flexibility to customise the user interface and tailor reports to meet specific operational requirements. WebWise also streamlines development of programs to analyse processes and practices to support optimisation and continuous improvement. These include algorithms to extract a task summary from the system and to monitor pick missions, which have been implemented quickly and easily, requiring minimal engineering effort.
 
Data interfaces between the WMS and enterprise systems have also been improved. "gm2 had made considerable investment to develop these interfaces," said Costin. "The 3M Supply Chain Solutions team was able to preserve this investment, and the integrity of the interface has also been enhanced in practice thanks to safer handling of inbound data. The resulting stability and reliability improvements eliminate errors and stoppages."
 
Under the previous system, picking within gm2 warehouses was conducted on an exclusively 'sheet' basis which resulted in occasional issues where the number of packs to pick was miscalculated. Such errors have been reduced since the HighJump system go live as it has the capability to present quantities to pick by packs with minimum additional data setup required. Using its accurate order picking functionality, gm2 is able to increase fill rates, resulting in faster fulfilment of complete customer orders. In addition, overall process efficiency improvements have reduced cycle times, driving the percentage of on-time shipments to unprecedented high levels.
 
"This is a perfect example of how our highly adaptable WMS architecture can manage complex customer business processes effectively," said Hugh Murphy, Regional Sales and Marketing Manager, 3M Supply Chain Solutions. "HighJump Software empowers end users to make changes to the system themselves within minutes, without the need for expensive custom coding, so that they can meet customer expectations, reduce costs and achieve lower total cost of ownership."