SHARK WMS CLOUD

SHARK is a Warehouse Management System, scaleable from small to large automated warehouses. It is designed from the idea that huge saving in cost and time can be achieved by optimizing the performance of the warehouse by minimizing the manual work that has to be done. This by finding optimal storage locations for each article, by controlling the sequence of orders to be picked and by supporting advanced equipment that improves the speed. To achieve this, SHARK is based on advanced algorithms that optimize location usages, picking speed and space utilization, all hidden for the normal user but working underneath to improve the working speed.

Advanced functionality is fine, but not if it requires special training to make use of it. SHARK is easy to use for the normal operator, fast to learn and with intuitive functionality, so new operators can be trained to the system just with a short introduction.

Benefits of a Warehouse Management System

The benefits you gain by implementing a WMS system in the warehouse are many:

• Reduced labor costs and increase throughput.
• Better utilization of space.
• Fewer errors gives better quality which in turn means happy customers and lower total costs.
• SHARK is easy to use, it means that it is fast to train new employees.
• SHARK has the tools for ongoing productivity improvements.

Cloud or On-Premise?

We recommend to use the SHARK WMS Cloud Edition, it is an affordable solution that will ensure you always have the latest version, supports are included and no worries and cost for the IT operation. The installation costs are also much lower and there is and no upfront license costs. If you prefer to have the installation in-house or as a private cloud solution, that is also possible. You can even change your mind and for example move from cloud to local installation or vise versa.

Mobile Order Picking

Get rid of the paper picking lists and minimize human errors.

The SHARK PDA application is running in a web browser and is effective for all the tasks where you have to move around in the warehouse and a PC is not the most practical device. Use for example an Android PDA with a built-in barcode scanner, an iPAD tablet or even a mobile phone. The interface is easy to learn and has a number of smart functions.

Receiving Goods

In Goods Reception incoming goods are registered and the optimal locations are found before the goods are put on stock. Cross-docking, incoming inspection, serial and batch number registration are also handled here.

Preparation: SHARK may find the locations for put-away automatically by supplied replenishment information like preferred storage zone, location type, package size, dimensions - or the operator can just select the location manually. The articles can be put into a box or on a pallet with a bar code (Pallet ID) that later is used for fast identification in the put-away process.

Labels: Labels can be generated by SHARK for boxes and pallets.

Cross-docking: If one or more outbound orders exists, waiting for the article that is received, the operator can decide to pick the orders immediately in the goods reception window and thereby avoid a time and work costly store-and-pick process.

Quarantine: Received articles that are damaged, no papers received or similar problems that means they cannot be picked immediately can be put on quarantine. A special zone is dedicated for this purpose.

Finding the Right Locations

With Sharks location management system, there is absolute control over the warehouse setup. The warehouse is divided into zones, aisles, modules, shelves, trays, etc. Each location has a location type, with given physical dimensions, pick priority etc. Based on sophisticated algorithms and the use of historical data, Shark ensures the optimal use of the warehouse in such a way that the specific article always is placed on the best place, concerning picking speed and space utilization.

Storage space is costly, especially when using automated storage machines, and by letting SHARK control the warehouse, it is simple to get a much better utilization factor compared to conventional methods. SHARK will continuously try to find the optimal location size and, if necessary, divide goods up into more locations. Using more locations for the same article gives smart space utilization, if one of the locations for a given article is empty, it can immediately be used for another article and you will never have to allocate space for the highest possible stock. Using one storage location per article, by experience leads to poor utilization. The locations will in average be half full. By using 2 or more locations per. article, an average utilization factor of 75% or more is realistic.

Most of Sharks functions for optimization, works automatically, without bothering the user. The sophisticated functions are stored underneath a user-friendly interface, making the system simple to use.

Picking Outbound Orders

Normally in SHARK, more orders are picked concurrently (batch picking), a much more effective strategy than conventionally methods. The operator or SHARK selects the next orders to be picked in one batch and SHARK optimizes the picking sequence for optimal speed. Especially for automats, it is a smart feature that the batch is “floating”, this means that orders can be added or removed from the batch, also before the batch is finished and thereby always keep the machines busy.

SHARK’s batch picking window has all the necessary information available and is nevertheless simpel to understand. In the upper left corner, an arrow shows in which direction the transaction goes, a green arrow out, means it a pick, a red arrow in that it is a put-away.

An graphical drawing shows the specific location. Article number, description, order number, quantity on location, etc. are seen explicitly and push-buttons, to for example printout a label or correction the picked quantity are also available. Arrives an express order, requiring immediate action, this is indicated to the operator with a blinking red flag on the status line and a specific express pushbutton is displayed (can be extended to a flashing light visible from a long distance), press the express key and SHARK set the current orders on wait and picks immediately the express order. Once the express order is finished, SHARK continues with the interrupted batch, simpler can this almost not be.

Warehouse Automation

Support for automated storage equipment is an integrated part of SHARK. SHARK´s batch picking (picking more than one order at the time), improves picking speed dramatically, because waiting time can be minimized to a minimum or even be removed completely. This is because SHARK optimizes the sequence of order lines and orders, so the equipment can be operated as fast as possible. All equipment are operating in parallel, so while the operator picks in one automat, the other machines are busy retrieving the next articles.

Shipment and Consolidation

In the consolidation and shipment module, articles picked in different zones are combined and optional checked if they are picked correctly. Furthermore they can be packed and labels can be generated for the packing.

Features

• Print delivery note or packing list. Address or box label.
• Merging af picking boxes: Collect orders picked in several boxes or zones.
• Picking of missing articles: It is supported that articles can be picked in the consolidation zone, for example articles that physical are placed in the shipment area.
• Is is possibly to check the picked quantity for each line by reading the barcode of the articles.

Internal Transport

The goods have to be moved around in the warehouse. Shark goods are registered with a Pallet or Box ID, that follows the goods. SHARK supports three methods for moving the boxes or pallets around: Simply moving the pallet or box using the ID to track it. Group the boxes on a trolley, the trolley has a number used for identification or by using a conveyor. SHARK’s generic conveyor module can be adapted to the actually used solution.

Pick Carts

Shark supports pick cart, both smart carts with WIFI connection and a light marking the current box, as well as simple pick carts, where barcode labels are used for confirmation and identification.

Conveyors

Pick carts are simple to setup and effective, but for larger installations, a conveyour may perform better.

Barcode Equipment

Confirm picking and storing using barcodes for improved security and to use the keyboard or screen as little as possible. Many functions can also be activated, just by a barcode.

Printing labels for locations, articles, packaging, etc., are an integrated feature of SHARK and no additional software is needed.

Cycle Counting

The inventory module provides a fast and secure way to keep the stock on track. Inventorying orders can be created, counting can be done on paper or directly entered into the system, recounting is supported and the result can be printed as reports and reported back to an ERP system and the actual stock in SHARK can of course be adjusted according to the result of the counting.

Picking Statistics

The Order Statistic functions is used to see information about the picking rate. For example, how long does it take for the warehouse from an order is received until it actually is picked. It is an effective tool to monitor if the warehouse is working satisfactory and how changes influences on the output. Statistical tools are important for the ongoing optimization of warehouse operations. It is for instance possible to see:

• Picking frequency divided up into zones/users/order types and time intervals.
• Order lead times.
• Picking frequency for trays in vertical lifts.

Interfacing to Host Systems

Although SHARK can be used as a stand-alone system, it will typical work in close cooperation with other IT systems and support for integration with external systems are a key feature. SHARK has a powerful module called Host Link that can be fully automated for automatic exchange of data.

SHARK has been installed for warehouse management in combination with a large selection of ERP systems like for example SAP, Movex, Mapics, IFS, Concorde, BAAN, XAL, Axapta, Navision and a number of customized solutions for example on an AS400 platform. We have lot of experience in implementation of specific solutions and works in close cooperation with the customers IT department or IT supplier.

SHARK can also be used with existing Warehouse Management Systems, where the uniqe features in SHARK for control of automated storage equipment are used while an existing system still are used for other functions as for example shipment and packaging.

I want only to Track Stock in my ERP System

If you already have an ERP system, that maintains the stock and locations and you prefer to continue that way, but your current solution is not very good at setting up an effective picking scheme or handling automated equipment, SHARK has a mode where it is working as a Warehouse Control System (WCS). Using this feature, the ERP system may send a pick list to SHARK, including the locations of the goods. The picking is then handled by SHARK and supports all the normal WMS features, like batch picking of multiple orders on pick carts, powerful control of vertical lifts, PDA usages, label printing, splitting up the pick list into multiple areas of the warehouse, registration of serial and batch numbers, etc. When the pick list is done, the result may be reported back to the ERP system, including possible deviations and captured serial numbers.

Read more about SHARK WCS here

How to Proceed

Read the SHARK WMS specifications here

Contact us for more information or a demo installation.