Within this last line of business fits Oosterhout Modal Shift Solutions (OMS). The company positions itself as a logistics service provider that develops tailor-made solutions for transport and related logistics services. When it was founded in 2010, OMS was primarily a storage company for non-food products for a large German customer. With the expansion of its services and locations, goods are now distributed to 175 distribution centers across Europe. Today, its value-added logistics services go beyond storage, transshipment, repacking, and packaging. These include services such as customs verification, gas measurements, stripping and stuffing containers and trailers, and, of course, transporting all types of goods to their final destination.
Strengths of
OMS / Rietveld
For the customer’s inbound flows, OMS relies on its collaboration with OCT, which handles the supply of containers. The goods are transferred onto pallets, preparing them for shipment to one of the customer’s stores anywhere in Europe. OMS receives store orders directly and, based on geographical location, schedules full truckloads. Carriers are notified to collect the pallets and then book their own time slot to pick up the freight using the DCT application — a time slot management solution used by hundreds of warehouses across Europe.
Bottlenecks in supply and disposal
Wilfried Broos, Quality & Safety Manager at Rietveld Logistics, but at the time overseeing all inbound and outbound flows at OMS, explains:
“Because the customer was already working with a TSM solution, we never experienced an adaptation period when implementing a time slot management solution. Carriers were already fully familiar with the benefits for their own business — shorter waiting times, freight ready upon arrival, personnel and equipment arranged for loading, and so on. No matter how easy and straightforward a TSM solution is, a carrier still has to get used to the idea of scheduling their own loading and unloading appointments.”
Smooth Transition
Wilfried continues: “Although brief, it was mainly OMS that had to get used to a TSM solution. As with many inventory-holding companies, OMS initially worked ‘old school’. All inbound and outbound flows were managed from the office, including all phone and email communication. Part of the planning later ended up in the warehouse so that staff there could better anticipate outbound flows.”
At that time, it was even possible to adjust booked time slots. With the implementation of DCT — the TSM system already used by the customer — the benefits quickly became clear: a significant reduction in preparatory work, improved oversight, a less cluttered schedule, and a smoother loading and unloading process.
After a few years, DCT introduced a completely renewed version of the application. It offered more flexibility and more features, but for OMS there was also the concern of transitioning to an unfamiliar product. Wilfried continues: “This time, it wasn’t just a simple update — it was an entirely new generation of the DCT application. Our initial thought was, ‘never change a winning team.’ We even briefly looked at other TSM solutions, purely to see what options were available. The conclusion quickly became clear: DCT still stood out in user-friendliness and flexibility and simply continued to do what it’s meant to do — simplify processes and save time. The transition turned out to be smooth and fast, perfectly organized by DCT’s experts. The new TSM system has now been in use for four years without any problems.”
Moderne magazijnen gebruiken moderne hulpmiddelen
Gosia Pirsch, Team Leader Outbound at OMS, explains:
“The outbound flows have grown enormously. In the past, we handled a few dozen shipments, and today we process around 100 trucks a day. It’s hard to imagine managing these volumes without a TSM solution, without delays or hold-ups. The DCT solution simply ensures shorter waiting times and smooth-running processes.”
The DCT solution is also used more broadly within OMS. Gosia continues:
“It’s important for us to track every pallet accurately. Proper administration of our LPR (La Palette Rouge) pool was made possible in part by the DCT application. When do pallets arrive? When do they leave? This traceability of both full and empty pallets is a key requirement for delivering good service.” OMS also uses data from the DCT application and the WMS to generate client reports with a special tool, in addition to the standard reporting capabilities within DCT.
With the standard functionalities and flexibility of DCT, loading and unloading activities run faster and more smoothly, but it’s always possible to implement custom adjustments — because every warehouse operation is unique.
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