AK Vina 3S WMS Digital Transformation

As a system “tailor-made” for the unique challenges of the chemical industry, 3S WMS seamlessly connects data flows from the warehouse floor to specialized operational systems at AK Vina. The project’s highlight is the integration between 3S WMS and the DCS (Distributed Control System) from Yokogawa—a global leader in automation—which manages chemical tanks. Through IoT connectivity, sensor signals from the tank farm, such as inventory levels, temperature, and pressure, are automatically extracted and synchronized in real-time with 3S WMS. This digitalization has completely eliminated manual tank measurement, enabling AK Vina to precisely control every liter of raw material moving through the plant.

System integrity is established from the very first step through integration with CAS weighbridge software. As soon as a truck rolls onto the scale, the actual weight is automatically recorded and updated directly into the inbound/outbound slips on the software.

The intelligent operational cycle concludes with a connection to the Rotomatik forklift system. Instead of paper printouts, transport orders are digitized and transmitted directly to the devices, guiding drivers to exact locations via optimal routes. The synergy between 3S WMS and specialized systems—from Yokogawa DCS and CAS to Rotomatik—has created a seamless data flow, transforming AK Vina’s logistics into an automated engine with near-absolute precision.

In the chemical industry, shelf life is a vital factor determining product quality; therefore, strict compliance with FIFO/FEFO principles is mandatory. 3S WMS addresses this challenge by assigning a unique QR Code identity to every package and drum right at the receiving stage, allowing algorithms to automatically calculate and designate the exact lots with the nearest expiration dates for production or sale.

On the floor, with a simple scan using Handy Terminals, the software instantly records all lot information, including production date, expiry, and lot number. This enables users to easily filter items that arrived first or are nearing expiration, ensuring correct FIFO/FEFO dispatch and preventing the accidental shipping of old or expired batches.

Through a detailed warehouse mapping model (by pallet, location, and rack), 3S WMS helps AK Vina manage storage locations for each product type with precision. The system guides goods to designated areas, ensuring that first-in or near-expiry lots are always placed in the most accessible positions for efficient retrieval in the required order.

Prior to implementing 3S WMS, AK Vina struggled with synchronizing warehouse data with the parent Group’s ERP system in South Korea. Manual reports were frequently out of sync with actual fluctuations, complicating remote resource planning.

3S WMS has integrated various ERP functions to create a unified and seamless data flow across production – sales – warehouse – accounting. Instead of operating in silos, all on-site inbound, outbound, and inventory data is instantly updated on the system. This connectivity has completely eliminated information barriers between departments, providing leadership and specialized teams with a real-time overview of enterprise resources to make precise business decisions.

The success of this project is a clear testament to AK Vina’s commitment to continuously elevating operational standards to meet the most stringent requirements of tech giants like Samsung and LG. For AK Vina, digital transformation is no longer just a trend but has become a core competitive advantage, creating momentum for the business to grow even stronger and solidify its position as a major powerhouse in the chemical industry within Vietnam and the region.