New Warehouse Management System Enhances Port's Supply Chain Package

Since the introduction of the Port's new supply chain management package cargo volumes have increased with over 1.5 million tonnes of cargo handled in 2001.  To accommodate this growth the Port has invested £55 million to create a multi-modal facility with road, rail and sea access supported by modern warehousing.  The installation of a state-of-the-art warehouse system supplied by ATMS was seen as an integral part of the package. 

The Port required a system to improve its Logistics Services by closely monitoring stock control and traceability.  Phase one of this involved the introduction of ATMS StockTrack PLUS warehouse management system to manage palletised products at three of the Port's warehouses.

The ATMS developed system has been specifically tailored to meet the Port's requirements.  It will take full control of every pallet stored and will eventually process full management data of all work carried out at the Port's 5 hectares of Custom Approved warehousing. 

The system is also radio linked to allow operatives to carry out their workload quickly and efficiently whilst keeping a constant contact with the administration office. 

StockTrack PLUS will control the replenishment of picking faces, picking onto pallets and full control of despatches.  It also computes the storage charges each week for each customer. 

To enable the system, ATMS has supplied seven radio data terminals - some hand-held and some truck-mounted - a TEC printer, 30 Progress licenses and 15 StockTrack Warehouse Management System licenses. 

Stephen Cross, director of Birmingham-based ATMS, said: UK Ports have experienced huge growth in trade, particularly import trade, over the last few years.  The Port of Tyne is very much at the sharp end of the supply chain.   

We were delighted to be awarded the Port of Tyne Authority contract.  We used our vast experience and faced new challenges, our systems really come to their own in such applications.

The internet plays a significant role in the system developed by ATMS for the Port of Tyne Authority.  Webspeed, a Progress product that allows ATMS to web enable its applications, is a key part of the specification.  It is designed to allow customers to view their stock and place orders via the internet using a standard browser, therefore creating substantial cost and administration time efficiencies. 

David Clifford, MD of the Port said: Creation of a truly multimodal facility has been a top priority and this drive towards supply chain management has been a major factor in attracting new customers, resulting in increased traffic moving through the Port.

We chose the ATMS system because of the company's experience.   The benefits were clear from the outset. We were able to work closely with ATMS personnel to tailor the system to meet the requirements of the Port and our customers, with the maximum flexibility.

ATMS's involvement with the Port of Tyne will continue through further phases of the investment programme. Longer term, it is envisaged the system will extend to cover non-palletised goods such as timber and steel.