IDII Software Newsletter

TMS + WMS = SMART

A better buyer of software will consider acquiring a Transportation Management System (TMS) and a Warehouse Management System (WMS) together!   These two systems are considered to be a group of software solutions in the industry known as the Supply Chain Execution (SCE) software group.   This execution side is mission critical, as both transportation and warehousing, must perform the "last mile of the way".   In warehousing, it is getting that outbound shipment out the door.  In transportation, it is properly tendering the load or packages to the carrier, so that the customer can receive his order on time!     Both TMS and WMS are critical to making every customer satisfied.

Why is it important to consider buying both of these at the same time?   Consider the interfaces that are required between the two software packages.   For outbound shipments, freight optimization in the TMS, will query the "open orders" in the WMS, optimize them, and assign carrier, carrier service level, and date & time to ship.   The WMS must update the optimized carrier information and release the pick waves, based on the target date to ship.     Besides optimizing, one must leverage the TMS solution for freight rating and manifesting.  Each of the freight charges components from the TMS, must be captured in the WMS for each shipment.   In this manner, employees & the customer may view their order, see which carrier is transporting it, and see details of the shipment & freight in one place.

A number of software companies offer both WMS & TMS solutions.   Manhattan, RedPrairie, Infor, Accellos, and other companies have offerings that include both.   Accellos just recently made another acquisition (its second one) in the TMS software space by acquiring Prophesy Transportation Software.  Other numerous WMS companies have forged alliances with TMS companies to fill in the gap.

One must consider the vast size of implementing both a WMS and a TMS at the same time.  If your firm does not have the resources to do both systems at the same time, considering hiring a consulting group, or have the software vendor provide more resources.     A phased approached should be considered as another option, where the block-and-tackling is installed first (the WMS) and the TMS is added in phase two.   WMS vendors that partner with a TMS vendor, have both vendor resources to call on.     

Some companies will purposely break this SCE software acquisition into two separate projects, one project for WMS acquisition, and one project for the TMS acquisition.  Both groups interact with each other and are invited for key parts of the software demonstrations.   Interfacing is highly covered in both projects and with the software vendors.

No matter what - see how and where the interfaces are made between the WMS & TMS.   Clearly understand them and make sure that this "standard Interface" is fully supported by the software vendor(s).   Go through scenarios, if we want to upgrade the TMS, but not the WMS, can we do that?  At what expense & time commitment?

Phil Obal, President, IDII, philobal@idii.com

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Incident Tracking allows users to create and track incidents such as receiving discrepancies, incorrect shipments, cycle count irregularities, inventory errors, and customer and vendor problems. With incident tracking, issues are assigned a priority level (low, medium and high), a user-assigned category, a user-assigned class (financial impact estimate) and an owner. Each incident includes a central repository for related information where notes can be added, documents and images attached, etc. Ongoing email alerts and a full audit history of actions taken keep warehouse managers up-to-date in real-time on the status of incidents. Latitude Press Release on Version 9.0

*** AGI Warehouse Management System version 10.2 Architecture and Functionality Enhancements for 2008. 

Label Printing - Due to our strategy to continue to empower our customers with flexible options we have replaced our current label printing architecture with a partnership with leading label print applications from Loftware.

RFID - AGI developed a complete RFID API,

Integration
•    Added integration of product COST to interface and functional architecture which is carried throughout all applicable WMS processes and visibility through all applicable GUI screens and reports.
•    See Full interface field specification including all new field addition attached.

Receiving
•    Developed the ability to dynamically add a new master SKU via the RF during receiving.
•    For bulk receiving we added the ability to receive an entire ASN at the dock via one transaction.
•    Modified the RF Dock and Detail receive screens to include more information including UoM, etc.

Allocation
•    Added the ability to allocate containers that are on hold at the user's discretion.
•    Enhanced the summary allocation process to include dynamic selection.
•    Eliminated the 500 limitation of displayed containers available to select for allocation.
•    Enabled the ability to move product already allocated due to space constraints and update pending picks.

QC
•    Provide a screen for QC release by item/ receipt along with the ability to sort the skids in the QC location by current inventory in stock and current orders outstanding for each product.

Picking
•    Added function to only allow picking from location if ALL SKU picks for this location are ready (state = "R").
•    Added the ability to organize picks by pallet layout in the facility.
•    RF: Unpick Order –Allow ability to unpick an order that is not picked fully. 

Added the ability to unpick a line or lines even if order has not been fully picked.
•    Enhanced the skip pick functionality to provide flexibility for picking order.
•    Enabled the substation on the fly of container at user discretion. This is incorporated in the event that a container or product is damaged after picking and a substitution is required for the container or lot.
•    Enabled the ability to pick from the pick list in any order.

Cycle Count
•    Added enhanced ability to create cycle plans by customer and or owner.
Kitting
•    Added Multi Pallet item as type of kit with auto kit numbering.

Manufacturing
•    Enhanced functionality for raw materials to finished goods processing.

Shipping
•    Added new functions for Parcel, LTL, and Truckload in the trailer shipping process.
•    Added ability to print UCC compliant labeling by container, pallet, or individual item/case.
•    Updated Ship Order Management screen to include SCAC and Carrier.
•    Added LTL Shipment Freight Classification - Auto classifications on label.
•    Added the generation of a pallet manifest after the pallet is staged. This identifies all items and quantity associate on the pallet.
•    Added the ability to modify weight.
•    Added the ability to reprint ship manifest for orders already shipped.
•    Added ability to select printers on the fly.
•    Developed tighter integration capabilities to UPS and Fed Ex shipping solutions. See AGI Worldwise

*** Prophesy LogPlus is Fully Equipped to Handle the Finalized Set of HOS regulations.  We take great pride in keeping our compliance software solutions such as LogPlus, up to date with all current commercial vehicle driver regulations, said Bill Ashburn, Prophesy/Accellos Vice President. Our users rely on us to uphold that level of accuracy. See Prophesy Website

*** Open Source WMS from an Open Source ERP software company. Compiere Warehouse Management

Scripture to Ponder

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he may have enough to finish it; lest perhaps, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all those seeing begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish.   Luke 14:28-30

Famous Quotes For Business & A Better Life!

The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.  - Dale Carnegie