AWS/cs Automated Warehouse System
AWS/cs functions as a "front end" to enhance existing host applications from small inventory and financial system to large ERP systems. AWS/cs handles the warehouse management activities and feeds the results to the host system for inventory control, invoicing, order entry and financial reporting. Host application systems can be based on Windows NT , Novell, Unix, AS/400 and mainframe systems.
Designed primarily as a Paperless System, AWS/cs directs and tracks product movement through the warehouse on low cost RF terminals. This technology allows for the dynamic changes that occur in a minute by minute warehouse operation. Product is tracked from receiving and put-away through picking and shipping using RF terminals.
AWS/cs performs on-line data updates to reduce labor costs by eliminating redundant data entry necessary with paper based systems. Labor costs are also reduced by eliminating lost product and product search time.
The use of data collection technology, including bar codes, increases the accuracy of the warehouse and makes AWS/cs easy to use. Keyboard entry facilitates non-bar-coded product, damaged bar codes and storage locations that prevent the use of scanners.
Inventory
Inventory detail data is the center of the warehouse information. AWS/cs manages the details of random product locations, lot and serial numbers by item number, status codes at the unit level, status code changes by lot or container and expiration and ship by dates (FIFO).
Item Movements
Products moved within the warehouse are tracked through the RF system. Knowing where all products are at all times is a core requirement of all warehouses. AWS/cs tracks to and from locations, product number, lot and serial numbers and unit quantities of all products in the warehouse.
Primary storage locations are assigned by product and are used in product moves and put-away. As primary storage locations become full, AWS/cs tracks the product in additional random locations. When product is needed, AWS/cs directs the operator to the location of the required product.
Inventory details are tracked so closely that product moved from one location to another will show on an inventory query as in transit.
Cycle Counting
When Cycle Counts are performed, AWS/cs verifies the location, product, lot, serial numbers and unit quantity. Inventory is adjusted to match the count and any adjustments recorded. Cycle Counts are fully directed through the RF terminals or randomly performed at any time.
At times, product can be misplaced in the wrong warehouse location. AWS/cs keeps a log of the products found or not found in the expected location. Later, as ‘lost product' is found, AWS/cs automatically balances the adjustment log, preventing the need for a cycle count.
After a series of Cycle Counts, the inventory adjustments are exported to the host system. The host system would use this information to adjust the financial and inventory figures.
Cycle Count reports can be run to list the products and locations that require counting, current inventory adjustments and current count discrepancies.
Receiving and Put away
AWS/cs performs both blind and validated receipts. Order information is imported from the host system through ASCII text files or an interface, appropriate to your host environment, such as ODBC databases and Rumba screen scraping with AS400 and Unix. The data import can be performed in timed intervals from minutes to hours to match the needs of the host system.
AWS/cs supports two types of receipts: validated and blind. Validated receipts require the order number, item, lot and serial numbers and quantity information for each item being received. When invalid data is entered, a message is immediately displayed on the RF terminal for corrective action. Received product can be left on the dock for later put away or AWS/cs can immediately direct the operator to the preferred inventory location.
A blind receipt collects product information and creates order detail. There is no pre-existing order to verify receipts against, allowing any product to be received. Product information is then prepared for export to the host system.
Receiving reports, product labels and container labels are created as needed during the receiving process. AWS/cs prints these reports automatically or as needed.
Completed receipt information is exported to the host system using ASCII files, ODBC, or Rumba.
Complete receipt history is maintained by AWS/cs for future reporting and data export requirements.
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