New solution optimises planning from 40 to 60 containers per week
Source: Via Chassé
Maurik May 2026, Via Chassé, wholesaler of office supplies and hobby materials, has automated its container planning with Metrica from Jeroen van den Berg Consulting. The solution replaces the existing Excel control and supports the weekly planning of 40 to 60 containers.
Planning this flow of goods was a complex puzzle in practice.
"Every container involves many factors at once," says Sebastiaan Gielens, director of Via Chassé. "Expected arrival times are constantly changing. Do we opt for transport by truck or barge? How many unloading crews are needed daily? How do we distribute the work throughout the day?"
In addition, costs add up quickly when containers remain too long in terminals or empty containers are returned late. At the same time, planning directly affects item availability for customers.
Previously, planning was done manually in Excel. This was not only time-consuming, but also led to unnecessary costs. In addition, there was a risk that customers could not be delivered on time because stock was still on the quay.
Metrica is linked to Microsoft Business Central. Based on available information about stocks, orders, forecasts, ship arrival times and available unloading capacity, the system calculates an optimised unloading schedule. After approval by planners, this planning is written back to the ERP.
The system uses mathematical optimisation methods to calculate all trade-offs. The result is more predictable operations, more targeted deployment of capacity and better control of inbound goods flows. It also reduces demurrage and detention costs and makes better use of available unloading capacity.
According to Jeroen van den Berg, the implementation also marks a next step for his agency, which has been in existence for 25 years: "Many companies still manage complex logistics processes with Excel, while volumes, exceptions and dependencies keep increasing. We now bring together the knowledge and optimisation methods we have built up in consultancy projects in Metrica."
About Via Chassé
Via Chassé is a wholesaler of office supplies and hobby materials, supplying retail chains across Europe.
About Metrica
Metrica is a Warehouse Optimisation System for data-driven planning and optimisation of warehouse processes. The solution focuses on processes where standard ERP and WMS systems do not provide sufficient support.
About Jeroen van den Berg Consulting
Jeroen van den Berg Consulting supports companies in designing and improving warehouse operations. The focus is on process optimisation, WMS and warehouse design, with the aim of making warehouses data-driven and scalable.
