Alexandrion Interview: “We have full control over stock”
Interview with Mr. Cristian Stefanov, IT Manager @ Alexandrion Group
Alexandrion Distilleries and SABER 1789 Distilleries, which together encompass a history of over 227 years in the local spirits industry, have created some of the strongest brands in Romania, recognized both nationally and internationally for their quality and refinement. At the beginning of 2017, Alexandrion Group representatives decided to open a global operations office in Cyprus and expand the business into the United States and Brazil.
Alexandrion Group, positioned as the largest producer of spirits, operates a production area covering 20 hectares in the Dealu Mare region, more than half of which consists of built facilities. The distilleries produce spirits under highly appreciated brands such as Brancoveanu vinars (XO, VSOP, VS), Alexandrion 5* and 7*, Alexander and Kreskova vodka, and SABER liqueurs (Elyzia and Zolmyr).
As a market leader with a well defined global player strategy, Alexandrion continues to invest through its foundation in cultural and sports projects. Alongside the Constantin Brancoveanu Awards Gala, which reached its fourth edition in 2017, the Alexandrion Foundation also organizes the Matei Brancoveanu Awards each year, an event aimed at recognizing and supporting young cultural and artistic talents in Romania. In the sports sector, the Alexandrion Foundation has consistently supported prestigious handball and football teams, as well as other sports such as golf, rugby, cycling and more recently boxing, while also organizing the Alexandrion Trophies Gala, an event designed to support and reward Romanian sporting excellence.
Due to the company’s development in recent years, Alexandrion Group decided to implement the WMS solution for warehouse management from Senior Software. The company’s IT Manager recently shared the reasons behind choosing the WMS system, the benefits brought by the solution and how integration with SAP, another system used within the company, was achieved.
1. What were the reasons for choosing to implement the WMS solution for warehouse management from Senior Software?
C. Stefanov: We have always considered it important to use specialized systems and technologies for specific operational areas, and the WMS system from Senior Software covers logistics activities in real time. Moreover, we conducted a very rigorous selection process and insisted on reviewing as many WMS solutions available in Romania as possible to ensure we made the right choice. The main selection criteria were compatibility with our field of activity, the system’s logistics expertise and validation from other companies already using it. We found all these advantages in the WMS solution from Senior Software.
Prior to this collaboration, we had no experience with such an implementation and did not know what to expect, but with the support of Senior Software consultants, everything progressed naturally. At the same time, the new warehouse optimization system needed to integrate with the SAP system already used within the company, and the Senior Software team’s experience with such integrations made the entire process much easier.
The system improves warehouse performance, reduces product identification times during picking operations, ensures optimal product placement on shelves, and more.
2. What benefits have you observed within the company after implementing the solution? Have there been changes in workflows?
C. Stefanov: The most important improvement we observed after implementing the WMS solution is the increase in delivery accuracy by batches. We also now have full stock control and can easily track important information automatically, in a single place.
Moreover, product traceability is efficiently ensured across all operational flows, starting from goods reception in the warehouse, based on integrated reports.
With full stock control and operational management provided by WMS, every activity performed can be monitored and controlled for each individual user using barcode scanners also supplied by Senior Software. In addition, the system improves warehouse performance, reduces product identification times during picking operations and ensures optimal product placement on shelves, among other benefits.
3. How was the transition to the new system for warehouse employees?
C. Stefanov: The entire logistics team involved in the project adopted the WMS system within a few weeks. Even during the training period, employees realized that the new solution would support their daily activities and even eliminate certain repetitive tasks. With the WMS system from Senior Software, each member of our team knows exactly what needs to be done directly from the mobile terminal.
4. How was the integration of the WMS solution with the SAP management system carried out?
C. Stefanov: The two solutions operate as a single system. Between the two platforms, highly detailed data is exchanged in real time, and beyond standard information such as products, quantities and documents, unique SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) pallet codes, item codes, batch codes and many other data points are transmitted, helping ensure full stock traceability.
5. What advice would you give to companies that want to implement a WMS system?
C. Stefanov: The most important step before implementing a WMS system is thorough research into the available solutions. It is essential to see the system successfully implemented in at least two similar companies before deciding to purchase it. Equally important is to have very clear requirements for the future system and well defined operational processes.
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