FEATURE

HighJump Is Raising the Bar On Supply Chain Solutions

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions used for business management are becoming a thing of the past as best-of-breed solutions that utilize RFID technology are proving to be a better fit for many companies. Though often a less expensive option at first glance, the ERP module can end up being a more costly option than the best-of-breed solution once topics such as customer satisfaction, competitive advantage, functionality fit, modifications, integration, and upgrade capabilities are taken into consideration.

Recently, HighJump Software (an independent subsidiary of 3M) acquired business from several companies that selected its best-of-breed supply chain execution solutions over an ERP warehouse module for its breadth of functionality, customer support, and cost-effective approach to research and development.

Sleep Innovations, a manufacturer of bedding and sleep products, chose HighJump's Transportation Advantage RFID solution to be used at three facilities to create an optimal transportation plan, eradicate error-prone manual processes, and reduce driver detention and chargebacks. This solution plans and executes full and partial truckload shipments with accurate paperwork and labels that comply with each customer's unique specifications.

Significant time in the plants has been saved and customers are ensured to receive the required documentation. Sleep Innovations has estimated that its incidence of truck overloading errors has been reduced by 75% since the implementation of the RFID-enabled solution. Driver detainment charges have also gone down by an estimated 75% - 80%. Additionally, paperwork errors have been almost eliminated due to the use of electronic forms taking data directly from Transportation Advantage when the system-assigned truck identification number is entered.

Greg Robinson, Logistics Manager for Sleep Innovations, is impressed. "It literally takes a few seconds to optimize a load containing hundreds of orders," says Robinson. "I no longer waste time manually deriving bills of lading, cubing loads, or calculating weights. The flexibility of the system also allows us to reconfigure loads at the last minute without holding up the driver and incurring detention charges."

Another company, Vitacost (a vendor of vitamins and health products), selected HighJump after evaluating several ERP warehouse modules. Vitacost needed to support its increasing volumes and ongoing competitive advantage. It has achieved significant and measurable operational and productivity improvements since utilizing HighJump's Supply Chain Advantage solutions. Its output has increased by approximately one-third while keeping labor constant, and the daily reception process of thousands of items from hundreds of vendors has been simplified.

The system's track and trace ability grants Vitacost accountability for every item's exact location at each stage of the supply chain—a capability that is necessary when fulfilling fast recalls, if required. Vitacost is so pleased with the results of turning its paper-based operations into an optimized, wireless warehouse environment that it is planning to roll HighJump's Supply Chain Advantage solutions to other locations, even abroad.

"We did our due diligence in evaluating ERP warehouse modules, but HighJump's best-of-breed solutions provided a level of functionality and adaptability the others did not," says Wayne Gorsek, CEO of Vitacost. "It has allowed us to transform our supply chain operation into truly forward-thinking entity that will effectively support our growth."

HighJump has actually already made the trip overseas with such companies as City Beach Australia — a provider of surf, skate, and urban fashion apparel, accessories, and footwear. It, too, has chosen HighJump's Supply Chain Advantage over an ERP warehouse module; and like Vitacost, it is replacing manual processes with a fully automated warehouse environment to accommodate the company's growing volumes. It aims to strengthen its customer service, reduce costs, locate inventory more efficiently, and improve overall supply chain performance.

City Beach Surf Australia will also utilize the in-house business process configuration tools to adapt to evolving business requirements. The company's three existing warehouse facilities are being consolidated into one newly-constructed distribution center where the HighJump system will be implemented.

"We're pleased to be working with a company that offers demonstrated momentum in this part of the world," says Neil Jensen, General Manager of Supply Chain for City Beach Surf Australia. "We are tremendously impressed with the flexibility of the product. Any changes we may need to make, whether it's updating a screen layout or creating a new report, can be easily handled in-house. This will significantly reduce the total cost of ownership for the system."