Week 9 - Technology In Warehouse Management Flashcards
What are the 4 key technology enablers?
• Point solutions
• Best of breed solutions
• Enterprise solutions (ERP)
• Extended enterprise solutions (XES)
Example of warehouse management system
Characteristics/benefits of Warehouse management systems (5)
• Intelligent management of stored goods
• Optimising warehouse space
• Factorising in special storage rules to maximise the life of goods
• Wireless networks link warehouse staff and forklifts with real-time picking systems
• Orders can be filled faster and more accurately than with manual procedures (OTIF)
What Automatic Identifications Data Capture (AIDC)?
AIDC refers to the methods of identifying objects, collecting data about them, and entering that data directly into computer systems (without human involvement)
What are the benefits of AIDC? (5)
• Better visibility into location of inventory throughout the distribution chain, and within the warehouse
• Reduced warehouse labour costs
• Reduction in errors - improved accuracy
• Increased throughput
• Improved customer satisfaction
Two examples of AIDC
• Barcode
• RFID
What is a barcode? And how do they work? (3)
• Is a machine-readable representation of information in a visual format on a surface such as pallet, container etc
• Uniform product code determines how it will look
• To be scanned there must be accurate printing and adequate contrast between the bars and spaces
Characteristics of 2D symbologies (2)
• There are a large number of 2D symbologies but matrix codes are the most common (shown in pic)
• 2D symbologies have data storage capabilities of web linkages or images
Evolution from 1D to 3D codes
What is radio frequency identification (RFID)?
Is an automatic identification method relying on remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags
What is an RFID tag?
Is an object that can be attached to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification using radio waves (active, semi active and passive)
What are the benefits of RFID? (3)
• No need for close-tag reading
• High data storage capacity
• High speed data transfer, reading and writing
Example of RFID within warehouse operations (7)
Compare RFID and Barcodes interns of:
- Technology
- Line of site
- Read range
- Read rate
- Capabilities
- Interference
- Security
- Human labour
- Cost
3 Problems with point solutions
• “islands of automations” - systems/processes are only partially automated so system is not holistic. This can lead to inefficiencies, errors and warehouse management being more difficult
• Accentuation fragmentation rather than facilitation integration - difficult to achieve a holistic view of a system
• Have to use best of breed solutions to link point solutions (using middleware)
What is enterprise resource planning?
Is a process used by companies that manages and integrates the important parts of their businesses
What can Enterprise resource planning (ERP) be used for? (6)
• Connecting planing through software
• Purchasing inventory
• Sales
• Marketing
• Finance
• Human Resources
Where else can ERP be used? (7)
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) functions (4)
• Accounting
• Invoicing
• Order management
• Inventory management
Warehouse management system functions (4)
• Order picking and fulfilment
• Inventory tracking
• Shipping and receiving
• Labour management
How do WMS and ERP work together?
• WMS send inventory updates and order status’ to ERP
• ERP send orders and inventory synchronisation reports
Transport management system (TMP) functions (3)
• Freight management
• Carrier rating
• Route, mode and carrier optimisation
How does ERP and TMS work together? (2)
• ERP send orders, item and customer information to TMS
• TMS send shipment information (such as tracking number, carrier, location, costs etc)
How do WMS and TMS work together?
Both involved in inbound and outbound logistics such as (Cross-docking, local building, palletisation, scheduling etc)
