Warehouse Control in the Age of the Internet of Things
If warehouses are to utilize new sensors and intelligence to optimize performance and connect to the enterprise, warehouse management systems and warehouse control systems architectures need to be re-conceptualized.
In the age of the Internet of Things, an increasing number of materials handling systems (MHS), and even components of the larger systems, are gaining both sensors and intelligence. However, existing warehouse control systems (WCS) have not been engineered for this new age. Going forward, we believe that warehouse management (WMS) and warehouse control systems architectures need to be re-conceptualized to enable optimum warehouse performance.
Materials Handling Systems and the Internet of Things
In one definition of the term “Internet of Things,” almost all objects have sensors, connectivity to a broader environment, and intelligence. Sometimes the object has just a sliver of intelligence; but it can be much more substantial. Objects can be products, equipment, containers, or other things as well. For our purposes, the objects we are focused on are forms of materials handling equipment.
Traditionally, we said that warehouses were operated in either a manual, semi-automated, or highly automated fashion. In a manual warehouse, pickers used carts, forklifts, and other “dumb” forms of carriage to go to picking locations, gather the inventory, and deliver those goods to the shipping dock. However, forklifts are becoming intelligent. With the right kind of control system, a warehouse using forklifts becomes semi-automated.
This complete article is available to subscribers
only. Click on Log In Now at the top of this article for full access. Or, Start your PLUS+ subscription for instant access. |
Not ready to subscribe, but need this article?
Buy the complete article now. Only $20.00. Instant PDF Download.
Access the complete issue of Supply Chain Management Review magazine featuring
this article including every word, chart and table exactly as it appeared in the magazine.
Latest News
Port of Baltimore May Not Reopen Until Summer Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) Mastery A New Priority Greets Procurement Professionals in 2024 Cargo Shipping Remains on Hold in Baltimore Following Bridge Collapse Maximizing the Bottom Line: The Power of Procurement More NewsLatest Resource
Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) Mastery In this Special Digital Edition of Supply Chain Management Review, you will find insights on the importance of sales and operations planning (S&OP) to an organization’s bottom line.All Resources
Download Article PDF |
In the age of the Internet of Things, an increasing number of materials handling systems (MHS), and even components of the larger systems, are gaining both sensors and intelligence. However, existing warehouse control systems (WCS) have not been engineered for this new age. Going forward, we believe that warehouse management (WMS) and warehouse control systems architectures need to be re-conceptualized to enable optimum warehouse performance.
Materials Handling Systems and the Internet of Things
In one definition of the term “Internet of Things,” almost all objects have sensors, connectivity to a broader environment, and intelligence. Sometimes the object has just a sliver of intelligence; but it can be much more substantial. Objects can be products, equipment, containers, or other things as well. For our purposes, the objects we are focused on are forms of materials handling equipment.
Traditionally, we said that warehouses were operated in either a manual, semi-automated, or highly automated fashion. In a manual warehouse, pickers used carts, forklifts, and other “dumb” forms of carriage to go to picking locations, gather the inventory, and deliver those goods to the shipping dock. However, forklifts are becoming intelligent. With the right kind of control system, a warehouse using forklifts becomes semi-automated.
SUBSCRIBERS: Click here to download PDF of the full article. |
Subscribe to Supply Chain Management Review Magazine!
Subscribe today. Don't Miss Out!Get in-depth coverage from industry experts with proven techniques for cutting supply chain costs and case studies in supply chain best practices.
Start Your Subscription Today!
It’s high time to go beyond visibility Driving supply chain flexibility in an uncertain and volatile world View More From this Issue