Fred’s Values Consistency Required to replace its aging distribution center server, a regional chain takes the opportunity to upgrade its order fulfillment software — and doesn’t miss a beat during the changeover.

hen the first Bargain Center opened in Coldwater, long as we were going to have to load software on the new Mississippi in 1947, a 12-ounce bottle of Pepsi sold server anyway, we decided to take advantage of the added W for five cents. More than 60 years and a name change functionality of the latest version of EASYpick.” later, what was once a humble has grown into a A long relationship regional retail powerhouse consisting of more than 700 Fred’s stores and 300 Fred’s pharmacies. But after six decades of Fred’s relationship with FKI Logistex dates back to the retrofit growth, one thing hasn’t changed — the company’s dedication of its 800,000-square-foot Memphis distribution center in to offering values that rival a nickel soda. 1998. The DC features four FKI Logistex multilevel pick-to- light modules for full-case picking, one multilevel pick-to- That’s why, when faced with the need to replace the light module for less-than-full-case picking, an FKI Logistex aging Hewlett Packard HP D270 server at its 10-year- sliding shoe sortation system for shipping full and less-than- old distribution center in Memphis, Tennessee, Fred’s full-case cartons to retail stores. management team decided to upgrade its order fulfillment software at the same time. “Productivity is a key factor in all of With more than 10 years of experience using EASYpick, our decision-making processes. This is the one area where we Fred’s is a believer in the software. Corey Punches, Director can continue to drive leverage into our business, which allows of Distribution Systems, Fred’s Memphis, appreciates us to protect pricing for our customers,” said Reggie Jacobs, how seamless the transition to EASYpick version 16 was. Executive Vice President of Distribution, Transportation “The interface is familiar, so even though it has additional and Store Services, Fred’s Headquarters. “We’ve been using functionality we didn’t have to train associates out on the EASYpick® software from FKI Logistex since 1998, so as floor,” he said. “In fact, it’s even easier to use than the previous version.”

www.fkilogistex.com New functionality enhances efficiency and convenience One of the new features of EASYpick is its “suspend” function. When a picker comes to a location that is out of stock, he or she can place the missing item on hold and move to the next location. The system will send the picker back to the suspended pick location when the item has been restocked. “Allowing workers to move past a problem and continue picking adds to their work efficiency,” said George Christian, an FKI Logistex senior project manager. “By reducing the potential for an operator to confirm a pick without actually picking an item, the suspend function also increases the accuracy of orders,” he added. In addition to the suspend function, the latest EASYpick upgrade also adds enhanced Fred’s uses the EASYpick® pick-to-light module from FKI Logistex to increase productivity and efficiency in reporting tools for workload planning management, quality assurance and audits, its distribution center. productivity, order status, wave management, and user maintenance. Users can create detailed and customized reports, which can be exported to Crystal Reports and other business intelligence applications. Fred’s Memphis DC Volume Using the dynamic zoning tools offered by EASYpick version 16, Fred’s supervisors and and Usage Stats order pickers can easily manage the system during operations. Supervisors can reassign 7.5-hour shifts 2 workers to order-picking zones based on available personnel or remaining time in a shift, and order pickers can reduce or increase their zones by scanning bar codes to add or drop Pick locations 6,000 sections. EASYpick® sections 236 The new version of EASYpick also includes a “My View” feature, which allows logged-in users to customize screen views and specify the section ranges that appear on employee work Orders per shift 8,200 status, workload planning, and work history screens. Order lines per shift 140,000 The software’s new graphical user interface connects through an application downloaded Orders in the 16,500 onto the computer, instead of through a browser. This technology provides intuitive database at one time navigation and supplies users with the convenience of remote access via an intranet or internet connection. Order lines in the 280,000 database at one time Upgrade is completed without missing a shipment To minimize disruption to its distribution operation, Fred’s decided to implement the new Batches in the 250 database at one time system in mid-December, its slowest time of the year. FKI Logistex completed all of the design work, hardware purchasing (including the new HP server), and system testing at their Simultaneous order 56 Alameda, California facility in the fall of 2007 and began installing the system at the end fillers using tethered of the day shift on Friday, December 14. The system was up and running by the following scanners Monday. “This was a very easy process for us,” Punches said. “FKI Logistex did a great job with the For more information, contact: upgrade. Once they finished installing the new system all we had to do was plug it in and FKI Logistex turn it on.” 9301 Olive Boulevard With the new hardware platform supportable for another five to ten years, it is fully capable St. Louis, MO 63132-3299 +1 877 935 4564 of keeping up with Fred’s future growth. Fred’s plans to upgrade its Dublin, Georgia DC to [email protected] the latest EASYpick release soon, which will provide company-wide consistency and allow www.fkilogistex.com the chain to maximize order fulfillment efficiency. Working with FKI Logistex, Fred’s can continue to offer the values and customer service that have fueled its growth for more than six decades.

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