Warehouse Management: Automation and Organisation of Warehouse and Order Picking Systems (Intralogistik)

Modern warehouse and distribution systems constitute highly complex nodes within the value-added supply chain and have to meet a variety of requirements with regard to time, costs and quality. The efficient operation of such systems is a continuous challenge for anyone in charge. Recent developments of advanced computerbased control technologies provide the necessary control and management systems (Warehouse Management Systems, WMS). Nevertheless, due to the high complexity users often find it hard to handle. The design, choice and operation of a WMS requires an extensive know-how and experience because of the large variety of solutions and system requirements. This book gives an overview of possible solutions and helps to make the right choice. It presents the background, potentials but also risks and strategies. It sets the basis for comparisons for all those readers who are responsible for the evaluation and specification of warehouse management systems. Furthermore, it is meant as basic support for students and interested beginners. This book is based on practical knowledge without neglecting the basic context or implying special technical knowledge. Some basic processes and technologies which are required for a better understanding are described in detail. System-developers find some new ideas when problems and limits of current developments are discussed. New approaches with regard to the structure and design of WMS are presented. With the book the customer receives a simple and well documented WMS based on the open-source initiative myWMS. The software can be operated on a common PC independent of the platform and without any obligatory user login data. Thus, the operation, function and benefits of a WMS can be visualized. Modern warehouse and distribution systems constitute highly complex nodes within the value-added supply chain and have to meet a variety of requirements with regard to time, costs and quality. The efficient operation of such systems is a continuous challenge for anyone in charge. Recent developments of advanced computer-based control technologies have contributed to development of the necessary control and management systems called Warehouse Management Systems (WMS). Nevertheless, due to the high complexity, users often find it hard to handle WMS. The design, choice and operation of a WMS requires extensive know-how and experience because of the large variety of solutions and system requirements. This book gives an overview of possible solutions which help readers to make the right choice. It presents the background and potential, but also the risks and strategies to handle them. It sets the basis for comparisons for all those readers who are responsible for the evaluation and specification of warehouse management systems. Furthermore, it is meant as basic support for students and interested beginners. This book is based on practical knowledge without neglecting the basic context or assuming special technical knowledge. Some basic processes and technologies that are required for a better understanding are described in detail. System-developers will find some new ideas when problems and limits of current developments are discussed. New approaches with regard to the structure and design of WMS are presented. Readers can expect a simple and well-documented explantion of WMS based on the open-source initiative myWMS. The software can be operated on a common PC independent of the platform and without any obligatory user login data. Thus, the operation, function and benefits of a WMS can be visualized. Front Matter....Pages I-XII Introduction....Pages 1-12 Management of Warehouse Systems....Pages 13-62 Fundamentals of an Operational Optimization....Pages 63-90 Warehousing and Conveying Principles....Pages 91-136 Automation of the Material Flow....Pages 137-177 Automatic Identification....Pages 179-220 Information and Communication Technology....Pages 221-282 Realization of Warehouse Management Systems....Pages 283-305 Structure of a WMS from the Example of myWMS....Pages 307-340 Back Matter....Pages 341-357 This book helps readers evaluate and specificy the best Warehouse Management System (WMS) for their need. The advice is based on practical knowledge, describing in detail fundamental processes and technologies needed for a basic understanding. New approaches in the structure and design of WMS are presented, along with discussion of the limitations of current systems. The book shows how to operate a simple WMS based on the open-source initiative myWMS. Focuses on the modern warehouse control and management systems called Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), which requires extensive know-how and experience because of the large variety of solutions and system requirements. This book gives an overview of possible solutions which help readers to make the right choice Warehouse management is the art of operating a warehouse and distribution system or, better still, of operation it efficiently.