Automation systems involve huge investments of both time and capital. If design flaws in these systems are not caught at an early stage, they can have a negative impact on the on the rest of the project. We are able to model/simulate important aspects of your warehousing and distribution facilities to validate that it meets various performance requirements during the early stages of a project. This ensures that potential problems are resolved before they become larger issues down the road.

Experience

Our experience ranges from moving items on Cross Belt Sorters to simulating smaller equipment motion around the facility. The results are fully visualized by real-time 3-D representations as well as data sheets depicting transactions and statistics through the system. These are gathered by running multiple scenarios to account random variations in the model. Simulation leads to many benefits including:

• Mitigating potential pitfalls of system design
• Reducing commissioning costs
• Reducing project delays
• Highlighting bottlenecks and process inefficiencies
• Methodology

Our proven methodology guarantees the success of all our projects. This includes the following procedure:

• Kick-off meeting
• Scope Specifics Documented
• Model Development
• Verification and Validation Meeting
• Experimentation and Analysis
• Final Presentation, Project Reports, and Training

Our SmartSuite WCS Web Client acts as the single portal that pulls everything together for the WCS system. It allows users to perform searches, generate reports, and manage various system settings from any popular web browser. It also has the ability to switch between languages for multilingual requirements. Our modern, intuitive, and easy to use interface will allow operators to take less time identifying a problem and more time solving it.

Reporting and historical data logging

Our software gives complete visibility into any automated system. Our dashboard, reports, and search functionality allows you to analyze key points in the system that affect productivity and the bottom line. There are many standard reports and custom functionality can be written to reflect key data points in a system. We will work with you to make sure the data is correct, and aligns with your specific process needs.

Real-Time Dashboarding

Our dashboarding functionality gives you up to the minute insight on what is happening in your system. Key performance indicators are displayed through easy to read dials and gauges, which allows operators to quickly determine overall system performance. This is essential in order for corrective action to be taken during a shift rather than after the fact.

Searching

Our advanced searches allow you to perform simple searches based off barcodes and tracking numbers or build complex queries based off any item properties. The results are quickly viewable through a browser window exportable to a more convenient format for further data manipulation.

Formats

Our web-based system serves up reports in the formats that you are familiar with including:

• PDF
• Excel
• Excel (Data Only)
• HTML

They are viewable in a web browser and able to be saved offline for later use. In order to view them, it is necessary to have a computer on the network, along with a SmartSuite WCS account.

Automatic Reporting

Running reports manually is essential if you want to get specific ranges of data over the period of a shift, but what if you want to see things from a higher level so that you can look at trending information? We have implemented automatic reporting functionality that generates a set of reports in the background and sends them by email to various levels of authority throughout your company. This is configurable and puts the data where it needs to be, in the hands of key decision makers.

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) play a key role in high level planning and execution of product and resources. SmartConnect interfaces with many of the most popular WMS Systems, Sorter Manufacturers, PLC Systems, Bar Code Readers, Jackpot Consoles, and RF Handhelds. Its modular design also ensures that it can be customized to work with any WMS system on the market.

What Does This Mean?

In a nutshell, this means that there is a high level of integration between your inventory management/ ERP systems and the rest of the automation systems on the plant floor. We have the ability to retrieve sort plans, exchange messages, and communicate effectively with other systems in the facility. SmartConnect has experience interfacing to the following WMS systems:

• SAP
• Manhattan Associates’ WMS
• TECSYS WMS

Do you use a different WMS System?

Our solutions are made with flexibility in mind so that interfacing with a new WMS is simple. Since host interfaces vary amongst WMS vendors, SmartSort supports both file and discrete messaging. The file interface is typically accomplished via network drive mapping or FTP while discrete messaging typically is accomplished via standard TCP/IP.

The Order Fulfillment module of SmartSuite WCS provides the functionality necessary to properly and efficiently execute the order fulfillment process. This module includes the preparation, processing, sorting and verification of orders within the warehouse or distribution center.

Automatic Trailer Manifesting

The tracking of product that is en route to a new facility or store is important for maintaining inventory and payment collection. Our automatic trailer manifesting functionality makes this easy. The sequencing of every tote on the shipping conveyor for each loading dock is automatically tracked so that only the first and last tote for each trailer load needs to be scanned. A manifest for each completed trailer load is automatically created and printed, minimizing downtime in the loading process. In manual systems where 2 people work each loading dock (1 to scan, 1 to load), staff quantity can be reduced to 1 person per dock.

Revenue Verification

Inaccuracies in the reporting of item weights and dimensions represent lost revenue to logistics operations. Brock is experienced with helping clients rectify this problem, having designed, developed, and implemented stand-alone and in-line automated Revenue Verification Units/System (RVS) for national rollouts. Our revenue verification system scans, weighs, and dimensions items automatically to collect barcode, weight, and dimension data respectively. This data can be sent to the WMS or ERP system where billing and accounting information is processed.

Shipping Management

The management of Batching, Waves, and other techniques can be handled with ease. The system has the ability to support:

• Bill of Lading Creation
• Sort Plan Management
• Cross Dock Operations
• Recon
• Trailer Closeout
• Palletizing
• Special Totes
• Damaged Barcode Item Handling

Automating the receiving, storage, and retrieving of warehouse items increases productivity, improves efficiency, and optimizes your storage space. Brock helps manufacturers decrease their reliance on manual processes by providing upgrades to existing ASRS systems, or designing, developing, and deploying controls for new ASRS project initiatives.

Key Features

• Automatic and Manual Pallet Retrieval
• Storage Algorithm Configuration
• Diagnostics and Status Monitoring
• Web Browser Accessible

Reports

• Aisle Capacity and Status
• Crane Statistics
• Crane Algorithm Snapshot
• Invalid Stored Materials
• Staging Area Status

Ad-Hoc Searches

• Pallet Search
• Material Information Search
• ASRS Action Search
• Activity Log Search
• Audit Log Search
• Message Log Search

Brock applies Pick-to-Light, Put-to-Light, Voice and RF technology solutions to semi-automate manual picking and sorting processes. This is to improve order accuracy, increase rate per hour, and to eliminate the need for specialized training that is often required for manual sort processes.

Pick-to-Light

Pick-to-light systems allow operators to fill specific customer orders in an efficient manner. The following is an example of a pick-n-pack process:

1. Bins with bulk stock of items are placed in specific “Zones”.
2. A shipping carton used to pack a customer purchase order is placed on packing lane in a central location.
3. An operator scans the barcode on the Shipping Carton.
4. The bulk stock bins light up with a corresponding order quantity.
5. The operator grabs the required quantity from the stock bins and confirms the transaction.
6. The operator places the items into the Shipping Carton.
7. After all the lights are addressed from the first zone, the Shipping Carton moves to the next zone.
8. A closeout confirmation procedure is performed at the end of the picking lane.
9. The shipping carton is placed on larger sorter for sortation to its final destination.

Put-to-Light

Put-to-Light systems allow operators to fill customer orders efficiently by the way of light buttons and numbered displays. The following is an example of the Put-to-Light process:

1. Shipping cartons are set up in multiple locations for customer purchase orders.
2. A bulk inventory item is brought to a central picking lane.
3. Using mobile technologies, operators are able to scan the barcode of the bulk inventory item.
4. Lights will turn on by each shipping carton that requires the inventory item and quantities will be displayed.
5. The operator fills the shipping carton with the items from the bulk inventory container and confirms the transaction.
6. Once the operator addresses all lights, a new bulk inventory item is brought to the central picking lane.
7. This process continues until all items have been packed in the shipping cartons.
8. Shipping cartons are placed on larger sorter for sortation.

Sort-to-Light

For larger items that have been presorted and need a finer sort at the end of a chute, light systems may be used to direct operators to semi-automate a manual sort process. The following is an example of the Sort-to-Light process:

1. Shipping Containers are set up at the end of a chute and assigned items through a sort plan.
2. An item is sorted on a shoe sorter, cross-belt sorter, etc. to a specific chute.
3. The operator is able to scan the item barcode with an RF mobile device.
4. The light will illuminate above the shipping container where it is to be sorted. (The application on the mobile hand scanner can also reveal other important details about the item for validation purposes.)
5. The operator puts the item into the correct shipping container and repeats the process.

System Benefits

• Allows operations to better utilize staff by enabling employees to handle multiple processes throughout the facility
• Minimizes human error in the picking/sorting process
• The operator is able to scan the item barcode with an RF mobile device.
• Increases speed of manual sort process

Brock applies Pick-to-Light, Put-to-Light, Voice and RF technology solutions to semi-automate manual picking and sorting processes to improve order accuracy, increase rate per hour, and to eliminate the need for specialized training often required for manual sort processes.

System Overview & Equipment Screens

The HMI is extremely easy to navigate. Given the correct permissions, operators are able to interact with various parts of the system and perform functions that directly affect processes in the distribution facility. Each piece of critical equipment in the system will be shown in detail through the HMI, reflecting statuses given by the controls layer. This can include statistics, faults, and override capabilities.

Watchdog Communication Status

Overall health of the WCS solution is an important aspect to monitor. Key communications channels are constantly polled by software to ensure that both the system is operating smoothly and the equipment is actively reflecting its current state.

Alarms

• SmartSuite WCS has diagnostics/alarms that:
• Allows viewing of selected fault sites through fixes or tilt/pan/zoom cameras
• Maintains logs of current and historical alarms
• Has pop-up dialog boxes to quickly identify system faults (reducing time required to identify and correct problems)
• Corrective actions to system faults can be provided on screen.