Case Studies > Award Concepts Improves Order Fulfillment and Customer Satisfaction

Award Concepts Improves Order Fulfillment and Customer Satisfaction

Company Size

11-200

Region

Pacific

Country

New Zealand

Product

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
RF-SMART

Tech Stack

Microsoft Dynamics AX
RF-SMART

Implementation Scale

Enterprise-wide Deployment

Impact Metrics

Customer Satisfaction
Digital Expertise
Productivity Improvements

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)
Functional Applications - Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

Applicable Industries

Consumer Goods
Retail

Applicable Functions

Sales & Marketing
Warehouse & Inventory Management

Use Cases

Inventory Management
Warehouse Automation

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services
System Integration

About The Customer

Award Concepts is a New Zealand-based import distribution company that has been in operation since 1987. The company specializes in supplying a wide range of products, including bathroom ware, household products, chemicals and cleaning products, hardware, tools, and Wagner spray painting equipment. They cater to major retail chains such as Mitre 10, Bunnings, Placemakers, and Briscoes. Initially focused on the DIY category, Award Concepts has grown to become a key supplier for these retail giants. Their commitment to accurate order fulfillment and maintaining high inventory standards has been a cornerstone of their business, ensuring customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

The Challenge

Award Concepts faced significant challenges with their outdated and unsupported version of Microsoft Dynamics AX, which was over 10 years old. The software's instability and lack of security posed a risk to their operations. Additionally, they were using a third-party solution to manage their radio frequency (RF) systems, which led to potential errors in stock picking and movement. These issues threatened their ability to fulfill orders on time, which was critical for their business. The financial controller, Annmaree Talbot, emphasized the urgency of upgrading their systems to avoid business disruptions and ensure timely customer deliveries.

The Solution

To address their challenges, Award Concepts decided to upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. They selected UXC Eclipse to implement the new system and chose RF-SMART to replace their previous barcoding solution. This comprehensive upgrade aimed to provide a more stable, secure, and efficient system for managing their operations. The integration of RF-SMART with Dynamics AX significantly improved their order picking and shelf replenishment processes. Warehouse staff now use laptops in forklifts to check inventory levels and prioritize shelf refills, making the process much more efficient. Additionally, the business intelligence functions of Dynamics AX allow for daily reporting to relevant team members, helping the company stay on track with their budget and operational goals.

Operational Impact

The integration of RF-SMART with Dynamics AX has streamlined the order picking process, making it simpler and more efficient.
Warehouse staff can now prioritize shelf replenishments using laptops in forklifts, reducing the ad hoc nature of the previous process.
Daily reporting through Dynamics AX's business intelligence functions keeps all team members informed about the company's performance against budget.
Improved planning and visibility into order deadlines have enabled Award Concepts to meet delivery requirements more effectively.
Overall, customer delivery metrics have improved, leading to higher customer satisfaction.