Warehouse Inventory management Assignment

On

New generation of warehousing systems/ operations

(Team -2)

Submitted by

Anshul Vuppuloori (1226114104)

Khan Mohammed Naseer (1226114117)

Manish Kumar Saini (1226114123)

Rayudu Smruthi (1226114130)

Sarath Chandra Reddy P (1226114134)

Introduction:-

The Information Age has brought a wealth of new technologies, ranging from cloud applications to automated supply chain processing software. The majority of enterprises throughout the United States have invested in digital tools, creating a faster, more flexible environment capable of delivering goods to consumers more quickly than previously anticipated. For this reason, it’s imperative for organizations to adopt automated processing in order to remain competitive and contemporary.

Many distribution professionals have recognized this necessity and purchased software capable of monitoring all warehousing and transportation activities. However, others are still using outdated systems to track hundreds of daily shipments destined for miscellaneous parts of the country, creating bottlenecks and putting a damper on retailers.

“Next generation warehouse control systems have expanded in functionality where they primarily served as the interface between the warehouse management systems (WMS) and automated devices. Now they handle tasks that were customized in the WMS, such as order fulfilment, wave management, and planning,” said Rudi Lueg as Director of Technology of W&H Systems. “W&H Systems next generation WCS is extremely flexible to handle the dynamic, fast-paced operations within a warehouse. Consumers want their orders now and a WCS can help increase service levels, while lowering costs by eliminating the need to ship products overnight.”

W&H Systems Warehouse Control System orchestrates material and information flow to order fulfilment technology and material handling equipment, providing real-time operations intelligence into warehousing processes. Key capabilities include relieving a customer host computer of managing a real-time material handling automation interface; maximizing system throughput and performance while utilizing the most efficient methods for pallet, case and item routing; and intelligent wave release, allowing the grouping of orders by common functionality to make order fulfilment as efficient and minimize bottlenecks.

Timeline of data warehouses operations:-

Connecting the supply chain with market demand:-

Besides providing distribution professionals with a holistic, real-time perspective of their operations, some warehouse management systems possess predictive analytics tools capable of eliminating a number of manual processes. Retailers have been known to utilize these applications to anticipate changes in consumer shopping habits and develop more sound marketing campaigns. Those in the supply chain are using similar programs to help them prepare for inventory requirements.

According to EMS1.com determining future deliveries can help 3PLs reduce the overall cost of conducting business. The blog noted that the health care industry requires diligent surveillance of all inventory requirements, as the majority of the products first responders’ use is essential for them to perform their jobs correctly. By bringing product tracking onto an electronic system, emergency medical technicians can reduce the amount of materials lost due to expiration, misuse or theft.

Aside from isolated, ground-level tasks, predictive analytics can help EMTs prepare for the after-effects of a natural disaster. For example, if an emergency health care provider located in a hurricane-sensitive area has a system that can anticipate how the supply chain will be disrupted if such a storm occurs, it can stock up on necessary products so shortages don’t occur.

Choosing a futuristic WMS:-

If a retailer is using an advanced system capable of streamlining the order purchasing process, it’s imperative that 3PLs and similar professionals invest in software capable of keeping pace. For example, if a merchandiser involved in e-commerce utilizes a sophisticated program while its distributors do not, loss of inventory, delayed shipments and even unsalable materials could occur.Many supply chain professionals recognize the aforementioned reality. Simon Sterland, a contributor to Supply and Demand Chain Executive, noted several questions 3PLs ask themselves before implementing an effective WMS:

•    How can the program integrate itself with an existing enterprise resource planning system?•    How well will the system organize inventory requirements for different clients?•    What analytics tools does the program possess that can help the user reduce labour costs, anticipate product demand and foster item liquidation?•    What are the capabilities and limitations of the in-house IT department? Would it be appropriate to outsource their responsibilities to specialists?

Ultimately, distributors are looking for systems capable of keeping up with the progression of technology. In general, revolutionary software is viewed as a way to expedite all business processes, meaning that outdated systems could hold organizations back from optimizing their practices.

New warehousing control system innovation by Shiraz company:-

“A warehouse manager can be in a meeting and see activity on his Smart watch that requires him/her to make a decision immediately. Instead of having to guess the outcome, or leave the meeting to go out into the warehouse, the manager has the information he/she needs right there on their wrist to make the best decision.”

With the Shiraz Warehouse Control System, executives are able to look at important KPIs to ensure customer orders and service levels can be met, to monitor inventory levels, and to supervise operational performance. With the Smart watch, managers can also receive emails, voice mails, text messages, and notifications, providing them with visibility into what are happening within their distribution operations. Shiraz visualizes warehouse operations and provides critical event reporting through email and text alerts, keeping management up to date 24/7.

W&H’s Shiraz is equipped with apparel, wine & spirits, and retail specific applications. The Smart watch can display real-time KPI information and operations reports such as:

Number of cases shipped

Quantity of mixed case units shipped

Time cases/units were shipped

Total number of mixed cases and full cases shipped

Estimated time of completion

“In the information age, people are doing everything they can to get the right information to the right people,” adds Chris Castaldi. “In the past, busy managers have found it time-consuming and awkward to access information about warehouse operations from their laptops. Now management has reliable, real-time access to all the information they need at their fingertips – and on their wrist.”

W&H Systems next generation WCS provides:

Improved visibility into operations in real-time allows managers to monitor equipment performance, facilitate troubleshooting, and keep downtime to a minimum.

Advanced wave and planning. Generates real-time views of distribution centre performance from any location via

mobile devices. Flexibility to quickly respond to changes needed or alerts from high-speed equipment. Reliability with consistent access to real-time data to improve response times and

adaptability. Easy integration with a variety of equipment and systems. Advanced diagnostic and reporting tools for instant problem solving and trend analysis. Streamlined execution of warehouse processes for greater efficiency and throughput. Ability to run on I Pads and tablet PCs so people can easily audit product locations and

analyze what-if scenarios. Scalability and Flexibility to grow as your operations grow. Lowers costs by eliminating the need for a full-blown WMS.The new WCS drive continuous operational improvement with unfettered visibility into warehouse operations, delivering actionable intelligence to perfect fulfilment operations.

2015 Warehousing Innovation Awards: 

There is a phrase used in the warehousing industry: “If there is available space, someone will fill it.” That sentiment is more appropriate today than ever before in the beverage industry as SKU proliferation means warehouse storage space is at a premium. And faced with other challenges like multi-channel order fulfilment and increased competition, beverage warehouse manager’s work in an increasingly complex environment. As a result, making smart investments in warehouse operations is imperative. 

The result is beverage distributors increasingly need products and services that drive efficiency and productivity in the warehouse and in the supply chain. Warehouse solutions providers are meeting this demand with innovative, high-performance solutions. These may include storage systems like racking or automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), voice-directed picking or warehouse management systems.Suppliers are constantly innovating in each of these areas, helped in part by stunning advances in computing power and robotics. The result is a very exciting time to be involved in beverage distribution, as it is literally being transformed by technology and cutting edge systems. 

Advantages of modern warehouse automation:-

Flexible manufacturing and reduced costs

Improved product quality

Extreme volatile market with newer products

Increasing trend in globally dispersed manufacturing processes.

Design and deliver better and cost effective Solution faster

Improve process and system scalability

Eliminate all internal , routine and operational tasks

Shift focus and harness energies of employees.

Purpose of warehouse automation:-

• Productivity

- Increase in Production

- Modernization of existing system

- New line set up

- Line flexibility to handle various sizes

• Quality

- Final inspection on 100% products

- Stage inspection (Poke Yoke)

• Safety

- Handling of Hot products

- Handling of Hazardous products

- Continuous handling of heavy objects

• Warehousing

- Airports/ Ports

- Raw material/ Finished goods store

- Third party warehouse

- Transshipment Godowns

Logistic & Warehouse:-

• Third party Dynamic Warehousing.

• Airports/ Ports/ Cold storage

• Raw material/ WIP (including inventory control).

• FIFO and LIFO management.

• Finished goods warehouse.

• Transshipment warehouse.

• SCM (Supply chain Management) Solutions

Advantages of AS/RS (Automated storage & Retrieval system)

Advantages

Higher stock keeping capacity within limited space

Protection of storage goods from theft and damage

Automation of dangerous and hard work of storage and retrieval process

Prevention of safety accident

Real-time & Easy inventory control with computer system

Simple expansion of warehouse

Faster and more reliable operation of warehouse

Comfort and convenient work environment

Easy and faster maintenance through modular and standard design

Economy in investment and operation

Applications:-

Finished product storage

Raw material storage

Partly manufactured goods

Storage for distribution

Ecommerce Warehouse Management System Features:-

Multiple DC's Wireless Scanners Layout Management Bin Management Carrier Integration Workforce Management Productivity Metrics Multi Pick/Pack Methods

New generation of the machines used in warehouse:-

STACKER CRANE:-

A stacker crane is the automatic machine installed inside rack to serve storage and retrieval operation. It critically influences AS/RS performance developed from SMC with know how achieving low-price, high speed, light- weight & stabilization.

Advantages:-

Stability of load handing through smooth acceleration & deceleration controls by S-Curve

Increased load weight by super high-speed type

Stabilized structure design featured by low noise & low vibration

Easy maintenance through checking error code history & Trouble shooting by monitor

Precision controlling driving & lift location through distance measurement by Laser sensor and flexible correspond to lean of rack Slim Fork development in European Load area

(Thickness 65mm) – Minimalization of Fork Thickness.

SORTER:-

This system sorts individual materials to a designated place according to its own information specified by the bar-code or RFID attached to them by automatically distributing and collecting with the conveyor and sorter. 

Advantages:

High performance on product assortment by requirements

(Customer, area, size, etc)

Stability of sorting (Reduction of errors)

DPS (Digital Picking system):-

Picking systems perform complex order assignments in a fully automatic, reliable way and in shortest time. Fast order handling at the highest quality level guarantees maximum productivity in your warehouse.

Advantages:

High productivity at peak times

Reduction of time consumption for picking relying on manual bills

Less personnel for picking thanks to location management and minimized working route

Efficient use of space thanks to high product density

APS (Automatic Picking system):-

Picking systems perform complex order assignments in a fully automatic, reliable way and in shortest time. Fast order handling at the highest quality level guarantees maximum productivity in your warehouse.

Advantages:

High productivity at peak times

High profitability thanks to elimination of time consuming manual picking

Constant high quality and reliability even during peak times

Efficient use of space thanks to high product density

GANTRY:-

Gantry is to provide greater volume coverage, limitless layout options and flexible work envelopes. Gantry also supports diverse pick-up and delivery points, variety of end effectors available.

Advantages:

Adaptation to different crate and case sizes and types

Error-free picking

Stock in order and Flexible operations

Easy maneuvering

Low system noise level

Easy cleaning of the equipment and floor

ROBOT PALLETIZER:-

Robotic palletizing systems allow for more flexibility to run products for longer periods of time. Robot Palletizer can be integrated towards any project. With current advancements in end of arm tooling, robot palletizes have been introduced to many factories and they have benefited from this robot palletizing systems.

Advantages:

Can be Operated within a small area

Multiple end effectors applications for bags, boxes, cases, etc.

Innovative, user-friendly Control

Saves time and increases reliability

Automatic diagnostics instantly identify errors

Increases uptime & operating efficiency

Flexible layout capabilities

increase efficiency and profitability

Conclusion:-

Data warehousing is the leading and most reliable technology used today by companies for planning, forecasting, and management for e.g. resource planning, financial forecasting and control etc. After the evolution of the concept of data warehousing during the early 90’s it was thought that this technology will grow at a very rapid pace but unfortunately it’s not the reality. A lot has been do ne in this field regarding design and development of data warehouses and a lot still needs to be done but one area which needs special attention from research community is data warehouse maintenance. A major reason for data warehouse project failures is poor maintenance. Without proper maintenance desired results are nearly impossible to attain from a data warehouse. Unlike operational systems data warehouses need a lot more maintenance and a support team of qualified professionals is needed to take care of the issues that arise after its deployment including data extraction, data loading, network management, training and communication, query management and some other related tasks.

To carry out all these functions and processes a qualified team of full time skilled professionals is required who can efficiently and constantly take care of all the data warehouse maintenance issues in a timely manner. While the hybrid architecture creates a data management platform, which eases some of the IT department's data management burdens, the crucial question will always be: is there a direct business benefit? But, at the same time, the hybrid architecture creates a very apolitical stable layer from which to build the dimensional data warehouse according to business requirements.

References:-

http://e-comdrive.com/warehouse-management-system.html

http://data-informed.com/defining-elements-of-the-next-generation-data-warehouse/

http://www.cio.com/article/2885055/data-warehousing/modern-enterprise-data- warehouses-what-s-under-the-hood.html

http://www.genco.com/insights/the-next-generation-of-warehouse-management- systems/

http://www.supplychain247.com/article/ next_generation_warehouse_control_system_on_the_wearable_smartwatch

http://www.whsystems.com/about/wh-press-room/wh-systems-introduces-next- generation-warehouse-control-system-2/