WMS Glossary Flashcards
(145 cards)
1
Q
ABC Cycle Count
A
Performance of cycle counts in reference to the velocity of product. ABC cycle counting may be set up through the use of zones, areas, inventory class, or product class through automatic, planned, and/or triggered cycle counts.
2
Q
Advanced Ship Notice
A
Typically referred to as an ASN. An ASN is a communiqué (e.g. EDI transmission, phone call, fax) from the vendor indicating what will be included in the upcoming shipment. Typically includes packing list and invoicing information, such as which items, from which P/O, the ship via, the scheduled delivery date and time and any other pertinent information.
3
Q
Aging
A
Aging is used with invoicing to define time intervals. For example: 30, 60 and 90 days. An invoice ages as soon as it passes the payment due date.
Aging intervals are used to monitor late payments and possibly add interest charges or change dunning messages according to the aging date.
4
Q
Alias
A
An alternate identification of product to item/package codes. The WMS supports an infinite number of aliases for any given item/package code. Generally used for receiving product with the vendor ID rather than the internal item/package code.
5
Q
Allocation
A
Inventory is allocated to commands. While allocated, inventory is unavailable for other uses, including inventory selection (i.e. inventory “hard” allocation).
6
Q
Area
A
A location attribute that controls the following:
• The locations a user can access during task management
• Cycle count characteristics
• Whether commands to perform commands in the location are to be destined for desktop or mobile computer users
• How commands are to be confirmed
• Task aging parameters
7
Q
AS/RS
A
Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems. An automated system that stores and retrieves product from locations.
8
Q
Automatic Cycle Count
A
Cycle counts generated by the system in response to a period of time elapsing since the last cycle count performed on some location. Used to guarantee that every location in the warehouse will be cycle counted at least once every X number of days, where X is configurable by item and area.
(WMS) This allows configuration of automatic cycle counting in response to ABC velocity. May be disabled if desired.
9
Q
Availability
A
(DMS) Every item that is placed on an order draws potential inventory from what is physically on hand, therefore reducing the sellable inventory quantity.
Stock availability of an item is calculated based on a setting defined in the Item Warehouses resource. The flag name is Availability Calculation Method. This setting determines which formula will be used to calculate the available stock for this item (in a particular warehouse). There are four different formulas.
10
Q
Barcode
A
A machine-readable format for printing out information. Used in conjunction with mobile computers, bar codes may be printed on labels to be applied to inventory, locations, and containers for easy identification and reading of information. Bar coding is done in accordance with one of several different formats, including Code 2 of 5, Code 39, UPC, and Code 128.
11
Q
Basic Receiving
A
A process of receiving without use of purchase orders or any other system notification of incoming product. Also called blind receiving, basic receiving is distinguished from inbound receiving, which is the process of receiving against a purchase order or some other notification of incoming product. Beyond the use of basic receiving as a receiving process at a receiving location, basic receiving is also used to create inventory records for product found in the facility that is not entered in the system. This latter function can also be performed using demand cycle counts.
12
Q
Batch Order
A
A means of consolidating picks within a wave. The line items within a wave are consolidated into as few picks as possible by creating a dummy batch order for all products within the wave. Picks are then issued against the batch order rather than each individual order in the wave; for example, two line items requesting half loads each would be consolidated to a single pick request for a full load. Batch picking frequently involves a consolidation area, where the product is separated and packed into different shipments.
13
Q
Batch Picking
A
A method of picking that involves picking items for numerous orders at once and then bringing them to a consolidation area, where the product is separated and packed into different shipments.
14
Q
Bill of Lading
A
A document generated for any less than truckload or truckload shipments to be given to the driver of the trailer, indicating the contents of the trailer.
15
Q
Break Unit of Measure
A
The unit of measure for an item/package code below which no commands may be generated. If desired, it is possible to construct units of measure for product, such that the lowest unit of measure defined is used for tracking purposes only, but not for handling. For example, a drum of liquid may be defined with two units of measure, drum and gallon, so that the number of gallons might be tracked. However, as shipping a gallon of liquid might be inconvenient or impossible, the break unit of measure might be set to drum so that no commands for quantities of gallons would be generated.
A break unit of measure of NONE indicates that all inventory tags for this item may be split to satisfy the requested quantity. This value may be set by the DMS to support less than full unit (decimal) quantities. If set to NONE by the DMS, and the Upload flag in the WMS items table is set to Yes, it cannot be changed by a WMS user.
16
Q
Bulk Location
A
A location type. A bulk location is a location in the warehouse where multiple item/package codes can be stored. It is not designated for specific items. It can also be used to store many loads of a single item. Forward pick, FIFO, and LIFO location types only allow inventory of one item/package code to be stored at a time.
• The difference between a BULK TYPE location (many items in the same location) and the more generic BULK location is that the latter is used to store many loads of a single item (drive in racks, floor fronts, and so on).
17
Q
Carrier
A
A transportation company that either delivers inventory to the facility or is used to deliver outbound orders to a customer. EliteSeries WMS maintains a carriers table.
18
Q
Carton
A
For reference on shipping documentation, a shipping unit that is less than a full skid.
19
Q
Carton Unit of Measure
A
The unit of measure for an item/package code at which inventory will be identified as a carton on any bill of lading generated that refers to that inventory. Cartons are differentiated from full skids on the bill of lading.
20
Q
Cascading Replenishment
A
A replenishment scheme involving replenishment from one forward pick to a second forward pick of a lower unit of measure. This is used when multiple forward picks are used for a single item/package code, where each forward pick is set for a different unit of measure. Since the replenishment of any of the forward picks originates from a forward pick of a higher unit of measure, this helps decrease the number of partial loads in locations, because it is not necessary to take a partial from the higher unit of measure for the replenishment. When using a cascading replenishment, the system option Allow Order Planner to Break Forward Pick is set to No.
21
Q
Check Digit
A
An alternate name for a location. Check digits are generally bar-coded. When bar-coded, and the confirm option for the location on the areas table is set only to check digit, the user is forced to scan the bar code, helping ensure that the user does not simply key the location name. Check digits may also be used as abbreviations for location names, so that the user may easily key the check digit rather than the location name.
22
Q
Cluster Picking
A
Picking into more than one container at a time. Frequently combined with pick and pass, so that the multiple containers, or cluster, is picked by one user in an area and passed to a second user to pick in another area. Also frequently combined with container selection, so that the system will direct the user(s) to pick into properly sized containers.
EliteSeries WMS supports two forms of cluster picking, system-directed and label-directed, both employing pick and pass and container selection. In system-directed cluster picking, the user performing picks is directed to pick for specific orders into specific containers. In label-directed cluster picking, the user chooses which containers to pick into after the system has determined how many containers of which sizes to pick into.
23
Q
Command
A
A task to be issued to a user either through a mobile computer or a desktop computer. Commands to be issued are to perform putaways, picks, replenishments, or cycle counts.
24
Q
Command Sequence
A
A sequential number assigned to locations to indicate the order in which commands of the same priority will be issued to users using mobile computers. By using a logical command sequence, the amount of time wasted through user travel from one location to another is decreased.
25
Command Unit of Measure
The unit of measure at which commands are issued during picking and replenishment. How this is to be set depends largely on operational requirements; for example, for an item/package code defined with each, case, and pallet units of measure, where 50 cases make a pallet, a command to pick a pallet might be issued as 1 pallet, which is easier to read, or might be issued as 50 cases, to suggest that the user actually verify the number of cases physically residing on the pallet.
26
Compliance Labeling
The generation of shipping labels that conform to customer formatting requirements. As there is no standard format across customers, compliance labeling potentially requires maintenance and generation of a different labeling format for each customer.
27
Consolidation
Storing inventory of the same item/package code in a location. Consolidation of inventory in locations creates as many empty locations within the warehouse as possible, where the partially full locations are held to a minimum. In a randomized storage environment, consolidation is very useful, especially if the warehouse is not using the BULK location type; if product is to be stored in the warehouse, and many locations are partially full, the system will not perform storage location selection as efficiently as if consolidation is performed. Consolidation opportunities are specified both by item/package code and by storage rule. Several rules govern consolidation opportunities, including ensuring that expired product is not stored with unexpired product, ensuring that product assigned a hold code is not mixed with product with no hold code, and ensuring that multiple lots are not stored in the same location, among others.
28
Container
A container is generally a box, a tote, or a pallet used to either transport multiple tags from one location to another or to track multiple tags together in storage or shipping.
29
Container Packing List
A list of the contents of a shipping container.
30
Container Selection
An algorithm the EliteSeries WMS uses to direct a user to pick directly into a container, generally a shipping container. The container selection algorithm uses fit calculations to determine the smallest container to pick product into, and the fewest number of containers possible. Container selection may be used to decrease traffic within a consolidation area.
31
Container Type
There are different kinds of containers used in the WMS outbound order process. They are:
• Permanent: Maintained by the system (Example: Totes).
• Temporary: ID is deleted once command is completed (Example: Cardboard shipper).
• Transport: Used to transport multiple inventory records through the warehouse.
• Non-Transport: Used to track multiple inventory records as a single unit.
32
Cross Dock
A method of filling backorders. When insufficient product exists within a facility to fulfill line items in an outbound order, and product that may be used to fulfill the line item is received into the facility, the product is picked to fulfill the order instead of being stored to a storage location. This functionality may be disabled if desired.
33
Cycle Count
A method of checking and maintaining inventory accuracy. As opposed to a physical inventory, in which all inventory in a facility is counted in a single day or weekend once every six months or year, which requires that the facility be closed for business and frequently paying overtime to employees, cycle counts are performed a location at a time during regular operations.
(WMS) Cycle counts are issued to users as commands, either on a desktop or a mobile computer, in the same way that any other command is issued to users.
EliteSeries WMS supports five kinds of cycle counting: automatic cycle count, triggered cycle count, discrepancy cycle count, demand cycle count, and planned cycle count.
34
Daily Logged Transactions
A table maintaining records of transactions performed. Records track inventory changes and completed tasks by the user who performed the task. Daily transaction log records are written to the Historical Logged Transactions at the end of each day and purged.
35
Demand Cycle Count
A user using a mobile computer may demand a cycle count. To do so, the user simply specifies a location to cycle count and demands the count.
36
Demand Pick
A function that allows a user either to specify an item/package code or a tag to pick an exit location. Upon delivery, the inventory will be deleted from the WMS. Generally used in kitting to specify product to be consumed in some rework process. Only works if the item's Upload flag is set to No.
37
Dimensions
One of two ways EliteSeries WMS uses in determining whether inventory will fit into a location, the other being size code. Both the item/package code and location are defined with length, height, width, and weight. During storage location selection, the WMS will use the dimensions specified for the item, the dimensions of the location, and the dimensions of any inventory already in the location to calculate the fit. If a size code is specified for either the item/package code or the location, no dimension calculations will be used to determine fit.
38
Direct Store
The process through which inventory is received into a FIFO location, LIFO location, bulk location, or forward pick location, rather than a receiving location. When received into one of those locations, the system will not execute the storage location selection algorithm, but simply records the inventory as being within that location.
39
Discrepancy Cycle Count
Cycle counts generated by the system in response to a pick short or replenishment short. Any time a user reports an insufficient quantity to perform the pick or replenishment issued to that user, a discrepancy cycle count is generated.
40
Door Location
A location type. Trailers from carriers are assigned to door locations to load trailers. Inventory being trailer-loaded is moved to the door location.
41
Drop Shipment
A drop shipment order is a customer order that is shipped directly from the vendor to the customer instead of being shipped from the distributor's stock.
42
Dynamic Slotting
The functionality that changes the item/package codes dedicated to forward pick locations based on changes in demand for product, especially seasonal changes in demand.
43
EDI
Electronic Data Interchange. A standardized format for computer-to-computer communications of business documents, frequently the vehicle for ASN communications.
44
Equipment Class and Type
When a user signs on to a mobile computer, the user will specify the equipment type the user is using. Locations are defined with an equipment class that may access the location, the equipment class being a group of equipment types. Users will only receive commands from a mobile computer if operating an equipment type that is of the equipment class specified for the location to be accessed.
45
Equipment Servicing Area
Specifies how commands are to be issued within a given area, whether on a desktop computer, a mobile computer, or mechanically (if using AS/RS). It is not necessary that all commands be issued in the same way; if desired, picks might be performed from a mobile computer but cycle counts might be performed from a desktop computer within the same location.
46
Exit Location
A location type. If inventory is delivered to an exit location, the inventory is deleted from the WMS, and upload and transaction log records are created. Generally used in kitting operations, where raw materials are consumed to create finished product.
47
Expiration Date/Time
The date and time at which product is to expire, or already has expired. Expiration date and time is calculated by adding the shelf life to the receipt date and time.
48
FEFO Inventory Management
A standardized inventory management control for proper stock rotation of expiration sensitive inventory. Allocation for picking and shipment of product is based on the system rotation date for all items. This date is determined by taking the product's expiration date and subtracting an appropriate lead time (in days) to ensure the product is delivered with sufficient remaining shelf life for end consumer use. FEFO is the acronym for First Expiration Date, First Out. Expired inventory will not be selected.
49
FIFO Location
A location type. If inventory is selected from a FIFO location during inventory selection, the WMS will check the order in which all inventory was stored to the location to find the tag first stored to that location. If the inventory originally selected in inventory selection is not the inventory first stored to the location, EliteSeries WMS will select the inventory first stored to the location instead of the inventory originally selected. This functionality may be disabled in System Options and is not recommended for use with inventory that is date-sensitive. FIFO locations also prohibit storage of multiple item/package codes within the location.
50
FIFO Window Warehouse Search
In material selection, a set of rules appended to the warehouse search path. Any rule specified in a warehouse search path may append a FIFO window search path, a second collection of rules analogous to the warehouse search path. While the warehouse search path will find the oldest inventory for the specified rule, the FIFO window search path will conduct an additional search for any inventory in the section that is older than the inventory already selected in the warehouse search path. If the second inventory record is older than the first by a specified number of days called a FIFO window, that age difference being specified by item, the WMS will select the second inventory record rather than the first. If it is not older by the FIFO window, the original inventory record is selected. The intent of the FIFO window warehouse search is only to select the older inventory record if it is older by a significant time frame; otherwise, the inventory selected by the warehouse search path is preferred.
51
Fillable
A flag that appears during order planning indicating whether or not all line items in an order have been allocated inventory. This flag indicates 100% allocation; if a single each is missing from one line item out of fifty in an order, the flag will indicate No.
52
Forced Interleaving
A feature of task management used to alternate tasks. Tasks of equal priority configured in task management are issued such that the highest priority command of one task is issued, and then the highest priority command of the second task, and then the highest priority command of the third task, and so on. After issuing one command of each task type, a command of the first task type is issued, repeating the pattern. Commonly used to alternate stores and picks; if the shipping and receiving docks are near each other, the user may take inventory to store from the receiving dock, and then pick something from a storage location to take to the shipping dock, etc., so that the user is performing work both to and from the docks.
53
Forward Pick Location
A location type. Forward picks are used to maintain inventory that has high velocity and/or is frequently picked in less than load unit of measure. Forward picks are dedicated to a single item/package code and may, if desired, be further restricted to specific lots and user codes. Forward picks are generally located in close proximity to shipping docks, for efficient picking of high velocity inventory. Inventory is maintained in forward picks through putaway of received product and replenishment.
54
Free On Board
Also known as FOB. This is the point at which liability for the product changes from the point of origin.
This is not associated with any freight charges or delivery expenses, but is the declaration of where liability changes hands.
55
Full Skid
Specification of a quantity of inventory to be printed on a bill of lading. Full skids are differentiated from cartons on the bill of lading.
56
Hazardous Material (Hazmat)
Product that is restricted as to how it may be transported and where in a facility it may be stored; such product also requires special labeling.
57
Hold Code
An inventory attribute. Typically used to differentiate inventory that either requires some quality assurance check or is damaged from inventory that may be allocated in material selection. If inventory is assigned a hold code, the storage rules used in storage location selection will treat the product differently from inventory not on a hold code. If it is desirable to allocate inventory with a hold code to line items during material selection, the line item must request inventory with that specific hold code, or the order planner will have to manually allocate that inventory during order planning.
58
Hold Location
Typically, a hold type location is a location in which product on hold code may be held until removed from the hold code status. In the WMS, the hold type location is a receiving location. If product is received into the location without a hold code, it behaves as if received into a receiving location. If product is received into the location with a hold code, it may not be released for putaway until the hold code is removed. When the hold code is removed, the product is automatically released for putaway.
59
Inbound Order
A record of an expected receipt maintained within the WMS, such as a purchase order.
60
Inbound Receiving
The process of receiving against an inbound order.
61
Interleaving
In task management, a method of assigning tasks to users, where more than one task is of equal priority. For tasks of equal priority in the task management profile, those tasks must be interleaved either through forced interleaving or standard interleaving.
62
In Transit Location
A location type. The in transit location represents the location product resides in when it is being moved from one location to another. For example, after product has been picked but not delivered to the destination location, the product is tracked in the in transit location.
63
Inventory
Anything in a facility that must be tracked and accounted for. Inventory is created through receiving or cycle count adjustments, and is deleted through ship completes, cycle count adjustments, or when delivered to an exit location.
64
Inventory Status Modification
Functionality that allows a user to change the hold code, lot, or any of the three user codes for an inventory record. These inventory attributes may impact inventory selection, as the inventory selection algorithm may seek inventory with specific attributes; these attributes also affect consolidation of product.
65
Inventory Selection
The process through which the WMS selects inventory to allocate to line items for outbound orders or to allocate inventory for replenishment. Material selection is performed through the use of warehouse search paths.
66
Inventory Substitution
The process through which an acceptable substitute may be shipped to a customer in place of the actual item/package code ordered by the customer, if the order for the original item/package code cannot be filled.
67
Item
An identification of a type of inventory handled within a facility. The combination of the item number and package code indicate a unique inventory type. Also called a SKU.
68
Kitting
The process through which inventory of multiple items is combined to create inventory of an item different from any of the original inventory. This may be a finishing process, through which, for example, paint or labels are applied to some inventory, or a production process through which raw materials are used to create a finished product.
69
Label
Labels are used to identify inventory, locations, containers, or addresses to which product is to be shipped. Inventory labels are also called tag labels, license plates, or putaway labels. If bar-coded, inventory, location, and container labels may be scanned using mobile computers for easy identification.
70
Label Unit of Measure
The unit of measure for which tag labels are generated. Not to be confused with the load unit of measure, for which tag IDs are generated. For an item/package code configured for pallet, carton, case, and each units of measure, a load unit of measure might be set to pallet, where the label unit of measure might be set to carton. In such a scenario, for any pallet received, a single tag ID would be generated for the pallet, but a tag label (also frequently called a license plate) would be generated for each carton in the pallet. Generally used for items that are received in pallets, but picked in less than pallets.
71
Less Than Truckload (LTL)
A shipment of product that does not fill a trailer. LTLs are differentiated from truckloads and small parcel shipments.
72
License Plate
A label showing some ID, generally a tag ID, which is used to reference a unique piece of inventory as it moves through a facility.
73
LIFO Location
A location type, used when the most convenient pick in the location is the one last stored to the location. If inventory is selected from a LIFO location during inventory selection, the WMS will check the order in which all inventory was stored to the location to find the tag last stored to that location. If the inventory originally selected in inventory selection is not the inventory last stored to the location, the WMS will select the inventory last stored to the location instead of the inventory originally selected. This functionality may be disabled in System Options and is not recommended for use with inventory that is date-sensitive. LIFO locations also prohibit storage of multiple item/package codes within the location.
74
Load Unit of Measure
The normal handling unit of measure for a given item/package code. Tag IDs are assigned at receiving to each load received.
75
Lot
An ID associated with some group of inventory, generally inventory produced within a single production run. Lot tracking is performed when product may vary slightly from one production run to another, such as in the paint industry, or when accountability of production runs is important, such as in the pharmaceutical industry.
76
Manifest
A listing of the contents of a trailer.
77
Material Safety Data Sheet
This is an official document prepared at shipping time for items that require special safety and handling procedures. It is extremely important for hazardous material, chemicals, aerosol canning items, and so on. It declares the contents that have potentially dangerous or harmful effects and how to proceed with recovery and treatment should an accident or spill occur.
MSDS group codes are defined in MSDS Groups and identify the instructions applicable for the particular kind of product. The document to be printed and sent by the shipper is stored as an attachment.
The MSDS group is linked to an individual item in Items.
78
Material Selection
The process through which EliteSeries WMS selects inventory to allocate to line items for outbound orders or to allocate inventory for replenishment. Material selection is performed through the use of warehouse search paths.
79
Merging
Merging is the process of placing one container into another container without keeping track of it. The WMS loses all visibility of the child containers (unlike nesting, which keeps track of the all of the containers within another container).
80
Minimum/Maximum
Functionality in EliteSeries WMS that allows definition of the quantity constituting a load unit of measure for an item/package code to be within a range of values. Not to be confused with tolerance, min/max is used during inventory selection. If an outbound order line item requests a quantity of inventory that constitutes a load, for example, a pallet or reel of inventory, the inventory selection algorithm will seek a quantity inventory to allocate to the line item that falls within the range of values expressed by the minimum and maximum, but not necessarily the exact quantity requested by the line item. Generally used for inventory for which delivery of exact quantities requested is difficult, such as reels of expensive cable that would be both inexact lengths and inconvenient to break.
81
Nesting
Nesting is the process of placing one container into another container while allowing the system to keep track of it. Nesting is used at the packing stage of the WMS outbound order process. The EliteSeries WMS will permit you to drill down to view the contents of the parent container. The EliteSeries WMS supports 99 levels of nesting. Container contents can be verified through the Container Content Query.
82
Non-Conveyable
Product that is awkward to handle, particularly in reference to product that cannot be placed on a conveyor system.
83
Non-Transport Container
A container type. Any kind of container that is used to track multiple instances of inventory together as a single unit, either for the purposes of shipping or storing product together, is a non-transport container.
84
Opportunistic Replenishment
The process through which, during overpicking, the remainder of inventory not being picked is replenished to a forward pick location. For example, if 99 cases of product are ordered, and a pallet holds 100 cases; it may be convenient to pick the entire pallet and deliver one case to a forward pick, where the rest of the pallet would be delivered to the pick destination. Opportunistic replenishment is also called negative picking.
85
Order
An order is a customer purchase order. A sales order contains various pieces of information that identify the customer, the items, delivery dates, quantities, prices, taxes and additional charges and any special instructions or comments.
86
Order Detail
A line item for a given order. All order details must be associated with some order header. Where the order header specifies information about the customer, the order detail specifies the product ordered and the quantities ordered.
87
Order Header
The order header contains information about the customer placing the order and information about how the order as a whole is to be handled. Order details associated with the order header specify the product ordered and quantities ordered.
88
Order Planning
The process through which a user determines which outbound orders are to be picked and shipped in a given time period. This can only be performed via a desktop computer.
89
Order Well
A term used to indicate a location where orders that are ready for order planning are waiting to be selected. As sales orders are sent down from the host, they collect in the order well until they are selected for planning and release.
90
Outbound Order
An order placed by a customer to be shipped from the facility.
91
Overpick
The process of picking more than the system directs. For example, a pick may be issued for less than, but almost a full pallet of product. It may be easier for the user to pick the full pallet than the partial. Employing overpicking requires some operational method of restoring the excess product. Overpicking may be enabled by item/package code.
92
Package Code
When combined with the item number, indicates a unique item ID. Package codes are used to differentiate inventory that has the same item number, but must be tracked separately from inventory of the same item number. Examples of the use of package codes includes multiple packaging configurations of the same product and tracking identical product received from multiple vendors.
93
Packing
Packing is the next step that follows picking in a warehouse. Packing can involve several tasks that may include; packing the picked goods into a container for shipping, generating address labels to identify the shipping destination and the container (box), and even identifying the shipping door where the product will be loaded onto the trailer.
94
Packing List
Either a container packing list or a master list indicating the contents being shipped for a specific shipment
95
Packing Location
A location type. Packing locations are generally used for consolidation of picked product to be shipped, palletizing/packing of product to be shipped, and/or application of address labels to product to be shipped.
96
Partial
A tag of inventory of a quantity that is less than a load.
97
Physical Inventory
The process of performing a count of all inventory within a facility at one time. Generally contrasted against cycle counting.
98
Pick
A command to move allocated inventory from a location to either a ship type location or to an exit location (in the case of demand picking) to ultimately deliver the inventory to a customer.
99
Pick and Pass
The process through which one user begins picking into a container and passes the container to another user, who continues picking into the same container in a second area.
100
Pick Destination
The location to which product is to be picked. Product may pass through route points to arrive at the pick destination; however, the pick command is not considered to be completed until product arrives at the pick destination. Pick destinations must be assigned to orders before waves are created in order planning. Pick destinations must be ship locations.
101
Picking
Picking the product is locating and taking the correct product off out of the warehouse storage location and bringing it back to a packing area before it is shipped.
Picking can only start after a pick/pack slip has been generated. This slip identifies which items to pick, their quantities, and which location to pick the items from. • If Pick by Label functionality is being used (WMS only), then an individual label is generated for each unit at picking time with the required information. No pick/pack slip will be generated if picking using a desktop computer.
Picking is performed quite differently depending on what kind of warehouse you are running (DMS- or WMS-run warehouse).
102
Pick/Pack Slip
In a WMS-run warehouse, the PPS is an electronic file passed down to the EliteSeries WMS. It is the outbound order.
103
Pick Short
A situation in which a user who is picking picks less than the quantity the system directs the user to pick. Frequently, picking short is the process through which a user reports during picking that the inventory the system directed the user to pick either does not exist or is not of sufficient quantity to complete the pick. In this situation, the system generates a discrepancy cycle count for the location.
104
Planned Cycle Count
Planned cycle counts are orders to count a range of locations based on some criteria specified by a user using a desktop computer. The cycle count orders may be planned in advance of release, so that orders may be queued and only released when convenient. When released, cycle counts are issued to users using either a desktop or a mobile computer. Note: Unreleased automatic cycle counts may be released through the planned cycle counting functionality.
Cycle count commands issued to users, no matter how they are generated, are either printed on a paper-based list, or, if issued via a mobile computer, appear either as a command to count a tag-tracked location or a non-tag-tracked location. If a user reports and confirms a discrepancy between the quantity actually found in a location and the quantity the system reports as being in the location, a cycle count adjustment is created to change the quantity the system reports to the quantity reported by the user.
105
Potential Cross-Dock
A function that reserves inventory that is to be received for putaway to some location close to the shipping dock. Generally used for expected inventory that will be immediately staged for shipping or immediately trailer loaded after receipt. Upon release for putaway, EliteSeries WMS checks for PCDs before checking for any other backorder or storage opportunity. May only be used for inventory received in load unit of measure.
106
Pre-Tag Receiving
In EliteSeries WMS, the process through which product is received through scanning a single bar code applied to the product to be received. The bar code generally matches an ASN sent to the facility and downloaded to the WMS before receipt, which specifies the inbound order information and any inventory attributes to be associated with the received product, such as any hold code, lot numbers, manufacture dates, and user codes.
107
Purchase Order
A request/agreement to purchase goods. A request for product either from a customer or to a vendor, ultimately resulting in either an outbound order or inbound order, respectively.
108
Putaway
The process through which received inventory is stored to storage locations, generally locations of types FIFO, LIFO, bulk, or forward pick. Inventory that is not put away is not available for inventory selection.
109
Radio Frequency
Online communications between the EliteSeries WMS and portable or on-board radio frequency (RF) computers used to direct real-time tasks via sequential instructions to the user. RF units (or guns) are electronic, hand-held units that perform real-time processing. In EliteSeries WMS, RF guns can be used to perform the majority of warehouse tasks.
110
Receiving
Receiving is the act of accurately entering the goods that have been received into the warehouse. EliteSeries WMS completely tracks each piece of inventory on an individual basis from receiving to storage to shipping, thereby ensuring inventory accuracy.
111
Receiving Location
A location type. When product is received into a receiving location, and the product has been released for putaway, EliteSeries WMS will check for any potential cross docks and cross docks that inventory might fulfill. If no such opportunity exists, EliteSeries WMS will then perform the storage location selection algorithm. Note that the receiving location for repair is not currently being used.
112
Release for Putaway
During basic and inbound receiving, the user may choose to set this flag either to Yes or No. If set to Yes, EliteSeries WMS will check for any potential cross docks or cross docks the received inventory may be used to fulfill; if the inventory may not be used for such opportunities, EliteSeries WMS will execute the storage location selection algorithm and generate a putaway command. If release for putaway is set to No, inventory will not be available for inventory selection. The user may choose to release product for putaway anytime after receipt.
113
Replenishment
The act of refilling the forward pick locations in the warehouse. In the WMS, it is the process through which a given quantity of inventory is maintained in forward pick locations by generating commands to move product from some other location to the forward pick. While received product may be put away to a forward pick, it is desirable to maintain inventory in forward picks beyond storing received product. Replenishments are generated dynamically or through a batch process. Dynamic replenishment commands are generated in response to an anticipated depletion of inventory in the forward pick to or below a trigger quantity during order planning. Batch replenishment commands are generated when a user requests that all forward pick locations be replenished, based on some higher trigger than the dynamic replenishment trigger. Dynamic replenishments are generated in the course of normal operations; batch replenishments are generally generated during a non-peak time period, such as a weekend, so that as much inventory as possible be in forward picks when peak time periods occur. A user is directed to move product to the forward pick from a storage location with a replenishment command. Inventory selection for replenishment commands is performed using the same algorithm used for selecting inventory for outbound orders.
114
Replenishment Short
A situation in which a user who is replenishing replenishes less than the quantity the system directs the user to replenish. Frequently, replenishing short is the process through which a user reports during replenishing that the inventory the system directed the user to replenish either does not exist or is not of sufficient quantity to complete the replenishment. In this situation, the system generates a discrepancy cycle count for the location.
115
Rotation Date
Expiration Date - Lead Time
A buffer that may be used for items that have an expiry date. For example, if you receive an item that is set to expire in 365 days from today, and you set the expiry lead time to 10 days, the rotation date would be 355 days from today. This enables you to ship inventory before it expires.
116
Route
A method of interrupting the movement of inventory from one location to another, so that either more than one user may handle the product or so that some process might be performed on the product. Routes are constructed of route points, which designate where product is to be stopped while being picked, stored, or replenished. Commonly used when using pick and pass, when most users within a facility are restricted to working within a single area, when product passes through a packing and/or consolidation area, or in kitting operations.
117
Route Point
In a route, a place where the movement of product is interrupted. Not to be confused with a location, a route point is associated with locations so that when product is being moved from one location to another, a series of route points are mapped out for that movement. Specifying a series of route points, where product starting at any one location is directed through route points to arrive at a destination location, is how routes are constructed.
118
Section
A group of locations that are considered together for material selection. When selecting material, the WMS will employ a warehouse search path and potentially a FIFO window warehouse search path, both of which will seek inventory in one section at a time. Sections, in the WMS sense, are structured in consideration of product velocity and zoning. Sections are also constructed in reference to replenishment logic, as each forward pick may be constructed with a distinct warehouse search path, allowing very specific rules governing selecting material for replenishment.
119
Ship Complete
This is a setting in Order Entry (Ship Complete field) that means that the whole order must be allocated before the pick/pack slip may be generated to ensure that the complete order is delivered at once (e.g. no backorder).
When a user indicates that product has been ship completed in the WMS, the inventory records associated with that product are deleted from the WMS, notification of the ship complete is sent to any host system required, and, ultimately, the outbound orders associated with the product are deleted the WMS.
• Drop shipments cannot be included on ship complete orders.
120
Ship Location
A location type, used to specify staging locations for trailer loading. Pick destinations must be ship locations.
121
Shipping
Shipping is the last step performed in the warehouse when processing an outbound order. It primarily involves generating the shipping paperwork (bill of lading, shipping manifest), adding any last minute instructions or freight charges, and indicating that the shipment is complete so that the inventory can be adjusted in the system.
122
Size Code
One of two means employed by EliteSeries WMS to determine whether inventory to be stored will fit in a location. Using size code, fit is determined on the basis of an exact match between the size code specified by item/package code and by location. If the item definition exactly matches the size code defined for the location, inventory of that item/package code is eligible to be stored in the location; if not, the inventory may not be stored in that location. Given a size code match between the item and location, the system will examine the quantity of inventory that may fit in the location, the quantity currently in the location, and the quantity to be stored, to see if the inventory will fit in the location. If a size code is specified on any item or location, no dimension calculations will be performed to determine fit for that item/package code or location; size codes override dimensions.
123
Small Parcel
A shipment of product that is to be shipped through a small parcel carrier, where the size and weight of the shipment makes it uneconomical to ship the product as a less than truckload or truckload.
124
Standard Interleaving
A feature of task management used to alternate tasks. Tasks of equal priority configured in task management are issued through standard interleave such that the highest priority command of any of the tasks of equal priority is issued, and then the next highest priority command of any of the tasks of equal priority, and then the third highest priority command of any of the tasks of equal priority, and so on. Commonly used to issue high priority commands from multiple tasks, where the specific task that is being issued is relatively unimportant.
125
Standards
A set of records indicating the estimated amount of time required to complete tasks within specific areas and using specific equipment classes. Standards are used to calculate the estimated amount of time required to complete tasks associated with a wave during order planning.
126
Station
When signing on to a desktop or a mobile computer, the user must indicate the station the user is working from, which indicates a general vicinity the user is working from. The station indicates which printers documents are to be printed to and several defaults the user will work with, including a default receiving location, a default warehouse search path, and default container types.
127
Storage Location Selection
An algorithm that selects a location in which to put away product.
128
Storage Rule
A set of rules governing where to seek storage locations within the storage location selection algorithm. Storage rules examine locations within a zone at a time, prioritizing locations within the zone in store sequence. Storage rules are associated with item/package codes.
129
Store Sequence
During storage location selection, the order in which locations within a zone are considered as potential storage locations, when the storage location selection algorithm uses the storage rule.
130
Tag
An ID representing a unique instance of inventory. The tag ID is generally printed on a label to be applied to the inventory, sometimes called a license plate. If bar-coded, the tag may be scanned with mobile computers to confirm which instance of inventory is being handled.
131
Tag Tracking
When product is received into a warehouse, it is assigned a tag that uniquely identifies the inventory. For some product, it is important to pick product for orders by the tag, such as lot-controlled inventory, serialized inventory, perishable inventory, or any other reason that requires tracking and picking product by tag; such product is defined as tag tracking. Other kinds of product do not require such tracking, such that which specific inventory is selected for picking is immaterial, such as inexpensive inventory that has a long shelf life. Such product is defined as non-tag tracking.
Locations are also defined as tag tracking or non-tag tracking. If inventory that is non-tag-tracked is placed in a non-tag-tracked location with other inventory of the same item/package code, the two inventory records will be merged together, such that the inventory record of the item/package code that was first in the location will be incremented by the quantity of the second inventory record, and the second inventory record will be deleted from the system. In such a scenario, the two inventory records will appear to be one inventory record, showing the quantity of the two tags combined. The newer product will appear to have been received at the same time as the older product, to have the same hold code and lot numbers; in other words, the newer product will be indistinguishable to the system from the older product. When inventory selection is performed, the system will not distinguish the two inventory records. Picking is more efficient, because the user picks inventory from the location to fulfill the pick; however, inventory differentiation is lost. Any product, whether tag tracking or non-tag tracking, placed in a tag tracking location will be uniquely identified by tag.
Tag tracking product may not be placed in a non-tag tracking location. Only locations of type BULK, FIFO, LIFO, and forward picks may be defined as non-tag tracking; all other locations must be defined as tag tracking.
132
Task Aging
Tasks that have not been performed within a defined period of time will increase in priority. A user signed on to task management on a mobile computer will be more likely to receive that task if its priority is higher.
133
Task Management
A means of prioritizing tasks and structuring labor. A user that is using a mobile computer and is signed on to task management will receive commands in a prioritized sequence.
134
Tolerance
An acceptable variance range, expressed as a percentage, for quantity to be picked. Not to be confused with minimum/maximum, tolerance is defined by item/package code as a way to allow the user to determine while picking what quantity of inventory to pick for a specific line item, within a percentage range. Generally used for product that is inconvenient to deliver to the customer in exact quantities requested. The actual quantity picked is entered for shipping purposes, rather than the requested quantity.
135
Transport Container
A container type. Any kind of container that is only used to move inventory from one location to another within a warehouse through a putaway, pick, or replenishment command. Upon completion of the command, product is removed from the transport container and placed in the destination location specified by the command.
136
Triggered Cycle Count
Cycle counts generated by the system in response to a depletion of inventory in a location to some trigger quantity. The easiest time to cycle count a location is when there is little inventory in the location. Triggered cycle counts are configured by item, allowing configuration in response to ABC velocity. For areas containing locations that are frequently depleted in a given day, such as forward picks, the number of triggered cycle counts generated in a given number of days may be restricted. May be disabled if desired.
137
Truckload (FTL)
A shipment that fills a trailer. The trend in warehousing is toward less than truckload shipments and small parcel orders rather than FTLs, as customers order smaller quantities for shipments to be delivered, and place those orders more frequently to cut the costs of maintaining inventory.
138
User Codes
The user codes are used to differentiate inventory. These may be used for any inventory differentiation; for example, one of the three user codes may indicate a production shift for product, another some process performed on the product, and the last used for export codes. These inventory attributes may be used to specify what inventory is to be allocated to outbound orders.
139
Velocity
A reference to the demand for different products to be shipped. Frequently a classification of items as being A product, or fast moving product, B product, medium movers, and C product, slow product. The velocity of product influences not only the amount of inventory maintained for specific products, but also the amount of forward pick locations dedicated to different items and zoning of product for storage.
140
WMS
Warehouse Management System
A real time software system that has the ability to track inventory, direct labor operations, maintain locations, and provides other functionality.
141
Warehouse Search Path
A set of rules used in determining what locations to examine when performing material selection. Warehouse search paths seek inventory in a section at a time, and specify whether to first seek out full or partial loads. For whatever rule is specified as part of the path, the material selection algorithm will select the oldest inventory in the section.
142
Wave
A group of orders that are grouped together for the purposes of order planning. The criteria used to determine which orders to group together into a wave is dependent on operational needs; no such criteria exist in the EliteSeries WMS.
143
Wave Release
The point at which commands to be performed for outbound orders within a wave, generated during order planning, are changed to some ready status and made available to users.
144
Wave Templates
Wave templates can be used to automatically create waves. Orders are grouped based on the criteria set up in Wave Template Configuration and are set to run at a specified time and day. A wave can be set for automatic or manual release.
145
Zone
A group of locations that are considered in storage location selection. When employing a storage rule to find a storage location for product, the rule will specify one zone of locations at a time to be considered for storage at a time. Zones are generally constructed according to velocity, so that fast moving product is stored closer to the shipping dock than slower moving product. Non-conveyable product may also be zoned differently than other product.
