Warehouse Management Systems Overview
Basic WMS functions explained
SageData is based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Warehouse Management Systems vary from the small (one step up from the stationery cupboard) to the huge, with dozens of loading docks, and tens of thousands of packages handled. But they all have the same basic functions - Receive, Put-away, Pick and Ship.
Barcode technology (and sometimes RFID) enable the basic tasks (and other application specific tasks)to be completed easily, quickly, accurately. This article provides an overview of WMS (Warehouse Management Systems), and the basic functions are identified and explained.
WMS are Systems to help manage the receipt, put away, audit, pick and ship of products. These may be SKU or UIC based - which means that items can be tracked by their part number or serial number as appropriate. WMS systems typically link to a web element which permits users to review stock held, and place pick orders.
Configuration
WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) typically use handheld computers linked
by RF to a central server. Many remote warehouses can be linked as part of one system.
The link to the web element enables orders to be placed and processed quickly and
accurately. The system computes the shortest pick route, and guides the picker through
that route. Because the system prompts for verification, miss-picks can be reduced or
eliminated.
For most systems, the basic functions are: receiving, put-away, audit, picking, and
shipping.
Receiving
The WMS system can receive UIC or SKU items either against a prior list, or as new items. Receiving is generally done at a receiving area, so that receipts can be processed quickly, and information immediately posted to the web element of the system.
Put-away
Done from the receiving area. Put away can be flexible or rigid, at the users' option.
Audits
If required, can be completed easily, quickly, accurately. Audit times are typically reduced by a factor of five or ten, as compared to the traditional, paper based, audit process. Apart from the saving in time (and therefore labour, and therefore money) and disruption, the automated system provides more accurate counts, and in a more timely fashion. Counts are placed directly to the database, which means that when the counting is done, the numbers are available - no data entry step. And because the system maintains a full audit trail, management can review the stock adjustment numbers, and recheck or review as required.
Picking
Generally initiated from the web, and optionally supervisor-controlled. Inevitably, in any system, errors creep in, usually through human error. The system is intelligent enough to respond to unexpected pick situations (stock out, when the system shows stock available), and is able, if appropriate, to make stock adjustments on the fly.
Shipping
The WMS system can produce packing lists and mailing labels. Printing of these items can be initiated from the handheld unit at the conclusion of the pick.
Whodunnit?
The WMS system maintains an audit trail of all activities, who did what and when.
Barcode or RFID
Traditionally, items are identified using labels with an identifier (part number or serial number, SKU or UIC) in barcoded format. There is an increased interest in using RFID technology. RFID provides an excellent solution for some very specific applications. However, the vast majority of warehouse management systems use a barcode based identification.
Contact us for more information.
If you found this useful, you might also want to review:
- An introduction
to barcode technology
- Software for WMS
- RFID in warehouse - a brief video
- WMS: warehouse management system - a brief
video
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