Software Lowers Capital Investment While Increasing Productivity

LEWISTON, MAINE – SEPTEMBER 22, 2006 – The DiamondWare Warehouse Execution System WES 3.0™, a software package developed by Diamond Phoenix, changes the traditional architecture of warehouse and distribution software. This package optimizes labor and equipment to achieve higher productivity, decreased capital expense, reduced real estate requirements and an improved return on investment.

A system using WES 3.0 is a software-managed material handling system, unlike a software-controlled system, which simply executes transactions as required by the WMS. WES 3.0 not only handles those transactions, but efficiently plans and routes the work throughout the course of the day, continuously optimizing the many operations that a WMS is not equipped to handle.

By synchronizing order fulfillment, material handling systems, and shipping systems, WES 3.0 brings many traditional execution level functions into one application. This simplifies overall software integration and reduces IT costs by requiring only one interface to interact with the entire system. In addition, because orders continuously flow through the system, overall equipment costs are significantly reduced and the traditional “waves” seen in most systems are eliminated.

The WES includes 5 optional modules: Work Planning, Order Processing, Material Flow, Shipping, and the Management Support Suite.

Work Planning verifies the availability of inventory and labor to fulfill orders and releases those orders to fulfillment areas in a manner that ensures the highest possible productivity. This module includes several components, such as replenishment, slotting, waveless release, and manpower planning.

Order Processing is the host interface to which orders are downloaded. Orders are then directly executed by the various fulfillment modules or they proceed through the waveless release process. This module manages all types of paperless and automated picking technologies and includes order routing and cubing.

Material Flow handles sortation control, zone routing, and buffer management.

The Shipping Module prints container content lists for all items picked into a container. These lists can also be produced on RFID tags, making WES the first split case picking system integrated with RFID.

The Management Support Suite ties together the mechanical systems, fulfillment software and supervisory personnel to ensure a well-managed operation. This module includes productivity reporting, graphical user interface (GUI) systems monitoring, mobile management via handheld devices and a maintenance management component which enables the maintenance department to be proactive in maintaining equipment.

“The Diamondware Warehouse Execution System fundamentally changes the traditional architecture of warehousing and distribution software by refocusing the WMS on database related activities like managing inventory, orders and the associated paperwork and documentation necessary for efficient operation. WES is the missing layer that ties everything together, managing material flow and order execution in an integrated manner,” said Tom Coyne, CEO of Diamond Phoenix.