Projects from PureLoX
The warehouse management software plx.wmx®, along with plx.smx for shipping and plx.billing for billing, provides the flexibility logistics service providers need in a dynamic environment.
MBS Logistics stands for international logistics solutions. © MBS Logistics.
MBS Logistics delivers highly qualified logistics solutions with a team of more than 600 logistics experts across 35 locations worldwide. The company works closely with a global partner network of over 900 offices in 144 countries. Founded in 1987, the MBS Group today offers a broad range of services, including air and sea freight, land transportation, project cargo, emergency deliveries, warehousing, e-commerce, customs, and procurement.
The responsive user interface of plx.wmx® adapts flexibly to different devices. © MBS Logistics.
Delivering high-quality and sustainable services through digitalized and efficient processes across the supply chain is a core commitment of MBS Logistics. Modern software solutions – user-friendly, flexible, and intelligently connected – are a key success factor, particularly in warehouse logistics.
The existing software used to manage, control, and optimize warehouse processes had reached its limits at MBS Logistics. Management therefore decided early on to set the course for the future by implementing a new WMS solution. Christoph Schilz, Managing Director of MBS Logistics GmbH, headquartered in Cologne, explains:“As a logistics service provider, we are a reliable partner for a wide range of companies. Our customers have individual requirements when it comes to warehousing, material flow, and value-added services. Our goal was therefore to introduce a modern WMS that gives us a high degree of flexibility in daily operations. At the same time, the software’s technological foundation needed to be future-proof and able to scale with our growth.”
As part of a structured selection process, MBS Logistics chose the cloud-native WMS plx.wmx® from PureLoX SOLUTIONS. The software’s innovative, future-oriented architecture combines state-of-the-art technologies such as microservices, low-code, and REST APIs with an intuitive user interface. This enables the logistics service provider to independently onboard new customers and implement interfaces to other systems.
The WMS is complemented by the seamlessly integrated shipping solution plx.smx, which is based on the same architectural principles. This allows parcel and freight carriers to be connected easily and flexibly via API. All information required for shipping label printing is available quickly and accurately, while shipping processes are controlled directly from a shared user interface within the WMS.
In addition, MBS Logistics decided to implement the billing solution plx.billing. The software enables a wide range of services provided by the logistics service provider to be automatically consolidated from the WMS and billed accordingly.
The warehouse processes are managed end-to-end through the integrated overall solution. © MBS Logistics.
As a logistics service provider, MBS Logistics meets individual customer requirements in contract and warehouse logistics. This includes the planning, organization, and execution of inbound goods, storage, picking, packing, outbound shipping, returns, labeling, and more. With the new WMS solution, these processes were to be made even more efficient and transparent step by step – customer by customer.
The implementation of the warehouse management software plx.wmx® began at the logistics center in Cologne, which also serves as the headquarters of the MBS Group. In a joint workshop, the project team – comprising IT and logistics experts from MBS Logistics and PureLoX SOLUTIONS – aligned on the requirements. Based on this, the software was configured collaboratively for the existing warehouse structure and the processes of an initial customer.
Mirco Blatt, Project Manager at PureLoX, explains:“Simplified, the logistics site in Cologne consists of double-deep pallet racking and shelving systems. Different strategies are defined in the software for each area and can be individually configured for each customer. The first customer we brought live was a leading manufacturer of drive and control technology components with high requirements for on-time availability. Shortly thereafter, a second customer followed – a manufacturer of emergency and safety lighting. At the same time, key users were trained according to the train-the-trainer principle. Thanks to our proven software and training concept, we were able to implement the WMS at MBS Logistics very efficiently overall.”
The software solution configured for the first customer was extensively tested under real-life conditions prior to go-live. In parallel, the next customer could already be set up, enabling an agile and fast rollout of the software. From the outset, the plan was for MBS Logistics to independently configure and go live with additional customers after the initial implementation phase supported by PureLoX. Together, we successfully achieved this goal.
Full transparency across all relevant warehouse processes at the workstation. © MBS Logistics.
With its cloud-native microservices architecture, the WMS solution plx.wmx® offers a high degree of flexibility and scalability. The software consists of independent services that can be developed, operated, and scaled separately. Communication is handled via REST APIs – the modern web standard based on simple HTTP methods. Thanks to the API-first approach, interfaces to other systems can be implemented easily and flexibly.
This was a key criterion for Christoph Schilz of MBS Logistics:“In the dynamic world of logistics service providers, the ability to act quickly is a competitive advantage. With our new WMS, additional MBS locations, and our large number of customers in mind, it was important for us to be able to independently handle tasks such as configurations or interface implementations in the future.”
One example is MBS Logistics’ new measuring and weighing system used to capture item master data such as width, height, length, weight, and product images. The interface was implemented directly in plx.wmx®, allowing the captured master data to flow automatically into the system. This ensures that accurate master data is always available and can also be used to prepare shipping data.
At the logistics center in Cologne, plx.wmx® now forms the core of an integrated end-to-end solution. With interfaces to the central ERP system, the fully integrated shipping solution plx.smx, and the billing solution plx.billing, all key processes are digitally connected – and automated to a level that enables more efficient workforce utilization.
Efficiently coordinated pallet handling in the high-bay warehouse. © MBS Logistics.
The logistics processes for the first customers at MBS Logistics in Cologne are already being managed, controlled, and optimized using plx.wmx®. Managing Director Christoph Schilz reflects on the project:“We are pleased that, together with our customers, we have successfully transitioned to the new software. The initial hands-on experience has been very positive, and our staff adapted quickly to the new system. This confirms that the software implementation has been a complete success for us. Efficiency gains today can only be achieved through modern software solutions and automated, digitally connected processes. This puts us in a strong position – for our customers and for a future of sustainable growth.”
More about our customer: www.mbslogistics.com
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