Improve Throughput in the Warehouse with Workload Balancing, According to QC Software Executive

PRLog - Apr. 30, 2012 - CINCINNATI -- For the high-volume warehouse or distribution center, quick and accurate order fulfillment can be quite a challenge. Processing thousands of orders daily requires careful planning and a dynamic software application to manage an efficient operation.  Optimizing throughput with workload balancing is a key part of this equation.

“A warehouse control system is ideally suited for managing the flow of work throughout the warehouse by deciding what orders are released, based on current system activity and operational status. Unlike a warehouse management system, the warehouse control system uses real-time data to make last-minute routing adjustments,” states Rich Hite, President of QC Software, a leading provider of warehouse control software for the material handling industry.

Further productivity gains can be realized if high velocity SKUs are available in multiple locations. For example, if a pick location is full or becomes unavailable due to equipment failure, the warehouse control system searches for the best alternate location and re-routes the order.  If the product is picked from a single location, or dictated by the warehouse management system hours in advance, the result is that zones can get flooded with cartons, while other zones are empty.

The warehouse control system can mitigate these problems with dynamic pick allocation and workload balancing. Let’s assume an order requires four SKUs, and all four SKUs are available in three pick modules. Now, let’s assume that module 2 is not available because of a conveyor problem. If the warehouse control system determines the pick location, it would bypass module 2 and pick everything from modules 1 and 3. If the warehouse management system determines the pick location, either the cartons re-circulate and congestion builds or everything grinds to a halt.

Workload balancing and dynamic pick allocation ensure optimal routing of orders on the conveyor system. Using special algorithms, the warehouse control system minimizes bottlenecks and ensures the workload is proportionately distributed among the various workstations.

QC Software is recognized as an industry leader in providing innovative and adaptive software solutions for order fulfillment and distribution centers. Their warehouse control system provides advanced management capabilities for inventory control, resource scheduling and order management. For over 16 years, these solutions have enabled customers throughout North America and in Europe to streamline their warehouse operations with the lowest total cost of ownership in the industry.

For more information, contact Jerry List
Phone: 513.469.1424
Website: www.qcsoftware.com
Email:  info@qcsoftware.com