1. Automated Warehouse Planning System
AutoScheduler
Automated Warehouse Planning System

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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!

5. 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

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

7. ….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

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

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

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

11. Planning all the activities is a challenge

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

13. …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?

14. 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

15. Unproductive activities example: storage and retrieval of production

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

17. 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

18. 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

19. ...and report usage of resources

20. 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

21. Contact us for more information
Transportation l Warehouse Optimization
Phone (615)