Automated Warehouse Planning System AutoScheduler Automated Warehouse Planning System

AutoScheduler plans all activities in a warehouse or campus of facilities AutoScheduler is a campus finite scheduling distribution requirement planning tool AutoScheduler uses expert rule-driven planning engine to: Set inventory levels Schedule picking, inbound and outbound shipments Assign trailers and dock doors

AutoScheduler’s goals: meet customer requirements + high productivity AutoScheduler efficiently uses constrained resources: People (Pickers, loaders, etc) Lift trucks Dock doors Staging space Results: lower cost, better customer service

AutoScheduler coordinates ALL dependent activities Receiving Case Picking Loading Where? When? Replenish inventory? Time? What inventory level? From Where? People etc? Which receipts? But it all ties back: you can’t load material that has not been picked!

AutoScheduler coordinates activities AutoScheduler reduces complexity and management effort in large, complicated operations. It would be easy if there were one product and one customer

…but complexity makes it hard Manufacturing takes over warehouse space So outside warehouses are added

….the right product is never in the right place ...and then it is moved back to get the right mix Limited space forces product to be moved out

For efficiency, activities need to be coordinated Production Loading Unloading Cross Docking Direct line loading

….and there are never enough resources But never enough: Forklifts People dock doors or inventory This much Work

…worse, many resources are competed for Storage / Retrieval Loading Unloading Line take away

Planning all the activities is a challenge

…but the AutoScheduler software coordinates everything A genius in a PC…. AutoScheduler

…but the AutoScheduler software coordinates everything AutoScheduler checks every function: e.g. shipping early to use available loader time AutoScheduler Will it hurt another customer? Are there enough people? Dock doors? Trailers? Inventory? Lift trucks?

AutoScheduler minimizes unproductive activities Administration Storage and retrieval Unnecessary movements Travel Idle time (waiting for work or inventory) While meeting customer needs within constrained resources

Unproductive activities example: storage and retrieval of production

Example: If it can, AutoScheduler changes loading times to coincide with production

AutoScheduler checks all available information when making a decision Production Inventory Schedule AutoScheduler Inbound Orders & Project inventory for each item in each location. Shipments Load Time Test various shipping sequences which meet customer load-times. People Select best feasible shipment plan Trailers WARNING: Any unresolvable problem! Rules

AutoScheduler creates productive use of labor and resources Requested shipping time Can this be moved without: Causing inventory shortages? Congesting the dock? Violating labor constraints? Yes! Loads by Hour 50 100 150 200 250 Time

...and report usage of resources

Major Benefits Substantially reduces planning time and effort: Plans are available very quickly AutoScheduler considers a large number of problems and mitigates them Reduces total planning effort Total loading/unloading effort is reduced: More efficient use of staff More “single-move” operations (dual-tasking and cross-docking) Higher peak capacity - prepares early when peak is coming

Contact us for more information Transportation l Warehouse Optimization Phone (615) 791-8000 Email: info@WarehouseOptimization.com