Evatec streamlines spare parts logistics with Carrier Connect
Challenge
Escalating time investment, high error rate in shipping
Order Processing & Export Controls Manager Denise Noser and Export & Import Specialist Stefan Hofstädter of Evatec recall the journey to perfect spare parts logistics that began in late 2014. Evatec was acquiring the Advanced Technologies Segment of Oerlikon OC, and the integration presented new challenges for those managing outbound logistics.
At the time of the acquisition, all shipments were entered manually through the individual online portals of the various parcel services. When Evatec wanted to ship a package with TNT, for example, an employee had to feed the consignment data into the TNT portal. If FedEx was handling the transport, then the data needed to be input through the FedEx portal.
Before the acquisition, this was doable. But as growing business led to more transports, the workers could barely keep up. The process was not compatible with how parts orders were managed: It took far too much time, and the resulting crunch led to errors. In one instance, an order of parts was mistakenly shipped to China instead of the United States.
It quickly became clear that something had to change.
“We need a reliable system running in the background to support our parts shipments. Our customers around the world expect prompt, perfect service”
Denise Noser, Spare Parts Logistics Specialist at Evatec
Carrier Connect as an integrated solution for efficient logistics
The challenge: Evatec uses its own operating system, BPS, which made the task of programming an interface more complicated. To get the ball rolling quickly, Evatec employees initially input consignment data manually into the AEB software on a transitional basis. “This at least allowed Evatec to work with just one system instead of several different systems,” notes Anastasia Riedel, Project Manager for Evatec at AEB's Zurich office.
The second phase involved configuring an interface to the proprietary BPS operating system. Since then, the AEB solution has been running in the background, and all the shipping orders are captured in Evatec's BPS system and packed in the company's goods issue area. Workers there only need to add the weight and consignment size, then the system generates the label and export papers.
Dispatchers just retrieve the label and papers from the printer, and the shipment is ready to go. At the end of each workday, one click is all it takes for the software to generate a manifest for each provider. The driver then confirms acceptance of the consignments.
Result
Smooth logistics, higher customer satisfaction
The new setup guarantees consistently high performance in spare parts logistics. Month for month, Evatec sends out several hundred packages of parts from its main offices in Switzerland - four times the volume before the acquisition.
Carrier Connect provides the electronic links to FedEx, TNT, DHL, and UPS - and more spare parts logistics providers have been added. “We realize, of course, that our customers may sometimes stop doing business with a particular provider. When this happens, the workflow with the new provider needs to be in place. With Carrier Connect, switching over is no problem at all,” assures Riedel.
Noser and Hofstädter are definitely happy with the product: “The system is always running.” AEB handles the regular carrier updates and makes sure the solution is always up to date and running smoothly.
Carrier Connect: Shipping can be that easy
About Evatec
Spare parts logistics has taken its place alongside Evatec's platform projects as a key pillar of the company's operations. Over 600 packages of spare parts are shipped via forwarder or parcel service to customers each month. The company is a specialist in the development, production, and distribution of high-tech thin film deposition systems for the semiconductor, optical, and optoelectronic markets. Evatec AG has main offices in Trübbach, Switzerland, with branch offices in Germany, North America, Singapore, Malaysia, China, and Taiwan. Evatec's customers are spread around the globe, and its spare parts shipments are usually time-sensitive.