Fourth deployment of SAP EWM for warehouse management: Outdoor Concept a.s.

We have successfully completed the fourth SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) implementation project.

With a cautious four-month gap from the moment of the productive start, we would like to report on our next successful (fourth in a row) implemented warehouse using SAP S/4HANA EWM. This time it is a managed warehouse of the Outdoor Concept a. s. company Outdoor Concept a. s. from which all goods of the brands Hannah, Rafiki, Keen, Osprey, Garmont and many others, well known to outdoor enthusiasts, are delivered.

We asked our WMS specialist Martin Prokop to introduce the project:

Project specifics

The company operates its own logistics center ensuring the distribution of the sales network, supplying wholesale customers, but also very fast sales via the e-shop. So we had to harmonize all 3 distribution branches, each with its own distinctive characteristics. Shipping a pallet of one item for Sportisimo is of course a completely different task than packing 2 different items in one box for a B2C customer. We deal with a lot of pressure to meet shipping deadlines and have developed a series of graphs and KPIs using SAP Fiori to track them.

Shock supply

The revenue process also has its own specifics. In contrast to warehouses elsewhere, which are regularly supplied throughout the year, supplies here are short-term, always before the start of the season. During such a period, a 40″ container full of structurally incomplete loaded goods arrives daily. Such a container needs to be unloaded, the goods sorted, counted, the differences identified, processed, and stored quickly. Another such container will arrive the next day.

Seasonality

In the same way, the seasonality of the goods also brings such tasks as cleaning the goods from the finished season from the picking positions to the reserve and, conversely, preparing the goods of the current season to the picking positions, in a sufficient quantity.

Basically: Working with fashionable seasonal goods is completely different from working with electrical materials (Elfetex a.s.), weapons (ČZUB) or pharmaceutical products (PROMED.CS) on our other ongoing EWM projects. There is probably no need to doubt the difference in the logistics of spare parts warehouses for power plants, which we are currently solving and preparing for the launch at the turn of the year.

In conclusion

Máme radost, že se nám podařilo vedení skladu v Outdoor Concept předat systém včetně hezkých grafických výstupů a dashboardů hned od samého startu a je tak možné sledovat vývoj klíčových KPI a efektivně řídit běh skladu a cca 45 skladníků na směně. Dále se těšíme na připravované propojení systému SAP EWM s autonomním systémem Autostore v blízké budoucnosti.

About Outdoor Concept a.s.

Outdoor Concept a.s. is a leading distributor and seller of outdoor equipment and clothing in the Czech Republic. The company represents renowned global brands that are synonymous with quality, durability and innovation in the field of outdoor activities. Outdoor Concept offers a wide range of products for hiking, mountaineering, camping, skiing and other outdoor activities. The company’s portfolio includes the brands Hannah, Keen, Rafiki, Smartwool, Osprey, Ternua, prAna, Julbo and others. Thanks to its professional team and extensive experience, it provides not only quality products, but also professional advice and service. The company operates a network of its own RockPoint stores.

You can read the details of the project in this PDF document.