Software makes intralogistics valuable

If you ignore the web store in favor of other sales channels, for example, you are ignoring customer needs. Digital and traditional communication and sales channels will run in parallel in the future, but must be closely networked with each other, otherwise efficiency will fall by the wayside. This applies above all to intralogistics, for which it makes a considerable difference whether a manufacturer of industrial products supplies its dealer with a call-off order or whether the end user is waiting for an urgently needed part after clicking the mouse. Orders are received via the Internet, via MRP orders from branches or from sales staff via the ERP system. Customer service and returns handling are also increasingly taking place online. This is not only the case for the Amazons and Zalandos of this world, but also for medium-sized mechanical engineering companies. What opens up new channels for sales and is particularly user-friendly and convenient for the customer, poses a major logistical challenge. Manufacturers, dealers and service providers have to be extremely flexible, respond to customer requests in real time, deliver on time and earn money even with order size 1. To ensure that all processes run smoothly and error-free from receipt of the order to delivery, software is crucial in addition to high-performance storage and sorting technology.

Core functions of a WMS

Goods receipt:

• Notification
• Receipt
• Deconsolidation
• Quality inspection
• Putaway
• Stock confirmation
• Returns management

Internal warehouse processes:

• Stock transfer
• replenishment
• Transfer posting
• stocktaking
• Control station

Goods issue:

• Order management
• Order picking
• consolidation
• packing
• dispatch
• Delivery confirmation

Scalable in functionality, size and performance

In order to process all orders efficiently, it is advisable to use a warehouse management system (WMS) that is scalable in terms of size, performance and, above all, functionality - and that communicates with common ERP systems and supplementary systems such as customs or transport management via standard interfaces. This not only manages warehouses and stocks, but also controls intralogistics processes. It organizes, prioritizes and processes orders that are received via the various sales channels. The WMS coordinates incoming goods, putaway, storage position, retrieval, picking, packing, outgoing goods and dispatch. Whether small warehouses with low throughput, distribution centers with several hundred thousand order lines per day, complex logistics centers with different storage zones and high performance, automated warehouses or manually or forklift-operated systems: with a modern WMS, the required resources, storage and picking types can be activated at the click of a mouse. The WMS adapts to a company's growth, changing needs and new article structures. It also controls shuttles, stacker cranes, conveyor technology, sorters and other mechanical components and is able to take over the management and visualization of complex material flow systems.

Wide range of customization options

A WMS ensures that all processes, from incoming goods to outgoing goods, run smoothly and error-free - and, above all, that customers receive the right goods at the right time. Photo: viastore

Some software providers offer additional functions such as batch and serial number management, energy and client management as well as taking into account the date of manufacture and best-before date. Such WMS can be used across all industries. The expansion modules of a warehouse management system also include software packages that support different picking principles, among other things.

Although a warehouse management system controls complex tasks in a company, it must be simple and intuitive for managers to use, even via smartphone or tablet. Every employee should be able to use the software without a great deal of training. A self-explanatory, graphical user interface is therefore essential. With the help of various dialogs, the control room employee has a precise overview of all progress in order processing.

WMS optimizes entire supply chain management

The advantages of a modern warehouse management system lie in the rapid processing of warehouse inquiries and the recording of warehouse stock in real time. Such a WMS increases process reliability and enables optimal use of all warehouse resources. This reduces storage costs and increases the company's profitability at the same time.

Markus Müllerschön