Warehouser Defeats the Competition with MuleSoft, APIs, and Prolifics

Our Client

This company is a European leading provider of value-added logistics solutions, e-fulfilment and returns management services, carried on through a large network of warehouses /distribution centers. We’ll refer our client as ELS (European logistics solutions).

Our Technology Partner

MuleSoft provides the most widely used integration platform for connecting applications, data, and devices in the cloud and on-premises.

Empowering ELS, One Project at a Time

This success story features a multi-faceted project, in which where Prolifics UK was closely aligned with ELS to effectively manage, implement, and provide business transformation consultancy at each step. As projects were completed, new opportunities arose to engage Prolifics and propel ELS forward.

Integration with 3rd Party Carriers

ELS’ first big challenge was integrating its warehouse management system with various dispatch carriers that took product from the warehouses for delivery. For this early-stage opportunity, MuleSoft recommended us and another MuleSoft partner (a Prolific UK competitor) to talk to ELS. ELS was also looking at other options.

Prolifics UK worked with MuleSoft to build the business case to ELS as a problem-solving combination of MuleSoft software with Prolifics’ assets and consultants. The tipping point in favor of Prolifics/MuleSoft was Prolifics UK’s cost-efficient ability to implement the MuleSoft software.

Prolifics UK offered the reference architecture work at a fixed price with an outcome-based delivery. This, coupled with MuleSoft software, meant ELS knew exactly what they were receiving and exactly what they were paying – which was very attractive to the client.

Standardizing For Warehouse Users

After the success of the integration project, Prolifics and MuleSoft started working with ELS on another challenge: standardizing ELS’ onboarding and ingestion of warehouse users and customer data. ELS required a seamless flow of data from warehouse users to retailers, ensuring that the correct products are stored on-site with ELS. For example, if a customer purchases something from a retailer, that very same information must be passed onto ELS to pick and send the retailer’s product to the end-client. This two-way stream ensures visibility and accuracy through the supply chain.

The key to the standardization, and the continuing value that comes from it, is the use of application programming interfaces, or APIs. Information messaging like “Place Order” or “Deliver Item” are APIs that, once created, can be used over and over again, reducing the overall cost of standardization per warehouse user. Even if a new user coming on board can’t conform or connect to ELS’ standard for some reason, it’s just a matter of customizing one user’s APIs, which will then allow for everything to integrate correctly.  

Adding Robots and Scanners

With the success of MuleSoft and the reusable APIs, ELS has asked Prolifics for help with more advanced technology – beyond classic integration issues. ELS approached Prolifics regarding the use of intelligent robots within their warehouse and distribution centers. These were to automate a series of processes, moving and managing goods through a unified and centralized system. We created a standard integration across all robotic workers to ensure that orders are processed correctly, with order information being distributed to both ELS and the retailer using the distribution center.  

The Results

• Saved £1.4k per error
• Removed over 200+ integrations to manage
• Saved 3100 hours in development time
• Saved £176k for each new customer onboarded (or 800 hours)