General planning for warehouses and logistics centres

The role of the general planner combines the areas of logistics, technology and architecture into one area of responsibility. Depending on requirements and framework conditions, IT may also be included in the form of the introduction or adaptation of a warehouse management system (WMS).

ebp-consulting is a general planner for a wide range of topics and trades, from rough conceptual design, tendering and detailed planning to implementation support and acceptance:

• Logistics planning of processes for storage/retrieval and order picking, material flows, space utilisation and layout. This ranges from warehouse strategy and warehouse principles to the design of workstations. Logistical value-added services often play an important role in the overall warehouse concept.

   

• Technical planning, selection and tendering are closely linked to logistics planning and aim to achieve an overall optimum. This includes shelving, steel construction, manual to fully automatic operating devices, conveyor technology, industrial trucks, and picking and handling systems.

   

• Building/architectural planning is generally carried out in accordance with HOAI and covers structural and civil engineering, fire protection, technical building equipment, and heating, sanitation and air conditioning technology.

   

• IT planning focuses primarily on the warehouse management system (WMS) and occasionally on material flow control (MFC). The introduction of a new WMS or the adaptation of an existing system as part of the implementation of a new warehouse are frequent topics.

Our services in the planning of warehouse technology and warehouse automation

• Identification of suitable technical solutions for the respective requirements
• Comparison and pre-selection of automation variants or the degree of automation (manual, semi-automated, automated)
• Requirement specification and creation of specifications for a technical tender
• Preselection and evaluation of technical variants (e.g. small parts warehouse as shuttle or with stacker crane, automated pallet warehouse or narrow aisle) using our own planning and simulation tools
• Preselection of suitable technical suppliers (long list)
• Preparation and implementation of tenders
• Support throughout the entire tendering process up to the award of the contract
• Support during the implementation and commissioning of the new warehouse technology, through to optimisation during ongoing operation

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As part of warehouse planning and technology assessment, we use our WarehouseDesigner, which enables a quick and comparative assessment of a wide variety of storage technologies and degrees of automation based on a comprehensive knowledge database.

Our services for tendering and selecting warehouse technology:

• Preparation of tender documents
• Pre-selection of potential suppliers and coordination with the customer
• Technical contact person for suppliers
• Development of an evaluation scheme
• Evaluation of bids – qualitative and monetary
• Support during contract negotiations
• Support during implementation of the selected technology in cooperation with the supplier

As independent management consultants and warehouse general planners, we always act in a solution-neutral and supplier-independent manner in order to find the best possible solutions for our customers. We follow a standardised tendering process and a transparent selection procedure.

The architectural services for our projects are usually provided by our long-standing partner company, Architekturbüro Wende. Many customers already have their own architects, with whom we can also work closely. However, it is essential that they have in-depth experience in industrial construction, particularly in the construction of new warehouses and logistics centres. The building technology design options for a warehouse, for example in the so-called silo construction form, and the complex interface issues with the warehouse technology suppliers are usually very challenging and require extensive experience. ebp-consulting coordinates these interface issues in the role of general planner, but relies on architectural partners with experience in these areas.

Our architect provides the following key architectural services:

• Definition of the building structure
• Development of functional development plans
• Preparation of a building regulations document
• Support with building applications
• Clarification of fire safety issues
• Preparation and implementation of construction tenders
• Support in the awarding of construction and specialist engineering services
• Implementation of construction management and assumption of client representation

The architectural services are performed in accordance with the service phases of the HOAI:

1. Basic evaluation: Determination of the client's requirements and initial site investigations, as well as examination of the legal framework.
2. Pre-planning: Creation of initial drafts and concepts, comparison of different variants and cost estimation.
3. Design planning: Based on the preliminary planning drafts, a final planning concept is drafted with all relevant components. This comprehensively covers the relevant service specifications for property planning, such as civil engineering structures, structural design, technical building equipment, interiors and outdoor facilities.
4. Approval planning: Preparation of all necessary documents as part of a building application for planning permission.
5. Implementation planning: Further development of the approved design from an implementation perspective, including an implementation plan. All calculations and dimensioning must be carried out as a basis for a planning stage that is ready for implementation.
6. Preparation of the contract award, including determining quantities and drawing up service specifications, including cost estimates.
7. Assistance with the contract award includes coordinating the award procedure and comparing the tender results with the service specifications drawn up by the planner and the cost calculation.
8. Project supervision (construction management): Construction work is supervised, irregularities are identified and measures are taken.

During the construction phase, we monitor all service phases and ensure that your project is completed on time and within budget. Our architects and engineers take care of project management and client representation for you, ensuring that all requirements, budgets and deadlines are met.

Our services in project management and site supervision:

• Overall project management as well as coordination and monitoring of contract fulfilment by all parties involved in the project
• Creation of a detailed project plan for the implementation phase in coordination with the sub-projects construction, logistics, technology and IT
• Active implementation of all planning and coordination meetings
• Control and monitoring of all tasks and measures necessary to achieve the project goals
• Synchronisation of the interfaces between logistics planning and building planning as well as between logistics planning and IT
• Informing all organisational units involved in and affected by the project about the course of the project and its results
• Representing the project in higher-level committees
• Preparation and implementation of regular meetings
• Identification of deviations in the course of the project, analysis of their effects and initiation of the necessary measures
• Preparation of decision-making documents
• Active project controlling for the investment and material costs incurred by the project, as well as ongoing updating of the target operating costs
• Early escalation of emerging problems and active clarification of potentially critical issues