Overview on Oracle Warehouse Management (WMS)

Oracle Warehouse Management System (WMS) is advanced inventory module with lot of unique features that improves productivity of distribution centers, manufacturing or inventory handling facilities. Oracle WMS supports manual data entry, bar code readers scanning for data entry as well as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) scanning. Oracle WMS can be enabled at Inventory organization level.

Key business processes supported by Oracle WMS:

1. Inbound Logistics
2. Outbound Logistics
3. Manufacturing & Value added services
4. Storage & Facility Management
5. Reverse Logistics

Key terms used in Oracle WMS:

• License Plate Numbers (LPN):

LPN is an object carries the location where it is residing and items that are holding. LPN need not be a physical object, it could be logical grouping. LPN simpley a group of items represented systematically. The major advantage of LPN is less number of transactions. Entire LPN can be transacted at once instead of by each line that LPN holds.

• Material Status:

This is one of the beautiful features of WMS, you can assign status to an item, lot or serial number. Each status is defined with a list of permissble transactions. Eg. if you have status called ‘No Sale’ and set the rules such that shipping is not allowed but all other internal inventory movements are allowed. Material status can enforce this kind of business rules.

• Label printing:

WMS partially supports this functionality. Label formats and fields (data)needed can be defined and can be associated with WMS rules to print the label automatically. WMS can generate xml output, but 3rd party label printing/formatting tool is required to print.

• Cost groups:

This is another major functionality offered by WMS module. In standard Inventory module Inventory valuation accounts are derived by subinventory setups. In WMS based on cost group rules different valuations independent of subinventories can be created.

• Putaway Rules:

When a matrial is received you need to receive into stock. In a major distribution center it is often complex to know where to store the material. WMS offers putaway rules that can be setup based on business criteria. Eg. If all hazard material category must be received into hazardous area then putaway rulescan be setup.

• WMS Rules engine:

WMS rules engine enforces the rules defined for putaway, cost group or label printing.