| Materials Movement and Demand Fulfillment
A Trail of Visibility and Traceability
A fundamental part of MMS is the move logistics and fulfillment functions, which integrate directly with a manufacturer’s production control and warehouse dispatching systems to make sure that the Right parts get to the Right place at the Right time. Using intelligent, rule-based picking algorithms, MMS directs materials handling staff – the forklift driver or the tow motor operator – to the appropriate spot to move the materials quickly and efficiently.
MMS manages the movement of materials anywhere in the manufacturing supply chain, not just in the warehouse. It’s an automated version of the familiar semaphores, where, for example, somebody raises a flag to show that a sub-assembly has to be moved from a fabrication area to a heat treat or paint booth.
Rule-Based Movement Planning
Epic Data maps workflow for each unique MMS implementation, adapting material flow to warehouse and production demands. A virtual river of parts is defined in the workflow, specifying unique part identifiers and their attributes.
MMS’s planning supports:
- Flexible workflow: batch, single piece or a combination depending on the needs of different materials.
- ERP-driven “push” orders: sales orders, work orders.
- Demand-driven “pull” orders: Kanban tickets, expedite or priority requests.
Demand-Driven Fulfillment
MMS generates JIT replenishment requests with a “pull” concept similar to Kanban tickets. When all is going as planned, these replenishment requests keep production lines running smoothly, with just the right amount of line-side inventory for uninterrupted production with minimal WIP inventory.
But MMS’s true value is revealed when the unexpected happens. A customer has an urgent request. A supplier delivery is late. A machine breaks down. Operations Managers can intervene to change material flow in response to the dynamically changing manufacturing environment. MMS supports:
- Expedite requests, within standard process rules.
- Temporary suspension of line-side replenishment.
- Cross-docking to expedite parts to the line.
- Substitutions that will be properly captured in product genealogy.
Intelligent Picking
Epic Data implements intelligent picking algorithms within MMS optimized for each manufacturer’s production and warehouse environment. The picking schemes that work most efficiently in manufacturing environments are often different than those used in distribution warehousing. A manufacturer’s picking is typically focused on picking for jobs, production and work orders as efficiently as possible, while fulfillment warehousing operations typically pick to order.
MMS’s unique combination of rule-based material movement capable of being over-ridden to respond to dynamic changes provides manufacturers with agility and efficiency. MMS supports:
- Batch and wave picking schemes suited to manufacturers, or pick-to-order picking schemes suited to fulfillment warehousing operations, or a combination of both.
- Line-side picking for frequently used small parts.
- Prioritization for faster order completion or optimal efficiency.
- Pick tickets organized by zone.
- Consolidation of orders to minimize trips.
- Variable-sized and load-balanced picks to speed delivery to consolidation area.
Proof-of-Delivery
At each step of a part’s movement, proof-of-delivery is tracked through to the final point of consumption in manufacturing. This lays the groundwork for MMS’s parts audit trails and product genealogy, which are compliant with numerous industry requirements for serialization, traceability and quality assurance.
|
USA/Canada: 
