Frozen Food Leader Automates Mobile Van Sales and Boosts Productivity with SAP S/4HANA

The Challenge:

A top frozen food wholesaler/distributor ran 114 outlets, 30 storage sites, and 100+ vehicles—but 50+ mobile vans operated like unsynced “mini stores.” 

Inventory was tracked manually, returns were error-prone, and each van needed 8–10 staff plus 60+ people for loading/unloading and stock checks. There was no real-time visibility.

The A5E Solution

A5E Consulting implemented SAP S/4HANA with Warehouse Management and barcode automation—bringing stores and mobile units online simultaneously. 

Each van was modeled as a virtual store/profit center with automated opening/closing balances, real-time inventory, and systematic returns. In the warehouse, barcode-based goods receipt/dispatch/returns and unit-of-measure standardization eliminated manual counts and mismatches. The foundation was laid for future cold-chain monitoring (product temperature tags, batch traceability, IoT-ready design). 

The solution integrated GoFrugal POS and scanners to sync sales, inventory, and finance, while SAP FI automated invoicing, payments, assets, and reporting.

Results that matter

• One operator could now manage 40 mobile units (a 66% increase in workforce productivity)
• 100% automated inventory tracking with real-time visibility and accurate returns
• Streamlined loading/unloading and trolley-based internal movements
• Go-live across 114 stores with no operational disruption; enhanced fleet management

A5E turned mobile retail from manual coordination to governed, real-time flow.