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Selecting Warehouse Management System for Dynamics GP

WMS software licenses and barcode scanners cost might be comparable or even higher than Microsoft Dynamics GP licenses investment.  Considering that fact, you do not really want to make a wrong decision and this is why homework is required in Warehouse Management brand selection.  Let’s review typical WMS functionality, how it is mapped to Great Plains Dynamics (this is historical name of Microsoft Dynamics GP, as it is often referred by existing customers) transactions and WMS technical implementations.  Warehouse Management System depends on Barcoding technology, and Barcode scanners should be compatible with your final WMS platform, this is why you should not rush into their purchase prior to making final decision on WMS.  If you are large wholesaler or distributor, we recommend you to have dedicated project manager, who is responsible for Warehouse Management System selection activity, and who is familiar with barcoding technology (best options would be somebody who got degree in Supply Chain Manager and Logistics):

1. WMS functionality and its mapping to Dynamics GP modules and transactions.  In classical scenarios you should expect Sales Order Fulfillment, Inventory Transfer and Adjustments, and Merchandise Replenishment (often referred as restocking).  All these functions are available in native Dynamics GP, where Order Fulfillment is Order Line Manual Allocation (SOP transaction entry screen, or the same is possible in Fulfillment Order form).  Inventory adjustments (and Cycle counts) have similarly named transaction windows in Great Plains Inventory Control module.  And finally Inventory restocking is realized in Purchase Order Processing module in Purchase Receipt document.  As you can expect so far, Microsoft Dynamics GP has all the required functionality, but it is not really Barcoding enabled application (as it is rather Corporate ERP, MRP, and Accounting system).  This is why you need Warehouse Management application to enable Barcoding originated transactions to be integrated to Great Plains

2. Warehouse Management System realization technologies.  If you would like general view, there are two approaches.  First one is self-contained external WMS, which has integration modules or even connectors to major Accounting applications, such as Dynamics GP, AX, Oracle Applications, Accpac, Platinum, SAP Business One, Navision, Solomon, etc.  And the second approach is Dynamics GP WMS extensions, where Warehouse Management System works directly with Great Plains tables.  Here we should warn you that decision making on the External versus Extensions is very difficult and tough.  We have only good words to say about both WMS platforms and we would like to give you positive and negative points for each one, not being critical, but giving you highlights to decide on what is the best for you

3. External WMS – as the positive comment, here you typically expect rich functionality, very large number of installations across the USA, Canada and internationally (meaning that most of the software bugs are fixed and you are not the beta testing victim).  However there are costs to be universal – you typically have to pay for the same functionality in Warehouse Management Applications (you already paid for Dynamics GP Distribution set of modules: Sales Order Processing, Inventory Control and Purchase Order Processing).  We also heard some complains from Great Plains Warehouse oriented customers, that WMS integration is not working out of the box and requires unexpected consulting hours

4. Dynamics GP Warehouse Management System Extensions.  As positive comments, integration is not an issue (as it works directly in Great Plains DB scope), you do not have to pay twice for software licenses.  However to give you some caution, the installation base is narrower.  Here in Alba Spectrum we offer your WMS extensions module and we encourage you to call us for executive and technical presentation

5. Dynamics GP WMS and Great Plains versions.  If you have to implement Great Plains Warehouse Management System, our recommendation would be to in the current version (Dynamics GP 2010/11.0) or at least one version behind (Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0)

6. What to do if your WMS implementation failed or is currently in limbo?  First of all – it is possible scenario and you are not the first one and not the last one.  Please, relax, life is wonderful and feel free to give us a call: 1-866-528-0577, help@albaspectrum.com.  Local service in Illinois, Michigan, California, Texas.  We are positioned to do remote support for Dynamics GP implementations and Warehouse Management System user training

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Latest Rfid Reader For Rfid Warehouse Management

DAILY RFID has recently released UHF RFID Reader DL910, specially designed for warehouse management. With a read range of up to 15m and fast read rate, this UHF RFID Reader increases efficiency of warehouse management.

This UHF RFID Reader is a multi-tag autonomous reader. Once cases or pallets are placed into storage,this UHF RFID Reader can be triggered to automatically record the location code from permanent tags at the location. It can increase warehouse efficiency by reducing labor and saving the time of monitor and identification.

Also, RFID warehouse management integrated with this UHF RFID Reader, warehouse inventory errors can be reduced. With a fast reading rate of less than 10ms per 64 bits, this UHF RFID Reader can read fast-moving tags accurately. It caters for the demand of rapid flowing inventory confirmation in the warehousing process.

This UHF RFID Reader supports multi protocal including ISO 18000-6C (EPC Gen 2) ,ISO 18000-6B and has multi port interfaces such as RS232,RS485,Wiegand,TIP/IP. It has been widely used in warehouse management, logistics, vehicle access control and process automation.

You can visit http://www.rfid-in-china.com/products_702_1.html for more info about UHF RFID Reader for warehouse management.

About DAILY RFID CO.,LIMITED

DAILY RFID CO.,LIMITED ( www.rfid-in-china.com ), which belongs to PAN Group Co., ltd, is the leading company focusing on the research and development of EPC & RFID technology in China.

DAILY RFID specialize in producing arguably the world\’s most extensive line of RFID Tag,RFID Label,Smart Card and RFID Reader, which are suitable for any vertical markets, and have obtained the National Integrated Circuit Card Register Certificate, IC Card Manufacture License and ISO9001 Quality Management System Certification. Also, we own a factory covering an area of 26,000 square meters.

DAILY\’s products are designed and manufactured with recognized industry standards relevant to RFID and its markets but most notably for use in the demanding environments to recognize and understand your business\’s RFID needs. We are commited to providing \”Innovative Technology\”, \” Superior, Cost-efficient Product\” and \” Professional, Efficient Customer Services\”.

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Wave Management In Warehouse Control Systems Critical According To Qc Software

QC Software is the leading provider of Tier 1 warehouse control systems to the warehousing and distribution industries.   Since 1996, QC Software, utilizing state of the art technology combined with extensive research, development, and rigorous testing, has developed the QC Enterprise suite of products.  Designed to be modular in nature, easily configurable, and platform independent, this highly scalable solution satisfies the needs of any size warehouse. 

Jerry List, vice-president of QC Software, (www.qcsoftware.com) suggests that there are numerous productivity solutions for distributors including Wave Management.

– Pick Waves managed by picking system (WMS or WCS) – Sorter Waves managed by sorter control system (usually WCS) – Metrics l Waves/Hour – need to measure wave overlap l Pallets/Cases/Cartons/man-hour – Picking – Palletizing/Staging/Loading

“The QC Software IMS (Inventory Management System) uses state of the art technology to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of warehouse operations and data integrity.   QC IMS manages all item numbers and warehouse locations.   The major inventory events which QC IMS encompasses include bar code label printing, receiving, put-away, cycle counting, picking, and replenishment.  The Sorter Waves are best managed by a sorter control system, which is usually are warehouse control system,” noted List.

There are numerous other productivity solutions for distributors including:

EDI – Advanced Shipment Notifications Cartonization Multiple Pick Slots Dynamic Pick Location Selection Quality Control /Auditing Batch Picking

The WCS solutions provided by QC Software enables companies to streamline their warehouse operations with the lowest total cost of ownership in the industry ensuring increased corporate profitability.    These solutions are also articulated by the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) which identified the Top 10 Performance Benchmarks for warehousing and distribution:

On Time Shipments Inventory Counts Accuracy Order Picking Accuracy Average Warehouse Capacity Used Order Cycle Time Fill Rate – Line Peak Warehouse Capacity Used Annual Workforce Turnover Dock-To-Dock Cycle Time Fill Rate – Orders

QC Software, Inc.

www.qcsoftware.com

Jerry List

JerryList@qcsoftware.com 

 (513) 469-1424

CSI has been producing Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence solutions for over 20 years. We’ve also noticed that many Business Users are still in the dark about what a Data Warehouse really is. This presentation seeks to address that.
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