Simple Distribution Center
Even the simpler distribution center becomes difficult to control when the number of transactions increases to the point where manual transaction posting is simply inefficient. When this happens SYSPRO’s stock integrity is compromised, and the effectiveness of the Distribution Center is affected.
In the simple Distribution Center, DATASCOPE WMS offers a full end-to-end WMS solution. This includes the following modules:
Warehouse Layout And Zoning
Full warehouse layout management is offered. Setup of bin locations by type includes pick face bins, bulk locations, reach truck locations and receiving or marshaling bins. In the pick face locations, SKUs are linked to bins with the minimum reorder and maximum levels as well as settings for the source warehouses for replenishment.
All bin labeling is created and printed from the software. Other labeling includes the general product, carton, and pallet labeling. Basically, all warehouse label-ling needs are managed from the software.
Within each SYSPRO warehouse, the software allows the user to set up a detailed structure, including Areas, Zones, and Bin locations. These structures are used by the picking processes to optimize the movement of material handling equipment (MHEs) and manual floor-based pickers.
Purchase Receipting
The receipting module includes all SYSPRO-based receipts. Typically, most receipts are Purchase Order based, but the software also supports LCT receipts, SCT receipts, Job receipts, GIT receipts, etc.
These receipting processes can be processed via PC-based entry screens or mobile scanning devices. Each receipt processes the correct transaction automatically into SYSPRO on a real-time basis. It also automatically prints tracking labels for the receipted product.
In DATASCOPE WMS, we make use of a Tracking ID concept. Every trackable entity is barcode labeled with this TrackingID to give it a unique tracking number. This number will never repeat and is assigned to this pallet, drum or carton for the life of that traceable entity. In some EMS products, this is referred to as a license plate.
Put Away
Various put away strategies can be applied. In simple warehouses, we may allow put away to any area or zone within the warehouse but in more complex warehouses we may apply one of the following put away strategies:
- Zone Put Away – The scanning process forces the put away into any bin in the products default zone
- Zone Open Bin – The scanning process forces the put away into a specific open bin location
- Pick face – the put away will direct straight to the pick face bin
Customer sales order release
The DATASCOPE WMS solution includes an advanced order release and stock reservation process. With many standard picking strategies and the ability to tailor new strategies, the software allows the client to release wave-based picks into the warehouse. Each picking slip release manages all aspects of the reserved and available inventory in the warehouse. Depending on the reservation rule, selected products can be automatically reserved from the most optimal picking locations.
As a simple example, releasing a sales order line may reserve full pallet quantities from high pallet locations in the bulk area of the warehouse while reserving the part packs from a dedicated pick face location on the warehouse floor. Many such rules exist. Some of these reservation rules run through over 10 layers of logic. These rules ensure that the picking process moves through the warehouse in the most optimal manner to speed up the process.
Released picking slips are printed as either a barcoded picking slip label or as a traditional A4 picking slip document. All picking is directed on the scanner. In more advanced models the picking slips can be assigned directly to scanners in various areas or warehouses.
Picking
Picking is all mobile scanner based and all transactions are posted live to SYSPRO. Every item picked is automatically transferred to the picking pallet linked to the selected picking slip and the inventory in the bin is transferred to an “in-picking” SYSPRO bin location.
Many settings apply to the picking processes. We can configure picking at the pallet level, carton level, or unit level. If products have a serial number barcode on the product, this can be captured during the picking process. In some cases, the pick may need the ability to over-pick or under-pick which is catered for and is managed with various permission levels in the software.
In the Simple Distribution Model, picking slips are assigned to pickers and are picked from start to finish by a single picker. More advanced splitting of picking slips across the warehouse is managed by other models.
Checkout
The checkout module offers a range of checkout options, but in the simplest form of operation, this module is not implemented at all. Therefore the completion of the picking process automatically releases the sales order and invoices for the product.
The clients typically use the standard scanner-based checkout in the simple DC model. This process involves a checker in the warehouse based in the dispatch area scanning the packing slip or label to initiate the checkout. The software loads each picked SKU, and the checker is asked to count and confirm that the units delivered to the dispatch area match before the invoice is triggered.
In other models below, we explain more advanced checkout module options
Automatic Invoicing
All invoicing through DATASCOPE WMS processes automatically in SYSPRO. The WMS software posts the invoice details to SYSPRO and awaits SYSPRO’s confirmation and the SYSPRO invoice number. This invoice number is stored in DATASCOPE WMS against the picking slip detail.
An invoice printing service in DATASCOPE WMS manages the invoice printing. This process automatically logs into SYSPRO and processes the printing of the invoice to the linked invoice printer assigned to the checkout user’s code. This means that we can print invoices to different invoice printers in other areas of the warehouse.
Load Planning
The load planning module offers a graphical display of all picking slips released by the delivery route. Each picking slip line shown is color-coded to see what status the picking slips are currently in easily. The dispatch department uses the screen to expedite picking slips to ensure full loads on the delivery vehicles.