Successful collaboration with a leading logistics company

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amotIQ solutions supports mission-critical project

A leading company in the postal and parcel logistics sector faced a unique challenge: a sudden surge in order volumes led to a wide array of new and time-sensitive IT requirements – all while qualified personnel were in short supply. One project in particular stood in the spotlight: HASCI (Hand Scanner Integration), classified as a mission-critical system. To ensure success, the company brought in amotIQ solutions GmbH for expert support.

The Challenge: A business-critical IT system under pressure

The HASCI project is one of the few IT systems within the company designated as mission-critical. It plays a key role in daily logistics operations – with approximately 100,000 hand scanners fully integrated into day-to-day workflows. These devices are essential for timely services, accurate documentation, and billing processes. Even minor downtimes can lead to major operational disruptions and jeopardize service level commitments. The high degree of management attention and near-zero tolerance for errors placed significant demands on expertise, resilience, and the quality of services provided. Internally, the company lacked the necessary resources to meet the rapidly growing demands.

The Objectives: Efficiency and error-free operations

The company had clear goals: to significantly increase efficiency, reduce system errors, and take over release train management as a line function. Additionally, continuous identification and implementation of optimization opportunities were required. Meeting these complex requirements called for an experienced and agile partner who could collaborate on equal footing with the internal team.

The Solution: Professional support from amotIQ solutions

amotIQ solutions brought extensive experience and technical expertise to the table – already demonstrated in previous collaborations with the company. To bridge the staffing gap, experienced experts familiar with the customer’s systems were integrated directly into the project. After a brief onboarding and trial period, the team quickly gained a deep understanding of internal processes and began taking over key project management responsibilities.

What began as temporary project support quickly evolved into an ongoing engagement. Still, amotIQ solutions remains committed to helping clients build their own internal know-how. External support is only provided when internal resources are unavailable – in line with the company’s philosophy of sustainable solutions without fostering long-term dependency.

Implementation: Seamless integration and close collaboration

A key factor in the project’s success was the seamless integration of amotIQ solutions’ experts into the internal project team. They were not perceived as external consultants but as fully-fledged team members. This close collaboration enabled targeted delivery within time, budget, and functional scope.

Regular alignment meetings and open communication with both the business and technical leads ensured precise and efficient implementation of requirements. This approach also allowed for continuous improvements during the project phase.

Results: Tangible efficiency gains and high customer satisfaction

The collaboration yielded immediate positive results: the HASCI project requirements were met on schedule, within the planned budget, and with the desired functionality. This led to a significant increase in efficiency and a high level of customer satisfaction.

Thanks to flexible, needs-based support, release management was successfully executed, and critical tasks were handled smoothly. At the same time, amotIQ solutions contributed to a long-term reduction in system errors.

Outlook: A long-term partnership

Following the successful course of the project, the collaboration was further expanded. Additional specialists have since been brought in to support other areas of the business. The trusted relationship has evolved into a long-term partnership, tailored to the needs of a dynamic, growth-oriented organization.

Conclusion: amotIQ solutions as a reliable partner

amotIQ solutions’ work on this project demonstrates the value of a flexible and experienced partner during critical project phases. By providing targeted support through qualified experts, amotIQ solutions significantly enhances efficiency and minimizes errors. As a fully integrated part of the team, the company not only contributes to project success but also lays the groundwork for sustainable process optimization – today and in the future.

Paperless goods receipt for faster processes at Lekkerland

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Lekkerland Implements Electronic Delivery Notification with DESADV

The Challenge: Boosting Efficiency in Goods Receipt

Lekkerland, a leading supplier of convenience products in Germany, serves approximately 59,000 points of sale nationwide, including gas stations, bakeries, and supermarkets. Every day, hundreds of pallets are delivered to Lekkerland’s 15 logistics centers and redistributed by more than 450 transport vehicles to ensure that products reach customers on time. However, the traditional goods receipt process was time-consuming and slowed down the supply chain, as manual entry and documentation delayed storage and allocation. To address these challenges, Lekkerland sought an experienced partner to digitize and accelerate its processes. With amotIQ solutions, Lekkerland found the right expert in digital process optimization.

The Objectives: Automation and Real-Time Availability

To improve efficiency and reduce delays in goods receipt, Lekkerland defined clear objectives: implementing a paperless goods receipt process through seamless DESADV integration (Electronic Data Interchange for delivery notifications) and accelerating the storage of pallets. Automated processes based on delivery notification data were to ensure that goods would be immediately available for warehouse allocation.

The Solution: Digital Goods Receipt with DESADV

amotIQ solutions developed a digital solution that automates goods receipt using DESADV and mobile data capture. As soon as the supplier sends the electronic delivery notification via DESADV, all relevant data – from product information and weight to expiration dates and quality indicators such as vintage details for wine deliveries – are stored in SAP. These details are encoded as GS1-128 barcodes (formerly EAN128) on the shipping unit labels (NVE), forming the basis of the digital goods receipt process. Upon arrival at the warehouse, employees scan the NVE labels and perform goods receipt postings directly in SAP via a mobile application. Storage locations are assigned immediately, and the storage labels are printed automatically. The goods can then be stored directly and are immediately available for dispatch.

The Implementation: Seamless Integration and Automated Workflows

The DESADV integration and digital transformation were carried out in close coordination between Lekkerland and amotIQ solutions. Thanks to mobile data capture, the project was implemented within just a few months. Key implementation milestones included setting up SAP handling units, automating goods receipt postings, and installing local printers for immediate label printing in the receiving area.
Each delivered pallet is automatically booked after scanning, and all data is instantly available in the SAP system. This not only eliminates manual effort in goods receipt but also significantly reduces potential sources of error through digital capture.

The Results: Accelerated Processes and Increased Efficiency

The introduction of a paperless goods receipt process significantly accelerated the availability of goods for warehouse allocation at Lekkerland. Every scanned pallet is posted immediately, and storage takes place without delay, substantially reducing waiting times for dispatch. In supply chain management, the faster capture and booking process resulted in time savings of up to one and a half hours per day. Qualitative data available via barcodes – such as best-before dates or vintage information – are now automatically accessible in the system, ensuring full traceability.

Conclusion: amotIQ solutions as a Partner for Paperless Logistics Processes

By implementing paperless goods receipt, Lekkerland successfully digitized and streamlined the entire receiving process. The collaboration with amotIQ solutions enabled a customized solution that offers long-term efficiency gains and reliable process optimization. The seamless SAP integration created a fully digital logistics chain, significantly enhancing Lekkerland’s delivery capabilities – a future-proof solution that paves the way for sustainable logistics.

ZF Friedrichshafen optimizes order picking with mobile wireless data solution

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Successful Implementation of a Mobile Data Radio Solution to Optimize Order Picking at ZF Friedrichshafen

The customer service team at ZF Friedrichshafen faces the daily challenge of efficiently and accurately processing a high volume of order picking tasks. Despite the impressive operation of a modern warehouse, where numerous orders are handled simultaneously, occasional errors occur, resulting in incorrect materials being recorded and shipped. To minimize these errors and optimize throughput times, a mobile data radio solution was implemented at MKS, the customer service division of ZF Friedrichshafen GmbH.

The Challenge: Order Picking Under Specific Requirements

The core challenge of this project was the intelligent allocation of order picking tasks to various picking groups according to ZF’s specific rules. These rules depend on numerous factors such as the recipient of the goods, shipping routes, deadlines, quantities, and materials. Precise control of these workflows was essential to increase warehouse efficiency and reduce errors.

The Solution: Verification and Automation of the Order Picking Process

With the new mobile data radio solution, all order picking processes are verified in real time. Pickers receive instructions on their mobile devices showing which materials, in what quantities, and from which storage locations should be retrieved. By scanning the material number on the label, the system immediately verifies whether the correct product has been selected. If everything matches, an integrated mobile label printer automatically prints the shipping label for the customer, which is then affixed to the material.

Another key aspect of the project was the enhancement and redevelopment of RF transactions to ensure simple, secure, and fast handling of the order picking processes. Additionally, the SAP monitoring functions had to be adjusted to oversee these operations and ensure seamless integration into the existing system landscape.

Results: Improved Quality and Reduced Throughput Times

Thanks to the implementation of the mobile data radio solution, ZF Friedrichshafen significantly improved the quality of its order picking processes. The error rate in material recording was substantially reduced, and the throughput times for order picking were noticeably shortened.

Conclusion: Sustainable Efficiency Gains Through Innovative Solutions

The introduction of the mobile data radio solution demonstrates how targeted technological measures can enhance efficiency and quality in ZF Friedrichshafen’s customer service. By seamlessly integrating into existing processes, not only was the error rate decreased, but customer satisfaction was also increased. ZF Friedrichshafen has thus taken an important step toward a future-oriented, error-free order picking system, promising sustainable improvements for years to come.

Efficient outsourcing increases customer satisfaction at Villeroy & Boch

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Optimal 3PL Shipping Solution for Villeroy & Boch: Efficient Outsourcing Boosts Customer Satisfaction

Villeroy & Boch AG, a renowned German ceramics manufacturer that distributes high-quality bathroom and wellness products worldwide, has implemented an intelligent shipping solution by outsourcing transport and route planning to the logistics service provider Dachser. This measure relieves the internal logistics team and ensures that goods reach customers faster.

The Challenge: Efficient Transport and Fast Delivery

Until now, Villeroy & Boch managed the entire route planning and truck scheduling internally and only contracted Dachser as a freight forwarder. To improve customer service and shorten delivery times, the company decided to take advantage of additional logistics services from Dachser. With the new approach, customer orders are now processed and delivered significantly faster.

The Solution: Outsourcing Transport and Route Planning to Dachser

The new process model transfers part of the transport and route planning responsibilities to Dachser. After picking, shipments are immediately brought to the logistics center in Überherrn, where Dachser independently organizes the delivery routes. This not only enables optimized truck utilization but also allows the leveraging of synergies with other customers, further increasing efficiency.

The Process: Seamless Integration into SAP

The integration of the new shipping solution into SAP runs smoothly: forklift operators register trucks, triggering the automatic creation of a handling unit labeled “Truck” in the system. During loading, the driver confirms each pallet via scanner, and the corresponding status updates are recorded in the handling unit. Once the truck is fully loaded, the handling unit is marked as “complete.” This acts as a trigger for the automatic transmission of actual data to Dachser via EDI and the generation of accompanying documents, including the loading list. Based on these transports, freight cost documents are finally created, serving as the billing basis with Dachser.

Conclusion: Increased Efficiency and Enhanced Customer Satisfaction

Thanks to the new 3PL shipping solution, Villeroy & Boch has significantly reduced complexity at its logistics center in Losheim and increased capacity. Outsourcing transport and route planning has allowed the company to leverage the synergy effects of an international logistics provider, saving both time and costs. The real winners of this development are Villeroy & Boch’s customers, who now receive their orders much faster than before. This smart transport solution was made possible by SAP and logistics consulting from amotIQ solutions, which contributed extensive expertise in integrating external service providers. This ensures not only customer satisfaction but also sustainably enhances it.

Efficient approval workflow at the Klosterfrau Healthcare Group

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SAP-Based Process Optimization in Marketing

The Klosterfrau Healthcare Group, a leading provider in the self-medication sector, is known for well-established products such as Klosterfrau Melissengeist, neo-angin®, and taxofit®. The company’s marketing department is now efficiently supported by an optimized, SAP-driven approval workflow for planning and releasing marketing activities.

Challenge: Smooth Management of Large Advertising Budgets

Klosterfrau’s customer base consists of private consumers who are reached through diverse marketing initiatives such as TV commercials, print ads, and pharmacy promotional materials. These campaigns require substantial budgets and intensive planning. Advertising budgets are traditionally one of the largest investment items in the consumer goods industry, demanding careful control and approval. The new approval process is designed to ensure optimal use of funds while meeting transparency and audit compliance requirements.

Objectives: Efficiency and Transparency in Budget Approval

The SAP-based approval system aims to make the release processes for marketing measures more transparent and efficient. Each year, product managers prepare specific budgets for brands like Taxofit, and individual marketing activities are reviewed and approved within predefined value limits. A precisely defined organizational model ensures that every employee is assigned clear areas of responsibility. Furthermore, Klosterfrau enforces a mandatory dual-control principle, guaranteeing audit-compliant approval of all activities. Additional reviewers are integrated into the SAP workflow to secure every approval level.

Example: TV Advertising for Taxofit

An example illustrates the process: For 2013, a TV campaign consisting of 100 spots was planned for the Taxofit brand. The assistant, Ms. Musterschmidt, enters the campaign into the system, which is then forwarded for review to Mr. Mustermüller and finally to the audit manager, Mr. Mustermann. After successful verification, the final approval is granted by Ms. Mustermeier, the product manager responsible for the Taxofit budget.

Technical Implementation: Approval via SAP BSP Workflows

Technically, the workflow is enabled through a Business Server Page (BSP) that sends approval requests from the SAP system to the relevant personnel. The corresponding email link leads to a password-protected web interface accessible only to authorized users. This application presents all approval data clearly and user-friendly, making the approval process fast and secure.

Budget Overview and Transparency at the Push of a Button

One of the key improvements of the new approval process is the real-time overview of the available marketing budget. Since marketing measures are mostly planned and booked long-term, product managers can now view the current budget status at any time. SAP ensures that all involved parties are continuously informed about new tasks, status changes, or queries. Depending on the hierarchical level, measures for the upcoming fiscal year can also be approved in advance.

Automated Processes for Rapid Decision-Making

The SAP workflow adapts flexibly to marketing requirements: For certain value thresholds, the system automatically escalates measures to higher hierarchy levels, such as the marketing director, and informs responsible parties of any shifts or cost changes. In case of rejection, all stakeholders are promptly notified, and the budget is released again. This keeps the budget overview always current and complete.

Conclusion: Optimized Approval Workflow as a Success Factor

Thanks to the new SAP-supported approval workflow, Klosterfrau benefits from efficient and audit-compliant management of its marketing budgets. The Klosterfrau Healthcare Group can implement marketing activities faster and allocate resources more precisely. This optimized workflow provides significant relief to the marketing team and ensures greater security and transparency through adherence to clear approval rules.

Successful introduction of delivery, freight cost and credit note processes

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Credit Memo Procedure Optimizes Delivery and Freight Cost Processes at Thomas Beteiligungen

Thomas Beteiligungen, a company in the building materials industry and part of the Thomas Group, has undergone a fundamental transformation in the area of freight cost processing. While such projects are common practice in the automotive sector, the building materials industry poses unique challenges. Thomas Beteiligungen offers a comprehensive range of construction services, from raw material extraction in quarries to production in cement, ready-mix concrete, precast concrete, and asphalt plants, all the way to application in road and civil engineering. With numerous sites stretching from the Saarland in the west to Poland in the east, the company requires efficient logistics processes to maintain operational excellence.

The Challenge: Complex Procedures and High Administrative Effort

Until recently, procurement at Thomas Beteiligungen followed a traditional model: after placing an order for gravel, the freight forwarder delivered the goods in multiple truckloads. Communication between the supplier and the carrier was often cumbersome, and each delivery required separate orders, goods receipt entries, and invoice verifications. This resulted in considerable administrative effort and slowed down the efficiency of the entire supply chain.

The Objective: Streamlined Processes and Increased Efficiency

The new freight cost handling process was designed to provide Thomas Beteiligungen’s users with a simpler and more efficient workflow. The goal was to structure the process in such a way that only a single order was needed. Upon delivery, carrier information and the truck’s license plate would be recorded via a newly developed input screen. Given that bulk materials like gravel and sand are often delivered in large quantities, this represented a critical step toward process optimization.

The Solution: Automated Processes and Clear Responsibilities

Thanks to the new SAP-based system, a transport document and a freight cost record are automatically generated in the background, with costs calculated based on specific criteria such as material group or delivery route. This, in turn, triggers the creation of an FI accounts payable document that generates a credit memo proposal for the carrier. The responsible clerk simply has to approve this proposal. This marks a fundamental shift in the process: instead of verifying invoices, Thomas Beteiligungen now issues credit memos that the freight forwarder must review. This change brings greater clarity to responsibilities and significantly improves the overall billing process.

The Implementation: Smooth Integration and Comprehensive Training

The implementation of the new delivery and freight cost handling process was smooth, thanks to close collaboration between Thomas’s internal teams and the experts from amotIQ solutions. Targeted training sessions and workshops ensured that employees quickly became familiar with the new system and were able to implement the processes efficiently.

Results: High Efficiency and Cost Savings

The new processes have led to a significant increase in efficiency at Thomas Beteiligungen. The simplification of freight cost processing and the introduction of the credit memo procedure have not only reduced administrative effort but also shortened response times. In addition, Thomas now receives a handling fee for the billing service provided through the credit memo process, further increasing the company’s profitability.

Outlook: Strengthening Processes and Expanding the Partnership

The successful implementation of the delivery and freight cost handling process has the potential to be extended to other areas of Thomas Beteiligungen. The positive outcomes from this project lay the foundation for a continued partnership between Thomas and amotIQ solutions, with the shared goal of continuously optimizing processes and improving efficiency across the organization.

Conclusion: amotIQ solutions as a Strategic Partner for Process Optimization

The successful rollout of the delivery and freight cost handling process at Thomas Beteiligungen demonstrates the value of having an experienced partner by your side. Through the rapid and effective integration of SAP solutions, amotIQ solutions played a key role in increasing efficiency and reducing costs. This partnership provides a solid basis for future developments and long-term process improvements across the company.

Successful CEP connection at Hermle AG

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amotIQ solutions delivers seamless logistics processes


The Challenge: Increasing Efficiency in Spare Parts Shipping

Hermle AG, a leading manufacturer of precision machines, faced the challenge of optimizing its spare parts shipping process to meet growing demands for efficiency and accuracy. Approximately 80% of spare parts were shipped via the express service provider TNT. However, the existing process was labor-intensive and prone to errors: shipping documents were created manually and partially printed using dot matrix printers. There was no system-based integration with SAP, which limited both the smooth handling and transparency of logistics operations.

Hermle AG needed an experienced partner capable of thoroughly analyzing their requirements and developing a tailored solution. amotIQ solutions brought in-depth expertise in integrating complex logistics processes and SAP systems to the table.

The Objectives: Automation and Error Reduction

Hermle AG aimed to implement a fully automated, transparent shipping solution that would minimize manual input and eliminate common sources of error. In addition to boosting efficiency, the focus was on ensuring seamless communication between SAP and TNT, automating the generation of all shipping documents in TNT format, and integrating real-time tracking updates into the system.

The Solution: Custom SAP Integration with TNT

amotIQ solutions implemented a comprehensive solution that fully automated Hermle AG’s spare parts shipping process. As part of the project, transport processing and Handling Unit (HU) management were introduced in SAP, enabling all package data to be captured and seamlessly transmitted to TNT. Shipping documents and TNT labels are now generated directly within SAP, while status updates from TNT are processed in real time and automatically reflected in the system.

All communication with TNT runs through an XI server, which acts as a central interface to ensure continuous and reliable data exchange between SAP and the logistics provider.

Implementation: Close Collaboration and Precise Integration

The project was carried out in close cooperation with Hermle’s internal teams. Within just six months, all of Hermle AG’s requirements were fully implemented. Key milestones included establishing IDOC communication, implementing the transport document to reflect freight-forwarding requirements, and introducing HU management. The new HU process allows packages to contain multiple deliveries — a feature specifically developed to support TNT’s shipping processes.

Thanks to close collaboration and regular coordination, amotIQ solutions was able to respond quickly to challenges and successfully complete the project on time and within budget.

Results: Sustainable Efficiency Gains and Process Reliability

The implementation of the new solution led to significant efficiency gains and increased process reliability for Hermle AG. The entire shipping process is now faster, more transparent, and largely automated. Manual tasks have been greatly reduced, error rates minimized, and communication with TNT significantly improved.

Automation and real-time feedback ensure that all shipping information is fully available within the SAP system, allowing staff to monitor the shipping process accurately and efficiently.

Outlook: Long-Term Value for Hermle

Following the successful implementation of the parcel service integration, Hermle AG plans to further expand its collaboration with amotIQ solutions. Additional logistics processes are set to be automated, and the existing solution will be continuously enhanced to meet the evolving needs of a modern manufacturing company.

Conclusion: amotIQ solutions as a Trusted Partner for Logistics Automation

Through its collaboration with amotIQ solutions, Hermle AG implemented a robust and flexible shipping solution that meets the highest standards for both efficiency and accuracy. With its extensive expertise and targeted support, amotIQ solutions delivered a solution that provides added value beyond spare parts logistics — laying the foundation for a sustainable and successful logistics strategy at Hermle AG.

Automated invoicing at Klosterfrau

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Efficient Invoice Enclosure Within the Shipping Package

The Klosterfrau Healthcare Group, a long-established company based in Cologne, has firmly positioned itself as a national market leader in the field of self-medication. With a modern and forward-thinking orientation, Klosterfrau continuously pursues innovative approaches to increase efficiency. As part of a new project, the invoicing process was revolutionized to significantly reduce postage costs.

The Challenge: Cost Optimization in the Invoicing Process

With over 230,000 invoices mailed annually, there was enormous potential for savings. The goal of the project was to replace the previously batch-generated and centrally printed invoices with invoices enclosed directly in the shipment at the distribution center. Only a few large customers continue to receive invoices separately, while the majority now receive their invoice as a delivery note enclosed with the package — streamlining the shipping process.

The Solution: Integrating Invoicing into the Shipping Workflow

Klosterfrau’s typical customers are pharmacies that frequently order multiple products. Orders are picked into shipping boxes at the warehouse and transported via conveyor belts to the dispatch area. There, the invoice is automatically added to the package before it is shipped. To ensure the invoice reflects only the items actually packed, invoice generation is executed online within SAP.

Technical Implementation: Seamless Communication Between Systems

The key challenge was to efficiently integrate decentralized, SAP-based logistics systems (WLS) with SAP invoice generation. Communication between the two systems had to be fast and reliable. Once a package is fully picked in the warehouse, this status is recorded in SAP. While the package is briefly transported on the conveyor to the dispatch area, SAP checks order and actual quantities, verifies packaging and shipping data, validates payment terms, and adjusts the goods issue date if necessary. Partial invoices are then generated and print jobs are triggered via a web service (BAPI), preparing the invoice as a spool file for printing.

Final Execution: Efficient Print Trigger and Shipping Preparation

Upon arrival at the dispatch area, the shipping employee scans the package’s storage unit number, which triggers the invoice printout. The invoice is immediately added to the package, and the shipment is ready to go. The entire process runs smoothly and within seconds, enabling Klosterfrau to realize significant postage cost savings.

Results: Significant Cost Reduction and Process Optimization

Thanks to the automated invoice generation and its integration into the shipping process, Klosterfrau was able to not only reduce postage costs considerably but also boost logistics efficiency. This innovative approach improves customer satisfaction, as deliveries are now processed faster and with greater transparency.

Outlook: Forward-Thinking Process Optimization

The successful implementation of this automated solution ensures that Klosterfrau remains competitive in the future. Further enhancements in logistics and accounting are already in the pipeline, aimed at continuously increasing efficiency and improving the customer experience.

Conclusion: Klosterfrau as a Pioneer in Automation

The innovative implementation of automated invoicing demonstrates the importance of integrating technology into modern business processes. Klosterfrau shows how targeted process optimization can reduce costs while simultaneously enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction — solidifying its position as a forward-looking company in the healthcare industry.