TUP.WMS

In the course of constructing the new central warehouse in Hohenems, automation and digitalization were the primary focus. The WMS was required to meet three key requirements: Paperless: Run sheets were to be replaced by mobile devices supplying employees at stationary workstations and during rounds with real-time information. Safe: The plan was to make work more ergonomic and safer through automation and the use of lifting aids. The system was intended to provide action suggestions to ensure that even less experienced workers could operate with a high level of process reliability. Simple: Processes were broken down into individual steps with clear work instructions. This means that even standard scenarios such as short quantities or missing stock can be reported directly to the WMS. Information no longer needs to be communicated between colleagues through time-consuming channels.

The development of the solution was always focused entirely on the process. the process must lead to the goal while remaining flexible. Software is often uncharted territory for logistics professionals, which is why experts are needed. We therefore placed great importance on receiving the right support from the software vendors. Accordingly, there was considerable nervousness, particularly in the control center, ahead of the switchover. We were not accustomed to placing so much trust in a system, as we previously had full control. However, the fact that we were able to deliver and invoice from day one of go-live speaks volumes about the quality of the support provided before and after the go-live.

Since we coordinated daily during the peak phase of the project, availability was very good. When something was needed, it was handled quickly and directly. From the start, we actively sought these short communication channels so that we could resolve everything quickly, amicably and collegially. Of course, we also had discussions when it came to details or process flows in order to achieve the optimal result. All in all, there is nothing to fault.

In the area of goods receipt, for example, our TUP.WMS operating under the name "GRALIS" works autonomously: trucks dock and the fully automated system receives pallets without any staff involvement. At the other end of the storage process is a sequential goods issue. Using two separate double-deep dispatch buffers, tours are pre-sequenced. In addition, every object transported within the facility manages its own orders: from labeling and inspection through to location search. The rule set together with this order type is connected to the pallet conveyor system via an interface, ensuring that actions are processed in an orderly manner. At the hybrid picking stations designed specifically for us, customer-specific requirements can be displayed and implemented directly via mobile data entry devices and screens.

Since we can request features at any time via change requests, it is more of a strategic question.