Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/946236
maltatoday, SUNDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2018 VI Business & Finance When Express Trailers launched its managed pharma warehousing service in 2012, its obvious choice in terms of software was an already mature Warehouse Manage- ment System for 3PL that was developed by Databyte, a leading software development house, forming part of the KDM Group. That system consisted of an IT-based platform that effi- ciently manages administration and invoicing of the receipt, storage and distribution of stocks. The original proprietary sys- tem was further developed by DataByte, and Express Trail- ers is now co-investing with DataByte to take this system to the next level and market it both locally and internationally to other Third-Party Logistics operators. "Managed Warehousing goes beyond having available space for storage but rather, it entails having the right IT platform supporting the day-to-day management of receiving and holding third-party inventory, issue holding bills, taking or- ders, delivering these orders to customers and keeping track of replenishing stock," said Franco Azzopardi, Chairman and CEO of Express Trailers. "We have been collaborating with DataByte since our first pharma warehouses started operating in 2012. However, since different commodities require different handling, we had to modify the system to cater for such requirements and today, besides pharma- ceuticals, this platform has been modified to cater for different types of commodities including brown goods, white goods, manufacturing goods and more. Eventually, this IT system is now being applied to the management of Express Trailers' new centralised man- aged warehousing facilities in Qormi." Express Trailers' Warehouse Management System for 3PL, features a configurated plan of each warehouse facility iden- tifying length of stay of goods stored in the warehouse, the accrued billing value per night of storage and any vacant stor- age space that can be sold. When cargo is received, tal- lied and warehoused, all items are bar-coded on location. Cli- ents supply electronic files with the incoming cargo to enable us to prepare the related docu- mentation for the warehouse coordinator to administer. Pick orders are also sent by the client in electronic format to include the number of items required and respective stock code, segregated according to each driver or vehicle. The newer improved system is planned to cater for online data interface and give clients more authorised accessibility. Currently Express Trailers handles third-party logistics for a number of companies includ- ing a major telecoms company and a leading white goods company. Frederick Micallef, Data- Byte's Managing Director said that the relationship between Express Trailers and DataByte started in 1986, when Data- Byte started to analyse, design and build the core Transport Management System for the company. During the same year, DataByte also started developing a Warehouse Man- agement System for third party logistics for another client who operated in a different sector. Convergence between the two distinct product paths took place some seven years ago when Express Trailers en- gaged DataByte in the compa- ny's own product development for third party logistics, specifi- cally warehouse management. Express Trailers had taken a strategic decision to invest in this area of business as part of their diversification strategy. "ICT was crucial, and the company approached us to use our expertise in this field of business, and on the basis of our long-standing relation- ship, tap in our technological expertise to create the third party contracting, inventory holding and billing engine behind the warehousing opera- tion." The product grew in such a way, that it now required a more robust and widely ac- cessible application which can also integrate with the third- party clients. "Express Trailers is the leading logistics partner in Malta with expertise in the field and with a vision and commitment towards interna- tionalisation. "This is in sync with our vision and strategy and as such we decided to estab- lish a company to develop and market this product both locally as well as internation- ally. To achieve this, we will also be maximising our re- cently announced partnership with international consultants Gartner for the internationali- sation of the product, which product will also be using our robust and safe cloud-infra- structure," Micallef said. Azzopardi said that the prospects of more growth in this activity had led the com- pany to start consolidating its available space and it had decided to centralise its man- aged warehousing service under one roof to be able to offer a better and more ef- ficient service to an increased demand. "Our pharma warehouses will remain next to our main offices but our current man- aged warehouses located opposite our main operating yard will be moved to our new 2800sqm warehouse in Qormi, leaving us with more space that will be utilised bet- ter to gain more efficiencies." DataByte, Express Trailers to take unique proprietary IT system internationally Express Trailers' Warehouse Management System for 3PL features a configurated plan of each warehouse facility identifying length of stay of goods stored in the warehouse, the accrued billing value per night of storage and any vacant storage space that can be sold