Software links warehouse and production

Warehouse management system integrates warehouse operations with production processes to eliminate idle inventory and provide traceability across production and the supply chain.

Apriso has developed Warehouse Management System (WMS) software integrates warehouse operations with production processes.

It is designed to eliminate idle inventory, provide complete traceability across production and the supply chain, increase quality and drive 'Lean' initiatives as a comprehensive material flow management system.

"The implementation of a warehouse management system built from a manufacturer's perspective offers a differentiated approach to extend Lean initiatives into the warehouse," said director of supply chain management at ARC Advisory Group, Steve Banker.

He continued: "Pull systems such as Kanban, Just In Time and Just In Sequence are common within best in class manufacturers.

The implementation of a platform supporting business processes spanning production and material flows adds a new level of performance improvement, driving further waste from already Lean processes".

FlexNet Warehouse Management for Manufacturers is a module of the FlexNet Operations Execution System.

APriso told manufacturingtalk that it is a comprehensive way for synchronising raw materials, components and semi-finished goods with production, manufacturing, fabrication and assembly operations.

This material flow management system can be deployed locally at the warehouse while being managed globally, across the enterprise, to allow Lean, Quality and other Continuous Improvement initiatives to spread from a pilot site across the global enterprise.

FlexNet Warehouse Management for Manufacturers allows manufacturers to do the following.

* Enhance efficiency and accuracy within the warehouse and production line for improved operations performance.

* Increase manufacturing agility and throughput, supporting a demand-driven supply chain.

* Reduce inventory and WIP (production inventory), extending Lean initiatives into the warehouse.

* Provide comprehensive 'dock-to-dock' traceability and genealogy to improve quality while cost effectively achieving regulatory compliance.

* Improve customer satisfaction by addressing market changes with extreme agility across warehouse and production operations.

* Decrease the cost of quality and Six Sigma through smart sampling and inspection processes.

IT Operations manager at BAT (British American Tobacco), "Rustam Sanaev, said that achieving tight integration between production and warehouse operations has provided full traceability for materials and finished goods flows while enabling the highest level of responsiveness to changing demand conditions within BAT's production line and supply chain.

He commented: "The FlexNet platform is vital, facilitating performance improvement within both warehouse and production operations, allowing us to significantly improve our production ability within an increasingly complex operations environment to best serve multiple customer segments".

* About Apriso - Apriso Corporation is a software company dedicated to providing competitive advantage for its customers.

It does so by enabling organisations to adapt quickly and easily to market changes and unexpected events.

Apriso's FlexNet platform provides visibility, adaptability and real-time control of manufacturing operations across the enterprise and supply chain network.

This is accomplished by integrating planning, execution and control, increasing operational efficiency and eliminating errors in the production process.

Apriso serves more than 170 customers in 41 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia, powering more than 650 installations worldwide.

Its customers include General Motors, Lear, Honeywell, L'Oreal, Trixell, Lockheed Martin, Becton Dickinson, Saint-Gobain, Novelis and Essilor.

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