Contact us
Contact us

 

 

Manufacturing Company Enables Drone-based Inventory Scanning

Our client is a trailblazer in the automotive industry. Founded in 1917, this industry leader boasts over 160,000 employees across 253 manufacturing sites in 37 countries. Specializing in top-notch seats and advanced electrical systems, our client sets the standard for automotive excellence.

The Challenge

Efficient and reliable inventory processes are a cornerstone within industries featuring multiple manufacturing units, diverse item sizes within their stock, and a production line capable of versatile customization.
 
Aligned with the company's commitment to operational excellence, our client recognized a pressing challenge: the need for swifter inventory procedures while safeguarding data precision. In pursuit of this goal, the company embraced innovation by leveraging drone technology to scan barcodes on each warehouse pallet. This strategic shift aimed to usher in a new era of efficiency by dramatically accelerating the inventory count process without compromising information accuracy.

However, achieving the expected outcomes enhanced counting accuracy and remarkable speed hinged on the seamless integration of drone-acquired data into the company's central management system, SAP. This prerequisite autonomy in data transfer was pivotal to unleashing the full potential of the innovation and propelling the company towards streamlined inventory management.
cs-15-img-01

The Approach

To enable inventory automation through the use of drones, Avvale developed a comprehensive solution architecture. This architecture encompasses not only the integration of the drone system with SAP, but also the creation of new workflows for various inventory-related processes such as receiving, supplying, moving, writing off, and inventory reading. These workflows encompass the coordination of people, processes, and systems.

Avvale's team of consultants, leveraging their deep understanding of the business, extensive experience in inventory management, and knowledge of the SAP system, designed the solution considering several specificities of the client's business - even if this added complexity to the project.

Recognizing the need for diverse control measures based on the different types of materials, Avvale collaborated closely with the client to develop tailored processes for establishing the control standards within the warehouse, ensuring the precise storage and management of each material type.

cs-15-img-02

The Impact

The implementation of automated inventory management, a pivotal step in this journey, has granted multifaceted benefits. Not only has the company successfully streamlined its logistics operations, but it has also effectively curtailed the likelihood of errors, while simultaneously driving down the associated costs of executing this pivotal procedure. This efficiency amplification translates not only to enhanced productivity but also to bolstered customer satisfaction through accurate, timely deliveries.

By reducing manual intervention, the company has mitigated the risk of human errors that often plague traditional inventory management. This accuracy doesn't just enhance the internal workflow, it ripples outward, optimizing vendor relationships, order fulfillment, and overall business agility.

With the withdrawal of manual inventory counts, company resources have been reallocated towards more strategic initiatives. This dynamic shift not only elevates operational efficiency but also empowers personnel to engage in tasks that add greater value to the organization and promote a more sustainable approach to inventory management.

cs-15-img-03