QC Software Executive’s Foundation for an Agile Distribution Center

CINCINNATI - Aug. 19, 2013 - PRLog -- Best-in-class distributors have realized the importance of a lean and agile warehouse. Many are relying on the Warehouse Control System as an essential component of an optimized operation.

The Warehouse Management System remains important for coordinating front-end processes and long-term planning. While it is a high-performance, intelligent system, disadvantages include the high cost of modifications and residing in remote locations.

 “It often takes several weeks to customize an existing Warehouse Management System. The warehouse is operating less efficiently until the necessary changes are implemented. On the other hand, the Warehouse Control System is designed to be configurable and scalable, which means modifications can often be completed within a few weeks and at a fraction of the cost,” states Rich Hite, President of QC Software, a leading provider of warehouse control solutions.

 The Warehouse Management System does not typically react to floor conditions in real time. For instance, the Warehouse Management System allocates pick locations hours in advance and therefore cannot react to bottlenecks. However, if the Warehouse Control System selects the pick location, it can make a last-minute determination based on the current activity and operational status.

Many Warehouse Management Systems are operating on a cloud-based paradigm to lower technology costs. Delays in receiving information from remote servers and disruptions in the link can be critical when managing high-speed equipment with carton rates over 120 cartons per minute. If a conveyor line suddenly stops and orders cannot be processed for three hours, the cost in lost productivity and late shipments can be substantial.

The Warehouse Control System is installed inside the distribution center to minimize these communication disruptions. If unable to communicate with the Warehouse Management System, the Warehouse Control System can continue to operate since it maintains data locally. The Warehouse Control System processes messages in milliseconds and can rapidly change to Plan B when necessary to maintain the flow of materials. 

 The Warehouse Control System complements the capabilities of the Warehouse Management System by providing additional agility and stability. This allows distributors to reduce operating costs while improving productivity.

QC Software is recognized as an industry leader in providing innovative and adaptive software solutions for order fulfillment and distribution centers. Their Tier-1 Warehouse Control System provides advanced management capabilities for inventory control, resource scheduling and order management. For over 17 years, their solutions have enabled customers to streamline their warehouse operations with one of the lowest total cost of ownerships in the industry.