Stored Procedure Optimization for E-commerce Fulfillment
A Manhattan WMOS Case Study
ITOrizon partnered with a leading American fast-fashion company to optimize their Manhattan WMOS platform. By targeting and refining key stored procedures, the project successfully streamlined fulfillment processes, maximized sorter utilization, and eliminated multiple manual, time-consuming bottlenecks.
1. Customer Challenges
The client, operating on the Manhattan WMOS Platform for their E-commerce fulfillment in their DC, faced multiple systemic inefficiencies that limited throughput and increased operational dependency on labor.
Key Challenges included:
- Manual ASN Error Handling: The legacy process for managing errored-out ASNs was time-intensive. This required extensive manual interventions, leading to significant delays in fulfillment and a reduction in overall operational agility.
- Underutilized Sortation Infrastructure: The existing process resulted in the inefficient use of the unit sorter chutes. This hindered optimal wave execution, causing the operation to miss throughput opportunities and utilize resources sub-optimally.
- Gift Card Fulfillment Gaps: There was a gap in system functionality, which prevented the seamless attachment of gift card numbers to outbound shipments under exceptional conditions. This created friction and degraded the personalized customer experience.
- iLPN Resolution Bottlenecks: Addressing invalid or “junk” iLPNs (internal License Plates) was a complicated and slow process. It required Change Advisory Board (CAB) approvals and coordination with external teams, which introduced unnecessary complexity and slowed down critical issue resolution.
2. Project Objective
The client’s top objectives were focused on automating error resolution, maximizing existing infrastructure efficiency, and streamlining key processes.
The project aimed to achieve this by:
- Automating ASN Error Resolution: Eliminating manual interventions by automating the error resolution process for ASNs.
- Improving Chute Throughput: Optimizing order handling capacity to improve chute utilization and overall throughput.
- Enabling Seamless Integration: Enabling the seamless attachment of gift card numbers to outbound shipments under various conditions.
- Accelerating Issue Resolution: Streamlining the process of cancelling/consuming invalid iLPNs to avoid operational delays and dependency on external teams.
3. Solution Offered by ITOrizon
ITOrizon delivered a comprehensive stored procedure optimization solution, leveraging our deep technical expertise in WMOS configuration and customer flow to achieve rapid time-to-value.
The unique solutions developed included:
- Intelligent ASN Error Resolution: ITOrizon developed automated handling for errored-out Advanced Shipping Notices (ASNs). This eliminated manual interventions, accelerating throughput and significantly reducing fulfillment delays.
- Dynamic Sorter Chute Optimization: Advanced chute capacity logic was implemented to ensure maximum utilization of the unit sorter infrastructure. This solution maximized resource productivity and improved flow.
- Seamless Gift Card Integration: System functionality was developed to allow for the direct attachment of gift cards to outbound shipments, even under exceptional conditions. This enhanced customer satisfaction and supported personalized experiences.
- Streamlined iLPN Management: A self-service mechanism was developed to cancel or consume junk iLPNs. This eliminated the previous dependency on CAB approvals or external teams, accelerating issue resolution and eliminating bottlenecks.
ITOrizon’s deep understanding of the client’s flow and extension artifacts enabled rapid design, implementation, and deployment, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing distribution operations
4. Project Outcome and Customer Benefits
The stored procedure optimization resulted in significant operational improvements, increased productivity, and enhanced service delivery.
Measurable Results:
- Automated ASN Resolution: The system was configured to “auto heal” ASN errors, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
- Increased Throughput: Improved chute utilization was achieved, leading to higher overall throughput and faster wave completion.
- Reduced Labor and Handling: The changes led to reduced tote handling and lower labor requirements at the sorter and autobag areas.
- Real-time Continuity: Faster resolution of junk iLPNs was achieved, enabling real-time operational continuity.
Key Benefits Achieved:
- Higher Productivity: The client gained the ability to run larger waves, which drove higher pick density and overall productivity.
- Lower Labor Requirements: Overall labor requirements and reliance on manual interventions were reduced.
- Enhanced Service: Increased accuracy and speed were achieved in order fulfillment.
- Operational Agility: The client achieved greater agility in responding to DC operational needs.
ITOrizon Inc., a global end-to-end IT supply chain ecosystem service leader based in Atlanta, with offshore locations in India and Dubai, has been helping clients ensure success for more than 10 years. We maximize the value of existing ecosystem investments while outpacing the competition with a human-first service delivery client experience. Industry analysts such as Gartner, ISG, and ARC Advisory have recognized us for our high-performance services team, built to scale and delivering strategic advisory, implementation/integration, digital transformation, and managed support services.
