Warehouse Management System and Material Flow Controller
The foundation of automated intralogistics is software solutions that guide the complex processes within a company. They coordinate the equipment responsible for transporting materials, load carriers, and goods, and track all associated information flows. This is made possible by IT solutions like the Warehouse Management System (WMS) and the Material Flow Controller (MFC). These software applications ensure fully automated warehouse operations, from goods receipt through storage to goods dispatch:
- Warehouse Management System (WMS): Tracks incoming goods, monitors storage locations, controls outgoing goods in real-time, and assists with inventory checks of stored pallets and goods.
- Material Flow Controller (MFC): Manages the physical control of material flows within the pallet warehouse and directs transport commands to the control systems and conveyor technology.
At SMB, we offer a material flow control system that integrates the Warehouse Management System and Material Flow Controller in our WMS/MFC software solution.
As a critical component of the supply chain, material flow control plays a central role in managing internal processes. This complex task relies on the seamless communication between various systems, from ERP systems to WMS and MFC, and the programmable logic controllers (PLC) of warehouse machinery. Efficient material flow control requires smooth information transfer and processing among these systems.
The Advantages of Our Material Flow Control for Your Business
- Fully automated warehouse operations and effective equipment use
- Networked and centralized control of your warehouse technology
- Just-in-time goods availability
- Fast and error-free order processing
- Enables tracking of the entire warehouse process
- Minimizes errors in goods flow
- Reduces manual tasks for employees
Warehouse Management System (WMS/MFC)
SMB’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) effectively captures and monitors all material and information flows within our Automated Pallet Warehouse. The system electronically manages all storage location information and oversees the numerous logistical processes within the warehouse, from receiving goods to order picking and shipping. Our WMS is equipped with a Material Flow Controller (MFC) tailored to our pallet warehouse, enhancing its operational efficiency.
Material Flow Controller (MFC)
The Material Flow Controller (MFC) manages all transport processes in the Automated Pallet Warehouse. The software calculates optimal routes to storage locations and reports any disruptions to the WMS. This increases the speed and efficiency of the material flow within the warehouse. The MFC receives transport orders from the WMS and directs these orders to the conveyor systems, ensuring seamless operation.
Animation, Simulation, and Emulation of Warehouse Processes
Achieving Efficient Material Flow Control
We use advanced software systems not only to control our automated storage systems but also during the planning process. Tools such as animation, simulation, and emulation help us enhance warehouse efficiency.
Animation: During the planning process, we create a precise digital version of your warehouse, providing a 3D view. This allows us to review and adjust details and processes together, which feeds into the subsequent planning stages.
Simulation: We use simulation software to visualize and digitally run through specific warehouse processes. Whether it's a single Automated Pallet Warehouse or complex systems with palletizing and conveyor systems, we can visualize your project and then simulate its operations.
Emulation: This advanced form of simulation uses data from preliminary systems for virtual test runs. We adjust parameters and simulate until the test results are optimal, then apply these findings to the physical setup. This process helps avoid high follow-up costs and startup issues by facilitating virtual commissioning.
Customized Material Flow Control for Your Business
For each customer project, we assemble our material flow control systems from standardized modules to create the optimal solution. The base modules are tested and in use in numerous customer warehouses. We configure these modules based on individual requirements and complete them with newly programmed components to ensure optimal material flow and the efficiency of our Automated Pallet Warehouse.
Another advantage of our software solutions is the visualization of all processes. This provides users with an overview of all transport processes and currently stored goods, allowing for manual intervention in case of disruptions or order prioritization.
Interfaces to Market-Standard ERP Systems
We provide compatible interfaces for all standard Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as data exchange via SAP IDoc, web service protocols, REST API, transfer tables, or network sockets. We are happy to adapt to your requirements and the established logistics IT to ensure seamless integration
