| Kevin Tedford recently pointed out some of the | | | | warehouse management software is to control the |
| limitations of a WMS suggesting, “Many warehouse | | | | movement and storage of materials and process the |
| management systems communicate with material | | | | associated transactions, including shipping, receiving, |
| handling equipment such as Pick-to-Light (PTL), | | | | putaway, picking, cycle counting, etc.” |
| conveyors, A-Frame, Print and Apply, etc. In most | | | | |
| cases, the WMS is interfaced directly to those pieces | | | | Tedford explained the difference between a |
| of equipment. The limitation of the WMS is that it | | | | Warehouse Control System (WCS) and Warehouse |
| doesn’t link all of those areas of automation | | | | Management System (WMS) noting, “They may |
| together. The WMS can download data to the PTL or | | | | sound the same, but they perform very different |
| A-Frames, telling them what picks are required from | | | | functions in the warehouse. Think of the WCS as |
| that area, but it lacks the ability to orchestrate the flow | | | | bridging the gap between corporate software |
| of material through the warehouse. It is safe to say | | | | applications such as ERP and WMS Host systems, |
| that anyone that’s been in a high volume facility | | | | and the Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and/or |
| understands that the ebb and flow of material | | | | PC-based cell controllers that control the material |
| doesn’t go smoothly. Therefore, if you have one | | | | handling equipment.” |
| section of the warehouse controlled by a material | | | | |
| handling subsystem running at a certain rate, and | | | | |
| another area running at a different rate, you’ve | | | | Tedford believes a WCS help address the imbalance |
| created an imbalance.” | | | | because, “Warehouse Control Systems were |
| | | | | designed to control the warehouse floor and islands of |
| | | | | automation. They provide the capability to route |
| Kevin Tedford is a seasoned industry veteran with | | | | products, and regulate the workflow between areas |
| over thirty years experience in distribution. His | | | | of automation. They provide real-time information |
| worldwide experience includes Red Prairie (formerly | | | | directly to management to enable them to take the |
| McHugh Software International) where he was one of | | | | necessary action in an environment that’s never |
| the original partners, and Forte Industries where he | | | | constant. The mix of orders in a warehouse on any |
| served as Vice President of Technical Operations. In | | | | given day can vary consider ably. The warehouse |
| 2005, he founded KT Consulting, LLC. During his | | | | manager needs to move people from one area to |
| career, he has helped companies achieve distribution | | | | another to handle the ‘hot spots’. The WCS |
| related operational efficiency and productivity goals | | | | provides management with the visibility and the tools to |
| through the appropriate use of material handling | | | | manage the systems and the people by deploying |
| automation equipment, information systems and | | | | them in the most effective manner—to get the right |
| business process improvements. Recently QC | | | | product out the door, at the right time in an |
| Software, the leading WCS (warehouse control | | | | uninterrupted, steady flow.” |
| system) provider published Tedford’s response to | | | | QC Software is the leading provider of Tier 1 |
| some of the key roles of a WCS. According to | | | | warehouse control systems to the warehousing and |
| Tedford, “If you have a small warehouse, it’s | | | | distribution industries. Since 1996, QC Software, |
| possible to keep manual records or a spreadsheet, | | | | utilizing state of the art technology combined with |
| one’s own memory can usually suffice or you can | | | | extensive research, development, and rigorous testing, |
| ask a fellow employee where the product is stored. | | | | has developed the QC Enterprise suite of products. |
| But as the size of your operation and facility expands, | | | | Designed to be modular in nature, easily configurable, |
| those methods are insufficient and fail miserably. WMS, | | | | and platform independent, this highly scalable solution |
| (warehouse management systems) in general, are | | | | satisfies the needs of any size warehouse. |
| deployed in facilities to address the inventory control | | | | |
| problem when a facility grows. The primary purpose of | | | | QC Software, Inc. |