Menù Srl

The milestones of the collaboration were:

1998

Menu relied on Replica Sistemi for the optimization of its finished goods warehouse management processes through the acquisition of the StockSystem management system. The flow managed by this solution includes the receipt and labeling of pallets, storage in the automated warehouse, stock replenishment of the traditional warehouse and, from the latter, picking with refilling functions from stock positions from the automated warehouse.

2002

Menu extended the management area of StockSystem to include the raw materials warehouse.

2003

Menù decided to test, as the first company in Italy, Vocollect's voice technology integrated with Replica Sistemi's StockVoice solution.

2011

Menù switched to the new version of StockSystemEvolution, developed in Microsoft.NET.

2012

Menù was celebrating 80 years in business, and in that very year there was a "shake-up" that changed the company's fortunes.

But like a phoenix, from the rubble and destruction of the earthquake, that "tremor" gave new energy and the company started again stronger, more structured and more efficient than before.

Initially the WMS was used for the management of finished goods, and since 2002, Menù has extended the StockSystem management area to include the raw materials warehouse for complete supply chain management.

Having to handle parcels with significant weight and volume (up to 20 kg), the use of the handheld terminal was not always optimal, so management wanted to test the new Voice technology launched by Vocollect at that time.

Menu immediately seized the opportunity: to increase the efficiency of logistics activities by freeing the hands and eyes of warehouse operators.

SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE PROJECT

Voice technology integrated with the StockSystem WMS is not only used for picking activities, but also for data collection of production equipment (machinery status check, temperature detection, etc.).

After the 2012 earthquake, the WMS was useful for quickly carrying out the inventory and moving of intact products to an emergency warehouse and then restoring the stock to the new facility, optimizing movement and avoiding loss of time along the supply chain.

While an average of 380 orders were processed daily prior to the integration of voice into Menu's warehouse management systems, following the Vocollect voice solution, orders processed reached 460 per day. Each operator increased his productivity from a minimum of 15 percent to a maximum of 20 percent.

But in addition to a more effective workforce, the goal included improving warehouse efficiency by increasing the accuracy of operations and management of the entire supply chain; and it is in this area that the Vocollect voice solution enables further extraordinary results. The ability to no longer have their eyesight engaged in reading displays or labels allows operators to focus solely and only on the package to be picked, avoiding distraction, the biggest culprit of any error in picking operations.

As if that were not enough, the system helps in counting the packages since, upon confirmation of the picking, it is the same system that repeats the remaining number of packages still to be picked.

The result found by Menu was a reduction in the margin of error by 60 percent where the StockVoice system was adopted.