St. Modwen Logistics has completed a deal with ecommerce fulfilment solutions provider, Super Smart Service (SSS), at its 50-acre logistics development in Burton-upon-Trent.
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.
Dakota achieves Platinum Partnership Status with Honeywell
Apr 06, 2021
Dakota Integrated Solutions Ltd, a real-time technology, printing, mobility and digital data capture solution specialist, has achieved Platinum Partnership Status with Honeywell. This latest accolade for Dakota means that they are now able to offer Honeywell’s entire product range, including Voice-directed technology and solutions.
Seven-point checklist to warehouse systems design
Apr 05, 2021
Craig Whitehouse, Managing Director of Invar Integration, offers a seven-point checklist for design success.
The one-stop shop advantage
Mar 31, 2021
Logistics Handling spoke with Philip Jarrett, commercial director of Dakota Integrated Solutions, about the company’s focus on a one-stop shop data capture solutions service for customers in a variety of sectors, together with the company’s new focus on Voice-directed solutions provision.
Challenges and opportunities - SCM Technology report
Mar 30, 2021
Logistics Handling spoke with leading vendors and analysts within the supply chain management arena about some of the current key talking points and areas of innovation within this fascinating and all-important technology landscape.
Bigging up data analytics...
Mar 29, 2021
Big data presents supply chain and warehouse managers with an unprecedented opportunity to acquire real-time visibility of goods in transit and part of inventory, writes SnapFulfil CEO, Tony Dobson.
ProGlove introduces process analytics capabilities to boost its Insight platform
Mar 23, 2021
ProGlove, the ergonomic wearables solutions provider, has added process analytics capabilities to boost workflow improvements and worker well-being functionalities of its advanced analytics platform ProGlove Insight.
Körber enters partnership with Libiao Robotics
Mar 23, 2021
Körber and Libiao Robotics, global specialist for autonomous mobile robots specialising in sortation, have teamed up to deliver the newest robotics technologies to Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
CILT award win makes it a hat-trick for Superdry and Invar Systems with Hikrobot
Mar 23, 2021
Victory in the Warehouse Operations category at The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Awards for Excellence has secured a hat-trick across the UK’s top logistics awards schemes for an Invar Systems project involving the rollout of Hikrobot AMRs across Superdry’s international DC network.
Futureproofing logistics with flexible automation
Mar 22, 2021
In recent years, the rise of the term Industry 4.0 has brought automation into new areas of traditional production environments. However, warehousing and intralogistics has not been as upfront in its adoption of new automation technologies to enhance operations.
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.
