Strama-MPS Selects Softeon WMS Cloud for Challenging Field Service Management Operations

Strama-MPS Selects Softeon WMS Cloud for Challenging Field Service Management Operations

Softeon cloud solution selected for faster implementation and innovative Web technology

Reston, VA, (April 23, 2014) – Softeon, provider of the industry’s most functionally-rich supply chain software, announced this week that Strama-MPS, a Straubing, German based company of special machinery and plant engineering with 800 employees worldwide, selected Softeon WMS Cloud, a cloud solution for its warehouse management system (WMS). The WMS Cloud solution was rapidly configured and deployed within a few weeks to help improve the efficiency and control of equipment for Strama-MPS’s customers.

As a special machine and plant builder, Strama-MPS supports customers with assembling of technical components and, in addition, managing their logistics. The company manages the supply for the construction site of a leading automotive OEM. The Softeon WMS Cloud solution was implemented for Strama-MPS to control and monitor the logistics for the installation of a new car model body construction area. It covers the inbound operations and interim storage as well as outbound operations and POD features at the final installation location. With Softeon WMS cloud, construction planning in real-time and just-in-time (JIT) delivery is now possible. In particular, the availability of current delivery and inventory information of the required components and the preparation of information analogous to the construction-specific planning enable the engineers and planners to master the complexity of the project.

The Softeon WMS Cloud was configured and implemented in the shortest time for Strama-MPS to begin realizing the operational benefits. With the Cloud-based approach, the system was able to start production operations for goods receipt and inventory management in four weeks after contract was awarded. As the project progressed, the additional functionalities like outbound and comprehensive reporting were added.

“We are very pleasantly surprised at how quickly and smoothly Softeon could implement our requirements in an operational system despite the short-term notification. We were able to concentrate fully on our processes at any time with confidence that Softeon would deliver,” says Christoph Schulte, Head of Logistics Planning at Strama-MPS. “Even during start-up, Softeon´s logistics experts and software engineers were always available for last minute changes or adjustments and the system implementation was very agile and flexible. Although we developed the final process during the project, we never had to renegotiate with Softeon about the price that we originally agreed upon. The project was very goal-oriented and a great partnership.”

The WMS solution works with radio frequency handheld devices (RF) along the entire process chain and enables serial number tracking for inbound and outbound. With configurable message control capabilities, Strama-MPS has the option to send a message or document automatically via email to the process partner or their own employees and thus to ensure timely communication and high process reliability. The Internet-based cloud solution allows for easy access to the system from any location. Strama-MPS employees are now using the system for four warehouses. The additional access via two receiving points in the customer’s plant allows the special machine and plant manufacturers to capture the proof-of-delivery (POD) of the materials at the delivery directly in the system. Thus information is provided in real time for current deliveries. At the same time, Strama-MPS offers its customer online access to the current inventory data and a detailed reporting in the customer specific format.

“We are delighted that our cloud solution was selected by an innovative and technically outstanding company like Strama-MPS,” says Bernhard Oymann, Managing Director of the Softeon EMEA GmbH. “Without major investment in software and changes to the existing IT landscape we could provide a very modern and flexible WMS to Strama-MPS that can grow at any time with customer needs, both in functionality as well as in volume. Our agile method of implementation achieved very fast results and ensured that all deadlines were met and process adjustments were productive in the very short term.”

The success at Strama-MPS continues several positive trends for Softeon. The first is significant market acceptance of WMS Cloud, which can be used for the most basic DC to companies with the most complex and sophisticated WMS needs, all in a single, innovative integrated product.

Second, Softeon is gaining significant market share generally, and continues to expand its vertical industry footprint, here with another success in the spare parts management sector, where many companies are looking for improved supply chain performance.

About Strama-MPS

The Strama-MPS Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG is a German company of special machinery and plant engineering which currently has about 800 employees worldwide. With locations in Germany, Croatia, China and the U.S., Strama-MPS is a complete solution provider for cutting machines, cleaning equipment, photovoltaic, assembly and testing with special test beds and body shop facilities. In direct contact with customers, but also with universities and research institutes, the company develops exemplary solutions that not only set standards, but also form the standard for customer-specific developments. For more information, visit the website at www.strama-mps.de