OKI Bering Achieves Shipping Reliability with Varsity and IBS |
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OKI Bering is a worldwide wholesaler of over 48,000 welding, safety and
industrial items supplied by more than 200 manufacturers. Shipments average
2,800 parcels a day shipped through fourteen North American distribution
centers. In spite of their shipping complexity and volume, OKI Bering ships
98% of orders complete the same or next day. With this standard to maintain,
shipping dependability is of utmost importance.
Shipping reliability is so important to OKI Bering that it was the impetus
behind the replacement of the company's existing iSeries shipping system.
According to Fred Becker, Operations Manager, "Our company revolves around
service. If we can't service our customers, we risk losing them."
In searching for a replacement shipping system, OKI Bering wanted a vendor
with the reputation, product depth and reliability to support their needs.
Five of the company's locations had HAZMAT requirements and six had special
freight charge requirements for a key partner customer. They also required
seamless and rapid integration to their IBS ERP system. Lastly, they needed
a vendor with the consulting expertise to bring multiple locations live
at once.
Varsity was able to address all product requirements and fulfill OKI Bering's
ambitious goal of same day deployment at the company's fourteen distribution
sites. Working to a tightly managed a six week implementation schedule,
OKI Bering went live with Varsity's ShipSoft, ShipPack, HAZMAT, VICs Bill
of Lading and a seamless integration to their upgraded IBS ERP system.
Becker credits Varsity's professional services team for their deployment
success. "I cannot impress enough the importance of support, especially
with multiple shipping locations. Varsity's product reliability, 24-hour
customer service, partnership attitude and top-notch professional services
team were behind our success."
Thanks to Varsity, OKI Bering has achieved seamless integration with their
IBS ERP system. Orders are received from customers via EDI, manual entry
or through their electronic customer partnership network. Once transmitted
to IBS, regional managers release pick tickets for fulfillment. All orders
are transmitted to ShipSoft where each is automatically checked for account
numbers, LTL, HAZMAT, and additional handling charges. Shipping labels are
printed, and at the end of the day the company manifests to the carrier.
Shipment data fields including tracking numbers and freight, HAZMAT and
additional handling charges are returned from ShipSoft to IBS.
Since deploying Varsity's software, OKI Bering has eliminated the expense
of maintaining separate carrier systems for different shipping requirements.
They have increased efficiencies with the electronic preparation of VICS
Bills of Lading and automated assessment of additional handling and oversize
fees. In addition, the company now realizes 100% shipping accuracy for improved
customer service.
The greatest benefit however, notes Becker, is peace of mind. "We are confident
that shipments will be accurate and on time, that problems will be resolved
to our satisfaction, and that we can continue to provide the customer service
our customers expect. The peace of mind provided by Varsity is priceless."
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