Project-based rollout of logistics systems worldwide

Research and implementation of transport execution technologies for a large multinational brewery

Situation

A large multinational brewery faced the challenge of harmonising and improving its global application landscape. For the logistics department, one of the strategic challenges was to investigate which value-added technologies could support the transport execution process. Two logistics systems were already in use within some local sites with possible potential to deploy them more broadly as a standard for all global sites. These systems provide functionalities for:

- Real-time insight into the location of trucks & cargo vessels in the logistics process
- Time slot booking for loading or unloading goods
- Spot market for trading a cargo for a group of transport companies

The organisation made IMPROVEN several requests for help in this area, which can be roughly divided into two phases:

Research value logistics systems for wider global deployment

This required sound advice based on desk and field research specifically targeted and aligned with the organisation's strategy and services.

Implementation of logistics systems

After the survey was conducted and advice was given for the deployment of the systems, the request for help followed:

A. Establishing a standard implementation method

B. Implementing the technologies at a number of global sites

C. Transfer of knowledge and expertise to the internal organisation

From IMPROVEN have Robbert Vermeire and Jelmer Veldman, both Senior Consultant Digital Services, helped the organisation with these issues in 2024 and 2025.

Our approach

Research value logistics systems for wider global deployment

The following actions were taken in the study:

- Research into the transport execution process and bottlenecks or opportunities for improvement
- Research on use and success in countries where the technology was already in use
- Examining the functionalities of the two logistics systems and identifying strengths and weaknesses
- Establishing business use cases for the two logistics systems, linking the functionalities of the systems to bottlenecks or improvement opportunities in the logistics process
- Advice on the use of the systems in conjunction with the application landscape and criteria for which type of establishment a system may or may not be suitable

Implementation of logistics systems

After choosing to use both systems for global deployments, the next challenge was to roll them out properly and in a standardised way.

A. Establishing a standard implementation method

A standard roll-out methodology was created with deliverables and templates for each project phase and integrated into the organisation's standard project approach. This involved both:

- Project management deliverables such as scope, schedule, budget, quality, stakeholder management, steering committee documents for signing off on a project phase
- Deliverables for the technical implementation, such as setup, interfaces with other systems and any site-specific requirements
- Deliverables for adoption and embedding the technology in the site and its processes. Among others, KPI determination and measurement, determination of use cases in/out of scope, training, process description

The standard project approach for both systems have been coordinated with the client and other relevant stakeholders.

B. Implementing the technologies at a number of global sites

The methodology was then put into practice with Robbert and Jelmer taking on the role of Global Program Lead to lead the implementation for multiple global sites. In doing so, each was in the lead for one of the two logistics systems. Feedback was collected to improve the standard methodology.

C. Transfer of knowledge and expertise to the internal organisation

Information about the system, methodology and projects implemented was captured on the shared collaborative workspace. In addition, the intended future knowledge holders of the systems and implementations were included in the design of the methodology and involved in the execution of projects.

Result

Research value logistics systems for wider global deployment

A document was delivered with use cases and advice for use by technology. The two systems had similar functionalities, but were stronger in different parts of the world. As a result, both systems were advised to be used in different world regions. Based on the prepared use cases, it was possible to assess to what extent the functionalities of the systems were relevant to a local site.

Implementation of logistics systems

The systems have been successfully rolled out in branches across 20 countries. The successes and improvement opportunities for both systems have been shared with the client and other relevant stakeholders. In addition, the methodology has been improved based on experience and feedback, well documented and transferred to future knowledge holders. This provides a template for the roll-out of this system which can be used for all future implementations.