Port of Tyne opts for WMS

The Port of Tyne Authority has announced it will use UK-based warehouse management software specialist ATMS’ stock control software to help it track increasing quantities of palletised cargo being handled at the Port. The software will form an integral part of the Port’s overall supply chain management system, installed last year, to help accommodate current growth in package cargo volumes to 1.5 million tonnes in 2001. The Port has invested £55m in total to create a multi-modal facility with road, rail and sea access supported by modern warehousing. The stock control software is needed to improve the Port’s logistics services, by closely monitoring inventory and traceability. Phase one involves the implementation of ATMS’ StockTrack Plus warehouse management software (WMS) specifically to control and manage palletised products at three of the Port’s warehouses. The stock system will control the replenishment of picking faces, picking onto pallets and full control of despatch. It also calculates storage charges each week for each customer. To enable the software, ATMS will also install seven radio data terminals (both hand-held and truck-mounted), a TEC printer and 15 StockTrack Plus licences. There are also 30 Webspeed (from Progress) licences, a product that allows ATMS to web-enable its applications. So customers will be able to view their stock and place orders via the Internet using a standard web browser. Significant cost and admin time savings are expected as a result. Dave Clifford, MD of the Port, commented: “Creation of a multi-modal facility has been a top priority. The drive towards supply chain management has been a major factor in attracting new customers, resulting in increased traffic moving through the Port. “We chose ATMS’ system because of its experience. The benefits were also clear from the outset. We were able to work closely with ATMS staff to tailor the software to meet our requirements.”