Warehouse Control Systems

Warehouse control systems (WCS) are software systems designed to manage and control the activities within a warehouse or distribution centre. They help to coordinate and optimise material handling equipment, labour, and storage space to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve accuracy. Some common functions of WCS include:

1. Inventory management: WCS tracks inventory levels, locations, and movements within the warehouse.
2. Order picking and processing: WCS can automate order picking and processing by optimising pick paths and minimising the time required to complete an order.
3. Material handling equipment control: WCS can communicate with and control material handling equipment such as conveyors, automated storage and retrieval systems, and robots to ensure efficient and safe material movement.
4. Labour management: WCS can help to manage labour by providing real-time data on performance and productivity, and by optimising staffing levels based on demand.

They can be especially beneficial in large, complex warehouses with high volumes of inventory and order fulfilment activity. By automating and optimising these processes, WCS can help to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.