Efficiency increase in the TTI distribution center thanks to AEB

TTI is streamlining its distribution center processes by managing shipments, exports, and export controls with transportation management software from AEB.

TTI improves its processes with transport management software from AEB

It’s almost quitting time at the logistics center of TTI, Inc., in Maisach-Gernlinden outside Munich, but things show no signs of slowing down. That’s because at peak times, workers at the 40 packing stations assemble 1,600 to 1,800 consignments an hour. When you’re dealing with this kind of volume, it’s absolutely essential that the software used to manage consignments performs well and doesn’t become a chokepoint. All the more so because TTI’s roughly 11,000 customers depend on just-in-time ordering.

The power of one

That’s why TTI swapped its obsolete shipping software for a state-of-the-art transportation management solution from AEB. TTI earns its money through storage and shipping, and any disruptions could prove catastrophic. So there was a lot at stake in the project, but the new software is now up and running smoothly. One reason for the change was stagnation: The vendor of the old software solution had stopped developing it. Another reason was fragmentation: TTI had been using three different solutions from three vendors for its shipping, exports, and sanctions list screening. AEB was able to cover all three domains in a single software solution, greatly reducing the time needed for manual processes.

Challenges pre-programmed

The main problem was that the legacy software lacked comprehensive documentation and workflow descriptions. The AEB team responded by helping TTI with extensive research and analysis to gather the necessary data, identifying potential areas of improvement such as collective customs declarations.

The systems were set up and integrated through the AEB interface. An extensive testing and training phase, with the legacy system running in parallel mode for part of the time, brought errors down to a minimum prior to launch.

The right labels – automatically

TTI, with the support of an on-site AEB team, successfully migrated to the new AEB software in just three months. The changeover went smoothly without any meaningful impact on operations. TTI now processes some 5,000 consignments a day with the AEB solution. The software identifies the right carriers and service contracts based on freight codes from the ERP system, then generates the right labels and shipping documents. This is no small matter, since the various carriers and parcel services have very precise yet distinct specifications for formatting address labels and routing information. AEB manages the interfaces to the carrier systems and the specifications for shipping labels and documents, minimizing the workload for TTI.

Freight cost calculation and exports included

The AEB solution doesn’t just support the printing of labels and shipping documents, it also helps with freight cost calculation. The software draws on the freight agreements in the ERP system and consignment data to calculate the freight costs, then transmits these costs to the ERP system. The solution also prepares the necessary shipping papers, commercial invoices, and other documents needed for export consignments. Another perk is the trade compliance feature that screens address data against EU and US sanctions lists. TTI benefits from the up-to-date sanctions lists that AEB integrates into the software on an ongoing basis.

Productivity up, stress down

The AEB solution is having a positive impact on productivity in the logistics center, especially with the export processes, which are playing an ever greater role as export volumes escalate. Integration of the systems has cut down on manual processes, making the work of TTI employees easier. Besides boosting efficiency in the warehouse and optimizing export processes, the solution also offers clear economic benefits. TTI is spending less on maintenance and support than it did for the three earlier solutions, saving valuable resources. Faster label printing and enhanced productivity is also making life easier for the team, especially in the hectic hours before the daily cutoff. In AEB, TTI has not only found a reliable partner, it has also built a foundation for continued growth and success.

About TTI, Inc.

TTI, Inc. is a distributor of electronic components such as capacitors, resistors, connectors, switches, relays, protection circuits, electromagnetic components, discrete semiconductors, sensors, RF modules and antennas.

Industry: Electronic components distribution
Employees: 4,700 worldwide, 859 in Europe
Location: Maisach near Munich, Germany

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