Transforming Warehouse Management with Intelligent Automation for 70% Faster Delivery Times

Business Opportunity

Maximizing Warehouse Potential through Innovative Technology Integration

The client is a large-scale FMCG supplier with export, wholesale, and retail partnership channels. Currently, their retail presence stands at more than 150 retail outlets all over Singapore, dealing in high-quality fast fast-moving consumer goods at highly competitive prices. 

We developed a multi-platform app using Flutter, resolving the outdated UI problem and enhancing user experience. We integrated the app with existing ERP and WMS systems to ensure data consistency with offline capabilities. An Admin Portal was created for managing key functions, and exportable reports were provided to enable data-driven decisions, compensating for the lack of a centralized warehouse system. As a result, the client achieved 60% increase in repeat purchases, 70% faster time to delivery, 70% decrease in latency, and 70% reduction in Full-Time Employees (FTEs).

Technical Challenge

• Outdated and Non-Optimized App UI: The existing application user interface was outdated and not optimized, leading to poor user experience and inefficiencies.
• ERP and WMS Integration Issues: Changes made in the ERP and Warehouse Management System (WMS) were not propagated across data analytics, resulting in data inconsistencies and unreliable insights.
• Lack of Centralized Warehouse: The absence of a centralized warehouse system prevented the consolidation of data, leading to a lack of actionable insights on sales and revenue.

Our Solution

To optimize the client’s warehouse products and sales, we developed a multi-platform application using Google’s Flutter framework. This ensures compatibility across Android, iOS, and web platforms.

The B2B application follows cloud-native best practices for high scalability, availability, and cost-efficiency. It integrates seamlessly with the client’s ERP systems for smooth sales order processing and product catalog management. To handle connectivity issues, the app includes offline capabilities, allowing clients to access the catalog and place orders without internet access. Firebase Firestore manages and syncs local changes.

An Admin Portal was created for managing the B2B application, including promotions, products, and pricing. The app also generates exportable reports, like Order Reports and B2B Client lists, to support data-driven decisions.

The application utilizes a modern tech stack for exceptional performance and scalability. Built with Flutter and Node.js, it’s hosted on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) for high availability and efficient resource management. Static content is stored on Cloud Storage, while the global Cloud Load Balancer ensures optimal load distribution. The Kong API Gateway enables seamless integration with ERP and third-party applications, enhancing system extensibility.

Node.js powers microservices for the Admin and B2B Customer App, promoting a modular architecture. CI/CD is managed via Jenkins, including a security image scanning pipeline to uphold high-security standards. All REST API calls are secured with HTTPS, ensuring data privacy and integrity. This tech combination boosts performance, security, and user experience.

Benefits of Application Development with Niveus

Leveraging Niveus’ expertise with the Google Cloud Platform offered numerous advantages for organizations:

• Scalability and Flexibility: Leveraging GCP’s scalable infrastructure allowed the business to adjust resources based on demand, ensuring optimal performance without over-provisioning.
• Cost Efficiency: Niveus helped the client to optimize cloud spending through efficient resource allocation and cost management strategies, maximizing ROI
• Reliability and Security: GCP’s robust security measures, implemented by Niveus, helped the client to protect the data and application against threats, ensuring continuous operation and compliance with industry standards.
• Expert Support: Niveus provided expert guidance and support to the client, throughout the migration and beyond, ensuring smooth operations and empowering the client to focus on core business objectives.

Results

The implementation of the new solution yielded significant improvements across various metrics. Operational efficiency saw notable enhancement, with a substantial 60% reduction in manual processes due to increased automation. This automation also contributed to 70% transformation of data, streamlining workflows and improving overall productivity. Additionally, 90% of the applications were modernized, reflecting a comprehensive update and optimization of the system’s software infrastructure.

Customer data analysis capabilities were expanded, providing deeper insights and more effective decision-making processes. Market engagement and customer retention also benefited, with 60% increase in repeat purchases. E-cart abandonment rates dropped, and conversion rates saw a significant uptick, directly contributing to higher sales. Additionally, turnaround times improved, and security breaches decreased, further enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the system. These results collectively underscore the substantial benefits realized from the new solution implementation.

There was 70% reduction in Full-Time Employees (FTEs) thanks to automation who were re-allotted to intelligent tasks. Performance metrics showed impressive gains as well, with 70% decrease in latency and corresponding improvements in application performance, alongside 70% faster time to delivery.

Power of Partnership

Partnering with Niveus Solutions to implement their solution on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) was a pivotal opportunity for the client. Leveraging our expertise in GCP, we seamlessly integrated Kubernetes, Cloud Storage, and Cloud Load Balancer, ensuring scalability and cost-efficiency for the client. Our collaboration enabled the implementation of HTTPS for secure API calls and Jenkins for robust CI/CD pipelines, enhancing system reliability and performance. Overall, Niveus empowered the client to optimize automation, improve data management, and enhance customer engagement through our strategic utilization of GCP services.