Playful easy:
SERU optimizes warehouse logistics

Whether Playstation, Wii or Xbox – game consoles are very popular. SERU Distribution GmbH ensures that the necessary video games will get in commerce reliable. The company provides the entire spectrum of a full logistics service. To be able to realize more sufficient processes in the future, SERU is implementing a new warehouse management system. It was an important criterion for the company that the new solution inserts consistently in the existing IT-infrastructure.

For about ten years the logistics service provider uses the ERP-software Microsoft Dynamics NAV in all different business divisions, starting with the version 2.6. “Over the time we got to the limits of the programme”, Sven-Eric Ihloff, CVO/Controller at SERU, explains. Almost daily the in-house IT department created additional programming and made the solutions in this way more individual. That is the reason, why the company decided to implement a new warehouse management system. “We knew from the beginning that we wanted to keep using the Microsoft Dynamic NAV system “, Ihloff explains. Therefore they decided on unitop LVS of the GOB Software & Systems.

The requirements
SERU focuses mainly on logistics services and is known in the area of computer and games distribution. In this process the company cares for the storage, commissioning, packaging and shipping. Above this, the return management belongs to the spectrum of products. The services of the company are used by, for example Namco Bandai Partners Germany and the CEG Interactive Entertainment. “We supply our customers, who are mainly wholesalers and retailers, like Amazon, Saturn, Media Markt and Real”, Ihloff explains. The company stores more than 2,000 different articles in an area of around 5,500sqm. These articles consist of promotional ones, computer and video games including matching accessories like Joy-Sticks, Memory Cards or cables. About 20 storage employees handle at peak time around 5,000 orders with a total of circa 20,000 positions per day. In order to offer a smooth service in the future, all processes in the warehouse will undergo a critical check with the implementation of unitop LVS and if needed they will be redefined. Especially in the area of commissioning the company hopes for an increase of efficiency – for example through a route optimization of commissioning and the introduction of data broadcasting.

Furthermore, the serial number management is very important to SERU, because the “Weischer Media Group”, which belongs to the customer base as well, distributes cinema advertising. “We ship the film rolls to the cinemas and need to know where which single copy actually is”, Ihloff explains. Moreover, the company hopes for a faster and an even more exact warehouse charges invoicing due to the unitop LVS.

Programming in personal contribution
For the choice of the provider, it was important to SERU to keep the ability of programming independently – the company owns an application builder license. “Unitop LVS covers already many needed functions in the standard programme, but at the same time it still leaves room for individual adaptions”, Ihloff emphasizes. The company agreed with the GOB that the logistic service provider is integrated in the programming of the software from the beginning and will take over some areas completely independently.

GOB Software & Systems
The software- and system integrator GOB was established in 1965 and employs more than 200 workers. GOB Navision has been partner since 1997 and provides comprehensive industry solutions for medium enterprises and organizations based on Microsoft Dynamics NAV. More than 500 customers with focuses on trading, production and logistics, companies of the steel industry as well as nonprofit organizations profit of the fully integrated GOB solution of unitop. There are for example Adam Hall, Finkenholl, rff, Röhrenkontor and Unionstahl, action medeor, the Auto Club Europa, the Mieterverein Köln as well as World Vision on the reference list of the company.