Advanced Slotting
Using innovative algorithms, W2MO calculates the optimal warehouse assignment considering various criteria and restrictions. Reducing the distance traveled while picking and the time required for picking as well as balancing the workload in different areas of the warehouse are just a few of the aspects that can be optimized. A store sequence can be considered or a significant reduction in product damage can be achieved by placing heavy products at the beginning of the picking tour ahead of fragile products. Using sophisticated computational methods, it is also possible to analyze huge amounts of data to determine which products are often ordered together. These items are then be placed close to each other in an appropriate “set assignment”. On the other hand, the separation of storage locations for similar products, so-called “look-alikes”, reduces picking errors. Additionally, W2MO generates changeover lists that calculate how to achieve this optimized reorganization in the fewest moves possible. W2MO’s multiple visualization capabilities allow for easy analysis of product placement in 2D and 3D.
Dynamic Putaway
W2MO can also be integrated to optimize the product placement for a chaotic storage system using dynamic putaway. In dynamic putaway, the target storage bin is determined considering the current free storage bins as well as the historical and expected outbound quantity at the moment the transport order is executed. In this way, a better assignment is gradually created and then constantly maintained.
Reorganization
After W2MO has created an optimal assignment for fixed bin storage, targeted stock transfers are used to improve warehouse assignment. Only those stock transfers that have high impact on warehouse performance should be carried out. Furthermore, the transfers are carried out in an efficient way by using so-called changeover cycles. In addition, the stock transfers can be sorted according to their impact on the amount of work to be saved, and thus reorganization activities can be carried out in a targeted manner, piece by piece, allowing you to prioritize certain workflows. In a periodic reorganization, it is even possible to automatically create reorganization transport orders.
Storage in Automatic Storage Systems
Many logistics systems are designed as a combination of manual and automatic storage areas such as a shuttle warehouse or an automatic small parts warehouse. During the planning phase when the system is being dimensioned, as well as in later operations, the question arises as to which articles should be stored in which quantity in which storage system. Here W2MO provides answers by using appropriate algorithms, which determine an optimized workload utilization considering weight and volume limits and decide whether an article is better stored in the automatic or manual area.
Operational Use
The optimization algorithms from W2MO are deployed in operational use via the digital twin. The flexible integration ranges from printing stock transfer lists to the automated creation or updating of transfer orders in SAP WM/EWM or any other warehouse management system. The algorithms offer two modes of operation: manual triggering via the user interface of W2MO and background execution. In any case, in simulation mode, the achievable improvement becomes transparent and measurable at any time. There is no additional risk in operational business, since the occupancy predetermined by the warehouse management system can always be accessed.