1. Executive Summary
A multi-site 3PL provider struggled with fragmented operations: warehouse teams picked orders without route context, and fleet dispatch occurred with zero visibility into picking progress. By extending Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central with a custom Coordination Layer, we aligned warehouse execution with vehicle readiness, ensuring cold-chain integrity from freezer to final mile.
2. Client Overview
A specialized 3PL operator managing the end-to-end supply chain for premium FMCG brands.
- Infrastructure: 5 Temperature-controlled Warehouses.
- Assets: Owned fleet of multi-temp delivery trucks.
- Products: Complex mix of Ambient, Chilled, and Frozen goods.
3. Problem Statement
The operational disconnect led to three critical failures:
- Route Mismatch: Orders were picked in a sequence that didn't match truck loading patterns, causing warehouse congestion.
- Compliance Gaps: Temperature logs were manual, creating high risk for cold-chain audits.
- Under-Utilization: Trucks often departed under-capacity or were delayed by "waiting for pick."
4. Use Case
"Sync the Pick to the Route." The solution needed to prioritize warehouse tasks based on fleet departure schedules while capturing mandatory temperature compliance data at every handoff point.
5. Solution Architecture
(Pick-to-Route)
(Temp-Check)
6. 6 Core Elements Used
7. Integrations
We utilized a high-frequency API sync to ensure Dynamics remained the single source of truth:
- Order Pull: Real-time extraction of Sales Orders from Business Central.
- IoT Telemetry: Integration with truck and freezer sensors for automated logging.
- ERP Back-fill: Automatic update of "Ready to Ship" status in Dynamics upon pallet validation.
8. Tech Stack
9. Strategic Implementation Strategy
We mapped the timeline from "Order Received" to "Truck Departure" to identify the exact minutes lost in the handoff. This defined the "Route-Picking" rules.
Implemented the intelligence layer in one warehouse while keeping Dynamics standard processes in others. This allowed for A/B testing of dispatch speeds.
Trained drivers and dispatchers first to create a "Pull" demand for route-based picking, ensuring the warehouse was picking for a specific truck, not just a list.
10. Outcomes & KPIs
11. Future Enhancements
- Predictive Route Optimization: Using traffic data to shift pick-priorities in real-time.
- SLA Forecasting: Warning customers of delivery windows before the truck even leaves the bay.
12. Final Takeaways
Warehouse efficiency in a 3PL environment is useless if it doesn't serve the fleet. By treating the warehouse and fleet as a single organism, we turned the ERP into a high-performance engine of execution.
