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The Whole Picture: Full Warehouse Scope Needed for Effective WES Integration

May 08, 2024
It’s easy to think of a WES (warehouse execution system) as a “plug-and-play” software solution for islands of automation within a larger overall warehouse system. Just take orders in from the WMS (warehouse management system) or host system, run some logic to sequence those orders in an optimal way and ensure those orders are picked at the right time and place to be shipped on-time. While, at a high level, this essential functionality is at the core of a WES, operations in all other areas of the warehouse must be understood to guarantee a successful implementation and optimize all interconnected processes at a specific site.

Closing the Automation Gap with Intralogistics Software

May 17, 2023
Robotic order picking and sorting are becoming key technologies in warehouse automation and often provide huge advantages to distribution centers over more conventional order fulfillment methods. However, without a versatile WCS (warehouse control system) or WES (warehouse execution system), it can be difficult to integrate such technologies into a complex operation.

Maximize Floor Space, Optimize Ops with Robotic Buffering Systems

March 22, 2023
Order fulfillment operations play a crucial role in today's fast-paced world, where customers expect their orders to be processed and delivered quickly and accurately. With the increasing demand for seamless and efficient order fulfillment services, businesses are turning to innovative solutions to meet the needs of their customers. One such solution is the use of robotic buffer systems.

The Value of Intralogistics Software in Effective Material Handling

February 15, 2023
Material handling is a very exciting industry to be a part of in 2023. The demand for fast, efficient and reliable storage and fulfillment is higher than ever, which has led to some amazing advancements in technology. Goods to person systems, robotics, automated trailer loading, and automated vehicles are just a few of the amazing technologies that everyone in the industry is talking about. These solutions can add incredible value to a distribution center, but there is a critical piece behind the scenes that can make or break the entire system: software.

Warehouse Execution Systems: Orchestrating Operations and Enabling Future Automation

January 25, 2023
The term ‘Warehouse Management System’ (WMS) is synonymous with the management of operations within a distribution center. But there can be gaps within the WMS’s broad scope that require another layer of integration to truly allow the system to operate as designed, especially when it comes to automation. Warehouse Execution Systems (WES) have been created to operate under the WMS to help fulfill business needs not easily managed by the WMS. In fact, it is a crucial element to enabling more automation in warehouse operations.

Small Scale Robotic Automation Drives a Big Impact for Gerrie Electric’s Distribution

June 15, 2022
“Our existing 26,000 square foot facility was just not enough.” Gerrie Electric turned to small scale automation to unlock warehouse footprint and productivity opportunities quickly and reliably. The result – error-free picking, a boost in throughput, a trajectory to achieve and beat a targeted 3-year ROI and room to accommodate their immediate growth for additional robots and ports to handle the increased demand. As the largest independent, electrical lighting and automation distributor in Ontario, Canada, Gerrie Electric serves customers ranging from car and steel OEMs, pharmaceuticals and individual contractors performing on-site electrical installations.

L'automatisation à petite échelle génère un grand impact pour la distribution de Gerrie Electric

June 15, 2022
« Notre installation existante de 26 000 pieds carrés n’était tout simplement plus suffisante ». Gerrie Electric s’est tourné vers l’automatisation à petite échelle pour lever les restrictions dues à la superficie d’entrepôt et permettre rapidement et de façon fiable des opportunités de productivité. Le résultat : un prélèvement exempt d’erreurs, une amélioration de la productivité, une trajectoire pour atteindre et surpasser un rendement du capital investi sur trois ans ciblé, et de l’espace pour accommoder la croissance immédiate pour des robots et des ports supplémentaires afin de traiter l’augmentation de la demande.

Achieving Success with Goods to Person Starts with Software

March 17, 2022
With all this innovation and growth in the goods to person warehouse automation sector, it’s vital to factor the impact on the whole system’s integration, tied together through software and controls. To compensate, WES systems are getting larger and more complex in order to integrate with new technologies provided by other vendors coming to market. To truly optimize a goods to person system, customers should consider each GTP technology’s merits, but also the software that will manage its operations.

The Value of WES Software in a Modern Warehouse

February 02, 2022
In these cases, either the host ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system or the WMS (Warehouse Management System) controls inventory and is the brain of the entire warehouse. The WES (Warehouse Execution System), on the other hand, is responsible for controlling the various islands of automation to complete tasks given by the host or WMS system. This might all seem a bit complicated at first. After all, if the WMS is like a brain, why can’t it just control everything in the warehouse on its own? Are multiple systems really better and more cost-effective than one? As I will explain below, a WES can greatly improve operations where automation is involved in many ways.

Software and Automation for Third Party Logistics

January 19, 2022
With the increased demand for ecommerce fulfillment and varied distribution channels, more companies are turning to 3PLs to provide the logistics.

What's the Difference Between WMS, WES and WCS?

March 24, 2020
If you work in material handling or order fulfillment, you've heard these terms, but they're hard to keep straight. Read this article to learn which piece of the software puzzle does what.

The Value of a Good System Test Plan and Test Scenarios

November 06, 2019
As distribution centers become more automated, a well thought-out and formal warehouse system test plan and test scenarios can help conquer these increasingly complex systems.
Posted in System Automation

Inside the Success of an Electronics eCommerce Distribution Center

September 13, 2019
With the right people, processes, and technology in their new advanced distribution center, NewEgg can accurately fill orders faster with a lower cost of shipping and provide overall better customer service.
Posted in General Blogs

A Guide to Testing Your Warehouse Execution System (WES)

October 16, 2018
A WES is a powerful tool that can help a wide range of warehouse DCs. Here’s what’s required to properly test and implement a warehouse execution system..

Supply Chain Software: What are Unit Tests and Why Should You Care?

October 11, 2017
Unit testing has become quite the buzzword over the past several years, but what is and why should you care? Learn more about this process and how it can help.

A Supply Chain Software Comparison: WMS vs. WCS vs. WES

June 07, 2017
The evolution of supply chain management has introduced a new breed of supply chain software, but what are the differences between the "big three"? Let's examine the functionality of WMS, WCS, and WES. Read: A Supply Chain Software Comparison: WMS vs. WCS vs. WES
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