Along with the launch of its DRS 95 file server last week (CI No 1,462), ICL offically opened a new distribution centre at its Stevenage site, which it claims has reduced its despatch cycle from nine to three days and produced savings on operating costs. ICL has invested UKP12m in the centre, much of which is run on-line from a control centre, using two ICL Series 39 Level 35 mainframes. Replacing manually driven forklift trucks are four centrally-controlled cranes which can shift 180 boxes an hour, 90 in and 90 out. As well as speeding up the throughput of products, the automated cranes reduce handling, therefore reducing damage. Over the past year, ICL says the centre has saved the company UKP500,000 in product damage costs. The centre will monitor ICL’s global distribution, although the local distribution centres in the US and Asia will continue to handle distribution for those areas.
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