AUTOMATED PROCESSING

When ScanData deploys a PTMS for a warehousing and distribution systems with automated processing, ScanData deploys a suite of applications and application components that work together to allow a virtual distribution center and processing logic to be configured to control various automated processes. Components in ScanData’s automated VSAMS configuration are Location Manager, Lane Manager, and Auto Induction. ScanData’s Auto Induction includes Spider, Sortation Control, and Print & Apply components that can be deployed with the automated processing application if required.

CONFIGURATION

ScanData’s Location Manager allows virtual distribution center and/or sortation control locations to be created and managed so they can be used in automated processing logic. After locations have been configured through Location Manager, ScanData’s Lane Assignment Manager allows shipping supervisors to configure and maintain sortation lane assignments (i.e., carrier/shipmethod assignments, weight tolerances, etc.) for sortation processes as well as activate and inactivate sortation lanes during automated processing.

PROCESSING & SUPPORTING COMPONENTS

After the system has been configured (either static or dynamic configurations), it is ready for automated processing. ScanData’s automated processing application is Auto Induction, which processes carton data fed to it via one of two ways: Auto Induction can either hook directly to an in-line scanner (most simplistic configuration) or it can hook up to a new or pre-existing conveyor system via ScanData’s Sortation Control component. ScanData’s Sortation Control component accepts divert confirmations from conveyor systems and translates them into events recognized by Auto Induction. In advanced configurations in whihc ScanData controls the sorter, ScanData’s Sortation Control component allows ScanData’s Auto Induction to accept carton scan data, process it, and send divert instructions to the conveyor system (based upon lane assignment in the Lane Assignment Manager).

When system processing volumes require that multiple auto inductions be deployed to handle throughput, ScanData prefers to deploy each auto induction with a separate connection to the sortation system, allowing the sortation system to handle load balancing of divert confirmations. However, when legacy system constraints limit the sortation system to one connection to VSAMS, ScanData deploys the Spider application, which accepts divert confirmations from the sortation system and performs load balancing so that multiple auto inductions can still be used to handle system throughput.

Finally, when automated label printing and application is required along with carton processing, ScanData deploys its Print & Apply component, which works in conjunction with auto induction to accept carton information, generate carrier-compliant labels, and send these labels to appropriate print queues for management by Print & Apply systems and equipment.  

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Last modified: 07/05/06