Zebra Technologies Corporation, the digital solution provider enabling businesses to intelligently connect data, assets, and people, has found that warehousing operators are getting serious about a range of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, as industry disruption looms large, according to the Zebra 2023 Making Modern Warehousing a Reality: Supply Chain Resiliency & Agility research paper.
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.
Dematic names Mike Larsson as new President
Jan 25, 2024
KION Group AG (KGX.DE) has appointed Michael Larsson as President of Dematic Corp. and a member of KION’s executive board. Larsson succeeds Hasan Dandashly, who retired from the company effective 31 December 2023.
Musgrave goes for growth with the help of Vanderlande’s ADAPTO shuttle technology
Jan 24, 2024
Ireland’s food retail and wholesale company, Musgrave, went operational at the end of last year with an integrated warehouse solution from Vanderlande, which includes the ADAPTO shuttle-based automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS). The solution has been installed in Musgrave’s facility in west Dublin to support the company’s future growth ambitions and the need to manage labour scarcity issues.
VTPost bring state-of-the art robot-based parcel sorting technology to Vietnam for the first time
Jan 24, 2024
A new parcel sorting system featuring some 160 LiBiao ‘Mini Yellow’ autonomous guided robots has gone live at South-East Asian supply chain solutions specialist Viettel Post’s storage and distribution hub, which is located on the outskirts of Hanoi.
Blue Yonder launches interoperable solutions to unlock performance and build supply chain resilience
Jan 16, 2024
Blue Yonder, the supply chain solutions provider, has released its largest product update in the history of the company, launching what it describes as the first set of interoperable solutions across the entire supply chain – from planning to warehouse, transportation, and commerce – delivered on the company’s Luminate Cognitive Platform.
LogiMAT 2024: Advantech with customised solutions for the future of logistics
Jan 16, 2024
LogiMAT 2024 will take place from 19-21 March 2024, with the slogan ‘Shaping Change Together’. Advantech will be presenting its latest products and solutions for intralogistics and seeking dialog with stakeholders to drive forward the developments of the future.
Weleda bolsters logistics hubs in German-speaking region with LFS
Jan 10, 2024
Weleda AG has achieved a significant milestone with successful integration of the LFS warehouse management system supplied by EPG (Ehrhardt Partner Group) at its production location in Switzerland. Introducing the system signifies a crucial step in transitioning all manufacturing sites in the German-speaking region to LFS.
Europa secures customs warehouse authorisation across 3PL sites
Jan 04, 2024
Ambitious logistics fulfilment specialist Europa Warehouse has fully achieved Customs Warehouse Authorisation by HMRC, marking the next major step in its warehouse investment programme to better support the pain points of traditional and ecommerce retailers.
LogiMAT 2024: AI assistance optimises intralogistics
Dec 20, 2023
Unitechnik Systems GmbH will be presenting UniWare-AI, the AI-based assistant for logistics systems, at LogiMAT 2024. The AI tool will support the system integrator's customers in predicting order loads and bottlenecks in the material flow, for example.
Logistics named 10th best sector for wellness perks
Dec 13, 2023
The logistics industry has emerged as the UK’s tenth leading sector for employee wellbeing, according to a new study. The index comprises six criteria, including gym subscriptions or discounts, number of on-site gyms, number of benefits in wellness packages, cycle-to-work schemes, PT access for employees, and Glassdoor review score, at companies in each sector.
Warehouse Management System (WMS)
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.
