Releasing Options
OVERVIEW
Management of the release of picking slips (for Sales order or WIP) to the warehouse is fundamental to the WMS core as it is in this section that much of the warehouse optimization logic is built. Here is where the software selects
- which orders to release,
- releases them in logical picking waves and
- provides all the stock allocation rules to select the most optimal inventory to be picked to ensure that the warehouse is as efficient as it can be.
The following are all ways that new orders, whether Sales Orders, Jobs or Replenishment Orders can be released to the warehouse for picking:
Allocation Rules
Before moving into the different ways to release orders into the warehouse it is important to understand the rules associated with the allocation of stock in eth warehouse. DATASCOPE WMS has been built with thirteen very specific stock allocation rules that can be applied. Alternatively a custom rule can be selected and written into the software.
A typical simple rule would be as follows. On release or the order take each sales order line and identify is a full pallet should be picked for this line. If so, then allocate the oldest pallet (or most suitably placed pallet or smallest pallet or less than pallet size pallet) and check again. If a second pallet can be allocated then proceed to do this. These pallet would be first taken from a block stack area then from a normal bulk area of the warehouse. Once the order line drops to less than a pallet quantity then start allocating full carton quantities from the break bulk bin locations. Do this from the oldest pallet. Then once the quantity results in less than a carton, allocate from the products dedicated pick face.
The custom rule allows a company to build an amazing amount of logic into the allocation process. This logic can break down to apply different sets of logic to different warehouses order different order types as an example. We can even limit the number of lines to assign to a picking slip but editing this rule. In one of our more complex sites we have one hundred and fifty three levels of logic in the reservation process.
Now that you understand the how allocation rules work we can move on to the releasing of picking slips (as all of the releasing processes make use of allocation rules)
Sales Order release
This PC based review screen allows a controller to select specific sales orders or jobs for review and release. The screen makes use of the advanced Auto Allocation logic which will automatically apply a set of algorithms to determine the most optimal stock to be picked. A number of nice features exist on this screen such as the replace function where a user can simply replace a stock code with an alternative product if the ordered stock items is out of stock . Another features allows the user to manually reserve stock for an order. this is needed in environments such as where a customer requires a product to come from a single lot number or where the warehouse controller specifically wants the stock for this order to come from selected pallets. Comments can also be added to the order. These comments show on various picking and checkout documentation and screens.
Sales Order WAVE release
