Warehouse Management System (WMS)
Why invest in a WMS ?
Today, the world steel industry is under great pressure to reduce costs. After having worked hard on the production tools, the industrialists consider the logistics sector as an important area for improvement.
In contrast to other sectors, logistics still employs a lot of people. Solutions such as Fluxx, which rationalize the workforce while providing additional benefits (traceability, quality, security, reduced working capital requirements, etc.), are increasingly on the agenda of investment plans.
We can categorize the customers of the steel industry who invest in logistics in 3 categories depending on the current state of it on their sites:
- Traceability” segment
The objective is to manage the risk linked to logistic operations (reversal of coils, …). The solution consists of tracking operations to ensure a correct inventory at all times. The operators decide on the logistic movements.
This can be a first step to familiarize the operators with a tool.
- Optimization” segment
In addition to traceability, the customers’ concern here is to optimize logistics management:
- Generate product transport missions: supplying and evacuating products on lines, loading and unloading trucks and trains, sorting stock, …
- Organize internal transport: optimize routes between different areas of a site, optimize loading according to priorities and physical constraints, etc.
Industrial customers interested in a solution in the “Optimization” segment are in a continuous improvement process. They are mainly looking for projects with a good return on investment. Today, there are still few existing solutions that can meet their expectations. Indeed, it is not only necessary to have a tool, but also to integrate it into all the existing tools. This requires flexible and intelligent solutions.
- Full Auto” segment with global optimization
The objective sought by customers is the same as for the “Optimization” segment, but without the need for crane operators. The advantage of this solution is that it is more regular (no breaks, no errors, etc.). However, it requires heavy investments in instrumentation, lifting technology and automation, as well as in security (barriers, presence detection, etc.).
The objective sought by customers is the same as for the “Optimization” segment, but without the need for crane operators. The advantage of this solution is that it is more regular (no breaks, no errors, etc.). However, it requires heavy investments in instrumentation, lifting technology and automation, as well as in security (barriers, presence detection, etc.).
In addition, since 2010 in Europe, manufacturers have been investing in automatic bridges: these solutions reduce personnel to the extreme, as was done previously for production tools. This trend is spreading to the rest of the world (China, USA, …). It aims not only to reduce logistics costs, but above all to optimize logistics by better supplying production tools and making better use of existing handling resources.
Today, in this specific market, a product such as FLUXX is the perfect answer to all these segments!
The FLUXX Warehouse Management/ Transport Management solution provides a global solution to the challenges faced by steel producers such as ArcelorMittal, NLMK, Taylor Steel and Baosteel. From packaging management, manual tool management and optimization of production schedules, to fully automated, dynamic management of coil and slab yards.