Table of Contents
What is the Warehouse Management System?
Also known as PW (Public Warehousing), the WMS component in ViewPoint Logistics provides all the software tools you need to set up and maintain your warehousing operations and facilities, including complete integration with TMS, RF and EDI components.For a list of the various warehousing features covered under the WMS, click on each the following dropdowns:
Inbound Logistics & Put-Away
Appointment Scheduler: Appointments can be scheduled and updated on-line, providing full visibility of this key process.
ASN Capable: Pre-receipts (ASN's) can be recorded and putaway sheets printed before the truck arrives, eliminating the need for handwritten tally sheets.
Automatic Charging: Once put away, the receipt is updated with lot and location information and charges for inbound handling and storage are automatically calculated.
Receipt Confirmation: Receipt confirmation can be automatically transmitted to the client within minutes of the transaction, by email, EDI or fax.
Client Specific Data Feature: Maves' unique Client Specific Data (CSD) feature allows for the creation of user definable data fields allowing the capture of additional client data when required.
Order Processing & Picking
Stock Rotation Rules: Stock rotation rules provide FIFO lot control based on any part of the lot, including the expiry or production date. Consignee based lot rules can be set-up to determine if there is sufficient shelf life remaining. The system also provides shelf life and expiry date reporting. Consignee based stock rotation rules also ensures customers who promise "fresh stock" are only shipped appropriately aged inventory.
Order Selection Criteria: Order selection criteria allow the user to manage the release of orders to the warehouse floor. A picking list may be printed as well as a bill of lading. Flexible sort rules allow the picking list to print in location sequence in order to reduce travel for the picker. Picking rules determine the best location to pick from e.g. pick cases from pick line, but full pallets from bulk stock.
Order Status Controls: Order status can be continually updated and monitored; e.g., printed, modified, picked, checked, on hold, confirmed as shipped.
Inventory Control
Flexible Lot Definition: A flexible lot definition allows lot codes which can be segmented into components. This allows the user to record several key pieces of data such as expiry and production dates, date code, color, size, etc. Manufacturer's Julian date codes can also be translated into readable dates, therefore speeding up the receiving process as well as minimizing keying errors. Lot components can be treated differently for reporting, billing and stock rotation purposes.
Definable Inventory Holds: Inventory holds are user definable, therefore allowing the user to work only with the holds they actually require. Holds can overlap, as well as be automatically applied when receiving, without operator intervention, as is common in frozen meat distribution. Stock can be shipped directly from hold.
Serial Numbered Goods: Serial numbered goods can be tracked both at shipping and receiving, or just at shipping. Flexible rules exist and will easily accommodate, for instance, the handling of paper rolls, steel coils, drums etc. This same capability allows facilities to easily cross-dock merchandise by tracking the unique package ID, while at the same time recording the cube characteristics.
Conveyance ID: Pallets (or any type of conveyance such as a trailer, carton, etc.) may be identified and tracked by their unique identification code. This allows goods to be received, moved and picked (from/to) more easily and accurately. Flexible business rules also allow for conveyance billing based on homogeneous or heterogeneous client/product/lot mixes.
Weights: Fixed and variable weights can be recorded at either the lot or unit level, as well as being recorded during Receiving and Shipment as appropriate, for example unit Catch Weights for Shipments.
Multi Sku Multiple units of measure may be set-up for the same item; e.g.,; each, inner pack, case, pallet, tote, etc. Receipts and orders may be entered in any unit of measure.
HAZMAT: The Hazardous Materials module allows UN and NA codes with their Shipping Descriptions to be maintained for Products, to allow you to comply with requirements for USA and Canadian road transport Bills of Lading, and to prepare the US reporting to regulatory agency.
FTZ: When performing the 'Operator' role within a Foreign Trade Zone, the WMS allows or requires additional information to be tracked. Beginning with the receipt of inbound inventory (accompanied by a CF214 - Application for FTZ Admission) into the zone, information including the Zone Entry Number and Zone Status is recorded at the receipt line level. These essential elements of information continue to be tracked as activities are performed on the inventory while 'in zone' through to shipment of inventory (triggered by a CF7512 - Transportation Entry and Manifest of Goods) from the zone. Transaction level information (all goods received or shipped on a CF214 or CF7512) is also kept. This information is available to be queried or reported and is used to produce the Annual Report.
Liquor Control: The Liquor Control module is designed for warehouse operations that require specialized WMS functionality for monitoring and performing tasks related to the receiving, storage and distribution of government-regulated alcohol products.
Billing: e-Z Ware has powerful billing features and provides the user with several options for invoice presentation.
The system records transaction activity and automatically calculates billing charges for inbound handling and storage as well as renewal storage, in accordance with common third party warehousing practice.
Accessorial charges can be added either during receiving, order shipment or independently at any time during the month and accumulated for later generation. Billing profiles are specific to each combination of client and product i.e., two clients may store the same product, but be billed in completely different ways.
Note: For a list of the terms associated with warehousing and the Warehouse Management System, see Warehouse Terminology
These features are easily accessed under the WMS Sub-Systems, Job, and HighView menus in ViewPoint Logistics. If you are unfamiliar with the VL menu system, see Exploring the Workspace.
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For a video demonstration of this and other related material: |
Using the WMS
ViewPoint Logistics allows for various approaches to invoke core applications (Jobs) in the WMS depending on your preferences and how you wish to access your data. Note that when you select a job in VL, it will open in an external panel. After you are finished performing your work, click to close the job panel.
Different approaches for accessing WMS jobs are described below:
Via Job Menus
The traditional approach is to run a sequence of jobs under the WMS sub-system menu to set up clients, generate (print) reports, process transactions, etc. These jobs are grouped together under the various WMS sub-system menus and are usually listed in order of precedence; i.e., by how and when they should be invoked.
WMS menu items are divided into two categories (Operations and Administration) which may be accessed via the Menu Chain Selector. If Operations is selected, ViewPoint Logistics will display menu items for the jobs and data required to perform various day-to-day business operations. The Administration menu is used primarily for configuring and maintaining VL; i.e., setup parameters, master tables, purging routines, job streams and other more administrative tasks that are usually restricted to certain operators.
Note that you can jump directly into a specific job from anywhere in the system (if you have the correct permissions). Simply enter a job code in the Job Code field next to the e-Z Learn button at the top of any VL page. Jobs can also be included as menu items in a MyFavorites. See also WMS Core Applications.
Via Workflow
The most common WMS job sequences have also been organized into sets of Workflow charts. The Workflows feature in e-Z Learn provides "maps" of the various 3PL processes that may be performed in ViewPoint Logistics. This approach transforms the various operational or administrative steps into colorful, easy-to-follow diagrams (flowcharts).
Workflow diagrams are fully integrated within ViewPoint Logistics. Operators who open e-Z Learn from within an active VL session will be able to click on the diagram to invoke the associated job. (You must be logged into ViewPoint Logistics and you must have menu access to the sub-system in the diagram.)
To walk through a series of integrated workflows relating to warehouse management, click here.
Via HighViews
If you are currently performing much of your work by following printed reports, then you should be using the HighViews feature in ViewPoint Logistics. This approach incorporates your reports directly into the interface (so you don't have to print them).
With HighViews, access to your work is accomplished in real-time via one or more action grids, spreadsheet-style utilities designed for viewing, organizing, analyzing, and manipulating your operational data. Not only do action grids provide a "big picture" rendering of your transactions and inventory, they allow you to drill down into more detailed information, they include built-in analytic tools, and they serve as the central launch point (control center) for running multiple jobs in the system.
The WMS-related HighViews in ViewPoint Logistics provide full details about your on-going warehouse operations. Click on an icon for documentation on the functionality associated with each HighView: