Supply Chain Management and its parts Warehouse Management System, Consignments, Shipment Picking and Packing, Delivery Trucks Route Optimization is based on Barcode scanning, RFID, real time or batch mode integration of scanned data with Microsoft Dynamics GP Distributions set of modules. Distributions series in Great Plains include Sales Order Processing, Purchase Order Processing, Inventory Control and extensions to these modules, such as Purchase Confugurator (simple MRP solution). When you are selecting WMS or another part of SCM, it is often reasonable to expect some customization budget, as in such processes as Sales Order Allocation, Merchandize Purchase Receipts companies have their own unique way of competing on the SCM network. In this small paper we would like to emphasize how WMS could be realized for Microsoft Dynamics GP:
1. WMS as extension to Sales Order Processing, Purchase Order Processing and Inventory Control. Sometimes you see also Bill of Materials (if you do picking and packing or simple manufacturing) or even several modules from Great Plains Manufacturing suite. Inventory intersite transfers, physical count, adjustments are done in WMS by exposing Inventory Transactions to Barcode scanning. Sales Order Fulfillment is typically done in SOP Sales Order by enabling manual line allocation via barcode scanning. Similar in Purchase Order processing module, you expose to barcoding Purchase Receipt for WMS inventory replenishment functionality
2. Selecting WMS Technology Partner. While Dynamics GP pool of resellers could include CPA oriented organizations, typically tuned to do Corporate ERP Software licenses sale and generic implementation – if your goal is real Barcoding, Logistics and WMS modules and logic implementation may require additional homework and background check in picking your Microsoft Dynamics GP VAR and ISV. Barcoding itself is pretty challenging in such technologies as RFID, handheld devices, programming for Barcode scanner Operating System (fitting to small screen dimensions and scaling down WMS client). You should be sure that your proposed Dynamics GP Barcode Partner has large number of SCM and WMS successful implementations under its belt
3. How to get additional info? Please, call us 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918 or email us help@albaspectrum.com We’ll try to do the best for local service in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, California, Texas, Georgia from our offices in Chicago, Naperville, San Diego, Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta
Warehouse Management System is traditionally based on Barcode scanning and integration. Traditional WMS is external application with rich Supply Chain, Warehouse Management, Consignment, Light Assembly business logic and its price typically starts at twenty thousand dollars for basic package. However, if you already have Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly this corporate ERP application was known as Great Plains Dynamics, eEnterprise or earlier versions as Dynamics C/S+) – the chances are high that you already own several GP modules from distribution set: Sales Order Processing, Purchase Order Processing, Inventory Control, Bill of Materials and probably Purchase Configurator. And if you do – you already have Warehouse Management logic available directly in Dynamics GP. All you need to do is to enable Great Plains screens and objects for Barcoding, and this is the subject of our small publication:
1. Enabling Dynamics GP SOP, POP, Inventory objects for Barcode scanning. In theory every ERP application is ready for Barcoding, as barcode scanning is similar to entering letters and digits directly via computer keyboard. Barcode integration often requires batch mode documents upload or combining several scans in the integrations; both of these methods require custom programming. We recommend you the approach, where you do not pay second time for SCM logic in External Warehouse Management System and instead open Dynamics GP for Barcode integration
2. How WMS works in Dynamics GP. Sales Order Fulfillment is typically automated in SOP Order or Invoice with manual line allocation. In WMS integration wizard you will need to link WMS order with SOP Order Type with Manual Allocation. ERP or Inventory Stock Replenishment. Here you deal with POP Purchase Receipt, open for Barcode scanning with matching to existing purchase orders (or you may decide to enable receipt without PO). Inventory routines, such as intersite transfer, stock count – in GP you have these logic available in Inventory Transaction window (adjustment, transfer, cycle count)
3. Alba Spectrum WMS module with Supply Chain Management extensions. WMS works directly out of Dynamics GP tables and creates documents in Great Plains. It has WMS server, which talks to Dynamics GP via ODBC connection (LAN Ethernet, Wireless, or Optical Ethernet for larger organizations). Plus WMS client application is designed to work directly on Barcode scanner. We tried to make Barcode scanner client interface extremely simple, doing one step at the time – that simplicity should facilitate warehouse worker training. Module is friendly to international environments and works with multicurrency documents, if required. SCM add-ons allow you to optimize consignment merchandise delivery truck route, as one of the popular features
4. Warehouse Management System implementation nuances. First of all, we should set the expectations – WMS typically require modifications, as mid-size and large organizations with high Supply Chain Management automation expectations often have unique business requirements. However, the good news is – our WMS is integrated with Dynamics GP by its architecture, as it is not External. We heard numerous stories from unhappy customers, where they indicate that External WMS system integration failed or went over budget – this is where you need to do your homework in WMS selection
5. How to get more info? Please, call us 1-866-528-0577 or internationally 1-630-961-5918. You can email us help@albaspectrum.com Our Great Plains, Warehouse Management and Barcoding consultants speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Russian. We provide local service in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, and we implement GP, WMS, SCM USA, Canada nationwide and internationally
6. Few words on Dynamics GP implementation internationally. If you already have it in US headquarters, you can use it for international subsidiaries, assuming that the SQL/GP server resides in your Headquarters. You should be familiar with the term “Corporate ERP localization”. To simplify the explanation – it typically means two things: local language support and compliance with local country tax and reporting legislation. Great Plains, or as it is known currently – Microsoft Dynamics GP is localized in English speaking countries, Quebec (in French Canadian), Spanish (Mexico, Caribbean, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Central America, Uruguay, Paraguay), in Arabic with some localization. Also, GP is translated into numerous languages (without tax compliance aspect): Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese (including Brazil), Korean, Dutch, Swedish. It is reasonably simple to translate it to other popular languages, such as Russian, just give us your language requirements
7. SAP Business One as localized alternative internationally. If you only care about Warehouse Management for your international facility, language support might be enough. However, if you plan to sell your products overseas, you may have to consider targeted country tax code compliance. If you are committed to Microsoft Dynamics platform, please check on Dynamics AX (formerly known as Axapta). AX might be good solution for high end manufacturing or distribution facility. If your international branch is pretty modest – we recommend you to look at SAP Business One. SAP B1 is localized in most of the countries (except Arabic speaking by its historical reasons). There are WMS products available from Alba Spectrum or other providers, integrated with Dynamics GP, AX or SAP Business One. WMS typically integrates as we already mentioned with SOP, POP, Inventory modules and you do GL consolidation for your subsidiary in FRx (SB1 exports General Ledger Trial Balance to Excel and you can hook Excel worksheet in FRx Row Format). Another option would be deploying Dynamics GP Integration Manager to move GL transactions from SB1 to shadow company in GP for GL consolidated reporting
8. Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management. International business often gives you very creative scenarios and requires innovative thinking. Sea Shipping with its Bill of Lading, eCommerce ordering with delivery from China or South Asian warehouses, Custom Clearance, Consignments, International Insurance – are popular requirements for Multinational company Corporate ERP implementation
Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Consignment with intensive Barcode scanning automation usually requires business logic specific and customizable add-on for you Corporate ERP application. In this publication we are reviewing solution for Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly known as Great Plains Dynamics and eEnteprise) coded in Great Plains Dexterity with MS Stored Procedures. Module is powerful and flexible and could be further modified if required
1. Purchase Receiving. Supports receiving against POs in Dynamics GP via wireless handheld scanners, labels auto-generation. Lot numbers are captured by scanners during the receiving process. Receiving transaction auto-generated in Dynamics GP. It supports generating PO receipts directly from electronic files for mass receiving
2. Inventory Management. Module supports site-to-site transfer transactions or bin-to-bin inventory moves; handle stock counts via barcode scanners; assign multiple barcodes to items in Dynamics GP using the barcode scanner
3. Sales Order Fulfillment. Solution supports picking in batch or on an order-by-order basis. It generate route pick sheets, route delivery sheets and loading instructions. Active Dashboard allows managers to monitor each scanner. We support auto-generation of shipping labels containing customer information and order references, also printing labels with appropriate Lot numbers. Lot numbers can be auto-generated or provided by the manufacturer
4. Technology. Barcode scanners upload their batches or online readings into Dynamics GP via custom Dexterity screens, procedures, tables. Microsoft Dexterity is GP user interface core technology – it allows you to create screens within the same security realm and these screens have the look and feel, similar to standard Dynamics GP windows (icons, colors, scrolling windows, menus, etc.)
5. Targeted Clientele. Warehouse Management extension is targeted to mid-size and large organizations with extensive and demanding warehouse automation via barcoding with required integration to Microsoft Dynamics GP ERP system. Solution is available Worldwide, where Dynamics GP is localized, including Middle East, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Mexico, Latin America and Caribbean basin
6. Similar functionality for other mid-market ERP applications, such as SAP Business One. SB1 has similar extension, supported by Alba Spectrum M2D2 alliance. SAP B1 is localized for broader range of countries, including Brazil, Russia, Germany, China, India, Korea, Japan
7. For additional info, please call us: 1-866-528-0577, internationally 1-630-961-5918, or email us help@albaspectrum.com
Dynamics GP mid-market Corporate ERP and MRP application, or how it was known to its traditional customers in mid 1990th and earlier 2000th – Great Plains Dynamics and eEnterprise, has broad number of horizontal and vertical solutions. One of the horizontals could be named as Supply Chain Management, Distributions, Logistics and Consignment Extensions. WMS or Warehouse Management System is part of SCM extensions and we would like to give you Warehouse Management automation highlights for Dynamics GP:
1. Extending GP Sales Order Processing, Purchase Order Processing and Inventory Control native modules. WMS extension, that we recommend works directly out of Great Plains objects: Sales Order, Purchase Receipt, Inventory Count, Adjustment and Transfer. By doing so this solution is in essence extension, comparing to External Warehouse Management System, also offered on the Barcoding and Distribution software and hardware markets. Extending by its nature doesn’t require integration. WMS external system integration often in turn sensitive to the processes in WMS and can have some potential to over budgeting in implementation and even possible failures. Extension also allows you to save on software licenses, as external Warehouse Management System often duplicates features, already available in Dynamics GP native SOP, POP, Inventory modules
2. Sales Order Fulfillment on the Inventory floor. WMS extension has its server and client WMS, running on the Barcode scanner directly. Barcode scanner client scans Sales document number and allocates scanned items one by one with their quantities and potentially even lot numbers, when required. Scanner transmits data in real time to WMS Server and the server pushes data back to Dynamics GP SOP Sales Order. Here we need to deploy Sales Order type with manual allocation for WMS related fulfillments
3. Merchandize Replenishment on the Inventory Floor. Here WMS client application on the Barcoding device works directly with Dynamics GP Purchase Receipt document and receives by matching to PO lines, or without matching. Lot numbering logic is available if required
4. Inventory QTY maintenance on the warehouse floor. Here WMS client works directly with Inventory module transactions: Adjustment, Transfer or Cycle Count
5. Real Time vs. Batch mode barcoding integration. Simplest and natural way is real time integration, where you have direct constant connection between barcode scanner and PC computer, playing the role of Warehouse Management System Server. This is possible via RFID technology, or even by enabling scanner to talk to warehouse worker personal tiny computer with wireless connection to the WMS server. However, if you prefer batch mode, we have optional functionality, saving Barcode scanner records into temporary file for future upload to the WMS Server
6. Going beyond the standard WMS logic – Consignment and Delivery route optimization. You can also order Consignment extension to the WMS, which is especially useful in Food and generic merchandise consignment industries, where you deliver to your business partners (resellers, Retail Stores, Restaurants, Fast food stores in the airports, duty free shops, etc.). Consignment could be also supported by Merchandise delivery route optimization, where you can honor preferred delivery dates and hours for your business partners or franchisees
7. WMS integration with eCommerce. Yes, we are aware about the trend in retailing and wholesaling, where your B2B or B2C ecommerce customers are tending to switch from phone calls to ecommerce online ordering (EDI scenarios possible). We actually demonstrated our eCommerce extensions, working with such popular shopping carts as Magento, Asp.Net Store Front or Nop Commerce (more options are coming) to be synchronized with our WMS and SCM extensions on Convergence 2010 in Atlanta. If you missed the even, please see our booth on Convergence 2011 in Atlanta in April of 2011
8. WMS Extension and Dynamics GP Great Plains Dynamics versions support. Our solution supports most of the Great Plains Dynamics and eEnterprise versions on MS SQL Server: 2010(11), 10.0, 9.0, 8.0, 7.5, 7.0, 6.0. However, considering the fact that WMS and SCM extension software licenses cost could be comparable to the Accounting Backoffice (Dynamics GP core modules), we strongly recommend you to upgrade to at least Dynamics GP 10.0 or even 2010 version, prior to implementing WMS. We are ready to work with you on the upgrade projects, please, be reassured that upgrade is not a such a big deal as it was in the past (we heard terrible stories when upgrade failed and SQL data fixes were required)
9. Dynamics GP WMS extension on the international market. Here you have to take into consideration that current version of Microsoft Dynamics GP is localized in USA, Canada, South Africa, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, Spanish Speaking Latin America and Caribbean, plus Arabic countries. Not localized versions are available in the following languages: Portuguese (Brazil and Portugal), Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Swedish, French (France – please note that Canadian Dynamics GP for Quebec is localized and available in French), Dutch, German, Italian. If you have Dynamics GP in USA based Headquarters and would like to extend your ERP application to your international subsidiaries and locations in those countries (without concern to local tax legislation, this is what ERP localization is about)
10. SAP Business One or Microsoft Dynamics AX Axapta for your international subsidiary. Well, certainly it is a drawback to learn the fact that Dynamics GP is not localized in such regions as Brazil, China, Japan, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Germany. SAP Business One is available of those ERP markets as budget solutions or you can pick Dynamics AX Axapta, in any case we are happy to walk you through Corporate ERP sale cycle and final decision
11. How to get further information and help? Please call us in USA: 1-866-528-0577 or internationally 1-630-961-5918 or email us help@abaspectrum.com or even skype us albaspectum. We are very comfortable in implementing SCM and WMS extensions on the international market. Our Dynamics GP ERP consultants speak English, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Filipino. We typically go onsite internationally for initial WMS and SCM implementation and then support it remotely via Web Session and Phone and Video Conferences. We are also happy to bail you out of lapsing with Microsoft Dynamics GP annual enhancement program (typically required in the USA and Canada, but not required internationally)
12. Last Flint: Barcoding and Great Plains Bill of Materials and Manufacturing Suite of Modules. We are happy to enable Manufacturing or BOM screens for Barcoding in Dynamics GP on demand
Warehouse Management System often requires to be flexible to adopt new business processes and procedures. If you have Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly known as Great Plains Dynamics) as your Corporate ERP system and you have to extend it with WMS add-on – the integration between the two should be reasonably reliable. One of the best results could be achieved by programming WMS extension in Microsoft Dexterity, as Dexterity is the platform for original Great Plains user interface and it allows WMS screens, tables and procedures to be integrated with maximal efficiency. Plus Dexterity coded WMS works in the same user security realm as original Dynamics GP. This article is written as highlights in Warehouse Management System and its functionality for Dynamics GP:
1. Purchase Receipts automation. Here you deploy barcode scanners to scan the batch of receipts and upload them via custom WMS interface to match automatically against open Purchase Orders. Methods could include barcode scanner in the batch mode, real time match via wireless barcode scanner or via barcoding server. As additional feature you may decide to print newly received items barcode labels
2. Inventory transfers and cycle count. You need to automate barcode scanner batch transfers upload to Dynamics GP Inventory Transfer screen and logic. Inventory cycle count by its nature is inventory adjustment and logic is similar, but you would need custom WMS logic to feed data into Cycle Count functionality of Dynamics GP Inventory Control module
3. Sales Order fulfillment. You can deploy GP SOP Sales Order line by line fulfillment process and fulfill based on the information uploaded to GP from barcode scanner after warehouse worker comes through picking and packing routine on the warehouse floor
4. Custom WMS extensions. There might be additional requirements, for example your inventory replenishment could be integrated with your POS or Retail Management systems, such as Microsoft RMS, Counterpoint or another generic RMS. This situation is very natural for mid-size retailer, where you receive items in Dynamics GP, print barcode labels and then transfer them over night to Microsoft RMS inventory for direct sale to your retail customers. Retail system could have ecommerce nature, where ecommerce might be B2B or B2C oriented
5. Alternative Corporate ERP for WMS. SAP Business One has similar or comparable set of modules and Warehouse Management System could be designed in SB1 SDK to provide similar to described above functionality
6. WMS as part of broader Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Distribution, Light Discrete Manufacturing, Consignment concept. In Dynamics GP you can trigger some WMS routines from such modules as Purchase Configurator (or sort of automatic inventory replenishment)
7. WMS for Dynamics GP international aspects. Microsoft Dynamics GP is localized (translated to foreign language and made compliant to local legislation) in most of the English speaking countries (USA, Canada, UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand), plus in the countries, where English is used as Business language (Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Oceania); it is available in Quebec, Spanish speaking South, Central America and Caribbean. It is also very popular in the countries with Arabic alphabet. We do not recommend GP in countries, where it is not localized: China, Russia, Korea, Japan, Brazil, consider instead SAP Business One with Warehouse Management extension
8. How to get further help? Please, feel free to call us: 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918 or e-mail us: help@albaspectrum.com
Modern Warehouse Management, Picking and Packing, Shipping and Receiving, Assembly or Discrete Manufacturing oriented enterprises in Michigan and USA nationwide often require Barcode Scanning automation. In this publication we are describing Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly known as Great Plains Dynamics) Barcoding add-ons and technologies, in order to give you sort of orientation session. If you already have your Corporate ERP system implemented on Dynamics GP platform or if you in ERP and MRP system selection phase – this should be good initial info for deciding what is the next in your homework:
1. Dynamics GP and Supply Chain Management. In Great Plains you have Distributions set of modules: Inventory Control, Sales Order Processing, Purchase Order Processing, Bill of Materials plus Manufacturing suite (which is good fit for generic discrete manufacturing). SCM functionality is technically in the Distributions modules, however if you need SCM routines to be performed on the warehouse floor with barcoding – you do need either integrated External standalone WMS or various SCM system integrated with Dynamics GP Distributions modules, or the second option would be implementing Dynamics GP WMS, SCM extensions
2. External WMS or SCM versus Extensions. External Warehouse Management Systems are typically more established and they have integration packages or connectors to major ERP applications, including such popular ones as Microsoft Dynamics GP, AX, NAV. However external WMS might be a bit too complex and you would potentially need to pay for the same Supply Chain Management functionality, which you already have (and paid for) in Dynamics GP Distributions modules, for example. External WMS also might be geared toward large Wholesalers, Retailers and Warehouse managing companies, as its integration may require pilot testing phase and further customization. We are favoring WMS and SCM extensions versus recommending External Warehouse Management Systems
3. WMS extensions technology. Barcode scanner is tiny device, which runs its own operating system, where WMS client application should be running. This is one of the reasons to deploy very simple and conservative programming tools (pre .Net), such as Visual Basic. WMS client talks to WMS Server – typically Windows Server or Workstation, which is in its turn connected to your office Ethernet (or Optical if you expect high level of Barcode scanning, or Wireless – if you are smaller operations) and communicates scanned records to Dynamics GP Server via ODBC connection and direct SQL feeding (we have special technology layer – Order Connector)
4. How to request further information. Please call us 1-866-528-0577, if you are located in Southern, Central and Eastern Michigan – we are serving you from our Benton Harbor/St. Joseph location. If you are in USA Nationwide or internationally we are serving you from our Headquarters in Chicago, or San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County California, Houston offices
With gradual recovery in the economy there is time to think about new ways to compete on the market, especially if your company is in traditional distribution, manufacturing, logistics industries. WMS is one of the answers, and modern Warehouse Management System implementations have the trend to be tightly integrated with Corporate ERP and MRP applications. The second trend is also visible – external WSM are facing higher competitions from the WMS solutions, working directly from your ERP application. This publication is intended to Southern California business metro area, however the solution described below is applicable to the Warehouse related business across the USA, Canada and Internationally:
1. Warehouse Management System components. Classic WMS include Sales Order Fulfillment, Merchandise restocking and inventory adjustments/moves. All the above mentioned functionalities are apparently available in every Corporate ERP application (or available for addition as modules). What makes WMS special is complete Barcoding automation
2. Barcoding and Microsoft Dynamics GP. Theoretically Barcode scanner (or as it was introduced) is similar to computer keyboard, but it works ten or hundred times faster in entering whatever was scanned from Barcode labels (where you may have Item Number, Quantity, Price, Invoice number, Serial number and other important components, which otherwise got to be keyed in via keyboard). Modern Barcode scanner is a way more advanced devise and it is in fact small computer with its LCD monitor, processor and operating system and its price might be over one thousand dollars (Symbol, Metrologic, HandHeld, DataLogic, etc.). The power of the scanner allows you to enter and save transaction and then integrate it in either real time or batch mode to (if you have Standalone WMS) or through (if you have WMS extensions to your ERP application)
3. How WMS extensions work. Order Allocation (also often referred as fulfillment). WMS naturally enables SOP Order or Invoice (with manual allocation SOP type) for barcode scanning and entering item lines (lot number logic is supported as well). Inventory Replenishment – this is done through POP purchase receipt window, enabled for barcoding. And the third component – Inventory Adjustment and Transfer works in Inventory Control module of Great Plains Dynamics
4. WMS international business specifics. Here you have to pay attention to such features as multicurrency. Dynamics GP is localized for South America in Spanish and in Canada in French Canadian Quebec. If you have presence in another area of the world, we recommend you to call us for options
5. Requesting further info. Please, call us 1-866-528-0577 or 1-630-961-5918 or email us help@albaspectrum.com We have local presence in Southern California: Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego; Houston, TX, Chicago, IL, Southwest Michigan (covering Grand Rapids, Holland, Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo)
6. Last flint. For our International customers, or companies with subsidiaries abroad. We are available to discuss with you your situation and possibly help you with Barcoding, WMS, SCM add-ons for Dynamics GP internationally. We cannot officially promise you to help you worldwide, just due to the fact of Corporate ERP localizations (Microsoft Dynamics GP doesn’t support Unicode or Hieroglyphs efficiently and it is not localized to support required tax and government reporting in some countries)
Microsoft Dynamics GP as mid-market Corporate ERP application has reasonable functionality in Distribution set of modules to cover Supply Chain Management. We are talking about such modules for Great Plains as Inventory Control, Purchase Order Processing, Sales Order Processing, Bill of Materials and in some cases Manufacturing suite. Assuming that you can open GP transactions and master records for Barcoding – such popular extensions, as Warehouse Management System, Consignment, Picking and Packing, Shipping and Receiving, should be available for your Great Plain users, including warehouse workers. Let’s review Microsoft Dynamics GP Distribution modules – how they could be enabled for Barcoding:
1. Sales Order Processing module. In SOP you typically implement WMS functionality component, referred as Order Fulfillment or Allocation. Let’s assume that your GP Sales personnel enters phone order manually in SOP Transaction Entry, choosing SOP Type without automatic line allocation (default way allocates items as you enter SOP line, picking inventory item, its default or specific warehouse and quantity, including serial or lot numbers). Second option could be automatic Sales Order integration from your B2B or B2C ecommerce website, or even the third scenario – Sales Order is coming to you via EDI (Electronic Document Interchange) interface from your Franchise or Dealership channel. In all the above situations, Sales Order (or Sales Invoice) is available in SOP module for Inventory Allocation or Fulfillment on the Warehouse Floor. Here is what WMS extension does. Barcode scanner has WMS client application running, where when you scan barcode label of the Picking Ticket with Customer ID and Order Number, then the bin and the items in it – application talks with WMS Server (RFID, or Wireless connection) which in turn talks to Dynamics GP Company Database via ODBC connection. Here WMS Server is hosted in Windows computer, connected to your Ethernet network or in more budget cases wireless to your GP Server
2. Purchase Order Processing module. In POP you do Merchandize Replenishment naturally in POP Purchase Receipt transaction. There are several scenarios available, where you may require Purchase Order to be ready, Purchase Receipt to be created without item lines, or Purchase Receipt to be created on the fly and inventory receiving without Purchase Order. On the warehouse floor by barcode scanning you fill PO Receipt lines, adding items to specified warehouse, assigning lot numbers (if item is lot numbered), and specifying quantities
3. Inventory Transfers, Adjustments and Cycle Counts. Here we open Inventory Transaction screen in Great Plains for Barcoding
4. Honoring the uniqueness of your WMS business processes. You know-how allows you to compete successfully on the market, however it also requires some investments into your Corporate ERP Customization. It is not very difficult to modify barcoding integration to Dynamics GP, assuming that you already have some familiarity with such technologies, as Microsoft Dexterity, eConnect, SQL Order Connector, Integration Manager
5. Barcoding Solution Presentations. We are open to your calls 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918 or emails help@albaspectrum.com
Microsoft Dynamics GP or as it was formerly known Great Plains Dynamics, is powerful mid-market Corporate ERP platform, open for custom software development, integration and reporting. When you are looking for Barcode scanning solution for Dynamics GP, you may think about “Solution” as being something based on existing Dynamics GP ISV product with source code, where you order additional modifications to fit your unique Barcoding requirements. Modern store management systems require Barcoding and this is where you need to do your homework to pick, first – direction (external standalone SCM or WMS system, or something that works directly within GP, extending Great Plains screens and objects and enabling them for barcode and RFID technologies). We already published several overview level publications on comparison between external WMS and Warehouse Management Extensions. This paper is to bring you more details on WMS and more general Supply Chain Management extensions:
1. Classic Warehouse Management System mapping to Dynamics GP standard modules and transactions. In our approach or add-on we are taking traditional routes: WMS Sales Order Fulfillment goes to Dynamics GP SOP Sales Transaction Entry form, where you define SOP type with manual allocation (as Item line allocation is done on the Warehouse floor by barcode scanning). WMS Inventory replenishment naturally maps to GP POP Purchase Receipt (where such advanced logic as new Lot Number scanning is available). And Inventory moving from one site to another or quantity adjustment and physical count are all available in Great Plains Inventory module
2. Modern Barcode scanner. This devise is far more advanced in comparison to simple computer keyboard (however it can still work as Keyboard replacement, working in more accelerated manner). Modern Symbol scanner allows you to run Warehouse Management System client application on its OS and for the user on its screen, where you can automate WMS document entry and then submit it to Dynamics GP for real time or batch mode integration
3. WMS architecture. Warehouse Management System extension has two tiers: WMS client (running directly on the barcode scanner) and WMS server, installed on Windows computer, connected to your Warehouse Ethernet, Wireless or Optical network. WMS client respects limitations of the tiny computer, integrated with the scanner and deploys technologies, requiring minimal RAM, processor power, such as Microsoft Visual Basic (pre .Net flavor). This client application talks to Warehouse Management System Server via RFID and the Server itself talks to Dynamics GP via ODBC connection, allocating SOP Sales Order Lines, etc.
4. Consignments. If you are in food ingredients or restaurant supply business and you work on the consignment, we have optional logic available, where we optimize truck delivery, based on best days of the week and the optimal truck arrival time (from your franchisee or customer perspective)
5. Advanced Supply Chain Management. If you are assembling or manufacturing on the order, where order comes from your customers via EDI or eCommerce order placement channels, we have both source codes available to help you with “solution”
6. Dynamics GP in Retail business. Microsoft RMS custom integration module to Dynamics GP is also available and ready for modification or direct deployment. If you are using Counterpoint, we are ready to customize CP daily sales integration to Dynamics GP General Ledger or Purchases to Dynamics GP Payable Management vendor invoices
7. How to schedule demo (presentation via web session and phone conference or local visit onsite if we are within your area or you are ready to cover our travel expenses) or request further information? Please, call us 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918 or email us help@albaspectrum.com We serve you USA, Canada nationwide and internationally, local service is available in Chicago, Los Angeles, Orange County, CA, San Diego, Houston, Southwest Michigan
If you have extensive Picking and Packing, Shipping and Receiving and other warehouse floor operations, where you plan to deploy Barcode scanners and integration, we would like to describe WMS extension in this small publication. In our opinion Supply Chain Management partner selection should not be restricted to the companies with local offices, as initial installation consultants travel cost might be insignificant, comparing to WMS software licenses and consulting budget. We are also giving you some highlights on External Warehouse Management System comparisons with the WMS, working directly as Dynamics GP SOP, POP and Inventory modules extension. Please, note, that other ERP applications in Microsoft Dynamics family, such as Axapta Dynamics AX, Solomon (SL) or Navision (NAV) – even being united in one Corporate ERP family of products, still have different code base and business logic and rather at this time are similar by ERP user interface, so if you are looking for WMS for AX, SL, NAV – you can give us a call for directions, but at this time our WMS extension works with Microsoft Dynamics GP out-of-the-box:
1. Warehouse Management System functionalities. Normally you should expect generic WMS to support Sales Order Fulfillment (also referred as allocation), Inventory Replenishment (merchandise restocking) and Inventory transactions, such as inter sites transfer, cycle count, adjustment
2. WMS extension vs. Standalone Warehouse Management application with connectors to Dynamics GP. If you look at the paragraph #1 – all the classical features of Warehouse Management module are already available in Dynamics GP Sales Order Processing (Order Fulfillment is done in SOP Sales Order with manual allocation, and allocation is happening when you scan Barcode labels of the items to be picking from their bins on the warehouse floor). Inventory replenishment is naturally tits to GP POP Purchase Receipt and Inventory Adjustment, Transfer and Physical count are supported in Great Plains Inventory control. Plus, you can have such features as Lot Number. If you decide to purchase Standalone WMS – you may expect to pay twice for the WMS functionality, already available in Great Plains SOP, POP and Inventory modules. If you decide on WMS extensions, you are just extending the features you already paid for and just have Barcode scanner enabling
3. WMS technology architecture. It has two tiers: WMS Server and client. The server runs on Windows Server or Workstation, connected to your Fiber Optic (huge number of barcode transactions), Ethernet (moderate level of Barcoding), Wireless (low level of Barcode scanning) network – this application talks to Dynamics GP company database via ODBC connection. Warehouse Management Client application runs directly on the Barcode scanner (Symbol, Zebra, etc.) and it is coded in Visual Basic to fit Barcode scanner tinny computer limited capacities
4. WMS sales cycle and installation. We are committed to the idea to sell, implement and support Warehouse Management Systems, Supply Chain Management extensions, such as Consignment USA, Canada nationwide and internationally. As our business model proved to be efficient, we recommend you to call us for reference in your region, including internationally. We move you through sales cycle with our sales force in Chicago, San Diego, Los Angeles and Michigan and when we are ready to begin implementation, our consultant flies to your location and does initial installation and user training. Call us 1-866-528-0577, 1-269-605-0330 (Michigan and Northern Indiana customers) or email us help@albaspectrum.com
5. Custom features implementation for WMS extensions. Modification is natural for larger organization, custom requirements often allow you to succeed on the market with your unique knowhow. Microsoft Dynamics GP has rich functionality and most of the objects and transactions in Great Plains could be opened to Barcode scanner integration: Bill Of Material, Manufacturing, Field Service Suite, Fixed Assets, Microsoft CRM to name you few examples. We are ready and happy to provide software programming services, based on our Warehouse Management System Source code, as well as via our Microsoft Dynamics GP Dexterity Software Development Factory, where we do eConnect, SQL, Modifier with VBA, Integration Manager programming, Crystal Reports, SSRS, Report Writer, FRx reporting design. We also have Dynamics GP eCommerce extension, integration with such popular shopping carts as Magento, ASP .Net Store Front
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