Background & Introduction
Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., a government of India-owned diversified conglomerate in India under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, has been a key player in multiple industries since its establishment in 1867. The company operates in:
- Industrial Packaging: Manufacturing steel drums and barrels.
- Greases & Lubricants: Producing industrial and automotive lubricants.
- Logistics Services: Freight forwarding, supply chain management, and warehousing.
- Travel & Tourism: Corporate travel and tourism solutions.
- Leather Chemicals: Manufacturing chemicals for the leather industry.
- Infrastructure & Engineering Services: Project consultancy and execution.
Challenges
As a leader in logistics services, Balmer Lawrie faced significant industry-specific challenges, including:
- The need for digital transformation to remain competitive.
- Integration of technology in logistics to enhance service efficiency.
- Adapting to evolving customer expectations for seamless digital services.
Also, Balmer Lawrie identified business-specific challenges that needed immediate attention:
- Manual & Inefficient Processes
- Dependency on paper-based workflows caused delays.
- Time-consuming manual documentation for customs and port authorities.
- Lack of Real-Time Visibility
- Limited access to cargo movement data within the CFS and warehouses.
- No real-time monitoring or dashboards for decision-making.
- Inventory & Space Mismanagement
- Poor warehouse utilization led to congestion.
- Difficulty in tracking and managing containers efficiently.
- Regulatory Compliance Issues
- Complexity in adhering to customs clearance requirements.
- Risk of manual errors in regulatory documentation.
- Inefficiencies in Customer Service
- Lack of automated systems caused delays in responding to customer inquiries.
- No self-service portal for tracking shipments and documentation.
Solution Implementation
To address these challenges, Envecon implemented Depot Plus and ENABILL, tailored solutions designed to digitalize Balmer Lawrie’s logistics operations. The implementation was structured into the following phases:
Implementation Phases & Key Milestones
- Phase 1: System analysis, requirement gathering, and integration strategy.
- Phase 2: Deployment of Depot Plus and ENABILL for logistics automation.
- Phase 3: Integration with SAP and EY for seamless data flow.
- Phase 4: Customization of reports, customer portal, and automated invoicing.
Technical Enhancements & Functional Benefits
- Advanced AI-Powered Logistics Optimization
- Implemented predictive analytics to optimize warehouse storage and transportation routes.
- Demand forecasting to reduce inventory holding costs.
- Rail Module & Cargo Transfer Management
- Rail Module & Cargo Transfer Management
- Smart allocation of containers based on real-time capacity utilization.
- Customer Portal with API Connectivity
- Integrated API gateway for seamless data exchange with third-party logistics providers.
- Enhanced user experience with real-time notifications and document sharing.
- Auction Process Automation
- Bidding system for surplus inventory clearance.
- Reduced manual intervention in auction management.
- Customized Reports & Intelligent Dashboards
- Robust reporting system to generate predictive insights on operational efficiency.
- Real-time KPIs tracking for management decision-making.
- Automated Invoicing & Billing with RPA (Robotic Process Automation)
- Deployed bots for invoice validation and reconciliation with SAP and EY.
- Improved accuracy and reduced human intervention in billing processes.
It is worth noting that the implementation was carried out across four significant locations in India – Kolkata, Vizag, Chennai and Mumbai.
Integration with Existing Systems
The new system was integrated seamlessly with SAP and EY, ensuring a unified flow of financial and operational data. Envecon developed custom middleware to ensure smooth data synchronization between different ERP and warehouse management systems.
SCMTR (Sea Cargo Manifest & Trans-shipment Regulations) Compliance
- Ensured automated compliance with Indian customs regulations through blockchain-based tracking.
- Digitalized documentation submission for faster regulatory approvals.
Impact & Measurable Results
The implementation of Depot Plus and ENABILL resulted in significant improvements across Balmer Lawrie’s logistics operations:
- Operational Efficiency & Cost Reduction
- 50% reduction in manual document processing time.
- 40% decrease in paperwork due to digital automation.
- 30% improvement in warehouse utilization and container stacking.
- Enhanced Real-Time Tracking & Visibility
- AI-driven cargo tracking with automated alerts.
- Custom dashboards provide actionable insights for better decision-making.
- Regulatory Compliance & Security
- Automated compliance with port and customs regulations minimized errors.
- Blockchain implementation enhanced data security and regulatory adherence.
- Improved Customer Experience
- 24/7 customer portal for tracking shipments and managing bookings.
- Automated invoicing and alerts improved communication efficiency.
Overcoming Challenges & Lessons Learned
During implementation, Envecon encountered challenges such as legacy system integration, user adoption resistance, and customization needs. These were addressed by:
- Conducting extensive training sessions for Balmer Lawrie’s employees.
- Developing custom APIs and middleware for smoother integration with SAP and EY.
- Implementing RPA for automating repetitive tasks, reducing operational overheads.
Future Plans & Scalability
The successful deployment of Depot Plus and ENABILL has positioned Balmer Lawrie for future digital enhancements. While the client is already on the latest version (3.5), Envecon remains a strategic partner for potential expansions, including:
- Advanced AI-driven analytics for predictive demand forecasting.
- Expansion of blockchain-based security features for enhanced transparency in logistics.
- IoT-enabled smart warehouse management to improve asset tracking.
