Small retailers and third-party logistics companies receive enterprise-quality warehouse execution system with little capital investment

HILLIARD, OH—January 5, 2015—VARGO®’s new COFE® SaaS WES system is now available at a pricing structure that empowers small to medium size retailers and third-party logistics companies to take advantage of innovative continuous order fulfillment technology used by industry leading retailers.

The powerful COFE® (Continuous Order Fulfillment Engine) system is the first warehouse control system that processes orders within a distribution center using pull-based methodologies to achieve the lowest order cycle times, eliminate buffers and enable continuous order picking for waveless fulfillment operations. COFE® also allows greater flexibility for expediting orders through the operation. Because it uses pull-based methodologies, it is easier to manage than other warehouse control systems. On a large scale, for example, a company using the COFE® system can expect to achieve order cycle times in the range of 25-45 minutes. This same process scales from tens of thousands of orders to hundreds of thousands. Traditional wave based warehouse execution systems (WES) typically have order cycle times that range from several hours to several days.

COFE® is a customizable WES that can direct material handling machines as well as people, devices and processes. It synchronizes direct-to-consumer distribution center workers with equipment availability as they pull orders through distribution centers. COFE® can be used to maintain operational flow and to integrate sortation systems, automated storage and retrieval systems, conveyors, additional RF users and additional user licenses, as a company grows.

COFE® SaaS WES is a new pricing model for the popular COFE® technology. The new “software as a service” (SaaS) pricing model allows material handling professionals to pay based on the number of orders processed, reducing the capital investment typically required to implement a warehouse execution system. Through this innovative pricing structure, smaller companies—that process as few as 2,000 orders a day or 44,000 units a week—can now have the same tools, bells and whistles that much larger companies benefit from in their distribution centers. Under the COFE® SaaS model a distribution center will be able to experience the same efficiency-related benefits realized by larger distribution operations and have a core process and technology that will be able to grow into a fully mechanized operation.

August 21, 2014 – Earlier today American Eagle Outfitters completed the grand opening of their new Hazle Township, PA Omnichannel fulfillment center. The new fulfillment center opened on schedule despite a very difficult winter. An executive team from VARGO was pleased to be present for the opening and talk to guest about the design build process and the benefits of a continuous fulfillment process enabled by VARGO’s COFE WES (warehouse execution system). This new fulfillment center is capable of reaching 90% of American Eagle Outfitters retail customers in two days or less. Even more impressive is the lack of highly automated buffers and fast order processing time.

HILLIARD, OH (January 21, 2013) – VARGO is now offering a Starter Kit version of its powerful COFE warehouse control system. COFE is an acronym for Continuous Order Fulfillment Engine and is the first warehouse control system that processes orders within a distribution center using a demand driven waveless approach. Available exclusively from VARGO, COFE is a modular, customizable program capable of directing not only material handling machines, but also devices, people and processes. It integrates and synchronizes direct-to-consumer DC workers with the operation of the equipment to pull orders through distribution centers.

The COFE Starter Kit is a fully functional base version of COFE, with the ability to integrate additional modules as needed. Modules may be added to integrate pick/put-to-lights, sortation systems, automated storage and retrieval systems, conveyors, additional RF users, and additional user licenses.

The Kit includes a fully functional demand driven order fulfillment system with COFE VIEW dashboarding and visualization, eight users by functional area (pick, assemble, pack and ship), and a streamlined implementation process.

It is designed for warehouse and distribution operations that process between as little as 2,000 orders per day, or approximately 44,000 units per week. The Starter Kit version allows these smaller operations to take advantage of the same efficiency related benefits as larger operations which have taken advantage of mechanizing some of their processes.

HILLIARD, OH (January 21, 2013) COFE is an acronym for Continuous Order Fulfillment Engine and is the first warehouse control system that processes orders within a distribution center using a waveless approach. Available exclusively from VARGO®, COFE is a modular, customizable program capable of directing not only material handling machines, but also devices, people and processes. It integrates and synchronizes direct-to-consumer DC workers with the operation of the equipment to pull orders through your distribution center.

Most importantly, COFE processes orders without the premise of waves, wave management or waveologists. Ever-changing requirements and instant demands of consumers place extraordinary burdens on traditional wave-based distribution systems within a D2C operation, and continually expose the flaws of a “traditional” approach to handling D2C order fulfillment.

In a wave-based operation, the DC process is looked at as a linear progression of events with many stops and starts. Peak times and unexpected events are not handled well, and cause efficiency problems.

Conversely, in a waveless or continuous flow system made possible by COFE, all activity is handled in real time. COFE continually monitors ongoing operations and re-evaluates the actions necessary to meet the changing needs. Based on proven “lean” pull-based processes, COFE is an ideal fit for the Direct-to-Consumer distribution center. By pulling orders to completion, order cycle times and order priorities are easily managed systemically and do not require human intervention in most instances. Adjustments to labor, equipment and necessary work are handled dynamically. It’s a dynamic, adaptable approach, rather than a “best guess” planned approach that results in significant improvements to the DC operation and adjusts to the volatility of eCommerce order profiles.

HILLIARD, OH (January 21, 2013) – VARGO has launched a completely redesigned website, to better reflect their capabilities and industry focus. VARGO is a team of fulfillment and distribution center specialists with expertise in systems integration, DC process improvement, and specialized material handling equipment.

Using the new website, visitors can easily review VARGO’s extensive capabilities and experience within eCommerce/direct-to-consumer distribution, retail and wholesale distribution, and manufacturing. Within these industries, VARGO’s experience ranges from implementing lean, pull-based distribution methodologies and systems using its powerful COFE software, to traditional material handling systems integration, to providing a full line of standard and specialized material handling equipment.

VARGO’s thought leadership position in the industry is illustrated with a library of white papers, technical notes and success stories. Visitors can download these resources, and also sign up for the company’s newsletters, or schedule webinars to learn more about VARGO solutions.

HILLIARD, OH (July 18, 2012) – VARGO was recently awarded a contract by the global clothing and accessory retailer, to design and implement a lean, pull based ecommerce distribution center. At the heart of the turn-key lean distribution design is VARGO’s warehouse control system (WCS) called COFE™.

COFE is an acronym for Continuous Order Fulfillment for Ecommerce and is the first and only commercially available warehouse control system (WCS) that processes distribution center orders by applying “lean” methodologies to the order fulfillment process. In affect this creates a waveless type operation. It is typically installed between the warehouse management system (WMS) and the material handling subsystems, to expand the capabilities of the WMS. COFE integrates order management, machine control and labor to efficiently pull orders through the distribution center in a continuous flow.

In addition, VARGO will be procuring and integrating all the storage needs, conveyor, order fulfillment technologies, piece and shipping sorters, and traditional material handling equipment for this facility’s ecommerce operation. The new system is targeted to go-live in August, 2012.