Case Studies
FULFILLMENT OF PROMOTIONAL ITEMS
Web-based inventory management systems helps save $4 million
in inventory and logistics costs for distributor of wines and spirits
A premium distributor of wines and spirits lacked adequate systems
to effectively manage its regional point of sale inventory. As
a result, some items were frequently out of stock while others collected
dust. Axis installed a web-based inventory management
system and a customized process for sales staff and distributors to
view images of product, place orders, and track shipments
online. Result: 80% reduction in standing inventory and total
supply chain savings of $4 million.
EXPEDITED SHIPPING SERVICES FOR BROADCAST EQUIPMENT
Axis provides video rental company with 24/7 coverage for urgent shipments. Delivery of production equipment is a high-stakes game where mistakes can have severe financial consequences, such as when equipment is not available for the start of a scheduled event. For a leading equipment rental company, Axis handles urgent shipping of cameras, sound systems and other high-value equipment going to concerts, sporting events and other special events. Axis staff are available round the clock to handle weekend and off-hour delivery requirements. Says the company’s traffic manager, “If there is a delay, Axis people are on the phone or email letting us know the status. Axis people will ring me up at 4:30 in morning and let me know what’s going on. That’s what we need.”
SHIPPING ADVERTISING MATERIALS
Axis manages delivery of newspaper inserts. Reduces freight
costs by 40%.
The advertising agency of a Fortune 100 telecommunications firm struggled
to coordinate on-time delivery of newspaper inserts to papers across
the country due to last minute creative changes. Axis set up
shop at the printer and, for each insert project, coordinated more
than 200 multi-stop truckload shipments to points across the US Our
expertise helped reduce freight costs by 40% and made sure inserts
arrived at newspapers on time.
Axis steps in to avert signage disaster for major retailer
A major retailer worked with outside design consultants on a complete
makeover of all store signage. Each department within every
store in the country would receive new signage based on a set rollout
schedule. Signs were designed and printed but there was one
problem. No one had thought through the precise logistics
requirements of collating and shipping signs to individual stores
in a set schedule. Enter Axis. We brought all printed
signs into Axis’ New York warehouse and established communication
with all printers and framers. Based on individual store requirements
for signage, we coordinated framing and subsequent delivery of signs
to each store location. As a result, the new and costly branding
campaign moved forward on schedule.
SHIPPING AND LOGISTICS SERVICES FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES FIRMS
Fortune 100 financial services firm leans on Axis to automate
shipment tracking, savings hours in of unproductive time
For the print production department of a global financial services
firm, tracking shipment status for its 300 daily print jobs was a time-consuming
nightmare that involved checking multiple carrier systems and creating
manual reports. After outsourcing all delivery to Axis, service
levels improved. Now POD status reporting is completely automated,
savings hours of unproductive administrative time.
Large financial services firm relies on Axis for deinstallation,
packing and delivery of computer and other office equipment.
At this busy, global financial services firm staff often move from
one office to another. That means computers and other office
equipment need to be quickly and carefully relocated so that these
knowledge workers are back up and running fast. Experienced Axis
staff handle all such moves for the company, packing equipment, maintaining
careful record of all inventory, and delivering equipment to the new
location. Axis works closely with the customer’s IT and
other technical staff to coordinate precise delivery times so computers
are installed and linked to the corporate network upon arrival. For
this customer, Axis also stores equipment in its safe, secure warehouse
for future use.
SHIPMENT OF SALES DEMO UNITS TO SALES CALLS AND TRADE SHOWS
Sales team for high-end cameras uses Axis to coordinate shipping
of equipment for all sales demonstrations
The US sales arm for one of the world’s leading brands of high-end
cameras had a problem. It did not want its professional sales
staff coordinating equipment shipments. But it was critical that
demonstration equipment be available for every sales call, as well
as seminars and trade shows. These sales people traveled the
country demonstrating the camera’s capabilities, so the shipping
challenge was not minor. The company asked Axis to take complete
responsibility for storing and transporting the equipment. Axis
staff sat down with the customer and developed a highly customized
solution that requires Axis knowledge of equipment and model numbers. In
fact, Axis now knows the dimension, pieces and weights for all the
major demo kits used. As a result, we can quickly price shipments
and choose the exact aircraft and service level required. Axis
staff are so familiar with the requirements of the customer that the
company can simply provide Axis with an itinerary for their next sales
trip and, from there, Axis can coordinate all requirements. Result:
the customer’s sales team is completely focused on preparing
for and closing deals for its premium equipment.
SHIPPING SERVICES FOR PRINTERS
Large printing company uses Axis to run its in-house shipping
department.
A large New York-based printer maintained a small truck fleet and coordinated
domestic and international shipments of its printed materials. But
the company decided to focus its time and investments on its core business. As
a result, it sold its fleet and hired Axis to manage its in-house traffic
department. The firm now gains the benefit of Axis transportation
expertise and leverages our volume discounts with carriers. In
addition, instead of managing relationships with dozens of carriers
the printer has one go-to person for all logistics needs.
SHIPPING SERVICES FOR LAW FIRMS
Law firm uses next-day service from Washington, D.C. to London for
regular pouch deliveries
For its daily pouch deliveries to London, the Washington, D.C. office
of a large law firm used all the billion dollar parcel companies that
advertise on television, each of whom offered 2nd Day delivery for
packages picked up by 7 p.m. Today all such shipments move through
Axis based on our ability to provide Next day service for 5 p.m. pickups
-- a switch that added a full day’s productivity for the
firm’s London-based attorneys.
KIT ASSEMBLY SOLUTIONS FOR MARKETERS
Marketing agency uses Axis for one-day turnaround on project
to build 1000 tote bags
A marketing agency had one day to build 1,000 tote bags, which were
to be distributed to attendees at a New York City convention. The
bag included many different items, including pens, reading lights,
a book, brochures and flyers. WITHIN 24 HOURS, Axis picked up
all materials, delivered them to Axis’ product fulfillment warehouse
outside Manhattan, sourced reliable labor, designed the assembly process,
built the tote bag packages, and delivered them to the Waldorf-Astoria
Hotel, where the convention was held. Promotional tote bags arrived
on time to be distributed to convention goers at registration.
Axis helps a major television network hit aggressive deadline
for press kit assembly and shipping
A major television network needed press kits built on a rush basis. Axis
coordinated the shipment of incoming material from multiple sources
so that materials arrived in time for Axis to assemble and meet client
delivery date. The project included box assembly, collating and
insertion of printed matter, a DVD and promotional items. Axis
fulfillment staff designed the most efficient assembly process to keep
costs down while meeting all deadlines. Axis shipped the press
kits to editors and writers across the country for this timed campaign. Using
Axis’s web visibility tools, the client was able to track shipments
and view proof of delivery for distinct shipments.
Axis helps marketing firm build employee welcome kits for
agency client
The human resources department of a major employer did not have the
staff to build welcome kits for its steady stream of new employees. It
looked to its marketing agency for help, which in turn tapped Axis
Global Logistics to manage the project. Axis was responsible
for burning the company’s annual report on CDs, packing the CDs
and placing them, along with numerous forms, into printed folders. Axis
had overall responsibility for project coordination, managing outside
printers, copy centers and other suppliers to assure timely project
completion.
EVENT SUPPORT
Axis handles all logistics for corporate sponsor of major events. For a major bottled water company, Axis stores and ships water, displays, coolers, signage and other material for major events that the company sponsors, such as the U.S Open tennis tournament. Because there is little or no storage space on site at the event, the marketing team coordinating the event counts on Axis to replenish supplies as needed. Shipments are made to a specific person at a specific time. By using Axis to handle all logistical details, corporate staff can be 100 percent focused on managing a great event.
