QC Software Executive Discusses How a Warehouse Control System Reduces Downtime

CINCINNATI - May 22, 2013 - PRLog -- Downtime is the 800 pound gorilla in the warehouse. With insufficient resources, inadequate planning, or equipment failure, orders may not be shipped on time. Considering the high cost of labor, even short delays or disruptions can be expensive.

“Today’s Tier-1 Warehouse Control System is designed to keep the gorilla in his cage. As floor conditions change, the system implements Plan B to maintain operations,” states Rich Hite, President of QC Software, an innovative provider of software solutions for the material handling industry.

Key features that minimize downtime:

Advance ship notice.  With prior notice of inbound shipments, companies can better allocate resources. They can schedule the right amount of workers and equipment for the workload to ensure that receiving is efficient. This reduces the likelihood of idle workers waiting for shipments to arrive.

Planned replenishment. The warehouse control system has the ability to automatically alert workers when inventory levels reach a critical point, as determined by the company.  Replenishments are automatically scheduled to ensure the right amount of inventory is available at active pick locations for order fulfillment.

Cycle counting.  With an automated and configurable cycle count function, companies can realize extremely accurate inventory counts with minimum disruption. By conducting smaller, more frequent reviews, discrepancies and underlying issues can be resolved quickly. It also eliminates the need for a physical inventory which typically shuts down the warehouse for one to three days.

Dynamic workload balancing. This function ensures optimal routing of orders on the conveyor system. It has the ability to make last-minute determinations based on operational status and current activity. If a pick zone suddenly has equipment failure, the warehouse control system selects an alternate route to balance the load and prevent bottlenecks.

Routing management.  At each decision point, the system rapidly and accurately determines the most efficient routing of orders on the conveyor and uses priority-based routing to route containers in the right sequence. It also replaces the pick and pass method with zone skipping to improve throughput. These features are designed to enhance productivity and minimize bottlenecks.

Advanced diagnostics. This application monitors and helps troubleshoot system performance and productivity. The system provides real-time production statistics and alerts so managers can quickly resolve issues and maintain operations.

The Tier-1 Warehouse Control System is a dynamic system designed to optimize floor operations.    From receiving through shipping, this system synchronizes inventory, personnel and equipment for optimal throughput and productivity.

For over seventeen years, QC Software has delivered the results that help companies succeed. Their Tier-1 Warehouse Control System provides the flexibility, visibility and control across warehouse operations that customers need to optimize resources and profitability. Through industry collaboration, customized training, and 24/7 support, QC Software ensures that each customer is fully leveraging their technology. In addition, QC Software helps customers develop a strategic focus to better manage new opportunities and future demands.