Summary

This module has been specially developed for the mobile racking systems of Storax. The combination of Storax mobile racking systems and WICS (Warehouse Information and Control System) is a very efficient and sophisticated solution that will control your warehouse operations fully automatically.

Inbound

Incoming goods are interfaced with WICS. WICS generates an order that is transferred to a mobile terminal (on the forklift truck or handheld) and to the PLC of the STORAX system. When the truck driver scans the barcode on the pallet his mobile terminal directs him to an optimal zone and location for storage. Once the pallet is placed on the location WICS checks if there are outbound orders for the same rack where he is at that moment. (In- and outbound optimization)

Location Management

WICS advises on the optimum locations based a set of rules that have been pre-configured in the system. The location algorithm uses settings such as pallet dimensions, pallet weight, ABC classifications (fast moving versus slow moving), replenishment rules for picking, warehouse rules (-5 degrees, -20 degrees, dangerous goods), specific zones, etc.

Outbound

Outbound orders are, if possible, combined with inbound orders. This means that an outbound order could be picked earlier then strictly necessary. In this case outbound orders are stored for a short period in a buffer zone thus avoiding unnecessary rack movements.

The truck driver receives the order on his mobile terminal. WICS directs the PLC to open the advised rack by sending a signal to the STORAX system.

Stock Control

Detailed stock inquiries are available at any time within WICS, including stock movement history which can be important for tracking & tracing purposes. All movements and actions are stored real-time in WICS. WICS WMS is the perfect tool for every logistics manager to (pro-) actively manage all the warehouse processes and to produce all the necessary warehouse performance indicators at any time.

Freezing tunnels

The freezing tunnel in the cold store is also managed by WICS. This means that WICS monitors the time that a specific product should be in the freezing tunnel before it can be stored in the cold store. When the freezing process is interrupted a signal to WICS starts or stops an internal clock. Once a product is frozen WICS changes the status and automatically generates a put-away order for cold storage.

Optimization

By implementing WICS to manage all the processes and monitor all procedures, driving activities of the forklift trucks are reduced to an absolute minimum, queuing of truck drivers is prevented and movements of mobile racks are reduced to a minimum. In addition, the warehouse manager has a perfect and real-time overview of the physical warehouse status on his computer terminal