Innovation
Linfox aims to be an industry leader in innovation and technology. Innovation is at the core of providing our customers with new efficiencies and continuous improvement in their supply chains. Cutting-edge technology, global industry experience and creativity combine to generate smart new ways of operating. Here are some of our innovations.
OptiFox
This IT based capability was designed to improve distribution forecasting and planning at site and network levels, particularly in retail operations. This reduced previously large variances between forecast and actual volumes, significantly improving the efficiency of resource planning and asset utilisation in DC and transport operations. Click here for more information.
Extended Warehouse Management (EWM)
Linfox is introducing SAP’s new EWM to its warehouse operations. The functionality of this warehouse management system now includes cross docking, slotting, dynamic cycle counting, task interleaving and many more features as standard. This enables Linfox to more easily deliver new warehouse efficiencies for its customers. Click here for more information.
TM8
Linfox is one of the first 3PL’s in the world to trial SAP’s new Transport Management System, TM8.
TM8 will form the base for Linfox’s strategic transport management system to deliver integrated transport solutions for each customer’s unique supply chain needs.
TM8 manages transport operations from initial transport requests, through their lifecycle until completion and settlement, providing visibility and critical reporting. Click here for more information.
OptiFox
OptiFox was designed to improve the accuracy of forecasting and planning transport services in complex retail operations. Traditionally, variances between forecast and actual volumes of up to 20 per cent created inefficiencies in labour and asset allocation as well as management and administration functions.
The central forecasting and planning capability is based on data from past performance as well as updates on other activities such as store specials. It involves Linfox and its customers collaborating in providing detailed input.
OptiFox integrates with existing warehouse and transport management systems to improve DC planning and transport planning.
Operators have visibility of transport operation plans and can synchronise picking volumes and timing of staging and dispatch activities.
OptiFox has:
- Significantly reduced the variance between forecast and actual volume
- Improved load utilisation and reduced kilometres travelled, thus reducing costs
- Provided plans three to four days in advance and reduced management time devoted to planning
- Improved vehicle turnarounds at stores and DCs by providing accurate ETAs
- Allowed primary freight to be integrated into daily planning.
Linfox is introducing SAP’s new EWM to its warehouse operations. The functionality of this warehouse management system includes cross docking, slotting, dynamic cycle counting, task interleaving and many more features as standard. This enables Linfox to more easily deliver new warehouse efficiencies.
Slotting provides for the intelligent location of product in a warehouse so that we can optimise product flows. This increases picking productivity and efficient replenishment, balances the DC’s activities across multiple pick zones to reduce congestion, improves accuracy and enhances ergonomics by placing heavy and oversized goods in optimum pick zones.
Task interleaving plans routes of warehouse resources to optimise their use. Typically, the routes will combine product put away with picking via efficient routes which reduces non-productive activities between tasks.
SAP’s TM8 provides order management and shipment tracking capabilities to help reduce costs, increase asset utilisation and improve on-time deliveries. It also facilitates freight related billing and payment functions, covering the complete spectrum of transport operations.
Linfox is one of the first 3PLs trialling TM8 together with SAP. SAP’s ‘high attention’ team is working with Linfox to bring this latest transport management tool to market.