A complete Warehouse Management System (WMS) provides many features that are not available in other solutions, including the warehouse modules of most ERP systems. This page highlights some of the key features that will enhance the performance of your distribution operation, whatever the size.

Distribution focussed solution

Unlike paper logs or desktop spreadsheets and databases, a WMS is a real-time application designed to streamline a company's warehouse and distribution operation. 

IWS provides a uniquely configurable application that can be customised to match your business requirements now and in the future. Our agile implementation approach allows us to achieve the optimum solution with the minimum of cost.

Real time progress monitoring and scheduling

Many WMS products assist with the running of the warehouse by providing tools to schedule work and to monitor progress against the schedule. 

IWS displays the current workload in a graphical chart that clearly shows the expected completion times for all activities. A sophisticated 'what-if' algorithm allows a user to see the effect of changing resource allocations.

Performance measurement

All tasks performed on a WMS are measured and recorded for evaluation and the system builds a database of historical information. Key performance reports allow the data to be interpreted and can be used to drive customer service improvements.

Real time RF terminals

Radio frequency (RF) linked mobile hand-held or vehicle mounted terminals provide an efficient method of providing instructions to operators without the need to return to a fixed position to fetch new work. The real time nature of a WMS means that the sequence of work is continually being re-evaluated to maintain maximum efficiency whilst coping with different operator work rates, rest periods and changes in the despatch requirements.

IWS has full support for all operations through an RF terminal, including goods receiving, stock checking and picking.

Pick carts and trolleys

Pick carts allow an operator to pick for multiple despatch requirements at the same time, considerably reducing the overall distance covered to complete shipments. The WMS automatically sequences the picks and presents them to the operator in the most efficient sequence.

IWS provides extensive support for picking multiple orders simultaneously including advanced features to optimise work selection and the allocation of different product categories.

Task interleaving

Task interleaving reduces the time when operators are not performing useful work, for example when fork trucks are travelling without a load. 

IWS task interleaving is much more than just dual cycling because all tasks can be interleaved to achieve the maximum efficiency. IWS can interleave stock checks within picking trips or perform interleaved replenishment, putaway and picking cycles. Obviously this can be customised to suit the exact operational requirement.

Integration with other systems

A WMS is designed to exhange information with other computer systems. Many data flows are possible, for example receipt preadvice or advanced shipping notification, despatch confirmation, stock balance, stock adjustments, performance information, etc. Data can flow automatically between the WMS and your financial, order management or e-commerce system directly into the WMS without manual intervention.

IWS provides support for many interface technologies and the team at Invar have experience providing interfaces to many systems, including most major ERP systems.

Integration with automation

A WMS can connect to automated equipment to further extend its capabilities and increase efficiency.

IWS provides support for automatic cranes and miniloads, carousels, pick by light systems, automatic conveyor systems and automatic sorters.

Click here for more information about the features of IWS...