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Deploying a state-of-the-art warehouse management system (WMS) can
enhance operational efficiency in a large warehouse or distribution center.
Acting as a central point for inventory managers, a WMS provides a real-time
view of the warehoused stock. While the velocity of global supply chains con-
tinues to rise, most WMS implementations still rely on manually collected
inventory data; the latter is often out-of-date after a short period.
E-commerce trends like same-day delivery, fast fashion, and fast-moving
inventory have necessitated the availability of real-time inventory information
to streamline inventory processes and meet customer SLAs. This can be easily
achieved by integrating WMS integration with automated inventory robots that
scan front-facing barcodes, QR codes and alphanumeric labels on pallets and
cases stored in racks.
WMS Integration with Automated Warehouse
Robots
Automated inventory scanning solutions must be integrated with warehouse
management systems, thus augmenting existing inventory practices without
disrupting operations. For example, data collected by inventory drones flying
autonomously inside warehouse aisles should seamlessly flow to the WMS,
automatically and in real-time.
Such integration between autonomous drones and WMS can result in rich
inventory insights that assist sales, customer service, operations, and finance
in decision-making. With high-speed, high-fidelity data collection using drone
cameras, WMS inventory data can be augmented with live video streams and
location-wise image archives.
Copyright © FlytBase, Inc. 2021
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Copyright © FlytBase, Inc. 2021
How Does WMS integration Work?
WMS Integration is made possible using Application Programming Interfaces
(APIs). An API is a standard that presents the data and information in a specific
and detailed manner, thus enabling end-users to access the relevant data –
easily and securely.
Systems that need access to data in the WMS must use the API and request
such data in a very specific language, unique to each application.
Thus, an API is a middleman of sorts, accepting requests and, assuming the
request is allowed, returning the data to the system that requested it, in this
case, the WMS.
Intelligent automation software with well-supported, well-documented,
well-tested APIs can be integrated with any WMS by closely working with the
respective IT teams. This contributes to a far smoother, quicker integration
period, while also not disrupting the company’s preexisting WMS automation
processes.
The advantages of an API-driven inventory drone system go beyond providing
real-time inventory information. By storing multiple images of each barcode
scanned, drone solutions can create reliable evidence to be used during regu-
latory audits. Moreover, such accurate location-wise and date-time pallet
information can help warehouse managers better predict future demand,
space utilization and resource requirements.
With the power of autonomy, warehouse managers can better utilize their time
and derive richer insights from aerially collected data. Seamless integration
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Copyright © FlytBase, Inc. 2021
with the WMS, and real-time updates during drone missions, can help stake-
holders improve operating margins with relatively short payback periods.
Aerial Inventory Scans
The figure below illustrates the typical workflow for deploying drones to scan
front-facing barcodes on pallets stored in warehouse racks.
The operator sets up a mission
using the FlytWare dashboard
by simply selecting the aisles,
racks, or locations to be
scanned. This is the only human
intervention during the whole
process. The inventory drones
take-off autonomously, enter
the selected aisles, and scan the
locations selected for the
mission. As the drones collect
relevant inventory data such as
barcodes and pictures of pallets
or cases, FlytWare creates a
real-time digital twin of the
racked inventory.
Such WMS integration with the FlytWare solution creates the ability to perform
instant variance analysis between the latest inventory data collected by the
drone(s) and the WMS data. This comparison logic can be color-coded to
illustrate the variances in the operator dashboard.
For example, green color for a location implies that there is an exact match
between the pallet barcodes as per the WMS data and those scanned by the
drone.
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Copyright © FlytBase, Inc. 2021
On the other hand, a location marked in orange is one where the WMS expects
a pallet barcode, but the drone did not scan any during the most recent flight.
The logic of variance analysis, color schemes, and exception reports can be
fully customized.
Once the mission is complete, there are typically 3 ways in which integration
can be done with various WMS like Manhattan WMS, Oracle, SAP, and other
others.
1. Manually export FlytWare inventory data in the form of CSV/XML files, for
import into WMS
2. Manually import WMS inventory data in the form of CSV/XML files, for
variance analysis via the FlytWare dashboard
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3. Direct access using ODBC/APIs: Automatically push the data into (or pull the
data from) the WMS after every inventory scanning mission.
Moreover, the interface between a WMS and the FlytWare platform can enable
the WMS to automatically schedule drone missions, to enable 100%
end-to-end autonomy in inventory scans.
To know more about how autonomous inventory drones can complement your
existing WMS and move your warehouse a step closer to the smart warehouse,
schedule a call with us using this link.
If you are a WMS/ERP provider and you would like to explore the possibility of
partnering with us, feel free to reach out. For more details: FlytWare Partner.
ware
flytware.com
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