Catalyst helps transform supply chain processes for Applied Biosystems

Catalyst, a business unit of CDC Global Services, has announced the go-live of a complete warehouse solution for Applied Biosystems Hayward, California distribution centre.

The 4 February go-live was achieved on time and within budget, while also allowing the company to maintain full warehouse operations throughout the implementation.  This warehouse solution streamlines supply chain processes, integrates systems into a single point of entry for data and gives the organisation complete, real-time visibility into its entire supply chain. Since the go-live, Applied Biosystems has already seen a dramatic impact on its productivity and operational efficiency.

Applied Biosystems business is focused on research and standardised testing for the medical industry. The company has equipment installed at approximately 180,000 locations in 100 countries and supports these from warehouses in North America, Europe and Asia. The 51,000 square feet Hayward facility handles around 2,500 picks each day and is run by 46 warehouse personnel each shift. The warehouse is now managed by SAP release 4.6C warehouse management (WM) and has a range of material handling equipment, including a progressive pick conveyor and an automatic carrier label system, which are fully integrated with SAP WM.

David Windsheimer, Senior Director, Global Supply Chain for Applied Biosystems comments, We were already using SAP for our main ERP and manufacturing requirements and felt that the time was right to use the integrated warehouse management module of SAP. However, we also knew we would need some expert resources in terms of implementing SAP WM and integrating this with our material handling equipment and conveyor systems and our proposed RF solution.

Applied Biosystems selected Catalyst as the best SAP logistics execution partner to deliver the required solution. Catalyst has unrivalled expertise and experience in delivering complex SAP WM implementations as well as the flexibility and commitment to work closely with Applied Biosystems existing resources.

I believe the key to the success of the go-live was the readiness of the team, said Adolfo Martinez, Hayward warehouse manager. Catalyst made sure the team was fully trained and ready to bring the system live through a series of exhaustive integration tests, end user training and a controlled go-live ramp-up. Our team at Hayward showed great ability to change, while maintaining high levels of service to our customers. They accommodated the new processes and methods, while continuing to fulfill full order volumes right from day one. It was a very impressive team effort, well supported by Catalyst.

Catalyst designed a SAP console and SAP WM solution in parallel, involving the technical team and the WM functional team from the very beginning of the blueprint activity. This helped to maintain high levels of communications between both teams and ensured there were no design gaps. The result was a system that went live with minimal issues. In addition, the interfaces to the conveyor system and the carrier shipment application worked well from the very first minute of operation.

The Hayward go-live for Applied Biosystems is an excellent example of the skills and commitment Catalyst brings to its customers, said Brian Thorn, vice president of sales and operations, Catalyst. We worked as tirelessly as the Hayward team itself to make sure the go-live went as smoothly as possible, as well as on time and on budget. We are delighted that this was successful and that Applied Biosystems was able to maintain full warehouse operations throughout the implementation process and can now enjoy the enhanced benefits that the SAP WM, SAP console and MHE integration systems will bring.

In the few short weeks since the go-live, Applied Biosystems is already seeing some key benefits from the systems. Several steps in the supply chain process have been streamlined, particularly in picking, receiving, order entry and shipping. The integrated system means we have a single point of entry to the system. After this, information moves automatically from one application to the other, ensuring much greater production speed and complete accuracy. It also enables high levels of real-time, accurate, visibility throughout the supply chain, which has enhanced our business decision making, demand forecasting and overall management capabilities, adds Michael Babcock, IT support manager.

The Hayward implementation is the blueprint for other Applied Biosystems distribution facilities. We wanted to establish a methodology from which we could implement the core functionality of the solution design in our other global distribution centres, said Babcock. Thanks to the joint commitment of our team and Catalyst, we have a proven design that comprehensively covers the effective change process right through to go-live. This is a strong foundation for us to work from and will enable us to deliver a solution that will perform as expected throughout our organisation.

 
About Catalyst

Catalyst, Inc. is an SAP services company specializing in building and implementing business solutions for enterprise requirements in supply chain execution, planning, and management. Catalyst excels at helping organizations with complex distribution networks in the retail, manufacturing, life sciences, process, and consumer packaged good sectors; as well as parts distribution for the automotive, aerospace, and electronics industries. Catalyst serves hundreds of customers around the world from its headquarters in Newtown, PA, USA and its European headquarters in London, England. Catalyst is a business unit of CDC Global Services.

About CDC Global Services

CDC Global Services provides a full range of IT consulting services including platform-specific services for Microsoft and SAP applications, as well as general services for project management, staff augmentation, managed services and off-shore / off-site application development.   For SAP, CDC Global Services provides expert consulting services for high-volume logistics and warehouse management environments.  For Microsoft, CDC Global Services specializes in BizTalk, SharePoint, desktop deployments as well as Microsoft Dynamics (Axapta). 

The full range of outsource and technology consulting services spans the lifecycle of technology investments and extend beyond software applications to address infrastructure, processes, and people. Customers rely on CDC Global Services as a trusted advisor that understands their specific challenges and is committed to on-time and on-budget completion of their most challenging IT projects.

About Applied Biosystems

Applied Biosystems has demonstrated its position as a technology leader and driving force in the changing dynamics of the life science marketplace. The Applied Biosystems business is focused on the following markets: basic research, commercial research (pharmaceutical and biotechnology) and standardized testing, including forensic human identification, paternity testing and food testing. The company has an installed base of approximately 180,000 instrument systems in nearly 100 countries.

Basic research includes work at university, government and other non-profit institutions that focus on uncovering the basic laws of nature and understanding human disease. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies use Applied Biosystems' products to discover and develop new drugs more effectively. Standardized testing customers require systems that produce precise results from a high volume of automated tests.