Charmer Sunbelt Makes the Most of WMS Investment
As many distribution companies have come to realize, technology is the key to attaining efficiency, accuracy and profitability within the supply chain. This is what led New York-based Charmer Sunbelt Group (CSG) to install SAP’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application across all departments. With solutions for financials, human capital management, operations and corporate services, this software would not only help to streamline operations for the wine and spirits distributor, but also provide a foundation for future growth and expansion.
The Situation
Currently distributing to retail establishments in 14 states, employing over 7,000 people and generating almost $5 billion in annual sales, CSG needed a solution that would effectively manage the distribution of its products – some of the most valuable and well-known consumer brands in the world –through a network of 22 warehouses that range in size from 45,000 to 550,000 square feet. This is why SAP’s Warehouse Management Software System (WMS) was a key component for the company. Prior to the installation, CSG utilized a combination of outdated technologies and home-grown solutions to manage its warehouse operations.
SAP’s WMS would help streamline inventory control by automating many of the in-house processes. For bottle picking, CSG would utilize voice recognition software and speech synthesis to communicate directly with the WMS. This would enable warehouse workers to receive instructions and verbally confirm their actions back to the host system. While voice picking is the most common application for voice data collection technology, it can also be used in receiving, put-away, inventory management and shipping. SAP’s warehouse management software would also enable the company to integrate inbound and outbound processing with its suppliers, thus increasing efficiency and accuracy in moving products in and out of warehouses.
The Problem
In order to fully integrate SAP’s WMS, CSG needed to upgrade its warehouses to a real-time data collection system. This system would include both handheld and vehicle-mount mobile computers from LXE, Inc., part of EMS Technologies’ Global Resource Management group, and a leading provider of mobile computers with enhanced processors and memory needed to run SAP seamlessly in a supply chain application. Stay-Linked wireless terminal emulation software would reliably extend application screens to these wireless devices elevating the critical need for a dependable WLAN.
The wireless infrastructure itself would require a controller and access point-based wireless local area network (WLAN). Network engineers at CSG originally selected a major manufacturer’s wireless controller for the infrastructure, but due in part to early adoption, integration issues arose as the project rolled out. It also became apparent that the company’s future needs would quickly exceed the capabilities of the current solution. Larger warehouse locations would surpass the number of access points (APs) that one controller could support, meaning an expensive second controller would have to be installed, plus one more for redundancy due to the mission-critical nature of the order processing system.
The Solution
As CSG began evaluating alternative solutions for the Wi-Fi deployment, the company quickly realized there were limited options for overcoming the integration issues it encountered. At this point, CSG turned to its wireless integration partner, Barcoding, Inc., an enterprise-wide mobility solutions provider, to help find the best Wi-Fi solution. Barcoding looked to its extensive network of partners and found that only one provider offered a solution that would overcome all the factors currently derailing CSG’s installation: Aerohive Networks, a new partner in the wireless space and a leader in cloud-enabled wireless networking.
Aerohive’s cooperative control APs (HiveAPs) require no network controllers or overlay networks. Instead, software within the HiveAPs enables the APs to self-organize into groups called Hives. The result is enterprise-class network management and security without the cost, performance and availability issues associated with controller deployments from other major manufacturers. Until this point, CSG was unaware of a solution that did not require an onsite controller — and this intrigued the company. CSG quickly realized it was necessary to switch gears away from a traditional controller-based wireless network infrastructure and it looked to Aerohive’s cooperative control architecture.
Barcoding began working right away with CSG and Aerohive to integrate the solution at CSG’s New York headquarters and sites in Florida, South Carolina, and Maryland. Each of these locations was equipped with Aerohive’s HiveAP 20 and AP340 Series 802.11a/b/g APs, which combine an enterprise-class AP with a suite of cooperative control protocols and functions to provide all the benefits of a controller-based wireless LAN, without the controller. Aerohive’s Cooperative Control Architecture passes along all control functions and data forwarding to the smart HiveAPs, eliminating the traffic bottlenecks and complexities of controller-based solutions– similar to routers in the Internet function. This creates an environment that has no single point of failure for the entire network — ideal for any network engineer.
The centralized management system, or HiveManager, enables CSG to manage the entire deployment throughout 22 offices up and down the east coast and in Denver, from a single console. Previously, each location required a different network which created a time-consuming, tedious task when trying to install company-wide updates or change configurations. Now, with Aerohive’s HiveManager, CSG can manage more than 160 hives from one location and not worry about losing a connection during the entire process. The HiveManager also enables simple RF planning, policy creation, firmware upgrades, configuration updates, and centralized monitoring.
Through the HiveAPs, LXE handhelds and Windows mobile computers can connect to the WMS and access the real-time data required by the SAP application.
The Results
By installing Aerohive’s WLAN throughout the company’s warehouses, CSG achieved vital cost savings equating to tens of thousands of dollars in installation and labor costs.
Most notably, CSG experienced huge savings in the cost of purchasing hardware. Because Aerohive’s solution did not have a controller and wasn’t limited by the number of implemented HiveAPs, the entire network required less hardware. With the previous solution, CSG needed to purchase APs, primary and back-up controllers, switches, and software licenses for every application the company wanted to use. With Aerohive, CSG simply purchased APs and a license. Over the life of the system, this has the potential to save CSG tens of thousands of dollars per site.
Secondly, CSG found that it could save on the site survey piece as well. In the past, when deploying wireless systems from the legacy WLAN provider, CSG and Barcoding would jointly perform a site survey. A local cabling company would then pull cable to the locations where access points were installed. Finally, CSG and Barcoding would return to install and configure the APs. With Aerohive, the cabling company simply hangs and plugs in the APs. CSG then configures them remotely using the HiveManager. Ultimately, this eliminates the time and travel for two people to return to the site a second time, saving the company an average of $7,000 to $8,000 per location.
The final cost savings came from an Aerohive feature that CSG’s network department particularly liked-- the wireless mesh capability. This feature can establish a wireless mesh connection between neighboring HiveAPs using the second radio in the HiveAP. This is typically used to reroute network traffic around failures in the wired network, however, CSG envisions another application. At the warehouse in Jacksonville, Fla., for example, CSG had to run fiber to the far end of the building, mount a switch, and run copper to the AP. That one AP cost the company $4,000. With Aerohive, CSG can simply install a HiveAP and save.
Future Plans
CSG currently has 16 locations fully deployed with nearly 200 HiveAPs in place. Future plans call for the deployment of another 100 HiveAPs. By eliminating the need for a separate network at each location, CSG can easily deploy the HiveAPs anywhere, anytime, to scale the network to the needs of the growing company. Once deployed, the new HiveAPs are immediately available via the HiveManager and the new site is fully functional.
The Situation
Currently distributing to retail establishments in 14 states, employing over 7,000 people and generating almost $5 billion in annual sales, CSG needed a solution that would effectively manage the distribution of its products – some of the most valuable and well-known consumer brands in the world –through a network of 22 warehouses that range in size from 45,000 to 550,000 square feet. This is why SAP’s Warehouse Management Software System (WMS) was a key component for the company. Prior to the installation, CSG utilized a combination of outdated technologies and home-grown solutions to manage its warehouse operations.
SAP’s WMS would help streamline inventory control by automating many of the in-house processes. For bottle picking, CSG would utilize voice recognition software and speech synthesis to communicate directly with the WMS. This would enable warehouse workers to receive instructions and verbally confirm their actions back to the host system. While voice picking is the most common application for voice data collection technology, it can also be used in receiving, put-away, inventory management and shipping. SAP’s warehouse management software would also enable the company to integrate inbound and outbound processing with its suppliers, thus increasing efficiency and accuracy in moving products in and out of warehouses.
The Problem
In order to fully integrate SAP’s WMS, CSG needed to upgrade its warehouses to a real-time data collection system. This system would include both handheld and vehicle-mount mobile computers from LXE, Inc., part of EMS Technologies’ Global Resource Management group, and a leading provider of mobile computers with enhanced processors and memory needed to run SAP seamlessly in a supply chain application. Stay-Linked wireless terminal emulation software would reliably extend application screens to these wireless devices elevating the critical need for a dependable WLAN.
The wireless infrastructure itself would require a controller and access point-based wireless local area network (WLAN). Network engineers at CSG originally selected a major manufacturer’s wireless controller for the infrastructure, but due in part to early adoption, integration issues arose as the project rolled out. It also became apparent that the company’s future needs would quickly exceed the capabilities of the current solution. Larger warehouse locations would surpass the number of access points (APs) that one controller could support, meaning an expensive second controller would have to be installed, plus one more for redundancy due to the mission-critical nature of the order processing system.
The Solution
As CSG began evaluating alternative solutions for the Wi-Fi deployment, the company quickly realized there were limited options for overcoming the integration issues it encountered. At this point, CSG turned to its wireless integration partner, Barcoding, Inc., an enterprise-wide mobility solutions provider, to help find the best Wi-Fi solution. Barcoding looked to its extensive network of partners and found that only one provider offered a solution that would overcome all the factors currently derailing CSG’s installation: Aerohive Networks, a new partner in the wireless space and a leader in cloud-enabled wireless networking.
Aerohive’s cooperative control APs (HiveAPs) require no network controllers or overlay networks. Instead, software within the HiveAPs enables the APs to self-organize into groups called Hives. The result is enterprise-class network management and security without the cost, performance and availability issues associated with controller deployments from other major manufacturers. Until this point, CSG was unaware of a solution that did not require an onsite controller — and this intrigued the company. CSG quickly realized it was necessary to switch gears away from a traditional controller-based wireless network infrastructure and it looked to Aerohive’s cooperative control architecture.
Barcoding began working right away with CSG and Aerohive to integrate the solution at CSG’s New York headquarters and sites in Florida, South Carolina, and Maryland. Each of these locations was equipped with Aerohive’s HiveAP 20 and AP340 Series 802.11a/b/g APs, which combine an enterprise-class AP with a suite of cooperative control protocols and functions to provide all the benefits of a controller-based wireless LAN, without the controller. Aerohive’s Cooperative Control Architecture passes along all control functions and data forwarding to the smart HiveAPs, eliminating the traffic bottlenecks and complexities of controller-based solutions– similar to routers in the Internet function. This creates an environment that has no single point of failure for the entire network — ideal for any network engineer.
The centralized management system, or HiveManager, enables CSG to manage the entire deployment throughout 22 offices up and down the east coast and in Denver, from a single console. Previously, each location required a different network which created a time-consuming, tedious task when trying to install company-wide updates or change configurations. Now, with Aerohive’s HiveManager, CSG can manage more than 160 hives from one location and not worry about losing a connection during the entire process. The HiveManager also enables simple RF planning, policy creation, firmware upgrades, configuration updates, and centralized monitoring.
Through the HiveAPs, LXE handhelds and Windows mobile computers can connect to the WMS and access the real-time data required by the SAP application.
The Results
By installing Aerohive’s WLAN throughout the company’s warehouses, CSG achieved vital cost savings equating to tens of thousands of dollars in installation and labor costs.
Most notably, CSG experienced huge savings in the cost of purchasing hardware. Because Aerohive’s solution did not have a controller and wasn’t limited by the number of implemented HiveAPs, the entire network required less hardware. With the previous solution, CSG needed to purchase APs, primary and back-up controllers, switches, and software licenses for every application the company wanted to use. With Aerohive, CSG simply purchased APs and a license. Over the life of the system, this has the potential to save CSG tens of thousands of dollars per site.
Secondly, CSG found that it could save on the site survey piece as well. In the past, when deploying wireless systems from the legacy WLAN provider, CSG and Barcoding would jointly perform a site survey. A local cabling company would then pull cable to the locations where access points were installed. Finally, CSG and Barcoding would return to install and configure the APs. With Aerohive, the cabling company simply hangs and plugs in the APs. CSG then configures them remotely using the HiveManager. Ultimately, this eliminates the time and travel for two people to return to the site a second time, saving the company an average of $7,000 to $8,000 per location.
The final cost savings came from an Aerohive feature that CSG’s network department particularly liked-- the wireless mesh capability. This feature can establish a wireless mesh connection between neighboring HiveAPs using the second radio in the HiveAP. This is typically used to reroute network traffic around failures in the wired network, however, CSG envisions another application. At the warehouse in Jacksonville, Fla., for example, CSG had to run fiber to the far end of the building, mount a switch, and run copper to the AP. That one AP cost the company $4,000. With Aerohive, CSG can simply install a HiveAP and save.
Future Plans
CSG currently has 16 locations fully deployed with nearly 200 HiveAPs in place. Future plans call for the deployment of another 100 HiveAPs. By eliminating the need for a separate network at each location, CSG can easily deploy the HiveAPs anywhere, anytime, to scale the network to the needs of the growing company. Once deployed, the new HiveAPs are immediately available via the HiveManager and the new site is fully functional.