Hettich Int. (PSIwms)

  Hettich International, one of leading enterprises on production of a furniture upholstery and accessories, exercises control of the new centralized logistic center in the city of Byunde using the PSIwms system – the software product providing not only management of the high-mechanized automatic warehouse, but also a settlement way of the optimal package setting parameters and the moment of the beginning of completing of the order in the Just-in-Time mode ("just in time").

The basis of the logistic center put into operation in 2006 is formed by an automatic high-rack nearly 20.000 pallets warehouse. The warehouse is serviced by 8 rack pilers equipped with double bifurcate capture. The zone of a complete set consists of 14 places, one of which is intended for a special lengthy load, and one is a special packing case. One more place is provided especially for task performance on a complete set of loads of small volume and serves, generally for processing of technical specifications on shipment of goods which sending is performed by courier services of express delivery using special integrated from the WMS application. The main loading at a complete set about 120 packages is per hour distributed between 11 sections for assembly of a wholesale load.

Description of processes

Goods acceptance, complete set, preparation for shipment and directly shipment are made on paperless technology. Tasks for transportation dynamically, through a management system for pilers are distributed on 20 sections for shipment, taking into account timely supply and commodity exportation from these sections. By means of the module of management of the PSIwms software product of the warehouse yard (Yard Management) there is a binding of the arriving cargo transport to the appointed tasks for shipment. The driver obtains information on the delivery purpose on the special electronic board located at one of 15 shipping gate.

All processes happening in the logistic center are regulated by the central department of a disposition which using the control panel intended for forecasting of processes, and the case calculation plans deliveries by cargo transport taking into account the weight, optimal for them, and volume. At the same time, proceeding from tasks for sales of goods, the approximate number of packages beforehand is calculated. The case calculation considers the weight and volume of goods of a certain article, will recognize goods in the damaged packaging, existence of goods of different articles which are not subject to joint packaging and also goods which should be packed together. In calculation are considered: the weight, stacking capability, cargo units which are loaded in addition from foreign warehouses. The exact information on the terms necessary for delivery by a certain vehicle and also on its dimensional and load-lifting parameters received as a result of such calculations allows Hettich company to minimize transportation costs and to increase reliability of forecasting.

From the beginning of process of a complete set the case calculation becomes more detailed – the actual stocks are considered, is defined what cargo units should be prepared for shipment from warehouse first of all, excepting the probability of additional selection of these units for this delivery. Besides, need of fastening of loads comes to light - the load is loaded directly into the vehicle or in addition becomes stronger on the cargo platform, at the same time coupling cargo belts are put in action by the WMS system automatically; and means for a binding of a load and the instruction on a binding are applied to delivery.

Delivery places for the remained packed goods are provided with necessary pallets which move to the warehouse worker as the necessary priority.

Runtime allocation  of tasks

The core of the logistic center is formed by the central dispatching office. There are warehouse workers, relying on parametrical values and using visualization function, at any time have reliable information on a current status of warehouse processes, and can perform short-term forecasting on the basis of the course of operations on selection of goods and a situation with orders. At the same time it is possible to influence a situation by means of runtime allocation of load of complete set sections. Along with the integrated load distribution on complete set sections according to volumes of tasks, sections of a complete set can be dynamically connected to additional functions: consolidation, inventory, complete set of small and large volumes of goods. At will these functions can be turned also off.