ALS and KNAPP secure high-tech project in Saudi Arabian Healthcare Business

Drugstore chain Al-Dawaa implements KNAPP’s automation solution including a Track & Trace system 

KNAPP AG, headquartered in Hart bei Graz in Austria, and its Regional partner ALS Logistic Solutions, headquartered in Dubai, have been awarded by the Saudi Arabian pharmacy and drugstore chain Al-Dawaa to provide a turnkey automation solution with shuttle and central belt technology, as well as the SAP^® EWM warehouse management system. The new distribution centre will be erected in the Sudair Industrial City in Riyadh and will be a technological trailblazer for healthcare distribution in the region.

Al-Dawaa Medical Services Company supplies around 800 of its own pharmacies and also acts as a wholesaler for drugstore and medical goods. In order to supply its growing network of retailers faster and more frequently, Al-Dawaa decided to fully automate its processes. With the latest technology, the most cutting-edge distribution centre for pharmaceutical and drugstore products in the Middle East will be built jointly by ALS and KNAPP expertise. SAP eWM will serve as the warehouse management and warehouse control system to ensure smooth warehouse operations. Orders from the highly automated warehouse and manual area will be consolidated with ease using the eWM package.

Highly technological – highly efficient

With the help of the most cutting-edge shuttle system in the world, the OSR Shuttle Evo, the most important warehouse processes such as space-effective storage, replenishment management, picking and dispatch can all be covered within a single system. Picking will take place at ergonomic Pick-it-Easy work stations. Fast-mover autopickers will be on hand to pick fast-moving articles automatically. When it comes to manual picking, RF technology is designed to support the personnel and make error-free working a reality. Dispatch preparation and container supply for dispatch will be automated. Finally, SAP eWM by KNAPP will ensure that all processes in the warehouse will run smoothly.

End-to-end traceability

A Vision Central Belt solution will be used to automatically record lot and serial numbers at the autopickers. As a result, Al-Dawaa can accommodate the plans of the Saudi Food & Drug Authority, who requires all domestic and foreign medicines to be traced from production or import to delivery to the patient. The SAP transport management system guarantees transparency along the supply chain.

Core Logistics and IT competencies

KNAPP is implementing the project in Saudi Arabia in cooperation with local partner ALS Logistic Solutions. “KNAPP technology is pioneering in healthcare distribution on the one hand, and on the other, KNAPP has many years of experience and IT skills. This combination makes us the leading provider not only in Saudi Arabia but in the entire region,” explains Walid Khoury, Managing Director at ALS Logistic Solutions, who believes in the KNAPP cooperation. Mahmoud Mousa, CIO DBS, adds, “Al-Dawaa Pharmacies is running SAP ERP, so it was important for us to select a solution provider with excellent warehouse automation as well as implementing SAP eWM as WMS and WCS in the new warehouse.”

The new distribution centre is planned to go into operation in mid 2020.