Software retrofit saves costs
KHS GmbH, an international manufacturer of filling and packaging systems, now uses its "new old" warehouse management software at its headquarters in Dortmund after an installation phase of only one weekend.
Since 1994, KHS operates a globally distributing, highly available spare parts depot in Dortmund. In the eyes of KHS, changes were required to be able to continue to keep up to its own, high quality standards in the future, too. The original supplier of the software was no longer on the market, and the manufacturers' maintenance for the used database version and the server machine would soon be discontinued.
After an analysis by w3logistics, it was clear for KHS: We will "recycle" the software! The software company from Dortmund was also an obvious choice as a partner for the software recycling. w3logistics possesses the necessary know how for handling the systems dated from 1994, as well as for the introduction of current technologies.
Core task was the migration of KHS' warehouse management system to a Linux cluster. At the same time, the database was separated from the WMS. The stock data is now available on a different cluster system, together with other important company data. Moreover, new requirements that had arisen over the last years were implemented, the work flow was optimised, and the dialog system extended.
The advantages of this procedure are obvious: A migration is cheaper than a new development. Operational procedures, well-known and well tested over the years, can be kept. The employees require nearly no training.
Frank Hillringhaus, project leader at KHS: "Now our software not only operates faster, but will continue to work soundly and securely. Moreover, with this project we have created a clean basis for future optimisations and extensions."