DISSH, a renowned Australian fashion brand known for its contemporary designs, worked with Descartes to overcome growing pains in its warehouse operations.
As the brand’s popularity soared, its manual fulfillment processes struggled to keep up with escalating order volumes. DISSH recognized the urgent need for a robust warehouse management system (WMS) that could connect to Shopify, to streamline operations, enhance accuracy, and support its ambitious expansion plans.
Warehouse Challenges Faced by DISSH
Before implementing Descartes Peoplevox, Brisbane-based DISSH’s warehouse relied on a cumbersome three-step fulfillment process: picking, invoicing, and packing. This fragmented approach resulted in bottlenecks, errors, and limitations in storage capacity.
Let’s take a closer look at the specific challenges DISSH faced:
- Workflow Bottlenecks: The disjointed nature of the manual process created delays and inefficiencies. Tasks couldn’t flow seamlessly, leading to a backlog and slowing down order processing.
- Inventory Inaccuracies: Picking items without barcode verification introduced the risk of human error. Picking the wrong items or quantities resulted in inaccurate inventory records, leading to stockouts, frustrated customers, and increased returns.
- Restricted Storage Capacity: DISSH’s warehouse used static storage, meaning an entire style had to be housed in one location. This inflexible approach limited storage capacity, made it difficult to accommodate new products, and created logistical challenges when restocking or returning items.
- Time-Intensive Staff Training: Training new warehouse staff took approximately two weeks to reach full proficiency in the manual processes. The time and resources required for training put a strain on operations, particularly during periods of rapid growth.
These challenges highlighted the limitations of manual processes and the need for a comprehensive solution to support DISSH’s long-term growth.
The brand sought a WMS that could automate tasks, improve accuracy, and optimize warehouse capacity. After careful evaluation, DISSH chose Peoplevox, an ecommerce WMS renowned for its ease of use, powerful features, and seamless integration with Shopify.
Initial Benefits of the Shopify WMS
The implementation of Peoplevox had an immediate and transformative impact on DISSH’s warehouse operations. The system streamlined workflows, empowered staff, and dramatically increased efficiency. Here are some of the initial benefits DISSH experienced:
- Streamlined and Accelerated Fulfillment: Peoplevox’s automation capabilities allowed DISSH to merge the invoicing and packing processes, eliminating a major bottleneck and significantly speeding up order fulfillment. Actions were generated at the click of a button directly on picking devices, optimizing pick paths, and reducing reliance on pickers’ individual experience.
- Reduced Reliance on Manual Labour: The increased efficiency and automation achieved with Peoplevox allowed DISSH to reduce its reliance on manual labor. This strategic shift alleviated pressure on talent acquisition and training, allowing the company to focus on employee retention and improving the overall employee experience.
- Enhanced Storage Capacity and Organization: The transition from static to dynamic storage, facilitated by Peoplevox, unlocked a 44% increase in stock holding capacity. This strategic change allowed DISSH to better utilize its warehouse space, accommodate growing inventory levels, and introduce new product lines without constraints. Additionally, the introduction of location types and replenishment flags within Peoplevox streamlined the handling of SKUs with large depth, further optimizing storage and pick face management.
- Dramatically Improved Inventory Accuracy: Peoplevox’s barcode scanning functionality at every stage of the process minimized human error and enhanced inventory accuracy. Every unit was scanned upon receipt and allocated a specific location, eliminating pick face inaccuracies. During picking, the system ensured that pickers scanned every item using finger ring barcode scanners, preventing incorrect items from being picked and offering alternative locations if an item was not found in its designated spot. This comprehensive approach ensured complete order fulfillment and significantly reduced errors, leading to greater customer satisfaction.
- Significant Reduction in Paper Usage: DISSH transitioned to a completely paperless fulfillment operation by adopting Peoplevox. This shift away from manual, paper-based processes yielded several benefits. The time spent on order management plummeted from 35 hours to a mere 5 hours per week. Handling problem orders, once a time-consuming process, decreased from 5 hours per day to just 30 minutes.
“The Peoplevox system was intuitive and easy to learn, leading to a smooth transition for employees.
The new picking process, facilitated by finger ring barcode scanners, was well-received and even enjoyed by the team. This positive response contributed to a boost in morale within the warehouse.”
Graeme Wootton
Warehouse Optimisation Manager
DISSH
Long Term Gains of Using a Fashion WMS
As DISSH continued its partnership with Descartes, the longer-term benefits of the WMS became increasingly apparent. The system proved to be a powerful tool, empowering DISSH to optimize its warehouse operations and support its ambitious growth. Here are some of the key longer-term benefits:
- Advanced Order Management and Zoning: Peoplevox’s advanced order management and zoning features provided DISSH’s outbound leadership team with the tools and insights needed to think and act strategically. This increased level of control and visibility led to more efficient order allocation, improved pick path optimization, and ultimately, better overall results.
- Seamless Stock Movement: Moving stock around the warehouse became a streamlined and straightforward process with Peoplevox. The system’s user-friendly interface and intuitive functionality allowed for easy stock transfers, consolidations, and adjustments, enabling DISSH to optimize capacity utilization and maintain a well-organized warehouse.
- Automated Replenishment: Effectively managing pick space for SKUs with large depth is a common challenge for fashion brands. Peoplevox addressed this challenge with automated flags that alerted the team to low pick face quantities. This proactive approach ensured that the right products were always in the right place at the right time, minimizing the risk of delayed fulfillment and ensuring a smooth and efficient picking process.
DISSH’s work with Descartes has been a resounding success, demonstrating the transformative power of an ecommerce WMS for fashion brands. The implementation of Peoplevox has enabled DISSH to achieve:
- A 45% increase in outbound fulfillment productivity, significantly accelerating order processing and improving overall efficiency.
- A dramatic reduction in error rates, thanks to the system’s barcode scanning functionality and real-time inventory tracking. This improved accuracy has led to fewer returns, increased customer satisfaction, and enhanced brand reputation.
- Increased warehouse capacity and optimized storage utilization. The transition to dynamic storage and the implementation of location types and replenishment flags have allowed DISSH to maximize its warehouse space by 44% and accommodate its expanding product lines.
- Improved employee morale and retention. The intuitive system, streamlined processes, and reduced reliance on manual labor have created a more positive and efficient working environment for DISSH’s warehouse team.
Peoplevox has provided DISSH with the foundation it needs to scale its operations effectively and support its continued growth. The system’s comprehensive features, seamless Shopify integration, and intuitive design have empowered DISSH to optimize its warehouse operations, improve accuracy, and deliver a seamless customer experience.
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