Kanalco Digital Transformation – Warehouse and Logistics Software
At Contrast Software Solutions, we excel in transforming businesses with our innovative digital solutions. One standout success is our partnership with Kanalco, a Canadian panel manufacturing and fabrication company. Here’s how we revolutionized their warehouse and logistics operations with our adaptable Manutrack software.
The Challenge
Kanalco faced significant inefficiencies with their manual tracking processes. The management team struggled with labor and resource tracking, relying on handwritten logs and disjointed spreadsheets, leading to lost items, delayed shipments, and limited analytical capabilities.
Understanding the Problem
To deeply understand Kanalco’s needs, we conducted extensive user interviews with both management and warehouse staff. These discussions were crucial in identifying pain points and tailoring our solution to their specific requirements.
Key Pain Points for the Kanalco Team
- Manual Tracking: Employees used markers for panel tracking, sometimes resulting in errors and lost items.
- Disjointed Logs: Shipping logs were created on an isolated software, not integrated with the warehouse systems.
- Resource Management: There were no digital tools for accurate labor and resource tracking.
Crafting the Solution
With these insights, we adapted our Manutrack software to meet Kanalco’s specific needs. Our approach combined robust technology with a deep understanding of their workflows, ensuring a seamless and effective solution.
Design and Development
- Mobile App & Handheld Devices: We enabled employees to use their phones as QR scanners, replacing manual tracking and reducing errors. This change was quickly adopted by the team, who were comfortable with mobile apps and had access to company-provided devices.
- QR Code Generator/Scanner:Introducing QR code generators allowed for better tracking of panel status and location, significantly reducing lost or misplaced items.
- Shipping Crate QR Code Generator:We created a feature for generating QR codes for custom-sized shipping crates, streamlining the creation of shipping manifests and ensuring accurate tracking.
- Printer Integration:Our integration with Zebra printers allowed the labor team to quickly print QR codes for panels and crates directly at their stations. This integration streamlined the process further, ensuring that every item was labeled correctly and could be tracked throughout the warehouse.
Overcoming Challenges
The project took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring effective remote project management and communication. Weekly and bi-weekly virtual meetings with Kanalco’s teams ensured strong communication and successful project execution.
Impact and Outcomes
- Increased Efficiency: Digital tracking eliminated manual errors and sped up workflows.
- Enhanced Visibility: Real-time dashboards provided comprehensive insights into operations.
- Improved Accountability: QR code tracking ensured accurate tracing of every panel and crate.
Increased Efficiency
Digital tracking eliminated manual errors and sped up workflows.
Enhanced Visibility
Real-time dashboards provided comprehensive insights into operations.
Improved Accountability
QR code tracking ensured accurate tracing of every panel and crate.
Applied Technologies
Manutrack was built using advanced technologies like NodeJs, NestJs, PostgreSQL, Redis, ReactJS, and AWS. The system seamlessly integrated with existing software, ensuring a smooth transition.
Conclusion
Our collaboration with Kanalco highlights the power of custom software solutions in driving digital transformation. By addressing specific pain points and involving end-users in the design process, we created a solution that exceeded Kanalco’s needs. This project underscores our commitment to delivering impactful digital innovations.
For more information and to discuss how we can assist your business, visit our Contact page to connect.
