Inbound module consists of a detailed set-up for all possible types of inventory that could be received into the warehouse. Purchase Orders, Warehouse Transfers, Work Orders, Advanced Shipment Notices (ASN's), Returned Materials and Unexpected Receipts. Then FDM4 Warehouse Logistics will direct the next steps after reception.
- ASN Inbound Processing
- Purchase Order Tracking
- Split Shipments
- Generating Receiving Tickets
- Overage and Damage Reporting
- Processing Returned Goods
- Cross-Docking/Flow-Through
- Lot Numbers, Serial Numbers, dates and expiration
Quality Assurance
At receipt, FDM4 Warehouse Logistics can determine the parameters in which to sample a shipment to assure significant quality. Such parameters consist of: percentages of the items, by product ID, Group Code, Vendor and/or any combination thereof. The system will then generate the tasks to move those materials that require quality assurance procedures. The rejected lots will be flagged in the system to avoid carrying out put-away and allocation tasks.
Put-Away
Extensive Putaway Functionality enables the warehouse to utilize many differ styles and methods of put-away techniques. Using the RF's as the backbone of the put-away tasks, FDM4 Warehouse Logistics directs the users to the proper location, with the correct equipment, in the most efficient route and manner. All RF put-away transactions are confirmed with a location bar code scan to ensure Real Time inventory accuracy.
Based on user defined configuration,FDM4 Warehouse Logistics will generate the Putaway Tasks to most efficiently direct warehouse personnel to put items away based on either the Item itself, the Product Group, the Locations, and/or any combination of the three. FDM4 Warehouse Logistics also incorporates Consolidation rules, and the Product and Location's Dimensions (Cubing). The cubing functionality utilizes the product dimensions, weight and cube information to accurately ensure each location's viability for put-away. This will also prevent product damage by specifying item-specific, or location-specific maximum load stacking parameters.
Returns
Returns may be planned or unplanned. Planned returns come from the host system and are processed like normal receipts with the exception that the material is routed to the returns department. Unplanned returns simply show up at the door. There is no prior return authorization in the system. Unplanned returns are used primarily by mail order firms. When merchandise that has been shipped is returned, FDM4 Warehouse Logistics provides a comprehensive three-step process to ensure the proper handling of the customer's money and the returned merchandise:
- the merchandise is entered into the system, by the receiving or returns personnel, and automatically placed on returns hold
- if the material had not been received directly into the returns area, when a put-away employee scans the returns pallet, he is directed to take the material to returns
- in the returns department, the material disposition is entered, e.g. good stock, damage, liquidation, etc., and the customer's return reason code and requested disposition, credit, exchange or replace, is entered. If an exchange has been requested, the new items needed are entered into the RF unit and passed to the host system.
The FDM4 warehouse returns process gives the host system all the information it needs in order to process the customer's service issues while, at the same time, maintaining the 99.9999% inventory accuracy that is the FDM4 assurance. |
