Overview
Logistics workflows can become significantly complex in the industrial manufacturing sector without an effective transport management solution. Our client, a leading supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking, and aftermarket solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets, was facing this challenge when they engaged us to transform their logistics workflows.
Birlasoft led this transformation through a disruption-free migration of their OTM deployment to the cloud and building additional capabilities to support logistics functions across North America and Europe. We executed the engagement remotely and brought significant cost savings and productivity enhancements for the client. Read the details of this engagement below.
The Challenge
1. IOTM version nearing end-of-life support.
Our client had an on-prem Oracle Transport Management (OTM) deployment integrated with JDA and AS400 systems. It was supporting their logistics activities across both Europe and NA operations. This OTM version was nearing end-of-life support, which necessitated an urgent upgrade.
2. Difficulty supporting growing users and high-volume load planning.
The client leveraged on-prem OTM deployment for high-volume load planning, which involved the exchange of multiple Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) messages between their organization and the carriers. This was becoming difficult, and the deployment was could not securely support a growing user base, which included carriers and suppliers.
The Solution
Birlasoft led a fully remote OTM migration and deployed new capabilities, enhancing multiple logistics operations facets:
The solution helped the client automate critical processes, like quote generation, quote approval, order and contract creation, and pricing management. It also helped them achieve better cost control with more efficient operations.
1. Deployed OTM Cloud and migrated transaction data to the cloud
Birlasoft quickly aligned its OTM experts to implement the OTM cloud for the client. Following this, our teams integrated OTM with Informatica Cloud and their JDA ERP within 15 weeks of going live. Post-integration, our teams migrated two years of transaction data to the cloud using our Migra tool, enabling a fast migration.
2. Configuring new functionalities and driving mobile enablement
Birlasoft implemented new modules to enhance OTM functionalities, including Transportation Intelligence (FTI) Transportation Sourcing, Actual Class Determination, Capacity Limits, Critical Shipments, and Document Management. In addition, the new OTM functionalities were made accessible via smartphones using OTM Mobile Apps.
3. Enabled shipment visibility in OTM with Fourkites integration
After analyzing the client’s logistics solutions and workflows, we recommended FourKites to gain real-time visibility for all shipments. Birlasoft then integrated FourKites with OTM Cloud to provide the visibility data natively in the OTM environment.
4. Process enhancements and best-practices
We enhanced key logistics workflows with the OTM Cloud deployment and added functionalities. Some manual processes and offline activities were digitized and automated, and email-based coordination was replaced with automated workflows in the OTM cloud. We also created extensive user manuals for suppliers and carriers in both North America and Europe. Lastly, we applied the OTM Cloud quarterly 20B update and thoroughly tested it to ensure flawless functionality post-deployment.
The Impact
The new OTM deployment has significantly enhanced logistics workflows at the client organization. The solution now facilitates coordinating and managing 700+ daily shipments in North America and 200+ daily shipments in Europe. It has enabled the client to realize the following business benefits:
- Real-time status availability, enabled by the OTM Mobile App for carriers.
- Native shipment availability data brought significant efficiency to logistics workflows – enabling 15% improvement in shipment visibility and tracking.
- Enhanced document management and storage, resulting in reduced error rates.
- Upto 10% reduction in logistics cost with key reports like spot bids summary, shipments decline, and Planned vs Actuals.
- Increased productivity and enhanced user experience with the automation of key processes – resulting in 8% improvement in on time delivery.
To discover how we can partner to transform your supply chain and logistics operations, write to us at oracle@birlasoft.com
