Warehouse Management System Functionality and Tracking

By Thomas R. Cutler

 
The Warehouse Management System (WMS) monitors and guides the complete process from-user friendly terminal displays and simple system set-up. The WMS must be a scalable package that is easy to configure and integrates into different system environments, from acting as the main WMS to WMS solutions for specific material handling tasks. WMS solutions must be flexible and based on state-of-the-art database technology, primarily in SQL format. The WMS functionality must be connected to a wireless tablet PC to simplify the operation of the production unit.

With North American offices based in Skokie, IL, The Elettric 80 WMS solution optimizes the use of different machine groups (palletizers, wrappers, labeling, data tracking and transports (LGVs) in relation to the logistic process and production management. With a modular design, WMS solutions are easy and fast to implement, and can be tailored to meet the needs of the customer and the existing computer system. In its simplest form, the WMS can datatrack products during the production process and act as an interpreter and message buffer between the existing ERP and Warehouse Management Systems.
 

Warehouse Management System (WMS) Data tracking

According to Marco Majoil, the After Sales Manager with Elettrico 80, “All our installed plants can be integrated with product identification systems for both individual packs and pallets.  There are several types of identifying machines, designed to meet the needs of our very varied customer requirements. The most popular are heat-transfer labelers and ink-jet or resin printers. These commercially available machines are chosen by the customer and then integrated into the Freeway System through the system management software. This guarantees the correct communication of data to various points in the plant, as well as synchronizes the movement of packs to be labeled; the mechanical action of the machines printing and applying the labels is quite simple this way.”

The identification system means data can be read in non-coded form by the human operator or automatically, through the use of bar and other types of codes for the purposes of automation and the customer's IT system.

The label can be enhanced with logos, images and any other kind of information (within the limits of the physical size of the label) since the hardware and software system installed by Elettric 80 is able to retrieve this information from the product register in the customer's IT system and feedback the production data to the same system.

Warehouse Management System (WMS) Product tracking

Product tracking is a part of the WMS system. Every product that logically passes through the Freeway System, is tracked and logged during its passage.

Tracking means:

- Registering the date of manufacture of packs or pallets 
- Assigning identifying data to items (See data tracking) 
- Tracking physical and logistical routes 
- Registering the key points in the production process 
- Identifying location or products within the warehouse 
- Identifying the final destination of the product

Advantages of tracking:

? Warehouse checks can be made in real time to find out the effective stock and location of products
? Products can be checked at each stage in the production process in terms of quantity and location so that availability is known even before products enter the warehouse
? Problems with any items, packs, or production lots are identified accurately; information obtained about the machines that produced them, as well as production times and dates.

The subsystems must be offered to CPG Distribution Centers:
• Pallet control system
• Palletizing system
• Stretch wrapping
• LGV System
• Conveyor system
• Scanning & labeling