LDB Logistics Relies on Wanko’s PraMag WMS for 10 Years

To digitize all warehouse processes and ensure seamless data exchange with its customers, the Baden logistics service provider LDB has been relying on Wanko’s warehouse management system PraMag for over 10 years.

(PresseBox; Ainring) For Torsten Fellmoser, digitization and optimization is a continuous process. The managing director and owner of the Baden logistics group LDB maintains close contact with his IT partners. At least once a week, project manager Manuela Fellmoser meets virtually with Wanko, the supplier of the warehouse management system (WMS) PraMag used at LDB.

“There are always new ideas or new customer assortments that we want to integrate as best as possible into our processes at our warehouse locations in Bühl and Rastatt,” explains Manuela Fellmoser. “With Wanko, we have an IT partner on equal footing who understands our requirements and implements them promptly.”

This applies, for example, to the onboarding of new customers and the associated setup of an interface between PraMag and the respective merchandise management system. “Every customer transmits their order data in different ways. Together with Wanko, we adapt to this – and it works great,” confirms Fellmoser.

Integrated Hazardous Material Register

Among the recent results of the collaboration is the hazardous material register created in 2022 in accordance with the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV). The integrated directory in PraMag knows all hazardous materials stored at LDB and their exact storage locations. In case of accidents, it can be immediately determined what safety and protective measures need to be taken. For the Bühl location, this is an extremely important function: 30 percent of the goods stored here are hazardous materials.

The transparency regarding storage locations is one of the basic advantages of PraMag and the associated scanning of all goods movements. Here, LDB relies on robust Android scanners from Zebra, equipped with the PraMag app. Through the displays of the scanners, employees receive clear information and instructions that safely guide them through the respective process. “With PraMag, concrete tasks like picking or packing are always in focus. This feature convinced me from the very beginning,” recalls Fellmoser, who had considered several systems before investing in the WMS.

Simple Data Transfer from Logistics to Transport

The mobile data terminals (MDEs) are primarily used for the daily approximately 400 picking orders. Depending on the scope, the fully picked shipments are handed over to the in-house shipping company, an external transport contractor, or a KEP service provider. For this purpose, Wanko has integrated DHL-Paket, DHL-Freight, and GLS via interface. This automatically prints the correct shipping labels at the various packing stations and informs the respective service providers about the pickups. In addition, PraMag is connected to the transport management system BlueCargo used by the sister company LDB Transport. This allows data to be easily transferred from logistics to the transport sector.

The inbound and outbound processes in the manual high-bay warehouse, operated with a semi-automatic narrow-aisle forklift from Jungheinrich, have also been significantly accelerated. The forklift receives driving commands with the exact storage coordinates directly from PraMag. The upcoming order appears on the forklift terminal, which is an industrial-grade tablet from Honeywell. The driver only needs to confirm the order on the tablet, which is then automatically transmitted to the forklift control. After that, the Jungheinrich automatically drives to the desired shelf compartment. Even scanning the pallet can be omitted in this process. An accelerated process that eliminates errors.

Continuously Adapted to New Challenges

Another interface exists between PraMag and the customer portal developed specifically for LDB. This allows customers to check the shipment progress, the number of processed packages, and current stock levels, or download delivery receipts. “The service offerings in the customer portal are constantly being expanded in collaboration with Wanko,” notes Fellmoser. After all, one would like to offer customers the data that PraMag already provides.

Through the close cooperation between LDB and Wanko as two medium-sized companies, the warehouse management of the logistics service provider is continuously adapted to new challenges and customer requests. A dynamic process characterized by a trusting collaboration.

Photo: © Wanko