Bleckmann, an expert in supply chain management for fashion and lifestyle brands, has announced the next stage of its strategic partnership.
Its new deal with Yazzoom, a Belgium-based AI- and ML-based solutions provider, will offer a new procedure to improve efficiency.
Yazzoom's custom-built AI optimiser has enabled Bleckmann to achieve significant systemic gains in its warehouse operations. As this partnership expands, it will include more functionalities and fulfil more operational benefits within the business.
Developed initially to help sportswear brand Gymshark, Yazoom's optimiser solution has improved process efficiency since 2021.
It works alongside the existing warehouse management system (WMS), enabling companies to target process-specific bottlenecks with data-driven recommendations quickly.
This has provided multiple benefits to Bleckmann's warehouse managers and operators, resulting in more productive and cost-effective operations.
"We like to think of the optimiser as a kind of 'digital traffic cop' for order waving, helping to make warehouse operations smoother and more productive," said David Verstraeten, technical director at Yazzoom.
"In an ideal world, there would be no need to open the boxes as they move the picking area to the sorter. Our optimiser solution ensures that Bleckmann's warehouse managers can get as close to this situation as possible, improving the cost-effectiveness of logistics for their clients."
Initially, the partnership focused on improving the efficiency of the fulfilment process by introducing an AI-powered order consolidation algorithm. The algorithm was designed to increase the number of full boxes that can be taken from the stock area directly to a sorting system.
"When you're dealing with millions of orders during peak periods, small inefficiencies can add up to large delays," said Stijn Vandeperre, innovation engineer at Bleckmann.
"That's why it's essential to make every picking trip count. Combining orders intelligently is the best way to do this. The algorithm also learns which waving configurations work for specific clients and situations, promising even greater benefits."
The scope of the optimisation solution has evolved as the partnership between Bleckmann and Yazzoom has developed. It is expected to continue following the innovation of new AI technological developments.
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