case-study

BACKGROUND

AGS provides a full supply chain service package for a nationwide Telecom company that operates wireless broadband networks for high-speed residential customers, along with mobile internet access and voice services.  In the past three years AGS has handled 155,000 shipments for the customer, utilizing all levels of transportation, including Same Day, Overnight, and Second Day, Ground, and White Glove service on many of the shipments.

This supply chain solution was in support of the build-out of the customer’s nationwide 4G network and included establishing distribution centers in over 80 cities to support the build-out of over 20,000 cell towers.  Included was the use of AGS inventory control technology and myAGS.com to track vendor shipments around the country, giving the customer real-time visibility to every shipment moving in the AGS network.

OUR PLAN

During this critical 3-year period and continuing today, AGS appointed a Customer Account Team of fifteen (15) dedicated management and staff people, located in Seattle, WA, to monitor and centrally control all aspects of the AGS supply chain projects at every location.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Time-specific Ground (most frequent) to meet crews at installation sites.

• Courier On-Demand (24 hours a day) to multiple cities to deploy critical spare parts.
• Full Truckload (FTL), thirty per day during peak times, to deliver product from suppliers.
• White Glove service with 4-8 man teams, including time-specific delivery, inside delivery, unpacking and debris removal, for over 200 customer site installations.
• The full menu of air products, including Same Day, Overnight, and Second Day.

WAREHOUSING SERVICES

One million square feet of warehousing space dedicated to the customer’s projects during build-out periods.

• Eighty (80) DCs, from 5000 to 50,000 square feet, in major cities in the U.S. with a total of 400 dedicated employees and 5 Regional Directors. Some of the DCs are in existing AGS facilities, some at 3PL contractors selected by AGS, and some are dedicated leased facility under a 12-month term, with month-to-month extension, when necessary.
• A 400,000 square foot Las Vegas Distribution Center
• An 85,000 square foot RMA (return merchandise) Center completely staffed and managed by AGS personnel.
• A 30,000 square foot Kitting Center at the AGS Indianapolis DC.
• After the initial launch of the 4G build-outs, the customer has a continuing need for AGS transportation services for equipment upgrades and new cell site expansion.  Installation contractors have the option of a time-specific delivery from the closest DC to the install site or a contractor-managed pick-up at the DC.
• AGS also provides a reverse logistics service to the customer for returns of old and defective equipment back to the original vendor, resellers, and recycling providers.
• An absolute key factor in the customer’s decision to select AGS for these massive projects is AGS’ ability to control every aspect of the supply chain, from initial request for pick-up at vendor sites, transportation and delivery to the AGS DCs, warehousing and inventory of product and parts, pickup and return or redistribution of old or defective equipment, and state-of-the-art communication of all shipments and inventory via MyAGS.com. Another key is the dedicated management and staffing to the customer account that manages the overall services centrally.