Wanko and MedSL are focusing together on providing thorough and clear information to all transport partners about the joint IT system. At a plenary meeting in November 2019, MedSL even showed a ten-minute film showing all stages of the supply chain between shipper and recipient. The film dispelled many doubts and also convinced the other freight forwarders of the solution.

Kolbe aims to have the PraMag warehouse management system installed at all MedSL partners by summer 2020. "Only then will the supply chain be standardized and fully digitalized across the board," confirms Kolbe, who has often accompanied his customer's overnight deliveries.

Planned time windows
The delivery process starts with the recording of incoming orders at B. Braun or Paul Hartmann AG. In the next step, the picking order is generated at the respective shipper, which is processed by the warehouse staff on schedule. The order is then transported to the dispatch area, while the accompanying data record is transferred via an interface to the Wanko logistics control system operated by MedSL. The daily delivery to MedSL transshipment points throughout Germany then starts in the dispatch area. The notified pre-carriage transports from various MedSL customers generally arrive at the transshipment point within the planned time window and are assigned to a terminal loading ramp. After docking, unloading begins and each container is scanned. On the way to the storage zone, the handheld provides information about the next available storage space. "This also allows new employees to quickly find their way around and makes the process safer," explains Kolbe. The container is then set down and paired with the suggested location by barcode scan.

Space-saving storage
The system can be used to implement various processes, including chaotic storage. If, for example, a relation overflows, containers can be stored in a different location and can still be found quickly by the system and therefore by staff. In addition to single-recipient containers, mixed containers are also collected and stored in separate storage locations. The time between unloading processes is used to separate these mixed containers. This is where the deconsolidation function integrated in PraMag comes into play. After separation, all barcodes are scanned and linked to a higher-level barcode. For each subsequent stock transfer, only the higher-level barcode needs to be scanned.

Systematic loading
Dispatching is the central control point for the transshipment points, where all orders converge. Here, PraMag provides a quick and easy overview of the unloading status, which is displayed as a percentage. The dispatchers use the PraCar route planning module to schedule the orders. This combines the orders manually, partially or fully automatically into optimized tours. These are then transferred to PraMag "just in time". The dispatcher can now monitor the current provision status in the control center and react quickly to any anomalies. Once the tours have been prepared, they are sent to the delivery drivers' handhelds using PraCar. They start loading at four o'clock in the morning, for which they first log into the warehouse app with their handheld and receive an overview of the route map with the loading sequence. By selecting the first tour position, the driver is shown the storage locations for the goods. He is then guided to the goods and can load them onto his vehicle systematically by scanning. The list of consignments within the tour position is adjusted step by step, ensuring maximum transparency and overview.

Continuously synchronized
The driver starts the delivery with the PraBord telematics module, while the dispatcher can track the respective status of the tours in the control center. On arrival at the customer's premises, the driver unloads the goods and scans them on handover. The customer confirms on the display. The driver records any deviations, such as damage or refusals to accept goods, directly on the handheld. This is continuously synchronized with the route planning software so that the consignment is immediately marked as delivered in PraCar, including the customer's signature displayed on the screen.