Warehouse Management (Distribution Center) System
Background
As the level of logistics management needed rises, customer requirements for warehouse management systems also change. Demand is growing for "support functions" involving warehousing tasks, and greater importance is being attached to functions that improve the precision and management of these tasks so that they may be performed at lower cost. Companies at the stage of pursuing supply chain management (SCM) require warehouse management systems that provide the information needed to optimize overall inventory via SCM and that support SCM operations. Our company's warehouse management system (REWARDS) meets today's needs by offering warehouse operations support as well as SCM support functions.
Operational Flow
(Example: warehouse management for Company D, a semiconductor components manufacturer)
- Advance warehouse receiving data is prepared using the shipping data from the shipper.
- The barcode on the outer packaging of the cargo received is scanned and the data checked against the advance warehouse receiving data; if there is no discrepancy, this becomes the finalized warehouse receiving data. Cargo can be managed at this point using not only product and model numbers but also using lot/serial numbers or other numbers assigned by the customer.
- The location for the received cargo is freely assigned and the cargo placed in stock.
- A warehouse shipping instruction form is prepared using the shipping data from the customer, and the cargo shipped on a first-in, first-out basis.
Benefits
(SCM support functions)
- Warehouse receiving/delivery and inventory status can be determined in real time, eliminating inventory surpluses and shortages.
- Since fixed locations are not used, warehouse space can be adjusted in accordance with logistics flow, resulting in overall space saving.
- First-in first-out warehouse shipping is particularly useful for goods with a preset consumption deadline.
- Goods in inventory can be determined in accordance with multiple control numbers used by the customer.
- Inventory control inquiries regarding goods stored in any domestic or overseas Nippon Express warehouse can be submitted from customers' own computer terminals.
(Warehousing operations support)
- Barcode management means no manual input and therefore enhanced operational efficiency and precision.
- Picking operations can be made more efficient by taking into consideration the location of picking targets and various combinations of order numbers.
