By Knud Kegel, VP Product, EMnify.
Disrupted demand cycles, supply bottlenecks, the semiconductor crunch and petrochemical shortages. It’s been a rough ride for many in manufacturing and logistics.
Warehouse Management Software, WMS, Warehousing Software, Warehouse Systems
A critical element within the wider supply chain, a warehouse management system (WMS) helps to manage the storage and distribution of goods within a warehouse or distribution centre (DC). The software stores and provides information on goods transactions such as receiving, putaway and picking and shipping, often based on real-time information related to bin utilisation. A WMS system also often incorporates the use of Auto Identification & Data Capture (AIDC) devices or systems – including barcode scanners, mobile computers, wireless LANs or Radio-frequency identification (RFID) – to help to optimise the efficient stocking and distribution of goods.
Step up to smart warehousing with IoT-based technologies
Mar 22, 2022
Warehouse REIT expands Oxford/Cambridge arc footprint with £35 million multi-let industrial development acquisition
Mar 22, 2022
Warehouse REIT, the AIM-listed company that invests in e-commerce urban and last-mile industrial warehouse assets in the UK, has exchanged contracts to acquire, via a forward funding agreement, a 170,000 sq. ft multi-let industrial development in Thame, Oxfordshire. The total commitment is £35 million.
Royal Mail rolls out new fully automated parcel sorting machine in Chester
Mar 21, 2022
A new fully automated parcel sorting machine which can process 195,000 parcels per day has been installed by Royal Mail in Chester.
ULTRA smooth move for Pharma manufacturing leader
Mar 15, 2022
Catalent enables pharma, biotech, and consumer health partners to optimise product development, launch, and full life-cycle supply for patients around the world. Supplying over 70 billion doses from over 50 global sites, efficiency is key.
Complex omnichannel business all knitted together by Snap Fulfil
Mar 01, 2022
A UK market leader in hand knitting yarns, The DMC Group, has implemented a cloud-based warehouse management system, SnapFulfil, into its UK operation as part of a five-year contract with the WMS innovator.
Wren kitchens opens strategic transport depot in North East England to reduce road miles and emissions
Feb 28, 2022
The new transport site in Rochester has major connectivity benefits to motorways such as the M25, M20 and M2 to reduce mileage and CO2 emissions for the kitchen retailer.
Wise Robotics adds the VisionNav VNP15 to its range of automated forklifts
Feb 28, 2022
Wise Robotics, supplier of flexible warehouse automation solutions, has announced an extension of its range of autonomous warehouse robots – launching VisionNav’svision-guided, counterbalanced VNP15 automated forklift into its growing portfolio.
Warehousing is a major contributor to levelling up schemes, says Midland Pallet Trucks
Feb 21, 2022
The warehousing industry has consistently contributed labour and funds to the UK economy, proving that the industry remains a vital player in the country’s attempts to level up over the next few years, says manual handling solutions provider Midland Pallet Trucks.
Jack Sealey nails down voice project with Dakota Integrated Solutions
Feb 15, 2022
Dakota Integrated Solutions Ltd, a real-time technology, printing, mobility and digital data capture solution specialist, has been awarded a contract to integrate its voice-directed software solution into Jack Sealey Ltd’s warehousing facility.
SnapFulfil client gets hands-on for quicker, slicker multi-site implementation
Feb 15, 2022
A leading online farmer-to-farmer and ag tech company has been able to fast-track its expansion plans thanks to a tailored ‘Self Implementation’ programme from WMS provider, SnapFulfil, that enables customers to onboard the solution themselves.
Warehouse Management System
A warehouse is a commercial building used for the storage of goods and are usually cited in industrial areas. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, logistics companies, distributors, transport, freight forwarders, importers, exporters, wholesalers, etc. Warehouses usually have loading bays and docks and serve as a distribution centre for the loading and unloading of goods from trucks. Sometimes warehouses are designed for storage and despatch of goods directly from railways, airports or seaports.
A warehouse management system, or WMS, is a key part of the supply chain and primarily aims to control the movement and storage of materials within a warehouse and then organise and process all of the associated transactions such as shipping, receiving, put-away and picking. The systems also direct and optimise stock put-away based on real-time information about the status of bin utilisation. A WMS can be used by manufacturers in their own warehousing facilities or a logistics company (3Pl /4Pl) operating contracts for a number of clients and retailers.
Warehouses are an integral link in the modern supply chain, ensuring that the correct product is stored efficiently,delivered in the right quantity, in good condition, at the required time, and at minimal cost. It performs an integral role in managing goods movement and information exchange between manufacturers, distributors and retailers.
A good Warehouse Management System (WMS) manages all types of warehouse operations efficiently and effectively. It also enhances inventory management by increasing accuracy, improving order fulfilment and reducing order cycle time. Receiving and shipping are streamlined as well to facilitate cross-docking and expedite back-ordered products.
A WMS can automate picking, packing and shipping and it will minimise the number of moves per order. The WMS can improve the accuracy of every order, reduce safety stock, manage tasks and improve processes. An efficient WMS can consolidate orders to reduce transportation and shipping costs. Data is collected within the warehouse environment by data-capture technology such as barcode scanners, mobile computers, wireless LANs and Radio-frequency identification (RFID).
This information is then fed into a central WMS database to provide a real-time update on the overall inventory and specific SKU levels in the warehouse (stock keeping units). This information is then used to replenish the stock levels to ensure that there is sufficient flow of products. Once data has been collected, there is either a batch synchronization with, or a real-time wireless transmission to a central database. The database can then provide useful reports about the status of goods in the warehouse.
Bonded warehouses are specifically used as a secure holding or storage facility before duty is paid. Upon entry of goods into the warehouse, the importer and warehouse owner incur liability under a bond. Goods can be stored and held in a secure environment for a number of years before either being shipped on or released for distribution when the duty must then be paid.
