FEATURE WAREHOUSING & MATERIALS HANDLING


Can your WMS help future proof your business?


Steve Richmond, Director - Logistics Systems at Jungheinrich UK, looks at the role of the Warehouse Management System (WMS) in today’s supply chain and why it must adapt to the evolving needs of a business


F


or those planning to implement automation, semi-automation or indeed optimise their manual processes, one of the most important products to have in place is a robust Warehouse Management System (WMS). The main reason is that businesses should manage existing core logistics processes, along with future proofing business software platforms, so that when the company expands, it can respond to change and add various types of automation or complex customer-driven picking strategies. This can be further complemented with recent innovations within the warehouse or voice technology and wearable devices. Order-processing profiles and picking requirements can quickly change – and significantly. A facility may suddenly be required to shift from a bulk or unit load-based operation by a customer- driven need to fulfil single item picks at a much higher frequency, and the WMS must accommodate this. Within a temperature-controlled facility


the job of the WMS is, arguably, even more crucial. If, for instance, personnel time within the storage unit is restricted because of the temperature, it is doubly important to make sure workers are as productive as possible. And, with many temperature-controlled sites using multi-depth storage systems, it is essential to choose a WMS that has the functionality to recognise and support such methods.


12 APRIL 2021 | IRISH MANUFACTURING


KEY REQUIREMENTS For those charged with selecting a future- proof WMS, here are five key points to consider:


1. Recognise where the system’s boundaries are and ensure that they are flexible enough to move with your demands. If you don’t have flexibility in your WMS, your ability to adapt your business model is very limited and your chances of moving with the changing demands of your business will be greatly diminished.


2. Select robust software that has an


established track record rather than a system that has been developed uniquely for your use.


3. Choose a feature-rich suite – you may


not need many of the built-in functions immediately but will prove useful when required.


4. Investigate Enterprise Resource


Planning (ERP) systems that boast extensive WMS functionality – in some cases, the WMS can be limited. 5. Ensure that your WMS allows for semi- or fully-automated materials- handling systems to be introduced in the future.


More and more businesses are optimising


their processes and looking at flexible solutions to be competitive. What Jungheinrich is seeing is pre-existing WMS systems working hard to ensure that the functions they provide are scaleable and can work with the latest technology.


Jungheinrich UK www.jungheinrich. co.uk


Jungheinrich’s WMS are highly configurable to meet each user’s needs. In its standard form, the WMS supports a wide range of functions and centralised master data management. It controls and optimises a range of processes such as incoming and outgoing goods management and order picking. The software supports complete transparency of all the processes through its extensive reporting features and analysis options. It can be linked to numerous system environments using standard interfaces, and can be redesigned to fit with existing systems. The system also offers a series of special functions and extensions for complex logistics processes or automated warehouse facilities. For instance, route management, hazardous substance storage, multi-client capability and material flow modules can be simply added as required. To meet the ever-evolving environment,


the Jungheinrich WMS also undergoes constant development, ensuring it continues to convert incremental gains into significant increases in productivity. Additionally, more than 450 input dialogues are individually configured to administer and manage all internal material flows in the warehouse, ensuring sustainable, scaleable and efficient processes. It guides users through the work processes, and ensures a seamless, end- to-end intralogistics operation.


/ IRISHMANUFACTURING


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36