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Stress-Free Monday Mornings: How the Reisser Group Optimized Its Logistics

The Reisser Group has optimized its warehouse logistics with Cargoclix’s cloud-based SLOT time slot management system.

The Reisser Group, a wholesaler specializing in heating, sanitary equipment and building services technology, was struggling with uncoordinated truck arrivals at its goods receiving area: trucks arrived without prior coordination, putting staff under considerable pressure. The cloud-based SLOT time slot management system from Cargoclix brought about a major improvement – and did so within a very short period of time.

Freiburg i. Br., March 20, 2025. Monday morning, 7 a.m. At the yard of the Reisser branch in Freiburg: Five semi-trailer trucks are already standing bumper to bumper, drivers are waiting for instructions, while the first employees begin unloading. The stress is palpable. No one knows exactly which truck will be handled next or whether more vehicles will arrive shortly. Until recently, this was a typical start to the week – but that is now a thing of the past.

The first contact with Cargoclix was made at the LogiMAT logistics trade fair in Stuttgart. The Reisser team was looking into various providers offering solutions to put an end to the chaos at the loading dock – and held discussions with several companies. “Cargoclix was the most attractive solution in terms of price while also being the simplest to use,” reports Markus Imberi, Logistics Manager at the Freiburg site. Following the decision-making phase, implementation initially began in Freiburg in August 2023 – with noticeable success.

“Before using SLOT, we simply had no idea who was coming or when they would arrive,” says Imberi, describing the situation before the introduction of a time slot management system. Although trucks could always be processed quickly, the immense stress placed on employees was clearly noticeable. Following a comprehensive market analysis, Reisser opted for SLOT from Cargoclix. In addition to the favorable price, the decisive factors were the system’s ease of use and rapid implementation. “The setup was a dream,” recalls Manuel Imgraben, Head of Goods Receiving in Freiburg. The first loading docks were configured during the very first online presentation – and after just one and a half hours, the system was ready for use.

Changed Processes, More Structure

Today, suppliers book their time slots in advance, ensuring an even workload in the goods receiving area. Time slots can be booked up to 15 days in advance, while spontaneous bookings are still accepted up to six hours before the desired appointment. One rule always applies: Trucks with a booked time slot are given priority, while unannounced vehicles have to wait. “The average waiting time is now just five minutes,” reports Imgraben. This has not only significantly reduced stress within the team but also increased efficiency.

Challenges During Implementation

As with any change, there was some initial skepticism – particularly among logistics service providers. While many suppliers were already familiar with the system, others were initially more hesitant. “We clearly communicated from the outset that trucks with booked time slots would be given priority,” explains Imberi. Acceptance increased quickly once the benefits for freight forwarders became apparent. Reisser charges the logistics service providers 50 cents per time slot booking – an approach that was fully accepted.

“Before implementation, we spoke with our largest supplier and informed them of our plans to introduce a time slot management system,” Imberi continues. “Cargoclix was already very well known there, and it was taken for granted that the freight forwarders would cover the costs,” he adds.

The Freiburg site was the first Reisser Group location to introduce SLOT in 2023. Since then, nine of the 16 sites have been connected, with four more to follow during the year. Only three smaller branches will not be integrated due to their low volumes. The headquarters in Böblingen, with seven heavily utilized loading docks, is benefiting particularly from the new system.

Better Communication, Measurable Results

The introduction of SLOT has noticeably optimized the Reisser Group’s logistics processes. Employees are under less pressure, processes are easier to plan, and waiting times have been reduced to a minimum. Nevertheless, implementation needs to be approached systematically: “Anyone who wants to introduce such a system needs to think beforehand about what they have and what they want to achieve,” advises Imberi.

The introduction of SLOT has paid off for Reisser: shorter waiting times, less stress and more efficient processes. An investment that delivers sustainable benefits – for the company, its employees and its logistics partners alike.

About Reisser

REISSER was founded in 1871 in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim. Today, five subsidiaries together form the REISSER Group. Headquartered in Böblingen, the company specializes in bathroom and sanitary equipment, installation and heating technology, pumps, filters and ventilation. REISSER covers the entire range of building services technology.

REISSER AG is a family-owned company and works in close, cooperative partnership with more than 10,000 specialist contractors. The wholesaler employs around 1,800 people at more than 50 locations, primarily in southwestern Germany.

Cargoclix SLOT

Cargoclix SLOT is a web-based time slot management system designed to optimize loading and unloading processes at the loading dock. Goods recipients can define available loading appointments, while freight forwarders and carriers book their preferred delivery time. An internet connection is all that is required for freight forwarders and carriers to make bookings.

Cost per time slot booking: 50 cents. These costs are either covered by the booking company or, alternatively, by the goods recipient/site operator.

System Description

• Interface to an ERP system or use as a stand-alone solution
• Variable loading dock opening hours and flexible time slot lengths based on the number of pallets, tons, vehicle type, etc.
• Individual configuration of breaks and holiday periods, shift changes, booking limits, etc.
• Definition of capacity limits such as personnel, forklifts or processing capacities
• Layouts and permissions for rescheduling and changes
• Plausibility checks of booking data through duplicate checks, number range comparisons, etc.
• Event-based notifications and alerts
• Recording and analysis of incoming goods flows, including punctuality and processing times
• Real-time comparison of booked and unbooked time slots (requires an ERP interface)
• Real-time tracking of loading and unloading processes with selectable screen views, including a schedule with a dock overview, a tabular booking list and a traffic-light system with color coding
• Recording of incoming goods flows with planned/actual times per truck, quantity and quality for each delivery, as well as comparison of actual and target quantities from contracts
• KPI tool “Cargoclix MONITOR” for managing loading docks using individual KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)
• “Cargoclix SAFE CHECK-IN App” for check-in directly from the truck and automatic translation of all automated and customized messages into 75 languages, as well as dynamic calculation of the estimated arrival time at the loading dock using intelligent ETA calculations
• “Cargoclix TERMINAL” for implementing “Gate 4.0” with self-check-in without the need for staff

About Cargoclix

Cargoclix is a leading provider of digital solutions for transport and logistics. Cargoclix products enable end-to-end digital processes for yard and transport logistics and, with more than 160,000 users, achieve one of the largest reaches in the industry.

All products are available as cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions and, thanks to their modular design, offer flexible combination options that enable the complete digitization and automation of logistics processes.

Among the best-known Cargoclix solutions are:

• Cargoclix SLOT: A modular and customizable software solution for optimizing processes at the loading dock. SLOT is one of the most widely used products in the field of time slot management.
• Cargoclix SAFE CHECK-IN (SCI): A digital solution that efficiently connects truck drivers and logistics sites. It optimizes the entire check-in process and increases efficiency at logistics locations.
• Cargoclix WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT (WFM): A modular solution for quickly and easily digitizing and optimizing individual workflows in yard and transport logistics. It helps reduce personnel costs and contributes to optimal processes and the prevention of errors through process automation.
• Cargoclix TENDER: A logistics platform for global tenders for transportation by road, rail, air, sea and inland waterways, as well as courier, express and parcel services and logistics services such as warehousing. With more than 28,000 registered members from industry, retail and freight forwarding, TENDER is one of the leading international tendering platforms.

Cargoclix is a brand of Dr. Meier & Schmidt GmbH. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Freiburg i. Br., Germany. www.cargoclix.com

Further information is available at www.cargoclix.com.

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