Automate processes to keep up with fast delivery

Picture credit: Card vector created by Freepik

Described as a flexible and scalable solution for efficient order fulfilment, pixi* e-commerce WMS automate logistics processes and is aimed at pure players, brands and manufacturers or B2B and B2C fulfillers operating their own warehouses. It is aimed at companies of all sizes and can scale to 20,000 shipments per day in high season.

Features include strong interfaces for data exchange, through to stock receipts, cross docking, over refilling, pick-pack-ship, local carrier integrations, reverse logistics handling and order-status updates along the whole order lifecycle.

Based on its performance with customers in other markets, Descartes says automated processes via pixi* can speed up shipping processes by up to 42%, increase the number of packages sent per employee by up to 323%, and process returns 49% faster.

The software also offers standard integration with sales channels such as Magento & Hybris, and flexible integration with major ERPs through web services.

“Traditional pressures have paled into insignificance compared to the challenges of next- and same-day delivery,” said Andrew Tavener, head of marketing, Descartes Systems UK. “We look forward to helping organisations become operationally ready to better fulfil orders, reduce error rates and be scalable for further growth with the Descartes pixi* e-commerce WMS.”

The software works in both structured and unstructured warehouse environments. Moving to the unstructured warehouse, also named chaotic or dynamic warehousing, allows  optimal use of the storage area. Amazon is one of the most advanced providers using unstructured warehouses.

Man to goods processes

Descartes pixi* WMS is focused on man to goods processes because of its flexibility and low investment regarding changes. It fits with eCommerce requirements where players are facing big challenges of high growth rates, seasonal peaks, fast moving environments, and combinations between own stock, cross docking, etc. 

Tavener adds: “While fully automated warehouses reach their limits fast in this industry, Descartes focus on connecting automation where it really makes sense and enhances eCommerce warehouse processes like automated weighing of goods, labelling, etc.”

Warehouse can be basic

Interestingly, the pixi* software does not require a high level of mechanical automation in the warehouse to have an impact.

Tavener explains: “We look at every customer’s warehouse and processes to find the best way to use the Descartes pixi* WMS within the business. For man to goods processes the warehouse can be very basic and customers can quickly take advantage of multidimensional picklist creation to increase efficiency. Error rates can be reduced by scanning barcodes and using simple processes.

The software can be used to bypass investment in capital intensive automated equipment, says Descartes.

“Especially if companies grow and have seasonal peaks,” says Andrew. “Automation is always based on the highest output, so if you have a strong Christmas business like a typical gift vendor, you need high investment for this season while through the rest of the year it could be oversized.”

Returns

Descartes argues that because the pixi* WMS ties up order fulfillment into a seamless process, this can have a beneficial impact on returns. 

“It’s not just speeded up return that online vendors benefit from,” says Andrew. “Just as important is that customers can also reduce their level of returns, which will help speed up the actual returns.  

“pixi* enables fast actualisation of the article stock within the online-shop. This allows immediate sale of returned goods. Via barcode scan pixi* also collects the reason for the return, and the specific customer number. This allows an evaluation of the returns and enables new measures to optimise this process by more detailed descriptions in the shop.

“When the returned item is part of a new order, pixi*WMS shows the employee that storage is not necessary. This Cross Docking process is also used within the deposit of new goods. If an item is part of an existing order, pixi*shows the employee that this item should be shipped immediately.”