DUBAL implements integrated Inbound Logistics solution to optimize inventory, save costs

A passion for professionalism, excellence in all aspects of the business and continuous improvement has inspired yet another innovative application of information technology, I.T. at Dubai Aluminium, DUBAL, the entirely state-owned corporation that operates the world’s largest single-site primary aluminium smelter using pre-baked anode technology. This time, it’s an implementation of a SAP-based Inbound Logistic solution that has been integrated electronically with key freight forwarders, thus enabling the automation of inbound shipment tracking, expediting and costing at DUBAL – which in turn has enhanced transparency, control and efficiency throughout the process. 

“The primary objective of the Inbound Logistics Implementation Project, which began in 2012,  is to automate all the processes between placing a purchasing order to receiving the goods in the DUBAL Warehouse,” advises Ahmad M Almulla, Vice President: I.T. “The net result is access to real time status for all DUBAL’s inbound shipments, enabling efficient and accurate tracking. This will help DUBAL to maintain optimal inventory levels and eventually will result in cost-savings. It will also contribute to faster turnaround times for the entire procurement and logistics cycle, leading to higher ROI; and will improve the reliability of the data and quality of reporting and analysis.” 

It’s taken the better part of one year to design and implement the system, which uses both the SAP Logistics Execution, LE, and SAP Traders and Schedulers Workbench, TSW, modules. These modules have been integrated with selected freight forwarders’ systems through Electronic Data Interchange, EDI, via an information broker to ensure a unified platform that supports current and future business needs. Almulla believes that the investment of time and resources was more than worthwhile, given the end-result. “Apart from the clear business benefits, our integrated Inbound Logistics solution is one of very few in the region that is designed to ensure data accuracy and availability in a real-time manner. This has once again confirmed DUBAL’s leadership in out-of-the-box thinking, as well as our employees’ resourcefulness and capabilities.”