Brief Analysis: What are the functional differences between WMS and WCS used in ASRS?

Enterprise warehouse management system WMS is a standardized, intelligent process-oriented warehouse management software. It combines the actual situation and management experience of many well-known companies, and can accurately and efficiently manage and track customer orders, purchase orders, and comprehensive warehouse management. After using it, the warehouse management model has undergone a complete transformation. From the traditional "result-oriented" to "process-oriented"; from "data entry" to "data collection", while being compatible with the original "data entry" method. From "manual search for goods" to "guided positioning and picking up goods". At the same time, the introduction of the "monitoring platform" makes management more efficient and faster. Barcode management is essentially process management. The process is finely controllable, and the result is naturally correct.

The warehouse management system WMS is a necessary tool for the distribution center warehouse. WMS links enterprise management (ERP) and equipment layer control (WCS) through interfaces. It is also an indispensable software system for seamless connection between intelligent manufacturing execution system (MES) and smart logistics. It is generally said to be the basic choice for managing automatic warehouse ASRS, conveyors, sorting machine systems or subsystems.

The warehouse control system WCS is a necessary tool for the control of automated warehouse logistics equipment. The equipment layer transmits signals to the equipment controller WCS system through sensors, motors, various switches, etc. The WCS system, as the "brain" of the equipment, commands the equipment to perform various actions and transmits the data of the equipment layer to the WMS system through the industrial network. In the application field of simple warehouse equipment, such as Mini-Load AS/RS, small equipment is usually directly controlled and managed by WCS.

In some common B2B and B2C distribution center areas, during the order processing process, the WMS downloads an order execution and delivery task to the WCS system through the order management system (OMS/ERP). The WCS system locates the inventory location through the inventory management algorithm and selects mobile containers to pick goods according to the attributes of the goods. The WMS manages the inventory of the entire warehouse and tracks the inventory quantity in real time.

---By Zita Jian

26th, June 2024