The only farmer-owned poultry processor in the United States, Gold Kist, headquartered in Atlanta, markets a complete line of chicken products to retail, institutional and fast food customers. However, operations were not as efficient as they needed to be at the company's Sumter, S.C., freezer facility. The warehouse there was taxed with high inventory counts, challenging outbound order mixes and a growing order volume.

After researching its alternatives, Gold Kist's management decided that a warehouse management system (WMS) would improve order and inventory accuracy, which, in turn, would generate a quick return on the investment. After all, a WMS manages not just inventory and orders but other warehouse resources such as materials handling equipment and labor. By better coordinating all of those components, it was clear that operations would improve substantially.

There was one hitch, however.

Any software installation could not disrupt the warehouse's operation, especially in peak season. Furthermore, the need to improve operations was a top priority that required rapid installation and startup of the WMS.

Working closely with its WMS supplier, GoldKist set out to install and go live with its new software in just nine weeks. Keys to the ability to make that happen included selection of a proven WMS, and use of a team of experienced professionals at installing the package.

It wasn't long after installation that operations started to improve at Sumter. Not only was the software installed in the specified time period, but Gold Kist immediately saw opportunities to use the WMS at other locations. Soon after the Sumter success, the company installed the package at another freezer facility in Boaz, Ala. Installation there went as smoothly as in Sumter, and the operational improvements were equally impressive.