Case Studies
ProLog serves a wide variety of clients across multiple industries and geographies. The following case studies illustrate the breadth and depth of ProLog’s fulfillment services:
- A Fortune 500 consumer brands company enters direct selling e-commerce for its golf subsidiary with the aid of ProLog
- A multinational defense contractor uses ProLog to streamline warehousing and production
- An international manufacturer utilizes ProLog for U.S.-based warehousing and fulfillment
- A consumer electronics company relies on ProLog to handle its highly variable customer demand
Fortune 500 Consumer Brands Company
The Challenge
A Fortune 500 consumer brands company desired to enter the direct selling e-commerce market for its golf subsidiary. The company was unsure of how its distribution channel would react to such a move, so they wanted a partner who could successfully test and execute the direct-selling concept. In addition, with a history of selling through distribution, this company needed a turn-key infrastructure for delivering top quality warehousing, fulfillment and customer care services.
The Solution
ProLog was retained to handle all operational aspects of this e-commerce launch. ProLog’s IT team worked closely with the client to fully integrate its warehouse and CRM system with the client’s web site and legacy systems. The ProLog fulfillment operation was engaged to execute same-day shipping for customer orders. Work processes were developed to deliver a customized package and high-end gift wrapping solution. Kitting operations were established for repackaging and labeling inbound products. ProLog’s call center was deployed for taking inbound phone orders, responding to customer delivery questions, answering technical product questions and processing returns and credits.
The Result
ProLog and the client launched on schedule, and the e-commerce site was a resounding success. Dealer service was ultimately added into the web site and call center, further harmonizing the distribution channel. After five years of continuous service, the “experiment” has evolved into a highly profitable business entity, with ProLog providing the full range of warehousing, fulfillment and customer care services. ProLog has also been retained to provide similar services to other divisions within the client’s corporation.
Multinational Defense Contractor
The Challenge
In 2001 a multinational defense contractor faced escalating wages from its union workforce coupled with rising facility costs for its internal warehousing and supply operation. The company desired to find an outsourcing partner who could assume responsibility for stocking 15,000 items, provide inbound quality control (QC) checks, and deliver fulfillment support for its internal production operation. While cost reduction was essential, maintaining a high degree of quality and control was critical for this ISO certified contractor.
The Solution
ProLog was engaged to handle all aspects of QC, stocking and fulfillment. ProLog constructed a contained and dedicated area within its warehouse to meet the strict temperature, humidity and ESD controls required by the client. This dedicated area was equipped with six automated material handling carousels that delivered efficient and accurate picking. ProLog was granted security access into the client’s system for directly linking carousel picking, inventory management and inbound QC inspection. A daily shipping service was established for delivering production kits from ProLog directly to the client’s production line.
The Result
With ProLog’s systems and automation, the client’s warehousing and fulfillment costs were reduced by 60%. ProLog’s contract allows for a semi-annual “quality bonus” if certain quality metrics are met… ProLog has achieved 100% of every bonus over the term of the engagement. ProLog also received this client’s small business subcontractor of the year award, and continues to serve as a key supply partner for this client.
International Manufacturer
The Challenge
An Israeli industrial hardware manufacturer desired to enter the U.S. market with its products. The company engaged a U.S-based contract field sales force, but it also needed a cost effective approach for stocking and distributing products throughout the United States. In addition, this company required a system that would allow their contract sales force to view real time inventory, submit orders, and track deliveries.
The Solution
ProLog was retained to provide the U.S.-based warehousing, fulfillment and systems support for this Israeli company. Products were shipped from the Middle East to ProLog’s distribution facility to allow for fast delivery throughout the United Sates. ProLog’s system was leveraged to provide direct access by each field sales representative. The sales representatives were given access to inventory data, but though password protection were limited to viewing only orders and shipments from their individual territories. Sales Representatives were also given the on-line capability for directly entering orders into the ProLog system.
The Result
Inventory was stocked in the U.S. and service levels and sales grew quickly. Sales representatives were trained to utilize the new system, and received the data necessary for making and tracking their sales commitments. This client now maintains a multimillion dollar business in the U.S. with ProLog providing its core warehousing, fulfillment and system support.
Consumer Electronics Company
The Challenge
A supplier of consumer electronics had just been pummeled with the demands of holiday shipping. The peak requirements of the holiday season were compounded early in the New Year with escalating requirements for this company’s “hot products.” Faced with the competing demands of maintaining the company’s growth trajectory and supporting a customer-centric fulfillment operation, this company sought a reliable outsourcing partner who could “assume the load” for warehousing and fulfillment.
The Solution
ProLog was engaged provide warehousing, fulfillment and system support. ProLog worked with the client’s IT team to fully integrate the client’s web store with the ProLog’s operating system. ProLog stocked the client’s products on two automated carousels, allowing ProLog’s Warehouse Associate to pick 16 of the client’s orders simultaneously in a “pick-to-light” environment.
The Result
When the holidays rolled around the following year, the client’s orders were fulfilled and shipped to meet all customer demand. The client took advantage of ProLog’s multi-carrier manifesting system and began using multiple carriers to reduce shipping costs and improve delivery times. In addition, as the client’s demand fluctuates throughout the year, they are charged on a variable basis for the orders shipped and services rendered, reducing their fulfillment costs in the process.