Modula WMS software application: The solution for high-performance and future-oriented warehousing

Very often, when talking aboutModula WMS, it is difficult to have a clear and accurate idea about how it works, how it is implemented within the logistics flow and, above all, about how many of its functions can be advantageously used in the daily life of a warehouse.

If you’ve never used it before, it’s not easy toidentify and quantify the benefitsof this powerful yet simple tool.

What exactly is a WMS software application?

Many classify the Warehouse Management System (WMS) as asystem for managingplacing and picking activities in a warehousebut, as you will see, this definition is too limited.

AWMScan be considered the thinking part of a warehouse, thesupervision and control systemthat facilitates the management and coordination of the various operations taking place within the entire storage area.

In fact, one of the main strengths of a WMS lies in that it is able tointerface with other business management systems, on multiple levels of complexity, to respond to requests for action or control over what takes place along the supply chain.

Given this premise, if we think aboutModula’s WMSapplication, initially developed for the management ofautomatic vertical storage systems,we can instinctively see that it cannot be classified simply as placing and picking management software.

What is Modula WMS used for?

The immediate logistical advantage seen upon installation lies in the possibility ofmanaging each single SKU or product code with great accuracy by connecting it to a specific compartmentof the Modula storage system.

A compartment is understood to be a physical space in a given tray, delimited byseparators and dividersand intended to contain the materials to be stored.

Thanks to its simple integration, from each of these compartments, the WMS application can manage and retrieve various information related towarehouseinquires such as:

• Ripening/aging date (ripening stage / ready)
• Expiration date
• Information regarding the status of individual SKUs
  • Storage status (archived, to be archived)
  • Validation status (validated / to be validated)
  • Product status (new / used)

Thanks to the WMS system, data management is much more efficient.Each handling event,even of a single item, from a single compartment,is always logged: management status, picking and placing operations, etc.

For anyone working in this sector, havingsuch information seamlessly availablethrough theWarehouse Management System(WMS)is certainly an interesting prospect.

This is possible because thecommunication between theWMSand the ERPtakes place in real time; once the status of an item changes, the information is immediately shared between said systems, thereby updating the status of the relevant SKUs and making such information available to all relevant parties.

TheWMSis particularly effective also in the case of structured and complex operations such as inventory or order consolidation.

This tool, combined withdifferent robotic peripherals or accessories, offers the possibility of streamlining operations which, very often, require significant time and human resources.

For example, order consolidation organized by theWMScan also take place on the fly thanks topicking solutionssuch as thePicking Cart: the items in an order are consolidated while the order itself is being prepared, without intermediate phases.

Myths that need to be debunked about Modula’s WMS: Let’s take a look

To ensure correct and adequate information for those operating in the world of logistics, it is necessary to dispel the main “false myths” related to the Modula WMS software.

1. With a singleModula WMS license,it is not possible to manage an entire storage facility.
2. The WMS does not allowfull control over multiple storage systemslocated in different company areas.
3. WMSsare difficult to integrate with some ERP systems.
4. It is not possible toreturn the infrastructure to the state prior to the installationof the WMS.
5. TheWMSis not able tomanage individual items/SKUs in an accurate and timely manner.
6. The WMS is unable tomanage inventory as a whole.
7. It takes an IT expertor engineer to properly integrate and use theWMS as expected.

With a single Modula WMS license it is not possible to manage an entire storage facility

The first “myth to dispel” concerns the need toobtain a WMS license for each automatic storage system/unit installed.
If and when you decide to havemultiple Modula units installedin the same facility, or in the same company but in different locations – for example in the storage area, in the production area, at the point of sale –it is absolutely not necessary to purchase a license for each product.
Asingle license enables the management of all active Modula storage systems, regardless of their model, size, capacity or individual functions.
In addition, the activation of theWMScan also be very helpful to manage existing traditional manual storage systems.
Modula has taken advantage of all the know-how acquired during the ongoing development of itsautomatic vertical storage systemstofacilitate the management of “traditional” storage systems not equipped with automated solutions.

Of course, traditional storage systems need more manual operations, even when connected to a WMS application.

For example, during picking and placing activities, the logging of relevant data does not take place automatically and this could lead to input errors. In thishybrid case,operator picking or placing an item must record the event. The Modula WMS will then ensure theproper processing of that informationcombining it with that coming from the automated Vertical Lift Modules (VLM).
This shows that it is possible to integrate themanagement of mixed storage systemswithin a company.
Modula’s automatic vertical storage systems and manual storage systems can become complementary solutions to be used for different functions and located in different parts of the company.

WMSs are difficult to integrate with some ERP systems

Integratingwarehouse management software such asModula WMSinto your management systems is much easier than you might imagine.

One of the topics of greatest interest, for those interested in management systems, concerns themethods of implementation and integration新软件与现有管理下文structure. This is a very relevant aspect because any issue related to the management of operational flows and to any difficulties in the integration phase are always a cause for concern for the IT department of a company.

The good news is that theModula WMS application, developed over 20 years ago by Modula, has been continuously improved and upgraded over the years.

The team in charge with the WMS has developed solutions that can be海mlesslyintegrated with basically any management system and ERP.

Regarding the integration anddata exchange between Modula automated storage systems and the relevant ERPs,three methodsare used, according to the following protocols:

1. 数据交换through Web service(Rest API)
2. Fileexchange (xml, csv, text files)
3. 数据交换via ODBC(intermediate database)

The choice of the data exchange method may depend on several factors: first of all, on thecompany’s directives,the pre-existingwarehouse management system, familiarity with protocols, as well as on the subjective preferences of the IT staff.

TheWMSwas developed to have the flexibility to comply with the technical constraints imposed by pre-existing management systems; however, it can be configured with its own logic without any constraints. In the latter case, theexchange of data through web services based on REST APIis recommended, as this is a programming interface that can be easily integrated with allmodern management systems, even those operating purely online.

It is not possible to return the infrastructure to the state prior to the installation of the WMS

Modula WMS is particularly flexible and adaptablein terms of modifications to its main configuration, even during operation.

For example, regardless of how data exchange occurs – via ODBC, Web service, or through file exchange -, it isalways possible to change one’s mind and reset the configuration and exchange interface. There are no constraints, the interface type can be changed at any time.It is really simple to change the communication interface or re-establish the previous modalities.In addition, even in the case of changes to the software settings,no data in thestorage system managed by ModulaWMS is lost, no activities are deleted, the WMS can be reconfigured by simply changing the protocol type.This safety feature, together with the flexibility of the system itself, makes Modula WMS an极端的ly reliable and practical solution even in view of future developments.Therefore, it is possible to adapt the exchange protocols or to restore the previous protocol at any time.

The WMS is not able to manage individual items/SKUs in an accurate and timely manner

Another aspect to discuss concerns the management of individual items/SKUs.
The alleged lack of adaptability on the part of theWMS softwarein the management of batches or in the creationof customized management protocolsis absolutely unfounded.

A Modula storage system canmanage each item with absolute flexibility as it communicates with the software application that enables thesimultaneousmanagement of thousands of SKUs.Each SKU can be managed with different FIFO processes, according to the quantities and with customized units of measurement. For example, an item can be handled in packs of 6 or 12 pieces or more and counted in different units of measurement depending on the specific needs.In this way, it is also possible to efficiently control and manage products such as water or food, which can be counted as pallet units or individual pieces or packages depending on the area of the storage system or stock and picking needs.

The WMS is unable to manage inventory as a whole

Speaking of storage system management, it is impossible to overlook the importance of having reliable information about inventory, a critical task that must be performed with accuracy. As seen in the previous paragraphs, theintegration of the WMS software application is the best solution to keep stock under control and have a good cataloguing system.

With the ModulaWMS application,company can be certain of havingaccurate and up to date inventory available in real time; in fact, it is possible to know the position, status and quantity of any of the material in the storage system at any moment. In addition, all operations as well as all picking and placing data can be consulted in a few simple steps.In a nutshell, the Modula WMS can provide anaccurate and organized report,based on individual SKUs or entire groups of locations,required by the ERPwith a list of SKUs to be inventoried.Even if the operator wants to carry out amanual check, all they have to do is make therequest for information through the console. Everything happens instantly: the Modula storage system interprets the request for information as if it were a simple order. The operator will receive the requested tray at thebayand will be able to physically count the items contained in it, in order to compare the quantities with those resulting in the system.In summary, theModula WMSapplication can provide an instant view of the contents of automatic storage systems upon request: in this way it isalways possible to know the conditions and quantities of a given materialtogether with the data concerning what was picked or placed (when and by whom).

It takes an IT expert or engineer to properly integrate and use the WMS as expected

The Modula WMS was developed to ensure simple deployment, operation and user experience: you do not need special computer skills to consult it or understand how it works.

The user interface was designed to ensure ease of use and, as a result, thelearning process is very fast.After importing the item master data and configuring the locations, the WMS interface panel provides instant and up to date information on all relevant storage systems in real time.In fact, in addition to the standard WMS reporting, operators can haveextra detailed information from all the Modula machinesunder its control, having for example an up-to-date idea of how much space could be further optimized, how much volume is actually used, how many operations have been carried out, how many errors have been recorded, and much more.

As explained above, another great advantage of using this software application is the possibility of setting the degree and depth of interaction with corporate IT structures. Theintegration with the ERP systemwould allow, for example, the automation of the entire process of order flows together with all relevant and related logging information.In conclusion, the Modula WMS application is ahighly efficient and reliable system for the management of warehousingactivities, which has proven to adapt to the needs of the most diverse companies.As we have seen, some “false myths” that circulate around this software application are based on mistaken or incomplete information that does not take into account itselevated capacity for customization and integration.在众多Modula WMS特性,实时monitoring of logistics processes and the automated inventory management, in particular, certainly add value to any company.Ultimately, the Modula WMS significantly improves the efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness of any warehouse, overcoming any misconceptions and “false myths.”