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PHFT can provide the following functionality:
Add-on features allow you to scale up to what you need:
Receipts can be "expected" or "unexpected" and one of four types; receipts from manufacturing, vendors, transfers or returns. By using hold codes, inventory received can be flagged for specific purposes, such as quality control. If inventory is being tracked by lot code, expiration date, etc. the appropriate information is entered at receiving. All attributes associated with the item (units of measure, storage rules, etc.) are immediately associated with the inventory. After receiving is complete, receiving reports can be generated.
Once inventory is received a putaway report will print to identify suggested locations to store the inventory. Item attributes and parameters that are set-up in the software will determine where the inventory should be stored. Once the inventory is confirmed as being putaway to the suggested location, the inventory in that location is increased.
Sales orders can be entered manually or downloaded through an interface with external systems. Once sales orders are entered into the system they can be modified, sorted and filtered by any attribute (e.g. ship date, ship by date, carrier, customer, etc.) to facilitate analysis, order picking, etc.
Purchase orders can be entered manually or downloaded through an interface with an external system. Inventory received is validated against the purchase on a line-by-line basis.
The warehouse operator has with the ability to lookup any information. The most common lookup would be items by location, empty locations, open sales orders, open purchase orders and more. The facilities to inquire are convenient and easy to use.
Orders can be selected for picking in groups or individually. The selection can also be made based on "sorts and filters" that the warehouse operator sets up (e.g. select all UPS orders). Once orders are selected for picking, pick sheets are generated and used to pick the orders. Once the inventory is confirmed as being picked, the quantity on hand is reduced.
Once inventory is staged for shipping, you can elect to print the necessary shipping documents.
A variety of reports and label formats are provided out of the box. Third party report writers, such as Crystal Reports, and label software can be easily incorporated into your system to create and/or modify reports and labels.
Multiple units of measure and the ability to toggle between the different units of measure for a particular item are available for your use. Through an intelligent maintenance facility, item parameters such as picking, restock and putaway rules, seasonal classes, lot control flag, serial number control, and date tolerance are set-up.
On-line help is available and can be accessed by the warehouse operator from any screen within the software.
Through this function, warehouse set-up is made easy. A warehouse operator can create a group of successive location ID's in the typical combination of aisle, bay, level and slot. The warehouse operator can also define the physical parameters for the locations such as height, width, depth, pallet capacity, etc, in the group. Automatically a group of locations with location ID's and parameters will be generated. Through an intelligent maintenance screen, individual or groups of locations can be added, modified or deleted.
Items can be tracked by lot code, manufacture date, lot expiration date and serial number. Lot status reporting and inquiry capabilities are also available.
PowerHouse FastTrack comes with 2 workstations, Microsoft SQL Desktop Environment and the functionality to start immediately working with a paper-based WMS solution.
Multiple warehouses can be managed with each warehouse fully defined down to the bin level.
The warehouse operator has the ability to generate a move of product from one location to another. This is a useful feature when a picking location needs to be re-stocked with more product or for any other reason you need to simply move product.
The warehouse operator can adjust items in a location, provided the operator has the appropriate security level. Once the quantity is adjusted the new balance is now shown as available. Each adjustment is recorded in a transaction history file that can be accessed through Location Inquiry. If interfaced with an external system, adjustments can be sent to the external system so its records can be updated accordingly. Codes can also be assigned to adjustments to provide for "adjustment types" such as damaged goods.
Hold codes are associated with a description and tied to items as required. Hold codes can be used to flag inventory for a particular customer, direct inventory to quality control, to identify returned merchandise and more.
This feature allows the warehouse operator to divide a single item into separate sub-categories while retaining the same SKU number. This is often used where the same item is priced differently for shipment to two different countries, like to Canada and the United States.
A multi-tier security system controls access to all windows as well as data elements within the windows. Security is assigned by User Group and each user can belong to one or more groups.
PowerHouse FastTrack is can be upgraded at any time to the full PowerHouse/WMS.
Bar-coded labels are used as license plate ID numbers to track pallets or any other type of unit load, such as totes. The pallet ID can be a system generated bar-coded label or pre-numbered rolls of bar-coded labels can be used. The pallet Id is tracked throughout the warehouse and all location and item content changes are recorded as they occur. At any time the pallet ID can be scanned with an RF device to determine the item content on the pallet.
Bar-coded labels can also be used as carton ID numbers to track nested, serialized containers or cartons or either mixed or homogeneous product on an individual or palletized basis. The carton ID is tracked throughout the warehouse and all location and item content changes within the carton are recorded as they occur. At any time the carton ID can be scanned with an RF device to determine the item content in the carton.
The use of RF equipment allows a warehouse operator to receive a shipment against an existing purchase order eliminating the need to receive against a packing list. Tolerances can be set to allow for over receiving or not. Using RF makes the receiving process extremely efficient as the received order is automatically validated against the purchase order.
After inventory is received the optimum storage location based on pre-configured rules, item dimensions, storage location capacity, etc. is calculated automatically. Then, with a simple scan of the pallet ID, the RF terminal will display the storage location that the pallet is to be stored. Once the operator delivers the pallet to the storage location, the location is scanned to validate the proper location and the inventory records are updated. This function can accommodate the putaway of (1) content on a full pallet to a single storage location, (2) content on a mixed pallet to a single storage location, and (3) content on a mixed pallet to multiple storage locations.
The use of Radio Frequency terminals and bar-code technology allows every transaction that occurs in the warehouse to be recorded in real-time. Data entry errors are eliminated and data entry time is reduced to a few seconds. Each scan is recorded and time stamped in history files for review and analysis. The data recorded includes the type of work mode (e.g. receiving, putaway, picking, etc) and the warehouse operator performing the work. When warehouse operators log on to the RF terminal they select a work mode (e.g. receiving, putaway, etc.). From that point forward, the warehouse operator receives work via the RF terminal and the operator is 100% efficient. The work that is delivered to each RF terminal is based on the work mode that the warehouse operator signs on to.
Cycle Counting provides a systematic method of taking periodic inventories of selected items, groups of items, a location, and groups of locations. Each cycle count and the results of the count are recorded for review and analysis.
Orders can be processed in groups called waves. Waves are groups of orders or batches of orders, which usually share some common characteristics. Orders can be assigned to waves either automatically or manually. A warehouse operator can create a wave profile one time, such as all orders of 100 cases or less or any other criteria, and orders meeting the profile will be grouped in a wave automatically. This feature saves a lot of order analysis time and gets the order to the floor immediately, which, in turn, improves order cycle time. In manual order assignment, an operator manually "tags" orders and assigns them to waves. Once the wave calculation process is complete, the work for re-stocking and order picking is released to the warehouse operators via RF, labels, or pick sheets depending on how the operator wants to perform picking.
During the wave calculation process the total cube of items that are to be picked and packed into a shipping carton for pick/pack operations is calculated. The optimum carton to be used will be calculated which will save money in packaging materials.
During the wave calculation process picks from pick locations are calculated and at the same time the remaining stock in those pick locations are evaluated and re-stocks are generated as needed. Re-stocks will be determined based on pre-existing rules that were set-up such as min/max inventory levels or to simply meet the order demand. Alternatively, if a warehouse operator sees a location is low on stock the operator can scan the location, determine the quantity on hand and request, through the RF terminal, for more stock to be delivered to the location.
During the waving process pick calculations are performed. The calculations are based on several set-up parameters and picking rules. Inventory is committed from the appropriate locations and pick sequencing is optimized based on location proximities that have been set up. Once the processing is complete and the wave has been released, the warehouse operators, through their RF terminals, are directed from pick to pick. Operators can pick by RF, label or pick sheets. Once the pick is confirmed, inventory for the picking location is adjusted instantly. After picking is complete, the warehouse operator is directed to move the inventory to a shipping, staging or other designated location.
The warehouse operator and customer service have the ability to inquire on the status of each order. The precise status of the order in the warehouse which includes; being waved, released to the floor for picking, picked, and shipped will be displayed.
If a no-stock occurs during order picking, a cycle count for that location will be generated and the order picker will be directed to an alternative location where the same inventory can be found for picking. If a short pick occurs the warehouse operator can accept or reject the pick in full. Typically, during the software set-up, the warehouse operator makes a determination if short picks will or will no be allowed.
During the putaway process, pending shipping orders for the same item that has been received are reviewed. If there is a match, the warehouse operator will be instructed to move the appropriate quantity of the item from the receiving area to the shipping area, avoiding double handling and saving pick time.
Both Less that Truckload (LTL) and Truckload (TL) loading and shipping are easily handled. As product is loaded onto a truck each pallet or carton is required to be scanned as confirmation that the correct pallet or carton is being loaded onto the proper truck. Once the truck is fully loaded and "closed", a verification is performed to ensure that all the product on all the pallets for all the bills of lading assigned to a truck have been loaded. If there are discrepancies the warehouse operator is notified and the truck close operation stops until the discrepancy is fixed. All the appropriate shipping documents such as bills of lading, load consolidation reports, compliance labels etc. are generated by the system.
PowerConnect allows the software system to seamlessly interface with external systems including host systems, automated material handling equipment (e.g. conveyors, pick-to-light, etc), traffic management software (TMS) and virtually any other software within your enterprise.
Through multi-level bill of material functionality, the system provides the ability to build and manage the kitting process. Instead of defining a picking order for the individual sub-components, only the assembled kit is ordered and the explosion to properly pick the sub-components to build the kit is performed by the system.
ePowerHouse is our Web application that provides users easy access to vital information over the web. A user can inquire on inventory, orders, receipts, shipments, etc.
Based on pre-defined parameters, specific data (e.g. number of pallets moved, shipped, duration in warehouse, storage are used, etc.) will be captured. The data captured is then reported with the associated dollar value to generate a billing document.
Upgrading to RF gives you the ability to perform directed, real-time activities which can dramatically increase your efficiency and accuracy.
The RFID module allows you to extend the capabilities of FastTrack and meet the demands of the world's largest consumers while still maintaining a budget.
Add the ability to shop hundreds of freight carriers for the lowest cost for your shipment.
Schedule trucks, supply routing load priorities and keep your docks working at maximum efficiency.
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