Case study: Warehouse efficiency 101 for E-Bisglobal
E-Bisglobal, a leader in business process outsourcing and print management, faced significant operational inefficiencies that hindered its ability to scale effectively.
As E-Bisglobal grew and technologies changed, software solutions were implemented; however, some of these solutions caused other issues and did not integrate well with each other. This resulted in the implementation of new time-consuming manual processes to fill the gaps, adding layers of complexity and a greater potential for errors. The reliance on manual processes, disparate systems, and lack of visibility into key business operations created bottlenecks, impacting both service delivery and cost efficiency.
“Extolla brought expertise, structure, and automation to our business, delivering immediate improvements and setting us up for long-term success.”
Will Freeman, General Manager, E-Bisglobal
The Challenge
The key challenges E-Bisglobal faced included:
- Software Incompatibility: The existing suite of software was fragmented and lacked integration, resulting in no single source of truth.
- Lack of Operational Visibility: Job tracking and inventory management were difficult, leading to delays and inefficiencies.
- High Labour Dependence: Many processes were manual, increasing operational costs and the potential for errors.
- Poor Master Data Management: Inconsistent and duplicated records led to inaccurate reporting and inefficiencies.
- E-Tag Fulfilment Bottlenecks: The high-labour fulfilment process for e-tags was time-consuming and prone to errors.
The Solution
Extolla provided a comprehensive solution by recommending automation, process improvements, and system integrations to drive efficiency. The key interventions included:
- ERP Selection & Implementation: Extolla recommended and helped E-Bisglobal evaluate and shortlist ERP systems to consolidate operations, automate manual processes, and enhance data visibility.
- Automated Order Processing: By recommending robotic process automation (RPA), Extolla eliminated duplicate data entry and improved accuracy.
- Warehouse Optimisation: A structured approach using a WMS and Inventory Management System would enable effective inventory tracking, optimised warehouse storage utilisation, and improved picking efficiency.”
- E-Tag Processing Automation: A bespoke robotic flow packing solution streamlined e-tag fulfilment, reducing labour from multiple full-time equivalents (FTEs) to just 1-1.5 FTEs.
The Outcome
With Extolla’s solutions in place, E-Bisglobal experienced transformative improvements:
- Operational efficiency increased, with significant reductions in manual data entry and process redundancies.
- Labour costs reduced, particularly in the e-tag fulfilment process, through automation and streamlined workflows.
- Improved inventory accuracy and job tracking provided greater warehouse visibility enabling better forecasting and stock management.
- Faster order fulfilment times and enhanced customer service delivery.
- Over $500K in tangible and intangible cost savings were identified through ERP implementation and automation.
Conclusion
Through a structured and data-driven approach, Extolla provided E-Bisglobal with a roadmap for operational transformation. By addressing inefficiencies, automating key processes, and proposing robust technology solutions, Extolla has positioned E-Bisglobal for sustained growth and success in a competitive market.