[FR] How can AI be used in e-commerce?

Warehouse management can quickly become complex, especially when order volumes increase and automated equipment multiplies. What if a WCS, or warehouse control software, was the solution to streamlining your operations and avoiding bottlenecks?

In this article, discover the benefits of a logistics WCS and find out whether this type of software is essential for optimising your processes.

What is WCS software?

A WCS (Warehouse Control System) is an IT solution designed to act as an orchestra conductor in automated warehouses.

It ensures real-time coordination of logistics equipment to maximise the efficiency, reliability and fluidity of operations. This software is used in environments where automated systems play a key role.

Here are the main features of WCS software:

• Control and coordination of automated equipment. WCS directly controls equipment such as conveyors, automatic sorters, stacker cranes, picking robots and shuttle systems. Its role is to direct these machines to the right areas of the warehouse according to the tasks to be carried out. For example, it can route a pallet from a reception point to a storage or dispatch area.
• Real-time flow management. The software constantly monitors the flow of goods in the warehouse to avoid traffic jams or slowdowns. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as equipment failure, the WCS dynamically reallocates available resources to maintain continuity of operations.
• Optimisation of automated tasks. The WCS plans the use of equipment to maximise efficiency. It reduces machine downtime and organises equipment movements to avoid conflicts or unnecessary journeys.
• Equipment supervision and diagnostics. The WCS monitors the status of machines in real time, including their temperature, load and speed. It quickly identifies any malfunctions or maintenance requirements, guaranteeing optimum equipment availability.
• Priority management. The software classifies tasks according to their importance or urgency. For example, it can prioritise the dispatch of an urgent order. The logistics WCS then reorganises the flow of goods to meet critical deadlines and optimise overall processing.

As a result, this information system offers precise, responsive operational management, ensuring the smooth flow of goods while making the most of the equipment available.

What are the differences between WCS and WMS software?

WCS or WMS: what are we talking about?

A WMS (Warehouse Management System) is software designed to plan, organise and optimise warehouse processes. It operates mainly at a strategic level and performs key functions such as :

• Stock management, by accurately tracking goods locations and replenishment levels.
• Order planning, by organising picking orders and prioritising shipments according to lead times.
• Route optimisation, for both human operators and robots, to reduce unnecessary movement around the warehouse.

What are the differences between the two software packages?

Although they often work in tandem, the WMS and WCS perform distinct functions in warehouse management.

• On the one hand, a WMS acts primarily at a strategic level: it plans, organises and defines the global processes that will guide operations.
• On the other hand, a logistics WCS operates at an operational level. It focuses on real-time execution.

The distinction between these two systems is also reflected in their interaction. The WMS takes global decisions, such as storing goods in specific areas or organising picks. Once these instructions have been defined, the WCS translates them into concrete actions, coordinating the machines and ensuring that operations run smoothly.

A concrete example of how WMS and logistics WCS can complement each other

The complementarity between a WMS(Warehouse Management System) and a WCS(Warehouse Control System) can be seen at every stage of the logistics process in an automated warehouse. Here is a concrete example of how they work together.

Goods receipt

When pallets of goods arrive in the warehouse, they are immediately scanned to collect data, such as their contents or intended destination. This information is transmitted to the WMS, which analyses the characteristics of the goods and decides on their optimum location in the warehouse.

Once the location has been determined, the WMS transmits these instructions to the WCS. The WCS then takes over to carry out the operations. It instructs the conveyors to transport the pallets to the designated storage areas. During transport, the WCS manages the speed and order of passage on the conveyors to avoid traffic jams and ensure optimum flow.

Automated storage

For storage, the WCS orchestrates automated equipment such as stacker cranes or robotic cranes. These robots receive precise instructions from the WCS to place goods in specific locations, as defined by the WMS.

Thanks to its optimisation algorithms, the WCS reduces unnecessary robot journeys, minimising the time needed for each storage operation. This ensures efficient use of resources while maintaining a steady pace.

Order picking

When an order is received, the WMS draws up a list of items to be picked and defines their order of priority. These instructions are then sent to the WCS, which coordinates the picking operations.

The logistics WCS controls the picking robots, telling them exactly which items to retrieve and where to send them. It also takes care to avoid collisions between the machines by monitoring their movements in real time. At the same time, the WCS manages the automatic sorters to direct the picked items to the corresponding packing stations, ensuring that orders are prepared quickly and accurately.

Packaging and dispatch

Once the items have been grouped together to form orders, the WCS takes charge of transporting them to the packing areas via automated conveyors. Each parcel is identified by its barcode or RFID tag, enabling the WCS to route it to the right shipping line.

The system dynamically adjusts priorities, for example by placing urgent orders requiring rapid delivery at the top of the processing queue. This guarantees on-time delivery and optimum customer satisfaction.

Real-time tracking

Throughout operations, the Logistics WCS provides complete visibility of warehouse activities. Managers can track the location of each order in real time, monitor the condition of equipment (potential breakdowns, maintenance required) and analyse performance indicators such as throughput. This data can be used to quickly identify bottlenecks or adjust priorities as required.

This case study shows how a WMS and a WCS work hand in hand to transform an automated warehouse into a well-oiled machine. The WMS plans and decides, while the WCS executes and optimises, ensuring smooth, responsive, high-performance logistics management.

What are the advantages of a logistics WCS?

• Improved operational efficiency. A WCS helps to reduce cycle times by optimising physical flows within the warehouse, guaranteeing smoother operations and avoiding bottlenecks in the order preparation chain.
• Greater reliability. By minimising human intervention, WCS reduces errors and ensures continuous monitoring of operations. In the event of a breakdown or unforeseen event, it automatically adjusts workflows to maintain productivity.
• Adaptability. WCS integrates easily with various types of automated equipment, including conveyors, robots and sorters. It also enables rapid response to fluctuations in demand or changes in business volumes.
• Cost optimisation. By reducing unnecessary movements, maximising resource utilisation and minimising errors, WCS contributes to more cost-effective warehouse management, reducing overall operational costs.

In short, a logistics WCS optimises the use of resources in the warehouse, speeds up order picking and makes the end-to-end automated supply chain more reliable.

Do you need WCS software?

A WCS becomes essential in certain types of warehouse or in specific contexts where automated operations require fine-tuned management and real-time coordination.

You may need a WCS if :

• Your warehouse is automated or semi-automated. If your warehouse uses equipment such as conveyors, automatic sorters or robots, a WCS is needed to ensure precise control of these systems and guarantee optimum coordination.
• You manage a large volume of orders with very short preparation times. In this case, a WCS enables you to optimise flows, minimise waiting times and guarantee rapid delivery.
• You have to manage frequent peaks in activity. During periods of high activity, such as sales or holiday periods, your logistics WCS can adapt in real time, adjusting priorities and coordinating equipment to avoid slowdowns and maintain high productivity.
• You anticipate strong future growth in demand. If you anticipate a significant increase in your order volumes, a WCS can size the warehouse accordingly, optimising the use of resources and preparing the infrastructure for future needs.
• You manage a wide variety of storage units or fluctuating stock levels. In this context, a WCS can help you maintain warehouse organisation while optimising storage locations.
• You need to synchronise several pieces of equipment. In environments where several types of automated equipment need to work together (conveyors, robots, sorters), a WCS is essential to guarantee seamless synchronisation and avoid movement conflicts.

However, in some cases, a WMS alone may be sufficient, particularly in manual or minimally automated warehouses, or when simple operations with low variability are involved.