Chapter 4 Notes

Warehouse Management System:

The WMS’s (Warehouse Management System) primary purpose is to monitor/control the movement and storage of items within the warehouse. It processes inventory transactions related to shipping, receiving, storing, and picking.

Internet:

Easily one of the most popular tools in the supply chain, exchanging large amounts of information over the internet is commonplace and necessary for today’s supply chain.

Software Systems:

Software is used to assist workers in transferring information to and from one another.
Office Suite Software
Basic Office Suite Software Includes:
Email
Used to send information from computer to computer over the Internet. Stands for Electronic Mail

Word Processing

A document creation program that will allow you to easily write, save, and share documents.

Spreadsheets

A program that simplifies the storage, manipulation, and anylization of input data via columns and rows with specific searchable cell addresses.

Inventory Management Systems:

The most widely used systems in warehouse operations. Some use paper inventory systems, and most use Electronic inventory systems.
The most commonly used programs for this task are spreadsheets.
Customer Relationship Management
A marketing philosophy based on putting the customer first.
Collecting and analyzing information designed for sales and marketing are used to support current and possible future customer needs.

To get information for a product, many companies use:

Barcodes
1D Barcodes are a line of alternating black bars and white spaces used to identify products in the Inventory Management System. They are often read by a camera reader.
2D Barcodes are usually rectangular/square boxes with an intricate pattern of black shapes. A common example is a QR code. Usually Identified by camera.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device)

Performs the same function as a barcode, but differently. While barcodes identify via different shapes and patterns, RFID detects products via RFID tag.
They are not commonly used for storage and shipping due to their high price tag.
RFID Chips are mainly used in Security circumstances to designate security levels.

Other Data Capture Systems

Voice Systems
Requires the user to wear a headset and microphone connected to a portable computer that the worker wears that has an onboard user voice interface.
Information is exchanged wirelessly with a warehouse management system or other inventory system.

Magnetic Stripe

Magnetic Strips contain information that is preprogrammed, much like a credit card.
Data cannot be changed without re-programming the card
Often used in security circumstances to identify employees and cargo.

Camera

Already mentioned that it can be used in tandem with Barcodes.
Cameras can be used to guide the movement of some types of material-handling equipment
Sometimes even phones are used to take photos of something like a damaged receipt to be dealt with by the dealer.