A New DC Productivity Solution To Bridge The Gap Between WMS and Automation

As summarized in a recent Aberdeen Group report, the ongoing e-commerce, multi-channel revolution has “resulted in a need for more dynamic scheduling and optimization of labor-intensive picking processes within warehouse operations.” The problem for most DCs is that their WMS-directed picking processes are inflexible and sub-optimal, while automation systems don’t address the manual, hands-on activities that still predominate in most DCs. This article describes a new breed of mobile work execution solution that bridges this gap. These mobile work execution systems combine real-time work optimization software with flexible mobile applications to boost labor efficiency and productivity without changing your WMS or other warehouse infrastructure.

WMS Systems Are Not Designed For Execution
DCs today face the twin demands of improving labor efficiency while adapting to complex and dynamic order and delivery demands. More often than not, WMS-directed RF or voice processes are inadequate to the challenge. The heart of the problem is that WMS systems are designed first and foremost for optimized inventory management and planning, not the execution of processes on the warehouse floor – that is, the actual work of moving products from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible.

As a result of this WMS execution gap, more and more DCs are seeking other solutions to improve throughput, efficiency, and productivity. They are installing other types of software solutions to sequence, manage and orchestrate the detailed material handling work performed by machines and by people. These execution systems take two forms.

On the one hand, DCs with significant automation systems use warehouse control systems (WCS) to manage the movement of products via conveyors, sorters, AS/RS systems and other automation systems. Advanced WCS systems – typically referred to as warehouse execution systems (WES) – add capabilities to optimize the sequencing and execution of work. These automated work execution systems typically work with the WMS, without duplicating core inventory management functions. But there is still a missing link, both for DCs that are using automation and those that rely exclusively on manual processes.

Filling The Gap Between WMS and Automation
Neither WMS nor WCS/WES systems are designed to optimize the manual, hands-on activities that still predominate, often between islands of automation. For example, while WCS systems coordinate the movement of picking totes from one warehouse area to another via conveyors, they do not manage or optimize the work done by people picking items off the shelves and putting them into totes on conveyors or carts. For that you need software systems that can optimize, sequence and orchestrate the detailed activities done by mobile workers.

This is where mobile work execution comes in. Mobile work execution systems provide flexible workflows, optimize assignments of work, and manage dynamic picking (and other) processes performed by workers on the DC floor. Those workers use mobile applications running on smartphones or other wearable computers that support the flexible use of voice, scanning and visual information. Far beyond voice-enabling WMS-directed processes, the focus is on enabling new optimized processes that complement automation systems and that can easily adapt to changing market and customer demands.

Want to learn more? A new Aberdeen Group report examines how the rise in direct-to-consumer shipments has impacted labor efficiency and throughput, and discusses warehouse management strategies to help address these impacts. Download a free copy of the report, Maximize Your Warehouse Labor Efficiency With Dynamic Optimized Work Execution.