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For this entry, we’ll be analyzing the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) integration project that IPM Asset Solutions did for Gridiron Fulfillment, a fulfillment warehousing company based in the Pacific Northwest.

Background & Overview:

Gridiron is a fulfillment warehouse company.  They provide a warehouse solution to companies that are large enough to need warehousing, but not large enough to run their own operation.  The Gridiron warehouse is filled with a variety of products from multiple companies.  They have all of the issues of a normal warehouse with the addition of multiple clients, each of whom have different needs, which further complicates the issue of inventory management. So in addition to Gridiron needing to know what is in their warehouse, these individual clients need to have real time visibility of their product(s) in the Gridiron warehouse.

Problem:

When IPM Asset Solutions (IPMAS) first analyzed Gridiron’s needs, Gridiron was operating with a manual process.  They like other fulfillment warehouses used spreadsheets to keep track of what was in their warehouse and managed orders through e-mail.  It was difficult for clients to know how many items were still in the warehouse and orders frequently came through that could not be filled due to insufficient stock.  Most of Gridiron’s clients were small companies with limited stock, but unless everyone on both sides closely tracked orders against spreadsheets, things quickly became confusing and nearly impossible to manage. That manual tracking is the standard in the industry. The challenge was to create a solution that would eliminate the manual process while also giving Gridiron a marketing differentiator.

Need:

Gridiron sought help when they had the opportunity to take on a new global client that was significantly larger with much higher volume than they had encountered before.  The new client processed orders using their own in-house software product, so Gridiron’s simple spreadsheets were not going to work.  This client also processed multiple orders per day as opposed to the few orders per week that Gridiron had experienced in the past.  It was important for Gridiron to find a new way to succeed because this client gave them the opportunity to grow their business to a new level, but they couldn’t do it utilizing the processes they had in place.

Solution:

IPMAS installed its warehouse management system utilizing its proprietary Roaming Moose^TM web based software.  For warehouse functions, this system manages all aspects of inventory and order management.  It keeps track of item quantity and actively manages quantity-based order fulfillment and inbound inventory processing.  All client orders are placed in a queue to be pulled, packed and shipped. When orders are filled, the IPMAS system fully integrates with the FedEx system so shipping information is conveniently available to both Gridiron and their clients.  Gridiron’s clients also have a 24/7online window into their data and can place orders as well as see inventory levels of each item.  When quantities drop below a certain level, the clients are notified so that they can reorder stock.

In the case of Gridiron’s new large client, they already had their own system for tracking inventory and do not use the IPMAS client portal.  However the IPMAS warehouse management system is flexible and adaptable enough and was easily integrated into their software so that orders can move seamlessly from one system to the other.  Activity in Gridiron’s warehouse is reflected in their clients system of record, and vice versa.

To eliminate the last manual piece of the puzzle, the IPMAS technology solution includes a mobile component.  Utilizing a mobile smart device connected to the network, orders and order changes can be seen in real time by employees – even while they are in  the warehouse actively fulfilling orders.  The mobile device has integrated barcode and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) capabilities so that item verification is electronic, rather than manual. This eliminates the human error factor producing accurate counts in a shorter period of time.

Results:

Gridiron was able to capture a very large new customer and dramatically grow their revenue using the IPMAS system. Through our technology solution, Gridiron was able to grow into a robust, competitive fulfillment warehouse business in very short period of time. Things have changed for Gridiron: before, they couldn’t handle large volume clients without severe manpower increases and significant risk.  With the help of IPMAS, Gridiron is no longer a small company that has reached its growth limit.  They are now an up-and-coming powerhouse in their industry that is technologically capable of – and now positioned for – virtually unlimited growth.