Dressed for Success: How Rains' Collaborative Implementation of Ongoing WMS led to Logistical Excellence

Rains is a lifestyle brand that has redefined the outerwear segment with its conceptual and functional design ethos. Drawing inspiration from the urban lifestyle and characterized by a signature waterproof fabric identity, Rains' collections offer a contemporary reinterpretation of the classic rubber raincoat with sustainability in mind. Central to Rains' operational prowess and strategic expansion is its collaboration with Ongoing , a partnership that has significantly bolstered their supply chain efficiency and operational agility. Hear Christopher Jarrov , Head of Supply Chain at Rains, and Jakob Nilsson , Senior Customer Responsible Software Engineer at Ongoing, comment on the WMS journey that led to logistical success.

The Selection of Ongoing WMS

Christopher Jarrov starts by providing a look into Rains' decision-making process that led to the adoption of Ongoing WMS. Up until then, Rains had exclusively been using their ERP system for their warehouse operations. Only relying on an ERP solution might sometimes be enough for smaller businesses, but as growth takes off and efficiency becomes crucial, something more powerful is often required. Therefore, faced with both substantial growth and the absence of a WMS system, Rains sought a solution that matched its specific needs for flexibility, efficiency, and growth potential.

Their decision to adopt Ongoing WMS was influenced by several key factors that stood out during their search. Jarrov explains what was pivotal in their decision: "Ongoing’s WMS was standing out on several parameters such as great support and honesty in the approach for the demo meetings, and they were at an early stage able to match Rains demands of required WMS functionalities." The system's user-friendly interface, effective location control, and seamless API integration capabilities were among the decisive factors for Rains. These have collectively propelled Rains' warehouse handling to new heights, enabling the brand to support its strategic business growth more effectively.

The Impact of Ongoing WMS on Rains

The implementation of Ongoing WMS has been transformative for Rains, enabling the brand to manage warehouse activities across multiple sites with unprecedented efficiency. Jarrov details the benefits: "In general, we've gained more security and transparent data quality in our work. We've also increased our picking performance by 50%, and reduced staff cost by approximately 25%."

A 50% increase in picking performance is particularly noteworthy. This enhancement directly translates into faster order processing times, enabling Rains to handle a higher volume of orders with the same or fewer resources. This improvement in operational speed and efficiency not only supports Rains' growth ambitions by allowing for scalability but also plays an important role in improving customer satisfaction through quicker delivery times and more reliable service.

Equally significant is the 25% reduction in staffing costs. By automating routine tasks, streamlining warehouse processes, and providing employees with intuitive tools and data, Ongoing WMS has enabled Rains to optimize its labor resources. Moreover, the adoption of Ongoing WMS has bolstered the security and transparency of Rains' warehouse operations. The cloud-based platform ensures that data regarding stock levels, order status, and warehouse activities are always up-to-date and accessible, enabling more informed decision-making and strategic planning.

Collaboration with Jakob Nilsson

The successful implementation of Ongoing WMS at Rains was made possible through a close collaboration with their personal contact and customer-responsible software engineer Jakob Nilsson. The teamwork between Nilsson and Rains is described by Jarrov as a "true experience." He shares that the partnership has been characterized by professionalism, swift problem-solving, and a pleasant journey from planning to execution. "We are getting the best support and prompt reaction from Jakob," says Jarrov, acknowledging Nilsson's significant role in the seamless integration of Ongoing WMS into Rains' operations.

The Journey from Start to Finish

Jakob Nilsson, who acted as a key figure in the integration and development process, shares his insights on the journey from conception to successful execution, highlighting the nuances of the project and the mutual respect that has underscored the collaboration with Rains. His experience working with Rains has been exceptionally positive, characterized by clear communication and constructive feedback. "They have been excellent to work with," he begins.

The process of integrating Ongoing WMS at Rains followed a standard setup but was distinguished by the thoroughness and organization of the Rains team. Nilsson describes the initial phase: "The process was quite typical for how Ongoing usually conducts the implementation process. Rains described their wishes and requirements for the order flow, and I explained how it could be solved in Ongoing with our various processes." A week before going live, he visited Rains on-site in ?rhus, Denmark, to get a better understanding of how they work in the warehouse, an insightful visit to identify what could be even further improved ahead. He also trained the warehouse staff in using Ongoing WMS' desktop and scanning module. Training is usually performed remotely by Ongoing, but upon Rains' request, Nilsson packed his bags and traveled to their warehouse in Denmark.

Nilsson also made a point to acknowledge the crucial contribution of Patrick Lyngs , IT Business Process Consultant at Rains, stating, "Patrick has played a huge part in the success of the implementation and integration of Ongoing WMS. His ability to articulate Rains' needs and structure their requirements has been key to achieving a seamless go-live process and overall satisfaction with the system."

Tailored Solutions and Special Processes

Rains' operational requirements led to the development of customized solutions within the WMS. Nilsson explains: "A unique aspect of their operation is that they use pallet items for picking their large B2B orders, which helps them keep track of what has been picked and placed in each box. Additionally, they have implemented a process where items for these large orders are picked to designated sorting areas." This process, designed to manage orders that may consist of hundreds of boxes, simplifies the operation and ensures systematic tracking of where each box related to the order is located within the warehouse.

The integration of Ongoing WMS with Rains' existing systems was another piece of the puzzle for operational synergy. "They have an integration with the shipping platform Webshipper and their existing ERP system. The connection between Ongoing WMS and Webshipper was already available via our extensive integration ecosystem. For their ERP, however, the software consultancy company nemEDI ApS built a customized integration to Ongoing WMS." These integrations facilitate a streamlined workflow, from inventory management to shipping, enhancing both efficiency and transparency.

Clear Skies Ahead

As Rains looks to the future, the benefits of the Ongoing WMS platform are clear. "With Ongoing WMS, we at Rains have become more professional in our working procedures and processes," Jarrov concludes. This partnership has laid a solid foundation for Rains to meet its future business growth plans, highlighting the critical role of strategic technological partnerships in achieving operational and strategic goals and reinforcing its commitment to excellence in the outerwear industry.