With consumer demand for well stocked supermarket shelves more important than ever as Christmas fast approaches, Bristol-based software developer Amethyst Systems has played a key part helping a leading supermarket chain in the UK to keep up supply levels.
Amethyst Systems have provided warehouse and distribution specialist White Arrow Logistics with an IT system for their supermarket customer to use across multiple regional distribution centres (RDC’s). The overall aim of the new systems, of which the IT aspect is a crucial component, is the efficient movement of goods from RDC’s to supermarkets and stores.
Ultimately consumers will benefit from the new electronic systems as stock will be ‘picked’ from warehouses automatically according to best before dates and a greater variety of goods will be available on the supermarket shelves for the consumer. Wider environmental benefits also include lower greenhouse gas emissions as orders can be consolidated into full truck loads ready for onwards movement to supermarkets.
“We were impressed by Amethyst Systems ability to fulfil our IT requirements in an amazingly short time frame” said Stephen Creek, Operations Manager for White Arrow Logistics. “The support we have had during the implementation of the system and on an ongoing basis has been invaluable in helping us to meet our customer commitments.”
The Amethyst team have years of software development experience in the logistics arena and help transport companies including Wincanton and Zenith Logistics with IT solutions, although this is just one area of their business.
Lee Dowson of Amethyst said: “We are fast becoming recognised as a key provider of IT solutions within the transport industry and we’re delighted to be able to be involved in such a large-scale supermarket operation throughout the UK. However, we’ll always stay true to our roots in offering local companies, affordable software solutions that help smaller businesses to improve and grow by getting the most from data and IT systems.
