The warehouse management software integrates invoice calculation: the MWM case study
On.Plant/WMS, the logistics management software, optimises the management of warehouse product flows and cost invoicing.
International logistics management services
MWM - Montalti Worldwide Moving
MWM - Montalti Worldwide Moving is an integrated logistics company, set up in 1967 in Cesena, which provides storage services, customs operations, shipments and distribution of goods in Europe and worldwide.
The mission of MWM is to simplify and rationalise any size of company business offering a comprehensive service over the entire logistics chain, optimising costs and solving even the most specific needs.
Over 50 years
of logistics experience
20.000 mq
of storage space
15
employees
Customer need
A solution to the critical issues in the previous warehouse management software
MWM contacted Onit because its warehouse management and logistics software no longer responded to its business needs. Therefore Onit studied and analysed the existing situation, and raised several issues related to the warehouse management software used. These included:
- System architecture: access to the warehouse management software through remote desktop proved impractical causing frequent delays
- Excessive data-entry: due to several issues, such as the misalignment of warehouse stocks, the existing WMS software had forced the company to use manual registration of invoices for many months
- Warehouse efficiency: the WMS software was unable to adequately support the activities of warehouse staff, above all as regards picking. Indeed, the operators had to carry out several activities at a slower pace due to constraints in the warehouse management software
- Missing functions: these included printouts of VAT warehouse registers, monthly product invoicing, biological warehouses, totals on the stock per item registered and warehouse insurance. In particular, the impossibility of MWM to print out registers could lead to different problems in case of inspection by the authority in charge, implying the loss of certifications and the application of fines
- Communication: communication between MWM and the previous supplier was poorly structured and badly organised
On the basis of such critical issues, in agreement with MWM, Onit proposed the implementation of the warehouse management software WMS of the On.Plant suite allowing better management of the logistics flows and solving the issues emerged during the preliminary analysis.
Furthermore, together with the logistics management software, it was proposed to install a specific module dedicated to the calculation of invoices, to optimise management of invoicing and logistics costs.
On.Plant Solution
Optimisation of logistics and invoicing activities with the warehouse management software
Following the needs emerged, Onit implemented On.Plant/WMS, the warehouse management software that allows to optimise logistics flows and to effectively organise third-party business and customs services provided by the company.
Thanks to an innovative form of control, the use of the On.Plant logistics management software supervises the different operations carried out in the warehouse. The operators are guided in all phases of work, from goods entry to storage and shipping, thanks to the use of radio frequency terminals which access the WMS software functions over the web.
The On.Plant WMS software was made operational very quickly. The operators in the warehouse have had the possibility to manage acceptance and picking operations of the material, simply and efficiently, from the very start.
In addition to the integration of On.Plant/WMS software, a custom solution for invoice calculation was developed and implemented, which allows to improve the management and the monitoring of logistics services invoicing. Thanks to its specific know-how in this area and having full ownership of the code, Onit was able to develop the invoicing module quickly and easily, to meet the needs of the Customer.
Invoicing module and warehouse management software: full control of logistics invoices
The invoice calculation module integrated into the warehouse management software has given MWM better control of invoicing and logistics costs.
The invoicing module was started up gradually, as the management of the articles to invoice and the pricelists proved particularly challenging. This is because MWM manages a large quantity of heterogenous products in terms of storage areas and invoicing methods. In a short time, thanks to the dedicated module integrated into the logistics management software, the calculation of the invoices has become increasingly more reliable, precise and efficient.
The WMS software sends all the existing movements to the invoice calculation module, while the system automatically cross-references these movements with the articles to invoice and with the configured pricelists. The invoices for the logistics services provided are therefore automatically generated and sent to customers.
The invoicing module also communicates with SAP, the system allowing management of business processes and planning of internal activities, to send the invoices for the logistics services provided.
Results achieved
Simplification and innovation with the On.Plant warehouse management software
Once completed, the implementation of On.Plant/WMS software produced important benefits for the company.
The integration of a new warehouse management system has allowed the office and warehouse staff of MWM to work in a way that is simpler, quicker and more up-to-date. Thanks to the WMS software, the operations in the warehouse are always supervised:
- Stocks are reduced thanks to continuous control of stock and stockout;
- Shipments are qualitatively better, with less errors and less delays;
- Unsold stocks are aligned in real time with the warehouse operations;
- Inventories are planned in terms of area, shelf, article and article attributes;
- Storage and picking activities are highly automated.
Integration of the invoice calculation module into the warehouse management software has allowed office workers to generate the invoices for customers automatically, efficiently and quickly.
The use of standard interfacing with customers is also possible by sending invoices via CSV. This has revolutionised the process of invoice creation, which has become much faster than with the previous warehouse management software. Today the invoicing module completes all the calculation activities in one day leading to a significant reduction in time.
