Warehouse management in a manufacturing company should eliminate downtime related to waiting for materials and semi-finished products to arrive at the warehouse, or problems with batch tracking. One program that streamlines production processes in the area of materials logistics is a WMS integrated with an ERP program. Read the article and see how a WMS automates and streamlines key processes.
Just in Time – scheduling deliveries “to the machine”
A WMS supports delivery planning through integration with the production scheduling system. This allows the warehouse worker to receive a specific order from the system a specified time before production begins, requiring them to deliver a specific quantity of materials, products, components, or elements to a designated location. This helps eliminate bottlenecks or downtime, ensuring greater production flow. In other words, a WMS ensures that all deliveries are synchronized with current production stages.
Traceability support, i.e. tracking batches and components
WMS wraz z systemem ERP wspiera śledzenie partii surowców i komponentów od momentu ich przyjęcia do magazynu, przez cały cykl produkcyjny, aż do wysyłki gotowych produktów. Każda partia jest oznaczana unikalnym identyfikatorem (np. numerem partii lub etykietą z kodem kreskowym), co umożliwia dokładne monitorowanie jej ruchu. System WMS automatycznie rejestruje każdy etap – od przyjęcia towaru, przez magazynowanie, aż po zużycie w produkcji i wysyłkę gotowych produktów. Dzięki temu możliwe jest szybkie uzyskanie informacji o pochodzeniu surowca, jego przetwarzaniu i partiach produktów, w których został użyty, co zapewnia pełną kontrolę nad materiałami w całym procesie produkcji.
Expiration date tracking
A WMS program in manufacturing significantly improves the tracking of product expiration dates, which is particularly important in industries such as food and pharmaceuticals. The WMS automatically monitors the expiration dates of each product, assigning them appropriate statuses and sending notifications when they approach expiration. For example, in food production, a warehouse worker receives a message that a specific batch of raw materials should be used first to avoid waste. This system minimizes the risk of loss, and production and inventory rotation processes are more sustainable and efficient.
Warehouse space optimization
A WMS system in manufacturing allows for warehouse space optimization by automatically analyzing available space and suggesting the best product placement based on product turnover, dimensions, and demand. For example, heavier and less frequently used components can be stored higher, while those frequently needed in production are placed closer to the picking point. This space management allows warehouse workers to spend less time searching for goods, and the entire operational process runs more efficiently, ultimately increasing productivity.
