Automated systems for managing logistics processes. Automation of logistics processes in an enterprise Automation of logistics management

Loginfo magazine

The role of logistics in the management of a modern enterprise, whose activities are based on the principles of maximum economic efficiency, is difficult to overestimate today. Logistics tools and methods are used in various areas of management: with their help, human, financial, information and material flows are managed. The entire complex complex of logistics for the movement of inventory items (logistics of purchases and sales, warehousing and inventories, transport and production logistics) can be combined into a single area of ​​logistics knowledge - Supply Chain Management (SCM).

In practice, using the DRM mechanism for an enterprise means optimizing the entire route of movement of goods and allows you to control every stage of the movement of goods, documents, information, taking into account all transactions between counterparties. This technology places high demands on the organization of interaction within the enterprise, between its divisions and with external companies, as well as on the level of information equipment of the enterprise. Therefore, the DRM system for most enterprises in our country is still a goal, on the way to which it is necessary to consistently improve all parts of the supply chain.

Optimization of the warehouse as the main link in the supply chain

For each company, depending on its specifics and needs, there is its own answer to the question of where exactly one should start debugging the DRM mechanism. According to the management theory of constraints, you should always start by looking for bottlenecks and how to optimally exploit them. In most cases, the bottleneck is primarily warehouse operations. Here we are talking, first of all, about the implementation of a warehouse management system (WMS), which allows us to solve common starting tasks for many enterprises: creating quick access to information about the product, ensuring high speed of processes and reducing the number of errors in identifying goods, exercising control over the work of personnel and so on.

In the future, after solving the problems at the basic level, the enterprise can take advantage of other WMS functionality, in particular dispatching the loading of personnel and equipment, monitoring warehouse productivity, calculating the packaging of transport order items and managing the shipping area in terms of routes, integration with robotic complexes of storage systems and movement of goods. The list of functionality of a powerful WMS is quite large. To significantly increase the speed of warehouse operations, as well as to minimize possible errors during their implementation, more and more enterprises are using automatic identification systems when implementing WMS - identification using linear or two-dimensional bar codes and radio frequency identification (RFID). When using barcoding, the information contained in bar codes applied to the product, its storage location, equipment, documentation forms, etc. is read using special devices - scanners or terminals. Warehouses currently most often use the most modern on-line method of collecting and processing data using radio terminals. Radio terminals have various modifications, each of which is the most optimal for a certain stage of the warehouse technical process. For example, the most familiar hand-held terminals fit most naturally into inspection or packaging procedures. They are good where large amounts of data processing or the use of material handling equipment is not required. For placement and selection procedures, mounted terminals are best suited - full-screen models with a large external keyboard, which are operated by drivers of stackers or self-propelled carts. And for the acceptance operation, which requires entering a large amount of new data, marking goods, and working with documents, an ideal mobile workstation is equipped with a full-fledged computer with a wireless connection to a local network, a radio scanner, a printer, a battery and a paper tray.

You should pay attention to the common misconception that using terminals is impossible without barcoding. Actually this is not true. It is possible to organize a more efficient technical process using mobile devices without complete barcoding. Of course, the presence of a barcode further simplifies the work of warehouse personnel and reduces the number of errors when performing operations, but this is not a fundamental condition for introducing an on-line way of working.

The difference between the even more “advanced” RFID technology and barcoding is the ability to identify moving objects from a relatively long distance. Identification is carried out by reading radio tags, and the latter do not necessarily have to be located in the visibility range of the reading device. Radio frequency identification greatly increases the speed of warehouse operations; however, its use is limited by high cost (for example, the cost of applying barcodes and radio tags differs significantly) and the lack of uniform global standards.

Although automatic identification has a number of undeniable advantages, in some cases, in order to organize uninterrupted and smooth operation of a warehouse, it will be enough for an enterprise to implement a WMS using visual identification, when all tasks for warehouse personnel are printed on paper. According to AXELOT practice, the use of “paper” technology is justified in the absence of excessively high requirements for the speed of operations, with short automation deadlines and a relatively modest budget. So, for example, when implementing a WMS in a warehouse that is in the process of moving, the use of visual identification will be optimal both in terms of timing and functionality.

Transportation management - minimizing transportation costs

Transportation management refers to both the management of a vehicle fleet (if the enterprise has one) and the process of transporting goods as a whole, regardless of the types of transport used. Optimization of transportation as another link in the supply management chain is designed to organize the exchange of information (in particular, up-to-date reports to assess the efficiency and quality of work performed) between company departments involved in the transportation process, ensure the efficient use of vehicles, control over their location and condition of cargo and etc. The growth in cargo flows and the need to improve the level of service makes the above optimization tasks increasingly relevant. Their solution seems possible by carrying out appropriate organizational measures in combination with the introduction of automated transportation management systems.

Automated transportation management systems have, among other things, such functionality as:

    registration and control of the fulfillment of needs for the transportation of goods arising on the basis of customer orders, orders to suppliers, invoices for internal movement;

    registration and control of execution of tasks for the transportation of goods;

    formation of flights to carry out the transportation of goods specified in various tasks and control of the execution of flights with tracking of the route of the vehicle;

    registration and control of the execution of requests for the allocation of vehicles to carry out scheduled flights;

    generation of analytical reporting documents that allow assessing key performance indicators of completed transportation by type of vehicle and analyzing accumulated statistical data

Additionally, as part of the functionality of transportation automation systems, the routes and location of the vehicle can be visualized on electronic maps, and the possibility of using GPS navigators can be implemented.

An automatic transportation management system is usually integrated with the purchasing and sales modules of a corporate information system, a WMS system and a fleet management system (if available).

The result of transportation optimization is an increase in the quality and accuracy of order fulfillment, a reduction in personnel costs, a reduction in the unit cost of transported cargo, a reduction in the number of idle runs, etc.

Supply automation is a necessity for large enterprises

Problems associated with performing the supply function are most often encountered by fairly large enterprises with an extensive network of branches and subsidiaries. The main difficulty here is ensuring the consolidation of information about the needs for materials and equipment of all departments. In this case, there is a need to automate the supply process by introducing a specialized information system. In AXELOT practice, the most typical example of such a project is the automation of a logistics management system, which includes 400 workstations. This system covers 21 branches of the customer’s enterprise and 18 subsidiaries in a single information space, ensuring the precise implementation of a number of logistics tasks related to the collection and processing of the needs of these departments, interaction with suppliers, procurement planning and control of their execution, etc. Full cycle of automated business The process of consolidation, processing and execution of purchases includes enlarged four blocks of interrelated functionality:

Optimization of processes related to inventory management does not begin and is not limited to the automation of warehouse operations, transportation, supply, etc. Before installing an automatic system, it is necessary to create a well-thought-out scheme for managing certain logistics processes, carry out certain organizational changes, which will be followed by an implementation project. However, the widespread use of automated supply chain management systems allows us to say that logistics is becoming modern in the full sense of the word, maximally meeting the current urgent needs of enterprises.

Daria Lyubovina, project manager

Automation of transport logistics management as a survival factor in the modern market.

In the context of the current fuel crisis and constantly rising prices for energy resources, Transport costs play an increasingly significant share in the price structure of goods or services. But with a high level of competition, it is impossible to simply increase prices, passing on the increase in fuel costs to end consumers. This means that the key to successful development and maintaining an acceptable level of profit is a system of effective management of cargo transportation costs. This problem is especially relevant for manufacturers and distributors consumer goods, delivering products to dozens and hundreds of customers every day.
One of the most important factors for the success of cost reduction is the speed and accuracy of management decisions, increasing information content and reducing uncertainty in the management of key business processes in transport logistics. To solve these problems, modern automation tools are used - business management information systems.
It should be immediately clear that by automating transport logistics management we mean not only the installation and configuration of a certain set of software and equipment. The implementation of transport management systems involves a combination of both technical and and administrative works Any information system is, first of all, a tool that can really help optimize the costs of production and related business processes. But without proper administrative support (the development of appropriate regulations, motivational schemes, and, if necessary, adjustments to the business processes themselves), the implementation of even an expensive TMS system becomes an example of a mediocre investment, settling as useless ballast on the balance sheet of the enterprise and only adding to the headaches that accompany it administrators.
Before proceeding with the installation of TMS solutions, both the Customer and the Integrator must have a clear understanding of the automation goals. And these goals must coincide.
Depending on the size of the enterprise and its transport fleet, the volume of cargo transportation and the number of clients served, the Customer selects the most suitable tools for himself, predicting the expected economic effect, carefully weighing the price/quality ratio.
We can distinguish four levels of automation of transport logistics management, each of which is typical for companies of different types and scales of business.
The first, entry-level level is typical for small businesses with a fleet of no more than 2-3 cars. Automation in this case is limited to the use of an accounting program (1C: Accounting) and a set of standard office programs (Microsoft Word and (or) Microsoft Excel). The functions of the information system are limited to recording actual expenses, preparing mandatory accounting and transport documents, taking into account the output of employees (drivers, forwarders) for payroll calculations. Fuel consumption and mileage are monitored on the basis of driver reports (often oral), accompanied by receipts from the gas station. Any planning of upcoming expenses or work not implemented- “problems are solved as their receipts."
As the number of vehicles used increases (up to 5-8), management processes become more complex and move to the Second Level. There is a need to plan vehicle maintenance work. Monitoring of operating time and mileage is carried out using technical means (using an odometer and (or) tachograph). A new unit “Dispatcher” is introduced into the staffing table, which is responsible for distribution travel assignments, formation of Waybills, monitors the movement of vehicles (by telephone), collects information and prepares reports for financial services and company management. The functions of managing the operation of a vehicle fleet are taken over by specialized information solutions of the FMS class - Fleet Management System (For example: “Fleet+”, 1C: Motor Transport Management).
If the enterprise already has a dedicated logistics service, even in the person of a single logistician, delivery routes are planned. As a rule, such planning is carried out in “manual” mode, using paper map and office programs.
The third level of automation of transport logistics management. In medium-sized companies that use up to 12–15 cars, It becomes difficult and ineffective to monitor the work of drivers and the movements of vehicles using only one dispatcher. There is a need to use specialized technical means – GPS/GLONASS satellite monitoring systems. Such solutions can not only show the location of each vehicle in real time, but also accurately control fuel consumption, compliance with transportation temperature conditions, the operation of various equipment (for example, concrete mixer trucks), the weight of transported goods, recording, among other things, loading/unloading locations . These solutions are constantly evolving, providing users with ever greater opportunities. Thus, the ANTOR MonitorMaster satellite transport monitoring system, thanks to telematic control functions, in addition to recording actual routes, allows you to monitor more than fifty different parameters of vehicle operating modes, drivers’ driving style, and their compliance with the speed limit.
Satellite monitoring systems make it possible to reduce the transport costs of enterprises by at least 10-15% due to the almost complete suppression of “left” flights, fuel theft, reducing operating costs for maintaining vehicles, and increasing their useful life.
As the business grows, so does the customer base. To organize product deliveries to hundreds of customers every day, a larger transport fleet is required. Logisticians planning routes manually, the old fashioned way using a road atlas, are faced with practical insoluble problems of having to take into account dozens of different parameters and restrictions, technical characteristics of dozens of vehicles, and customer wishes for delivery time. The number of errors increases - “delivery windows” are not respected, several half-empty trucks can be sent to the same area. As a result, transportation costs significantly exceed acceptable levels, and unit delivery becomes golden.
Companies that are faced with similar problems come to the need to move to the Fourth Level of Automation of Transport Logistics Management, which implies the automation of all business processes of organizing cargo transportation: from planning to control and analysis of operations performed.
The logistics department is implementing an automated route planning system, which makes it possible to create flights with the minimum mileage and maximum vehicle load. The most famous such solution in Russia and the CIS countries is the ANTOR LogisticsMaster system, which is already used by more than 1,200 medium and large enterprises, including the most famous Russian and global manufacturers and distributors of consumer goods: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Danone, Nestle, Agro-Industrial Holding " Miratorg", Ostankino Meat Processing Plant, Sun InBev, Komus, Wimm-Bill-Dann, INMARCO.
The automated routing system significantly reduces planning time. For example, at I-M Logistics, the work of logisticians planning deliveries to more than 4,000 customers daily using ANTOR LogisticsMaster takes less than two hours. The freed up time can be used in different ways - to increase the time for receiving orders or to more carefully complete orders in the warehouse and by placing the cargo in the back of the vehicle according to the order of customer visits, significantly reducing the unloading time at the delivery point.
At the same time, the efficiency of monitoring the operation of more than a dozen vehicles, even with the help of a satellite monitoring system, is significantly reduced - after all, it is physically impossible for a dispatcher to keep in mind all the details of a large number of flights. When more than a hundred deliveries are made a day, each time to new addresses, it is very difficult to quickly assess the legality of the location of a particular vehicle at a point recorded by a satellite monitoring system - in this case, the dispatcher must have a tool that will clearly show the correspondence of the planned route and the actual flight.
In the “Plan-Act” mode, planned routes prepared in ANTOR LogisticsMaster are automatically transferred to the ANTOR MonitorMaster satellite transport monitoring system, where they are compared in real time on an electronic map with the actual movements of vehicles. The dispatcher has the opportunity to evaluate on-line the drivers’ compliance with established delivery schedules, the number of delivery points served, and possible delays or non-attendance of customers. The presence of such operational information allows you to resolve possible conflict situations even before their occurrence.
ANTOR MonitorMaster stores in its Database a complete amount of information about the operation of vehicles, and the rich analytical capabilities of the system allow for a detailed analysis of delivery results for any period of time. Such analytics are necessary for further planning of product delivery and effective management of transport logistics costs. preparation of measures aimed at reducing the risks of possible negative deviations from the plan.
Transport logistics management systems ANTOR LogisticsMaster and ANTOR MonitorMaster are integrated into the customer’s overall Corporate Information System (usually ERP-class), becoming its integral part.
The combination of a professional approach to planning, monitoring and analyzing results allows you to reduce up to 20-25% of the costs of organizing cargo transportation. These indicators have been repeatedly confirmed by the practical experience of clients of the ANTOR Group of Companies.

Automation of transport logistics and optimization of logistics with ABM Rinkai TMS can significantly reduce costs: up to 10% costs per 1 km of delivery, up to 12% overruns, up to 15% total transport costs. The ABM Rinkai transport logistics automation program is designed for daily route planning, monitoring execution and analyzing transport efficiency.

Almost every business has a transport link, therefore, reducing the cost of its maintenance is of interest to managers in any country in the world. Modern programs for automating transport logistics are not tied to the country or location of the company and can be used by any company, anywhere in the world.

Description of the transport logistics automation program

ABM Rinkai TMS- a cloud solution for planning optimal routes for all orders entered into the system, which allows you to significantly reduce transport and time costs. To use Rinkai, you only need Internet access. When planning routes, the system creates several route options from which you can choose the most suitable one, based on the company’s priorities (price, time, length, etc.). .

ABM Rinkai TMS systems

Direction

All publications ABM Cloud Inventory ABM Rinkai TMS Case Study DDMRP Drogerie EDI ERP MRP Replenishment+ Retail TOC WMS Webinar Automatic delivery Delivery automation Procurement automation Store automation Warehouse automation Bonus program Security buffer Implementation of wms Implementation of wms system Comprehensive accounting automation Loyalty Assortment optimization Optimization of delivery processes Warehouse optimization Platform loyalty program Loyalty program Accounting program Distribution of surplus Theory of constraints Product surplus Transport logistics Buffer management Purchasing management Inventory management Inventory management Store management Supply management Production management Retail management Warehouse management Inventory management Transport management Efficiency of wms implementation

Watch a video of how the system for optimizing and automating transport logistics works

ABM Cloud experts conduct monthly open demos of the system. Here are some questions from participants regarding specific features and functions ABM Rinkai TMS systems

Does the system include a map of each region for route planning?

Yes, the system includes two types of maps: TomTom and OpenStreetMap. For example, for the CIS countries, OpenStreetMap maps are better used, because they are more detailed and allow you to independently set your own markers, roads, close some parts of the territory, etc.

Is the program designed for intercity or are payments within the city possible?

The system does not distinguish between routes within and outside the city. The main thing is that the route that is being optimized begins and ends at the same point, i.e. so that the car returns to where the route started.

Can we use this program to automate transport logistics for courier delivery?

Yes, you can use it. Moreover, if you have obligations to customers to deliver exactly at the agreed time, the system will plan routes taking into account delivery time windows. You will get the greatest effects if the route has more than 7-10 delivery points that need to be planned in the optimal way.

Can we track the location of a vehicle in real time?

Yes, you can. Through a GPS service or Android application that transmits coordinates. In real time, you can see the planned route on the map, track which route has already passed and where the car is currently located.

Can the client see how long it will take for the car to arrive, taking into account the GPS coordinates of the vehicle’s location and the route plan?

Yes maybe. This is implemented by sending an SMS notification or email to the client. The message indicates the time of arrival of the car. For individual clients (the most important or by other criteria), you can set up individual access to your database (via login/password), and the client will be able to independently track the arrival of the car.

If a vehicle is delayed, is there an automatic mechanism to notify the logistician of the order failure?

This can be tracked online by watching the movement map of all cars. Problem areas will turn red.

Does the program take into account truck entry restrictions?

Yes, you can customize your own road map for each type of transport (cars or trucks, bridge heights, etc.).

Is it possible to export to 1C for automatic generation of route sheets? What about importing orders from 1C?

Yes it is possible. There are various integration options for exporting and importing data, both directly from accounting, tracking and other systems, and through exchange files (downloading/uploading data).

Does the program need to be installed on a computer or is access possible via an Internet browser?

Rinkai is a cloud solution and does not require installation on a computer. Login to the system is carried out through a web browser with a username/password from anywhere where there is Internet access.

We wish you the best routes!
Find out how to optimize and automate the logistics of your enterprise

High competition in the transport services market today is due to the emergence of many small companies and rising costs of resources. In an effort to provide customers with the highest service, transport and logistics companies rely on the automation of key business processes and only win!

The 1C-Rarus company offers solutions that will help speed up the process of order formation, cargo delivery and fleet management.

The competitiveness of transport and logistics companies depends on the quality and efficiency of the services provided.

5 Key Benefits of Automation

  • Unified information system.
    Accounting simultaneously in several programs is now a thing of the past.
    The creation of a unified information space ensures the reliability of data and ease of record keeping.
  • Electronic document management system.
    Electronic document management minimizes the human factor, reducing possible errors to zero, and eliminates repeated data entry.
  • A complex approach.
    The solution allows you to comprehensively manage the company's vehicle fleet: create logs of delivery routes, select vehicles, create waybills, quickly track the location of vehicles using satellite monitoring, control costs for fuel and lubricants, print sets of documents.
  • Service at the highest level.
    The system stores the history of work with each client and controls mutual settlements.
  • A powerful strategic tool.
    By setting up internal management reports based on the data available in the system, management has a powerful tool for analyzing the work of both individual departments and the entire company as a whole.

Evaluate the program's capabilities right now!

Download a free demo version of the solution " 1C:Enterprise 8. Vehicle management Standard»!

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Automation results: customer reviews and success stories

History of success

Anna Durum

Head of Analysis, Development and Control Department of WETT Group of Companies

The new system helped us achieve significant economic effects for the company: reduce fuel costs, reduce empty vehicle mileage, and reduce downtime for drivers and equipment. As a result, the profitability indicator per 1 km of run increased by 25%.

Marina Mikhailovna Usenkova

Chief Accountant of Municipal Unitary Enterprise "Urban Improvement"

In connection with new large-scale projects for the maintenance of city infrastructure and preparations for the water sports championship, the Municipal Unitary Enterprise "Urban Improvement" needed to expand its vehicle fleet to carry out the increased volume of work, which would lead to an increase in the load on the staff of dispatchers and financial and economic services.

Articles on the topic “Automation of logistics. Motor transport management"

The taxi business is extremely competitive. This can be said about many industries, but a relatively low entry barrier and good payback attract a really large flow of entrepreneurs to the passenger taxi service market.

At this point in time, we offer a line of products both on the 1C: Enterprise 8 platform and on the 1C: Enterprise 7.7 platform. The following products are produced on the 1C:Enterprise 8 platform:

The configuration provides three different options for taking into account seasonal norms.
Option 1. Using the “Seasonal surcharge” coefficient in consumption rates.

Option 2. Changing the basic linear flow rate.
Option 3. Using the reference book “Temperature coefficients of change in fuel consumption rates” (Basic data>Operating conditions>Temperature coefficients of change in fuel consumption rates), which records the percentage change in fuel consumption rates depending on temperature. Data from this directory is taken into account when calculating the Waybill when filling out the “Temperature” detail on the “Basic” tab.
The third option is advisable to use in regions with frequently changing weather conditions.

The configuration contains a reference book “Operating Conditions” (Basic Data>Operating Conditions>Operating Conditions), which contains the names of vehicle operating conditions and the percentage of change in fuel consumption rates. The data from the specified directory is taken into account when calculating the Waybill when filling out the details “Working Conditions” on the “Task” tab. If the operating conditions of the vehicle do not change, then it is possible to specify the operating conditions for this vehicle in the “Vehicles” directory element on the “Other” tab. In this case, when generating a new Waybill for this vehicle, the “Working Conditions” detail will be filled in automatically.

Today it is no longer possible to imagine a modern warehouse that does not have an automated system for managing warehouse operations and keeping records of the movement of inventory items. The presence of such a system allows us to solve many issues and problems inherent in the previous organization of work in a warehouse and manual accounting of inventory items. It allows you to minimize the human factor when working with inventory items, since it is based on a systematic approach to organizing warehouse processes, the use of modern warehouse technologies and modern means of collecting and transmitting information, which continue to be constantly improved.

The domestic market for warehouse management systems (WMS) is quite small. Of the almost 300 warehouse management systems existing in the world, about 10 are offered today, and only half of them are Russian developments. It is possible to note some software products offered on the warehouse operations market, which are implemented in various companies:

1C: Logistics: Warehouse Management 8.0" on the platform "1C: Enterprise 8.0;

Galaxy

Acanthus: System No. 1;

Microsoft Business Solutions-Axapta;

Microsoft Navision;

SAP R/3" and other software products.

A warehouse management system is a module of a corporate management system responsible for solving problems of managing material flows and logistics processes in a warehouse. Most existing enterprise information systems (ERP) include warehouse modules.

The fundamental weakness of all MRP/WMS is the lack of built-in support for the corresponding radio equipment, meaning that in order to expand the capabilities of such systems through the use of radio terminals, it is necessary to use middleware that will allow combining software for radio terminals and the corresponding interfaces of warehouse models of ERP systems for ensuring the exchange of information between them in real time. Solving this problem leads to additional costs for licensing and implementation of additional software, while the total cost of such work can range from 100,000 to 200,000 US dollars (hereinafter, estimates are given for developed countries; in Russia, these costs depend on such as ERP and many other factors, but in any case the order of costs will be the same).

In addition, MRP/WMS modules have insufficient functionality when solving such problems as the formation of complex tasks for personnel, optimization of work during order assembly, cross-docking, management of intra-warehouse material flows, etc. Therefore, in addition to the built-in ERP systems of warehouse modules, there are a number of autonomous systems designed to solve warehouse management problems.


There are three levels of implementation of such tasks, differing in functionality and degree of integration of the warehouse management system into the corporate information system.

There are three levels of warehouse management systems:

Standard warehouse management system (WMS);

Intermediate modules for integration with ERP systems (ERP Warehouse Management middleware);

Material flow management system (MFC - Material - Flow - Control).

A standard WMS system is based on the use of radio terminals and provides a corporate system for managing information about the status of inventories in real time. This system also has functions such as receiving goods, placing goods in a warehouse and collecting and sending orders, which are usually implemented automatically.

As noted earlier, many ERP solutions have WMS modules, but they do not provide real-time information. Therefore, to expand their functionality, WMS middleware products are used, which also provide real-time information about inventory, and in most cases, the functionality of these systems regarding the issues of receiving, placing and collecting orders is developed in them much deeper than in the corresponding modules of ERP systems.

MFC systems are the lower level of warehouse management systems and their functionality extends mainly to the implementation of various mechanical functions for order collection, management of special devices (conveyors, elevators, carousels, loading and unloading equipment, etc.), implementation of automatic printing and weighing functions , as well as control over the movement of goods within the warehouse.

It should be noted that the list of standard functions for the three levels of implementation of warehouse management systems is:

9 - 37 - for material flow control systems;

24 - 83 - for intermediate level systems;

Up to 75 functions - for full-featured WMS (basic functions: receiving, returning, placing, preparing orders, processing orders, shipping, replenishment, inventory management, inventory, reports and statistics, interface with corporate information systems).

According to Western logistics experts, success in competition can be achieved in three areas - price, quality and delivery. Tomorrow, the greatest success in competition will be achieved by those companies that build the most efficient supply chains and have the most complete and rapid access to information.

The means to achieve these goals will be new software products, and the main direction of their development at the moment is to expand their functionality through additional functions and integrate currently various products into a single product that represents a complete solution for managing logistics processes.

Until recently, six different classes of software products helped manage logistics chains (supply chains):

1. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system - operates at the highest corporate level, ensuring the implementation of general (core) administrative functions - from finance to customer orders.

2. Supply chain planning (SCP) system -
analytical tool that links together the production process,
storage and distribution.

3. Order management system (OMS) - manages customer orders after previous systems have completed work with them.

4. Manufacturing execution system
MES) - receives orders and manages resources on the shop floor - from equipment and workers to stocks of raw materials and materials necessary to fulfill orders.

5. Warehouse management system (WMS) -
manages and controls in real time all processes and resources in
within the warehouse.

6. Transport management system
TMS) - focused on cost control and incoming management,
outgoing and intra-company movements of goods.

These components of the future supply chain management system will perform two main functions. One of them is planning (forecasts and schedules), the second is execution (dynamic process control), based on the plan. ERP and SCP perform the first function, while MES, WMS and TMS concentrate on the executive function. OMS is based somewhere in the middle, participating in both functions.

Just as most companies view integration with suppliers and customers as part of a single supply chain, software manufacturers are making efforts to integrate the above software products into a single logistics process management package. The main idea here is to go beyond expensive and time-consuming non-automated (manual) labor and management.

Speaking about the current state of the integration process, it should be noted that it is only partially completed. No vendor currently offers fully integrated solutions that include all six supply chain management modules. Currently, this process is just beginning.



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