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LFS.next. This is a comprehensive IT ar-
chitecture project with the objective of
focusing even more on logistics processes.
“LFS.next will enable us to respond more
intensely and faster to the individual chal-
lenges of our customers,” explains Holger
Marzinzik, Director Key Account at EPG,
who is supporting the strategic part of
this process. “Our warehouse manage-
ment system has now such comprehen-
sive functionally that it covers the needs
of all sectors and areas. We have been in a
good position for 30 years and we are sure
that our solutions will also be successful
in the future,” adds Jens Heinrich, Chief
Technology Officer at EPG. “However,
we still need to take action because our
customers’ requirements are undergoing
huge changes with more services, more
agility and more autonomy being required
in all processes in future.” Sebastian Pohle
adds, “we are countering the challenges
of the fast-moving logistics sector with
LFS.next.” As Manager Software Develop-
ment he is primarily driving the project
forward on a technological level. All three
have the common aim of being able to
meet individual customer requirements
in the best way possible in the connectivi-
ty, digitization and automation age, and to
create a future-proof basis for LFS. What
does LFS.next include in this context spe-
cifically?
I. Simplify LFS
For 30 years the objective of EPG has been
to develop customized and comprehensive
solutions for its customers which meet all
their logistics requirements, whilst still
keeping maximum system flexibility in
view. “With LFS.next we want to signifi-
cantly increase the flexibility of LFS once
again,” says Holger Marzinzik. “Therefore
the new architecture model will have even
more flexible user interfaces which will
make third-party product integration and
connectivity easier for our customers. We
have also changed the structures of the
modules. This in turn will improve pro-
cess mapping.” LFS.next will also simpli-
fy customizing because users will receive
additional visual support for all settings.
This not only ensures more intuitive map-
ping of all business processes, but also
increases transparency. “Our prime aim
is to increase the service level we provide
to our customers, without any important
functions being lost. Quite the opposite
in fact since one important factor in the
project is to fully retain the abundance
and quality of existing LFS functions,”
stresses Holger Marzinzik.
II. Business by Design
The area of UX (User Experience) design
is also becoming increasingly important
in logistics. The requirement for the intu-
itive, easy and service-oriented operation
of all software systems and facilities is
another objective of LFS.next. “Business
by Design means further optimization,
at both graphical and technical level, in
order to generate a continuous positive
feeling – a Joy of Use – when using LFS,”
says Sebastian Pohle. “This has key bene-
fits – especially in the context of Industry
4.0 and the resulting increasing require-
ment for machines and people to collab-
orate. Emotional and usability aspects are
increasingly the focus of operation and
we are addressing this.” It will be possi-
ble in future to access additional services
such as weather data or images via the in-
ternet in the LFS user interface and the
iBrowser. Business by Design also means
that processes are visualized directly. This
enables an easy and fast overview of all
processes. For example, it will be easy to
make any adjustments using drag and
drop.
30 years of EPG. These are 30 years of successful software development. LFS.next
is continuing along this path and advancing this strategy in the direction of In-
dustry 4.0 and the Internet of Things.
LFS.next
Next Generation LFS.
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LFS.next