Berri Warehouse Fletchers Freighters Cuts Labour Costs with JAIX Software

Deployed in December 2002, JAIX software is enabling Fletchers Freighters to operate the 10,000-pallet warehouse with 25 per cent lower staff levels than originally expected. Fletchers Freighters took over operation of the warehouse from its major client Berri Fruit Juices as part of a strategic move to add value to its 80-truck transport operations.

Fletchers Freighters general manager Barry Fletcher said the new software meant stock management at the warehouse had been "boringly accurate". "We are absolutely astounded by how accurately the stock is recorded," he said. "It has been extremely accurate. We have less paperwork but are still able to give the customer its charges on a weekly basis to check against its records."

Fletchers Freighters is a privately held national transport company that employs 140 staff. The company has tripled in size since the mid 1990s.

Why Fletchers Freighters Chose JAIX

Fletchers Freighters asked JAIX to implement the JAIX Logistics warehouse management system in early 2002 after its successful experience using the JAIX FreightLink software for several years.

Mr. Fletcher said Fletchers Freighters had used JAIX software on the transport side of its business since 1999. "When we decided to take over the warehouse, we needed a good software system that would match what we had and handle all customer requirements. The specifics of what we required weren't available in any other software without expensive add-ons," he said."

"JAIX is always very proactive about meeting customer requirements, so we didn't have to look too hard. It becomes part of the challenge for them, which they met very well."

For JAIX Software, developing the system for the Berri warehouse operated by Fletchers Freighters was a natural extension of its fast, functional and user-friendly solutions for the Australian freight industry. As well as the ironclad accuracy of the software, a major advantage is the Radio Frequency (RF) interface JAIX has designed in the software. This allows warehouse staff to use wireless devices to dramatically speed up the stock picking and management processes.

The Benefits of JAIX Logistics

Mr. Fletcher said Fletchers Freighters had three major requirements for the warehouse software:
1. Accurate inventory management for quicker stock picking.
2. Accurate stock reporting for fast invoicing and reconciliation.
3. User-friendly design for easy staff training and operation.

Mr. Fletcher said a "lovely advantage" of the new system was how efficient it made the warehouse. "We thought we would need six people on each of our two daily shifts," he said. "However, once we got the systems in place, we found we needed only five on one shift and four on the other. That's a 25 per cent labour saving in an operation where the major variable costs relate to labour. That's certainly something I would attribute to JAIX' software and the RF interface it provided."

Using Datalogic scanners, the JAIX Logistics solution also observes international freight information standards such as the TUN (Trade Unit Number) and the globally accepted EAN (European Article Numbering) classification for each product. This system means that, in the event of a product recall, Fletchers Freighters can inform its clients which receivers were supplied and when, with a particular batch and expiry date of product; dramatically simplifying and speeding up the product recall process.

Mr. Fletcher said JAIX Software had stood out through its excellent customer service. "JAIX is always proactive in meeting our requirements," he said. "Alterations to meet customer requirements are not a drama. JAIX has always been like that."