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Gist delivers premium supply chain services with outstanding reliability
Technology Category
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Middleware, SDKs & Libraries
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases
- Process Control & Optimization
- Supply Chain Visibility
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
The Challenge
Gist Limited, a leading U.K. supply chain solutions provider, needed to improve the speed, efficiency, and traceability of its enterprise interfaces. The company's success depends on its ability to consistently deliver superior service 24/7 despite challenging targets. Gist's IT systems had to be as reliable as the rest of its business, otherwise, it would escalate very quickly. If there was an unplanned middleware outage, file or data issue lasting longer than 20 minutes, the business would already be saying, 'Now it's too late. We're going to have to go manual and pick to an estimate.' This increases costs, incurs customer fines, and affects the company's reputation. Gist's supply chain is incredibly fast: A sandwich produced by a supplier in Scotland is available for sale by a store in the south of England, more than 500 miles away, a mere 24 hours after manufacture.
About The Customer
Gist Limited is a leading U.K. supply chain solutions provider and division of The Linde Group. The company specializes in time- and temperature-controlled logistics. Gist’s personal approach and tailored, flexible solutions deliver not just supply chain reliability and end-to-end visibility but also greater competitive advantage for the company’s 3,000+ global customers. Operating from more than 40 locations in the U.K., Europe and worldwide, Gist’s 5,000 employees generate an annual turnover of €600 million. A leader in the perishable and chilled sector, Gist’s vision is to be the customer’s ongoing partner of choice for logistics innovation and delivery excellence. Suppliers, manufacturers and retailers of all sizes rely on Gist’s expertise and efficiencies in supply chain operations.
The Solution
Gist decided to move from its existing middleware platform to the webMethods Integration Platform. The company chose to implement by interface groups, essentially by large customers and customer groups, to optimize risk and minimize service disruption during the migration. After the middleware migration was complete, Gist’s second challenge to manage was a major change to its B2B service. To better support the business, Gist opted to bring its B2B service in-house using webMethods Trading Networks, complementary software to the webMethods ESB. The B2B project was high-priority—120 trading partners had to be moved to the new technology within four months. The project was staffed with the most senior people and meticulously planned at a detailed level.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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