Axxom visualizes warehouse locations graphically

Axxom visualizes warehouse locations graphically

Keywords: Production planning, Distribution

Axxom Software AG has expanded its distribution tool ORion-Pl^®Shipping Line Balance through the addition of a function that is thus far unique: the entire distribution center is depicted in a two-dimensional graphical display and the position of every single article is represented visually, showing the aisle, shelf, and floor in which it is located and how far away that position is from the issuing point of the relevant shipping location. At the same time, a red marker indicates which articles have become fast-moving items without having been noticed – or are about to be in short supply. The opportunity is thereby given to those responsible for logistics and inventory to make necessary inventory movements early enough and to prevent bottlenecks at shipping locations. The basis on which this display is calculated includes forecast data, mathematical calculations, and sales figures from the past. Calculations can also be performed using sales figures from the present.

No more confusing shipping floor designations

The tracking down of an individual article in the distribution center and the checking of the relevant shipping floor with respect to the question of whether it is still adequate to the current level of order activity can –depending on the size of the distribution center – take a great deal of time. Classical warehouse management systems list inventory and order figures in table form – shipping floors are shown in the form of numeric codes. A better and faster overview is made possible by the new version of ORion-Pl^®Shipping Line Balance: in a graphical display, the articles are shown in their current warehouse locations, and previously unrecognized “hot items”are marked in red. At the same time, the forecast figures for an article are placed in relation to its warehouse location. Using drag-and-drop, the planner can then simulate the appropriate, necessary warehouse movements directly on the PC, i.e. try shifting the articles to other shipping floors. The number of products to be marked in the graphically-displayed distribution center plan as potential fast-moving items can be defined by the user.

Along with fast-moving items, the degree of utilization of the individual aisles of shelves is also displayed in the graphical distribution center plan. Three different colors are used to mark overutilized, underutilized, and optimally utilized pick stations. Taken into account in the calculation and display are factors such as the time that specific movements and actions by the shipping agents take as well as the number of articles to be packed and the length of the path to a particular shipping floor.

For more information contact: Axxom Software AG, Cathrin Lessner,Paul-Gerhardt-Allee 46, 81245 Munich, Germany. Tel: +49 (0)89/568 23-377; Fax:+49 (0)89/568 23-399; E-mail: cathrin.lessner@axxom.com