Logistics automation is often considered as barcoding extension to Sales Order Processing, Purchase Order Processing, Inventory Control modules. Software extensions makers may disagree with this simplification, but budget solution works exactly like barcoding extension and is usually done via Great Plains Dexterity, Modifier with VBA and SQL stored procedures. If your company is looking for implementing automated inventory bin/item pickup and conveyer - then you need specialized software. However if you just envision your warehouse workers with barcode scanners - then read this article to understand your options with Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains.
Warehouse Automation. When you are looking for warehouse management automation - you should research supply chain management applications available on the market. Usually they are expensive and targeted to large logistics clients. You can use Microsoft Great Plains inventory module features, such as locations or sites, serial/lot number tracking, inventory count, inventory transfers and combine these with simple VB-based barcoding to feed documents from your barcode scanners to Great Plains directly.
Random Weight. Food distribution - you might be purchasing food in cases or other variable weight units and resell them in pounds or kilograms to end customer. So - you need parallel quantities tracking with probably serial numbering for each case. This is typical customization for Inventory, Sales Order Processing (SOP) and Purchase Order Processing (POP) modules in Great Plains. It should be done in Great Plains Dexterity to provide seamless interface for GP users. In addition to parallel weight measures (cases and pounds) you may also need average weight control to prevent issues with your warehouse workers
Recurring Customer Orders. You may figure out that majority of your customers order the same items each time with regular intervals. In this case you can have customer typical order screen to automate order taking. Plus - you may have associated and replacement items logic incorporated in this screen.
Automated Shipments. If you sell on consignment - you may simply send trucks to your customers every day with recommended combination of items, based on historical data - day of the week, holidays, seasonal variations, etc. And barcode could help you in automatic picking ticket printing and allocation
Good luck and you can always seek our help in customization, implementation, integration and support. Call us: 1-866-528-0577 or 1-630-961-5918, help@albaspectrum.com
Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies - USA nationwide Great Plains, Microsoft CRM customization company, serving Chicago, California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Georgia, New York, Australia, UK, Canada, Continental Europe, Russia and having locations in multiple states and internationally ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ), he is Dexterity, SQL, C#.Net, Crystal Reports and Microsoft CRM SDK