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Dec 16, 2020 at 7:12 PMWackler Logistics from Göppingen is modernizing its network infrastructure with the IT service provider abtis GmbH from Pforzheim. The focus was on increasing capacity and standardizing the hardware landscape to sustainably reduce administrative effort.
(Göppingen/Pforzheim) abtis, the IT simplifier in Baden-Württemberg, has completely modernized and unified the network infrastructure at Wackler Logistics in collaboration with its infrastructure partner Huawei.
Wackler Logistics L. Wackler Wwe. Nachf. GmbH (Wackler) is a medium-sized logistics service provider with more than 100 years of tradition, known for efficiency and innovation. The extensive logistics portfolio of the family-owned company ranges from warehousing to full-service logistics to e-commerce solutions. More than 500 employees and 200,000 sqm of total area provide the necessary capacity and flexibility at the headquarters in Göppingen near Stuttgart and at the branch in Wilsdruff near Dresden.
Like the entire logistics industry, Wackler is working hard on the digitization of its processes. This must reflect the high complexity of the piece goods business while enabling further increases in efficiency.
Unified Hardware Landscape and Improved Network Performance for Greater Efficiency
Managing the network, which has grown heterogeneously over decades at the two locations in Göppingen and Wilsdruff with a variety of devices from different manufacturers, has been extremely time-consuming and required many manual tasks and long distances between headquarters and branch. In addition, the approximately 200 cameras per location are currently being upgraded to 4K cameras. They capture and measure the packages. Their data is merged with the data from the scanners used by employees in logistics to record the packages, ensuring a smooth flow of goods. This means significant data volumes and network traffic, leading to increasing demands on network performance.
Wackler therefore needed a modernization and standardization of the hardware landscape to expand capacities and manage the network more efficiently.
Huawei Offers a Wide Portfolio at Affordable Prices
After extensive analysis and consultation by abtis, Wackler opted for Huawei’s broad network infrastructure portfolio. In addition to the performance of the components, the management solution Huawei eSight also played an important role in the decision: “The systems that allow for the management of heterogeneous network environments are usually very expensive,” explains Bernd Wagegg, Head of IT Infrastructure at Wackler. “With eSight, we found a solution that not only meets our criteria but is also affordable for a medium-sized company like Wackler.” In addition to managing the network, the system also allows for the management of server and storage systems.
Particular Challenge: WLAN Coverage in the High-Bay Warehouse
abtis took over the design, installation, configuration, and commissioning of the entire network. A technical challenge was the optimization of WLAN coverage in the high-bay warehouse due to the building’s structure and size. Thanks to the experience of abtis’s certified experts with such tasks and the components used, excellent results were achieved here as well. As a managed service, the abtis monitoring system now proactively monitors the entire IT infrastructure and offers automated services.
“Technically and personally, it was a great collaboration,” describes Wagegg his experience with abtis. “We always had access to the right employees. And even after the project, we were able to clarify detailed questions through direct communication.”
New Technology Aims to Improve Processes Across the Company
After the successful transition of the network at the Göppingen headquarters, the transition at the Wilsdruff branch took place. The new high-bay warehouse, which will soon be put into operation with nearly 18,000 sqm of space, will also benefit from the new technology. In the future, the newly gained data and freed-up resources will also be used in communication with customers to initiate process improvements across the entire value chain.
Photo: © Adobe Stock
