EXAMPLE OF GOOD PRACTICE
– Company: Big Bang d.o.o.
– Activity: trade (retail of consumer electronics, white goods, computers and communication devices)
– Project: implementation of a warehouse management system
– Implemented solution: Trace WMS (Warehouse Management System) – hereinafter referred to as WMS
– Implementation time: 24 10. 10/2023 (4 stages of WMS system implementation: launch, integration with VLM, introduction of automation, optimization and reporting); stable measurement period: from November 2023 onwards
Challenges:
- The existing WMS no longer supported the rapid growth of the company and the increased complexity of warehouse processes.
- Upgrading the old system would be financially and fundamentally too extensive for the real needs of the warehouse.
- Limited system flexibility for integration with multiple ERP systems and future automation.
Solution:
The WMS system of the company Trace Solutions was chosen. Key reasons for choosing:
- modular and flexible system
- simple integration with existing ERP systems (cBBIS and Luceed)
- possibility of gradual implementation in stages
- support for growth, automation and future expansion to subsidiaries
Result:
- +22% higher productivity of employees in the preparation of goods compared to the previous WMS.
- +35% more prepared items on release announcements with comparable headcount and fewer errors during releases.
- +7% higher number of announcements about release of goods (November 2023 - February 2024) than the previous year, without a proportional increase in the number of employees
- improved traceability of goods
- greater inventory accuracy
- greater reliability of warehouse processes
- greater readiness for further automation (VLM, transport systems)
By implementing the WMS system, we made a strategic leap in the management of our central warehouse. Not only did we increase the productivity and accuracy of the process, but we also created a stable and flexible basis for further growth, automation and expansion of our business at the international level.
When digital logistics becomes the key to the modern retailer's competitiveness, whether in the physical or digital space.
By implementing a WMS, Big Bang centralized logistics, increased picking productivity by 22% and, with higher workloads, achieved 35% more finished items without a corresponding increase in headcount. The project became the foundation for further digital and omnichannel growth of the company.
Big Bang is thus proof that the digitalization of logistics is not reserved only for manufacturing companies but is a key condition for the competitiveness of a modern trader who operates simultaneously in the physical and digital world.
About Big Bang Company
ig Bang is a leading Slovenian retail company specializing in the sale of consumer electronics, white goods, computer equipment and related products. It prides itself on a developed network of physical stores, a strong online presence and the constant development of digital sales channels.
In recent years, the company has advanced its digital strategy through the BIGBANG = Orchestrate. Digitalize project.
Transform, which is designed as a comprehensive digital transformation, is partially funded by Europe’s NextGenerationEU. The project focuses on tools and technologies that enable a unique customer experience between physical and online channels, optimize logistics and extend business models with new services (e.g. online marketplace, digital retailer, personalization).
Logistics and sales challenges in omnichannel retailing
Big Bang’s warehouse in Celje, which supplies stores and processes online orders, has been transformed into a centralized logistics center, enabling faster processing of orders for both physical stores and online purchases.
The key challenges that Big Bang faced before reforming the logistics process were:
– a large selection of items (from small consumer electronics to heavy household appliances),
– manual logistics processes that limit the speed of collection and packaging,
– decentralized processing of orders, which made standardization and efficiency difficult,
-the need for rapid integration between warehouses, storage systems and transport partners,
-growth of online sales and therefore increase in the volume of orders, especially during promotional periods.
Trace BS solutions and technological changes
As part of the logistics revamp, Big Bang introduced a WMS and additional modules for order processing and packaging. Key technological improvements:
– WMS – centralized warehouse management
– modules for packaging and order processing, connected with transport partners
– support for automatic Modula shelves, which speed up the receipt and issuance of small items
– connection with the systems of external logistics partners (e.g. Post of Slovenia, Intereuropa), which enables the exchange of data about packages in real time
What has changed since the introduction of WMS
The numbers say it all:
– collection productivity increased by 22%,
– +35% more prepared items per employee with the same number of commissions
– +7% more announcements for the release of goods
What are the benefits of Big Bang’s digital logistics transformation:
– Higher order collection efficiency
The installation of the Modules of the automated shelves made it possible to collect items much faster: while the “classic commission agent” performed about 175 movements per day, the employee with the modules can now perform up to 286 touches per hour, i.e. between 1,100 and 1,300 daily touches, which significantly increases the amount of processed orders.
– Faster delivery and improved user experience
With optimized processes, Big Bang can already deliver approximately 70% of online orders within 24 hours, a significant improvement in processing speed and logistics responsiveness.
– Added value per employee
With the innovations and process reorganization, the added value per employee increased by about 15%, which indicates that the changes had a positive impact on productivity and work efficiency.
– Professional improvement of logistics assets
The entire fleet of forklifts has been replaced with new, customized models that enable more efficient movement of large and varied objects.
The introduction of WMS not only brings us better transparency over processes, but also measurable results: with a larger volume of work, we achieved a productivity growth of over 20% and created the foundations for further automation of logistics.
Convergence of logistics, e-commerce and omnichannel experiences
The digital transformation at Big Bang was not only warehouse optimization, but part of a broader strategy that connects:
-centralized logistics with online and physical channels
-unified data infrastructure
-better user experience (package tracking, QR code integration, etc.)
-expanded product range and market, which increased the assortment of online items dozens of times and enabled cooperation with numerous partners in the region
-digital services that improve the pre- and post-purchase experience
Conclusion: digitization is not a luxury, but a necessity for every marketer!
Big Bang didn’t implement WMS just for “faster collection” but as a platform for the long-term digital transformation of logistics. By combining an advanced warehouse WMS system, digital modules and strategic process improvements, Big Bang has shown that digitizing logistics is not a luxury, but a necessity for retailers who:
– they want to process orders quickly and accurately,
– connect online and physical sales channels,
– improve employee productivity and added value per working hour,
– provide a standardized, digitally supported user experience.
Recommendations for retailers considering warehouse digitization
What can other marketers learn from the Big Bang case?
– Strategically approach warehouse digitization. WMS should be a platform, not an isolated solution.
– Implement solutions in phases and stabilize key processes first.
– Establish measurable KPIs before implementing a new system.
– Choose a system that allows integration with ERP, PIM and future automation.
– Do not underestimate the importance of training employees and changing the way they work.
The key lesson of our digitization is that WMS is not an IT project, but a business decision. I advise retailers to choose a flexible system, gradually introduce changes and measure the effects from the beginning, only then will digitization become a competitive advantage, not a risk.
If your company is also facing the growth of online orders, multi-channel sales and pressures on logistics efficiency, the “Big Bang” case is proof that a modern WMS can become a strategic competitive advantage, not just an operational tool.
At Trace BS, we help you design and implement a solution tailored to your business. Contact us for professional consultation:
Additional information about the implemented Trace BS solutions on the example of BigBang d.o.o.: Trace WMS
