WMS – Warehouse Management System

Entries represent the flow of goods to be received in a warehouse. These can be based on orders placed at the supplier or return orders from customers. In xTrack WMS there is a hierarchy of these commands for high reception flexibility. An input command can be separated into several actual receipts with different data, or multiple input commands can be received simultaneously by the same operator or multiple operators. Thus, you can track 3 types of quantities at the level of input commands:

• the quantity ordered – what is to be purchased from a supplier;
• the written quantity on the supplier’s delivery documents referring to the quantity ordered;
• the quantity actually received by the warehouse operators using the mobile terminals.

The input command can be automatically imported from external systems (eg ERP), entered or generated through the functionality of the xTrack WMS application. Receiving entries can be done by identifying barcodes or RFID to save real-time data in the application.

Put Away (move freight) is the process by which goods received is placed on the shelf or in different storage locations. This process is automatically coordinated by the xTrack WMS application based on a complex and configurable algorithm in which different criteria are introduced, such as: location, quantity, partner, product family, FEFO, etc. The xTrack WMS solution ensures:

• transmission of tasks (work tasks) through mobile terminals;
• assigning tasks to multiple users;
• prioritization of tasks ;
• traceability of stored items.

The optimal storage location identification algorithm, PA, is configurable to take into account the configuration of the warehouse at the time of the put away operation and subsequent operations in the warehouse. These principles lead to a substantial saving of space and effort in handling.

According to the basic principles of xTrack WMS, the put away operation is assigned automatically, being able to be interspersed among other activities that become more important at a given time.

Reducing delivery times from the manufacturer to the end customer, in the distribution process, requires an efficient flow of goods through a warehouse or a logistics HUB.

The cross docking operation is the transfer of goods from the receiving area directly to the delivery area without the need for intermediate storage. The xTrack WMS application allows:

• taking cross docking orders from the reception or from a predetermined location;
• sending cross docking orders to the delivery area;
• different types of cross docking : continuous or pre-allocated, consolidated or deconsolidated.

It is made on the basis of firm orders from customers or on the basis of characteristics of the goods received.

A complex cross docking process is configured in the xTrack WMS application so that the warehouse operator is guided by the stream to increase efficiency.

In addition to the issues related to the transition of goods, the accompanying documents must also be taken into account. They are generally managed by people other than those who handle the goods.

The exits represent a complex and staged process, which benefits from the total automation of operations and which begins with the collection of goods (picking ) and ends with the loading into trucks. Automation involves several steps:

• importing from the ERP or manually entering in the module running on the computer exit orders (delivery to partners) or transfer orders between warehouses;
• collecting goods in the warehouse by task- sites (tasks) performed by the mobile terminal or a list of goods collection (picking list);
• checking, through tasks, with the mobile terminal or on the basis of a loading list, the goods collected (picked).
• loading into cars, through tasks , with the mobile terminal;
• export of the delivery result to ERP;
• issuance of related documents (AWB, Notice accompanying the goods).

Depending on the stage of the goods exit process, different technologies can be used: barcodes, RFID, Pick by Light or Pick by Voice.

Picking is the process of selecting and collecting items that belong to an outbound order for delivery to customers or other warehouses, if it is a transfer order. The xTrack WMS application offers:

• a picking algorithm configurable according to the desired criteria;
• picking through tasks performed with mobile terminals;
• the possibility of picking on the piece, box or pallet;
• generating labels for the collected pallets;
• traceability of collected items.

There are several types of picking that are implemented in the xTrack WMS application: batch picking, wave picking, command by command .

Picking is the operation that generates the largest volume of work in a warehouse. For an increased speed of this operation, xTrack WMS allows the configuration of complex algorithms for automatic assignment of tasks . There are implementations which are automatically managed over 200,000 tasks CEs by picking a day.

The term replenishment is used in xTrack WMS for several scenarios. Replenishment commands are generated by automatic flows :

• for the picking area ;
• between the warehouses of the same company;
• from suppliers to the company.

Depending on the type of replenishment , some processes are fully automated and others are partially automated to allow the validation of an authorized user. A 100% automated process is the replenishment of locations in the picking area where we have developed several types of replenishment , depending on the rotational speed of the stock and the characteristics of the picking area .

The algorithms underlying the generation of replenishment orders are configurable and take into account the evolution of sales for each item based on histories and current evolution.

Replenishment is designed to ensure increased efficiency for customer orders by ensuring a proper stock of goods on the shelf.

Stock checking is an important process in the xTrack WMS application. It can be of several types:

• quantitative or qualitative verification;
• checking stock at a location;
• checking an item from a location;
• verification after receipt of goods;
• check after picking .

The xTrack WMS application allows an advanced traceability of all quantitative or qualitative differences found during the verification, offering tools for their manual or automatic administration.

Checks can also be made by taking data from external systems such as scales, counters or volume measuring equipment.

The verification can be performed using an application module running on PCs, but also with the terminal, in the field, through tasks (tasks) assigned to the user, depending on the type of verification and the type of products to be verified.

Check after picking can also be used to pack the goods for delivery.

Labelling is essential in logistics processes and is done for:

• barcode item;
• mandatory translations to be applied on products;
• for pallets received or ready for delivery;
• AWB for courier shipments;
• identifying locations with barcodes.

xTrack WMS offers an integrated, intuitive, user-friendly module for label design that allows:

• a flexible label format configuration;
• several types of labels depending on the flow (input, output, etc.);
• using several types of sizes.

Labels are streamed in different formats and can be printed on any printer model (roll label or classic A4 printer) that the user selects. All labels that are sent to printers can be previewed and stored in the application database. They can also contain any type of information requested by the customer, from 2D barcodes to pictures or graphics.

Inventory is an operation that can be done several times a year. In addition to verification operations, the xTrack WMS application allows various types of inventory:

• complete inventory that blocks standard reception and delivery activities (annual inventory);
• cyclical inventory that is performed without blocking the activities in the warehouse;
• inventory by location or item survey.

An inventory is made by one or more people in parallel on different areas of the warehouse. Teams and people are assigned at the level of any inventory order.

Any inventory shall be made on the basis of a control stock which shall be generated, as the case may be, at the initiation of the inventory or at the actual commencement of the inventory at a location or item per location. The inventory takes into account the type of item, if it has a batch characteristic (expiration date) or is uniquely identified by serial number. The differences are processed by the original xTrack WMS technology, Adjustment Bin. The inventory result can be viewed in real time at the general stock or location level, or at the user level (inventory team).

xTrack WMS has the most flexible and intuitive integrated reporting mode currently available, and an unlimited number of reports can be defined in addition to the standard ones offered within the application.

A report can be viewed in several ways:

• printable format used, in particular, for documents issued from the xTrackWMS application;
• pivot format, where each user can save their own view formats for the same report;
• tabular format, which is very easy to export in xls files
• visual graphic format (pie chart, etc.)

From any format it can be exported in files of different types (TXT, HTML, PDF, XLSX, CSV, etc.).

The user of the application, with rights in this regard, generates reports that can be sent automatically to printers or by e-mail through its own xTrack WMS functionality. Standard reports can be supplemented by an optional Dashboard module for real-time viewing, on-screen screens or by management, of the status of activities.

VAS  (Value-Added Services) are all activities arising from the need to make changes to the Articles and inventory features. The VAS streams implemented in xTrack WMS cover:

1. operations that do not change the stock:

• labeling (translations, barcodes)
• individual item packaging;
• item status check;

2. stock exchange operations:

• packaging in kits;
• unpacking of kits;
• transforming one article into another article.

VAS operations can be planned manually or generated automatically, depending on the stock required to honor customer orders.

The xTrack WMS keeps a clear record of the performance of each VAS operator in order to perform KPI (Key Performance Indicator) reports, and the results of stock transformations are automatically sent to the ERP application for real-time synchronization of stocks.