At Tconsult, we have an abundance of knowledge on logistics and multi-use packaging options. We try to share this knowledge with our customers, contacts and partners as well and wide as possible. Due to the corona crisis, we had to find an extra creative solution for doing this. We eventually decided on hosting webinars about multi-use packaging. This blog offers a comprehensive recap of our webinars and will teach you everything you need to know about multi-use packaging.
About the topic
“The idea of the webinars is to show people that, despite the difficult situation, we are still ready and willing to help,” says Ernst Tjaden, founder of Tconsult. “We have a lot of knowledge that we can and want to share, and we feel that now would be a good time to do so.”
Multi-use packaging/Returnable transport items are a high cost item for many companies that are constantly being overlooked. By teaching these companies through the webinars to get a better grip on these precious items, they can save considerably and gain access to important data and insights regarding RTI’s. Below we have listed the various subjects around the central theme of “multi-use packaging” and wrote down the main takeaways from each webinar.
Week 1: The Value at Risk analysis
We started the series with a webinar on the Value at Risk analysis. Tconsult’s Value at Risk analysis was created to calculate the total estimated multi-use packaging risk for companies. This is done on the basis of a questionnaire in which various aspects of RTI’s are discussed. During the session, we discussed, among other things, the function used in determining the total risk. This function is a combination of the volume (Q), the price (P), the risk drivers (R) and the control framework (C) of packaging. The function ultimately yields a table with which companies can determine how great the actual risk is.
In addition, we discussed some of the other risks involved in managing multi-use packaging and RTI’s. These risks occur, for example, when companies don’t have correct registration, work processes, contracts or internal control. We also provided long-term advice. For example, we emphasized the importance of mapping the RTI’s in quantities and value. It is also important to take a closer look at the packaging flows, especially the turnover rate and what the pooling consists of. Curious about your own RTI risk? The Value at Risk analysis can be completed free of charge via our website!
Week 2: Purchase and manage packaging
The second week was all about purchasing and managing your RTI’s. Various choices have to be made when working with multi-use packaging. For example, whether it is bought or rented and whether a deposit or balance is calculated. During the webinar we discussed the different advantages and disadvantages of each option.
It is important to calculate and keep track of finances, but some risks cannot always be expressed in money. The choice can also differ per sector or per individual customer, depending on what the standard is and what the needs of this party are. After all, every industry is different, and every industry also has its own risks. When it comes to purchasing packaging, the choice is based on a function. Namely how much it costs to rent packaging compared to how much it costs to buy packaging.
Week 3: RTI-app and Cloud platform TellApe
After the Value at Risk and the purchase of packaging, we discussed the next step in the correct management of RTI’s, namely registration and administration. Therefore, during the third webinar, we covered the functionalities and benefits of TellApe, the number one multi-use packaging registration app and Cloud platform. The app was developed by Tconsult and ensures that companies get a better grip on their reusable packaging and transport items.
During this session we discussed a number of different scenarios from different industries in which TellApe is used. The user-friendliness and accessibility of the application ensures that it can be used by various companies. The tool is used by bakers, garden centers, waste processors, growers and companies that supply meal boxes.
These companies use the tool for easy registration of every loading and unloading moment and can personalize the application with their own packaging as desired. TellApe also has several functions. For example, drivers or loading and unloading employees can register the packaging and administrators can manage the overview in the online portal. For more information about TellApe, feel free to contact us.
Week 4: Registering outside your ERP package
We concluded the series with a webinar about registering RTI’s outside of an existing Enterprise Resource Planning, or ERP, package. This is important because some systems do not take into account your reusable packaging assets. This is a shame, as these are essential items in the trading process and an investment of great value. During this last webinar we discussed the differences between an ERP system and a PMS (Packaging Management System). We also discussed the possible shortcomings of an ERP system. The concept of checks and cross-checks with regard to different types of packaging was also discussed.
ERP packages sometimes have some form of RTI registration. However, this is often very limited and doesn’t lead to the correct information and insights into the outstanding packaging balances. For this reason, companies use a Packaging Management System. A PMS allows you to manage open package balances and provides insights into the numbers and locations of your items. In addition, it is also important to perform checks and crosschecks. For example, you can check the financial or RTI transactions in your ERP in addition to the physical transactions that you initially do not keep (in your ERP).
The above topics have been chosen to discuss as many aspects of the central theme as possible in a short time. In the blogs and cases of Tconsult and TellApe we delve even deeper into these and other topics. We can also offer personal advice and tools for your company. In the next series of webinars we will discuss a new theme, the dates and topics of which will be announced later.
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