Detailed description
WCS is a software with which it is possible to manage an automated warehouse and the equipment that goes into it. WCS monitors productivity and jobs, increases the efficiency of subsystems (including MFC and PLCS), usually integrated with a WMS or ERP system. Integration with host systems is based on a defined set of communication transactions and is done via the ERST API webservice and Apache Kafka.
WCS-class systems are mainly used in the E-Commerce industry, where high-performance warehouses handling online orders use the acquired data to manage the flow of goods and fulfil orders in as real-time as possible.
Relationships between systems
Functionalities
Optimisation of flow management
WCS allows the flow of many types of logistics media such as boxes, pallets, containers and more to be managed. In doing so, it takes into account:
- Conveyor sizes and weights
- Possible flow directions
- Availability of conveyor lines
- Condition of equipment
- Filling levels in buffers, loops, stations and other sensitive areas
- Variability of attributes and statuses
- Status of media – empty, full, open, closed, packed, available, unavailable, etc.
Visualisation of flows and real-time reporting
Near real-time visualisation is available from the web application and on mobile devices, while allowing:
- Cargo tracking
- Traffic tracking
- Observation of decision points
- Signalling of the filling of individual sections
- Observation of KPIs, quality and maintenance indicators
- Alerts in the app to inform operators or UR to take action
- Monitoring device statuses
Quality control stations
WCS enables a wide range of load quality control to be established at defined stations, through the detection of error codes and quality control. Exchanges acquired control status information with the host system.
Loading dock management
- Possibility of allocating a carrier and a semi-trailer to a loading frame
- Real-time control of loaded inertia and weight
- Reservation of space for cargo units
- Overfill alert
Stacker module – ASRS & High Bay Warehouse
- Management and monitoring of the stacker crane
- Optimisation, queuing and prioritisation of input and output tasks
- Selection of locations and storage units in a high-bay warehouse
- Stock control
Digital twin
- A virtual representation of the layout and logic is created for each project (Experior by Xcelgo Schneider Electric)
- Functionality and flow testing on a digital model
- Integration with WCS
- Integration with PLC (physical or emulated controller)
- Scenario testing
- Detection and elimination of bottlenecks
- Performance emulation through system loading
Technologies used
