Solid Ceiling Products, a large-scale ceiling and partitioning supplier in South Africa, elected to implement TransLution Software to assist with managing and organizing its warehouse. One of the primary reasons for choosing TransLution was its ability to integrate seamlessly with Sage200 which is used in the Solid Ceilings organization.

The goal of the implementation was to better organize its warehouse, retrieve inventory from storage more efficiently, and reduce damages though better packing methods. In addition, TransLution was also used to print bin labels, print item labels, and maintain and manage bins using grids in TransLution.

During the Receiving process, stock is not available until it has been GRN’d. When containers are received and unloaded, where the costing and receiving into the virtual warehouse has already been completed, the items can be received into TransLution. This is performed using a handheld device, and users scan the Purchase order number and then select the items to receive. They can optionally print labels and TansLution calculates the number of labels to print based on the order quantity. Stock can be labelled in both bundles and as loose stock.

Once all items have been received for the Purchase Order the information can be reviewed on the Purchase Order Posting Grid. 

There is also a QC process with a grid to enable the user to inspect and pass, fail, or reject stock. Only items that have passed QC are GRN’d into Sage200. A reversal GRN process has been built for items that were received into the ERP but need to be returned to the supplier. There is also a function available to regrade stock that was received as damaged but can be cut and sold as offcuts. This function is only available to stock that failed QC Inspection and has been transferred to the damages warehouse.

Received stock is then bundled, labelled, and put into storage. The putaway function guides the users to a default bin for the stock code, but they are not forced to put the stock into the suggested bin.

After receiving and putaway, the production processes begin. TransLution is used retrieve stock out of bins, based on the stock code to make. This is similar to a kit-issue.

The final stage is picking sales orders. Sales Orders indicate the quantity per line-item that needs to be picked. A General grid is used to see which Sales Orders can be picked, as well as allocating them to pickers. A single sales order is allocated to one picker. After the sales order has been allocated, the picker uses a scanner to pick – TransLution guides him through the bin sequence to pick from. Short picks are allowed but a reason must be given. There is an option to cancel a pick if the sales order is cancelled before it is dispatched to the customer.

Once picked, orders are loaded onto a vehicle for dispatch to the customer. The load is handed over to the driver who is required to complete the POD function on a handheld device. The POD function is also used to create invoices and sends emails to the client which includes the signed delivery note. Clients are also able to decline stock they do not want at that point.

In addition to the business processes described above, TransLution is also used in a series of warehouse management tasks. These include stock take, cycle count, bin transfers, and warehouse transfers.

Implementation done by TransLution South Africa.

About

Solid Ceiling Products

Solid Ceiling Products is a ceiling and partitioning supplier with bases in Johannesburg and Durban. Solid Ceiling Products is owner-run, and pride themselves in personalized, efficient service, honesty and reliability. Solid Ceiling Products is committed to providing both the commercial and private sectors of the construction industry with vastly superior products, expert knowledge and competitive pricing.

TransLution™ Software LLC

TransLution™ Software LLC is focused on the development and implementation of software to collect, manage and automate operational tasks for manufacturing companies in the warehouse and on the production floor. With headquarters in Cumming, GA USA and offices in Rotterdam Netherlands and Johannesburg South Africa, TransLution™ Software is available through resellers in North America, Europe, Africa and Australia.