Homebase uses Maxload Pro for load planning of festive stock
Homebase has been using the MaxLoad Pro software from AutoLogic Systems for their load planning of festive stock.
The software has been used as part of an initiative to deliver festive stock direct to all stores in time for a universal launch and in a consistent shelf display sequence for ease of store handling. The process bypasses the Homebase distribution centres, with delivery direct to the stores from a consolidation centre in Southern China.
Philip Mann at Homebase says: “MaxLoad Pro has been fundamental in helping us to manage large amounts of product data for load planning and keeping to tight time scales. MaxLoad Pro allows us to review our options and plan our deliveries in good time to assist the consolidation building. The results we achieved in terms of pallet box utilisation could not be bettered, even by an experiencedconsolidation team."
TOPS® Pro 6.0 Update
We are continuing to assist customers with upgrade to the new version 6.0 of TOPS Pro.
The software includes features such as Eco savings reports, tab views for multiple pallet/vehicle solutions, new solution comparison reports, ability to modify case/intermediate pack layouts and many others Further information and resources are available as follows…
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To view/download the manual update including details on how to use the 6.0 features together with other recent software enhancements, please click here.
The software is being sent to all customers with a current maintenance contract. If you haven’t yet received your new release of if you need any further help with the new features then please call us on 01844 281380.
Existing customers without maintenance are also welcome to upgrade and should contact us for more details.
TOPS Pro/MaxLoad Pro Training Classes – Next Dates
We have announced new training classes as follows:-
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TOPS® Pro – 28th April 2010
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Maxload® Pro – 29th April 2010
The classes are for around ½ day and are suitable for all abilities from beginner to more advanced user and are held at our offices in Tetsworth, Oxfordshire (close to the M40, junctions 6/7).
For more information or to reserve your place, please visit our web-site or call us on 01844 281380.
Open days at AutoLogic Systems
We are continuing to offer these on the first Tuesday of every month throughout 2010 our doors will remain open to provide an informal opportunity for you to benefit from help and advice with any of the solutions we offer.
There is no obligation to turn up and no set times, but please just let us know if you are thinking about coming along so we can make sure you get lunch!
Tip of the Day
When using the load editor in MaxLoad Pro to manually add in or remove items from loads, it’s possible to speed up and simplify the placing of groups of items as below.
If you have multiple SKUs on the cut list and you want to create a large placement of these, click the face of a placed SKU or block of SKUs (placement) while holding down the shift key. This will automatically create a new placement extended in the direction in which you clicked. You can continue to quickly place more SKUs to further extend the newly created placement in the same way ie. by holding the shift key and clicking again.
Kuna FoodService eliminates 15% of routes with Direct Route
Kuna FoodService, a premier food distributor to schools, restaurants and many other organisations, decided to investigate automated fleet routing and chose Direct Route, available from AutoLogic Systems Ltd in the UK. Schuler says it chose Direct Route based on the ease of running the software as well as the cost vs. other packages.
For a smooth implementation of the software, the company initially imported existing routes into Direct Route to calculate accurate delivery schedules for the drivers. The system was also used to manage daily route updates based on the actual customer orders received.
“Before using Direct Route we would manually adjust routes in our back office system. However, we found there were significant advantages to using the systems route mapping tools and viewing the updated times, remaining capacity, etc. as changes were made.”
Through using Direct Route, Kuna was able to eliminate 15% of their routes while still meeting customer expectations.
We're continuing to roll out the new TOPS Pro 6.0 release to customers and also bring news of how Homebase have been successfully applying the MaxLoad Pro software recently.
Your feedback and comments are welcome and if you have any news articles or success stories you’d like us to include then please let us know.
