The world of logistics is evolving to meet the demands of a changing agricultural industry: technological innovations, regulatory developments, and shifts in consumer preferences. As part of the S/4 Integrated Flow project, KWS is launching a new Transport Management System (TMS) that aims to take our logistics management process to a new level through improved harmonization and connectivity between systems.

The first pilot of the new TMS was rolled out in Romania as part of the S/4 Integrated Flow Global Template version 0.7. (Learn more: insideKWS 03/2023 “Go-live in Romania. Standards for processes and data”). Before the TMS, it was often difficult to organize large quantities of deliveries. Documents could not be assessed consistently within SAP, had different layouts, or were maintained manually. Overall, the process lacked transparency to the Business Units and customers. “The TMS brought us efficiency and reduced costs,” explains Robert Tuica, Logistic Manager of KWS Seminte in Romania, who has 16 years of experience in logistics at KWS.

Merging the different processes in the TMS today brings more transparency and makes the entire process easier. “We can now track the logistics process and see when a truck is loaded, when it leaves and where exactly it is,” says Robert Tuica. “As a result, we also provide a much better service to our customers because we can inform them in real time about the status of the order. In addition, our customers benefit from lower transport costs and faster deliveries – thanks to streamlined processes.”

Decision support

Besides better cost control, the system also offers decision-making support, such as how a truck should be optimally loaded, or which destinations can be combined to minimize not only costs but also CO₂ emissions. In this way, the new system also contributes to achieving our sustainability goals. Previously, route comparisons had to be done manually. Robert Tuica has positive feedback also regarding the TMS’ interface, which he finds user-friendly.

In addition to the rollout in Romania, Brazil has been migrated to the TMS since October 2023. Leandro Paixão Avellar, who accompanied the rollout as Procurement Expert, considers the implementation a ‘great leap’ toward bringing our logistics processes to the latest state-of-the-art. “These investments highlight our strategic orientation towards digitalization and automation of our important processes.”