Material
Flow Systems (MFS) in Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) using relatable
examples. Imagine a busy ABC warehouse handling everything from raw
ingredients for shampoos to finished bottles of perfume.
1.
Inbound Processes (Think of it like receiving groceries):
- Expected
Delivery (Your online grocery order confirmation): ABC orders a shipment
of argan oil for their haircare products. This purchase order, created in
their ERP system, automatically informs EWM that a delivery is expected.
- Goods
Receipt (Groceries arriving at your door): The argan oil arrives
at the warehouse. A worker, using a handheld scanner with EWM, scans the
delivery and checks it against the expected order. This confirms the
arrival and updates EWM with the exact quantity and location. Think of it
like checking your grocery bags against your order confirmation.
- Putaway
(Putting groceries in your fridge and pantry): EWM then tells the
worker where to store the argan oil. Perhaps it's a designated area for
sensitive ingredients, kept at a specific temperature. This optimized
storage strategy ensures easy access when needed, like organizing your
fridge and pantry.
2.
Outbound Processes (Think of it like preparing a shipment):
- Order
Fulfillment (Getting your shipment ready): An online order comes
in for a thousand bottles of Elnett hairspray. This order information
flows from ABC's ERP to EWM.
- Picking
(Gathering items for your shipment): EWM creates a picking list, directing a
worker to the exact location of the hairspray boxes. Like collecting items
from your shelves to pack for shipping.
- Packing
(Boxing up your shipment): The
worker packs the hairspray bottles into shipping cartons, and EWM updates
the inventory levels in real-time. Like carefully packing items into a
shipping box.
- Shipping
(Sending off your package): EWM
prints shipping labels with tracking information, and the hairspray
shipment leaves the warehouse. Like attaching a shipping label and
dropping your package off.
3.
Other Important EWM Functions (Think of these as warehouse management tools):
- Inventory
Management (Knowing what's in stock): EWM provides a constant, updated overview
of everything in the warehouse, like a digital inventory list. This helps
avoid stockouts and overstocking.
- Resource
Optimization (Efficient use of space and people): EWM helps optimize
warehouse space and directs workers efficiently, ensuring smooth and fast
processes. Like organizing your warehouse so you can find things easily
and workers don't bump into each other.
- Quality
Control (Ensuring product quality): EWM can incorporate quality control
checks at various stages, ensuring that only perfect products are shipped
out. Like inspecting your groceries before putting them away.
By
managing these processes, EWM ensures the efficient flow of materials (MFS)
within the ABC warehouse, minimizing delays and maximizing productivity. This
integration between the physical flow of goods and the digital tracking within
EWM is key for a smooth and responsive supply chain.
