Blue TA – providing Star Trading with more efficient workflows, stable outbound deliveries and faster operations

Fast and reliable deliveries are a cornerstone of Star Trading’s business. For nearly 40 years, the company has illuminated homes across Europe, and every autumn it enters its most intense logistics period. As sales volumes rise sharply between October and December, transport administration must function without interruption.

When the previous transport administration (TA) solution began to show limitations and costs began to escalate, the need for a more modern and stable service became apparent. For Star Trading, there was an obvious alternative in Blue TA from Connect Companies. On deployment, results were immediate: faster flows, lower costs, and a delivery chain that remains robust even during peak demand.

A business where every minute counts in the warehouse
Since it was founded in 1985, Star Trading has grown from a single Christmas star to a product range of more than 3,000 items. Fast delivery is an integral part of the company’s customer promise, and during peak season between 6,000 and 8,000 shipments leave the warehouse every day.

“Our operations require a stable solution, especially from October to December. Our previous system had limitations and was unstable. When issues occurred, it took both time and money to resolve them,” said Logistics Manager, Mattias Callin.

When the previous provider announced price increases, the Star Trading team began looking for alternatives. Connect Companies had long been an integration partner, which made the decision easier.

A smooth transition and an immediate improvement in workflows
The implementation of the new solution was fast and disruption-free. Blue TA is based on the Blue Integrator integration platform and is designed to work seamlessly with existing systems.

“The start-up was exceptionally smooth. The service communicated with our systems without any issues, and we didn’t receive any negative feedback from carriers, in fact they noticed a positive difference,” said Callin.

Across the board, improvements were immediately evident in daily operations. The pace of business increased and previous bottlenecks disappeared.

“Everything runs much faster, and the system doesn’t allow errors to pass through in the same way as before. Getting it right from the start saves both time and money,” continued Callin.

Reliability at the core of the business
For Star Trading, a stable TA solution is critical during periods of peak sales.

“During high season, the TA system is a key success factor. With the new service, we have both streamlined and scaled our operations without costs spiraling out of control. Above all, we now have a completely different level of stability in our outbound deliveries,” said Callin.

He also highlighted the way Connect Companies work:

“They are solution-oriented and hands-on. Adjustments don’t require major projects, often it’s a matter of hours. In other workplace IT environments, similar changes have taken significantly longer.”

A solution built around operational needs
For Connect Companies, the goal with Blue TA was to create a solution that supports daily operations, rather than complicating them.

“There is a gap between what companies need and what many TA systems deliver. We have seen how complex and costly customisations can become,” said Blue Integrator CEO, Stefan Jörkander. “Our guiding principle has always been that it must work, even during the most intensive periods.”

Star Trading is a clear example of how Blue TA benefits customers, he adds:

“When volumes increase, there is no room for downtime. That’s why we have built a service that holds up when demands are at their highest.”

Better control and fewer surprises
The new solution has also provided better insight into transport costs. It has become easier to ensure that the correct services are used, while also monitoring pricing.

“Small errors can quickly become big issues in our business. Now it’s easier to follow up and make sure we’re paying the right price. At the same time, we avoid many of the sources of error that previously created extra work,” said Callin.

Advice to other companies
For many organisations, changing systems can feel risky. Star Trading’s experience has been the opposite.

“Don’t be afraid to make the switch. The system was easy to get up and running and works extremely well. For us, it has become a key part of being able to deliver quickly and reliably, all year round,” concluded Mattias Callin.

Mattias Callin, Star Trading