Global Shipping & Logistics drives Middle East growth with Manhattan Associates

As a result of the upgrade, GSL reported inventory accuracy levels of 99.8 percent, improvements in pick time and an almost total eradication of errors in the picking process.

GSL is a division of UAE based Al Shirawi Group - Oasis Investment Company, which employs over 6,000 people across the Middle East. GSL currently operates two warehouses in the Dubai Investment Park: a 61,000 square foot cold store and a 98,000 square foot temperature controlled facility, with two more warehouses due to open in March 2009 and a further three planned for the end of 2009. GSL serves customers with businesses that operate throughout the Middle East; many of these are local distributors/producers of global brands such as Baskin Robbins, Kraft, Ovaltine and Toblerone.

The company has been using Manhattan Associates' software to manage both warehouses since they were commissioned in 2006, and took the decision to upgrade to a more recent version of Manhattan ILS in order to take advantage of its advanced features. Twenty of GSL's customers are already using Manhattan's Trading Partner Management module to track their orders, and GSL can accurately measure the use and cost of manpower through the integration of the solution's Labour Management and Billing Management capabilities. Furthermore, performance 'dashboards' provide GSL's managers with a view of the entire operation in real time.

"The decision to upgrade was a major step for us," explained Arun Kumar. "We were running both distribution centres at full capacity so we could not afford any downtime. At first there was some reluctance to take the risk of a software upgrade, but Manhattan introduced us to other customers who convinced us that all would be well - and they were right. The entire upgrade was completed in less than two months, with support throughout from Manhattan's consultants. We now have a system that is faster, more efficient and allows us to offer an improved service to our customers."

"GSL is a great success story," commented Jan-Paul Boos, senior director at Manhattan Associates. "The company is constantly working to ensure its distribution centres provide the best possible logistics services, and its rapid growth is testament to GSL's commitment to this strategy. As we work with the company to get the next five warehouses up and running, we look forward to continuing to play a key role in supporting GSL's Middle East expansion."