MDS

 

MDS is the distributor of all the works of the publishers in the Média-Participations group (except for Dupuis) in France and the Benelux countries : Kana, Dargaud, le Lombard, Rustica Editions, Fleurus Group, Editions Chronique etc. Based in Dourdan, the company ensures logistic, storage and dispatch functions to bookshops and all distribution networks.

 

In 2006, to face up to an expected increase in activity, MDS was looking for a new control system for its logistic centre, which was able to manage the storage of 36 000 pallets and 10 000 product references, and to process a flow of 8 000 boxes a day.

 

MDS wanted to be fitted with an application which would allow it to fulfil the platform's logistic requirements and to improve the processes, their performance and the quality of the service.

 

MDS chose a-SIS' LM7^® solution, to fulfil important management requirements linked to frequently-changing product references and the multiplicity of the picking addresses for any one product.

 

 

During a second phase, LM7^® in particular enabled MDS to deal with the significant problem of returns, something which is peculiar to the publishing and book distribution industries. Returns represent approximately 20 % of flows at MDS and are processed thanks to a high rate sorting machine.

For this second stage, MDS benefitted from fully customised product interfacing. Dashboards allow sorting operations, the return management workstations, the quality of the work and performance to be monitored in real time. IT returns management allow books in perfect condition to be integrated into stock and a container list of damaged products to be printed.

 

The ability to process manufacturing and « de-manufacturing » operations as well as the possibilities of replenishment mission grouping are also requirements controlled by LM7^®.

 

Also with advanced warehouse and associated zone parameterisation and configuration functionalities, LM7^® has enabled MDS to significantly improve processes and their performance, as well as the quality of the service, whilst optimising volumes, flows and logistic operations.

 

Boosted by the organisation of their logistic platform, MDS may in the future envisage exporting its concept to various European countries.