MODULA (WMS(So,ware(Solu3ons!

®
WMS(So,ware(Hierarchy(
MODULA (WMS(So,ware(Features(
®

!• The$standard$use$of$a$modern$rela0onal$database$on$all$so2ware$modules.$

• Easy(and(fast(data(backup(as$well$as$data$restora0on$in$the$event$of$a$so2ware$
malfunc0on.$

• A$customizable(grid(/(screen(layout$to$meet$the$needs$of$individual$users.$

• Advanced(filtering(op0ons$allowing$for$customizable$searches$and$orders.$

• Advanced(user(/(operator(rights$management.$

• Allows$for$the$use$of$RF$terminals$for$manual$storage$area$management.$

• Hierarchical$item$list$management$(KiAng).$

• Graphical(loca3on(management(for$both$the$VLM$unit(s)$as$well$as$manual$areas$
(shelving,*rack,*etc.).$
MODULA (WMS(So,ware(Features(
®

• Configurable(integra3on(with$enterprise$management$systems$via$an$ASCII$file$
exchange.$Data$exchange$on$shared$tables$is$also$accessible$via$ODBC$driver,$XML$files,$
and$Excel$spreadsheets.$

• Packing$list$management.$

• Material$transit$management.$

• The$ability$to$batch$pick$items$picked$from$different$loca0ons,$as$well$as$the$ability$to$
u0lize$pickUtoUlight$/$putUtoUlight$displays.$

• Internal$material$movement$management$between$different$areas$based$on$minimum$
stock$values$defined$for$each$area.$

• The$ability$to$create$custom(reports$with$an$easy$to$use,$intui0ve$report$tool.$

• Automa0c$database$maintenance$to$op0mize$the$so2ware’s$performance.$
WMS(BASE(So,ware(Features(
The$WMS$–$BASE$so2ware$package,$is$the$Free$package$provided$with$MODULA®$VLM$units.$
$
It$provides$some$basic$tools$for$ver0cal$warehouse$management,$such$as$own$register$
management,$graphic$warehouse$loca0on$management,$handling$by$means$of$orders$or$direct$
requests,$execu0on$of$physical$warehouse$inventories,$and$integra0on$with$the$management$
system$by$means$of$manual$text$file$exchange$with$predefined$trace.$

The(available(features(of(the(WMS(–(BASE(so,ware(are:(
• Item$list$management$allowing$operators$to$pick$by$part$number.$
• The$ability$to$manage$one$or$more$MODULA®$VLM$units.$

• VLM$loca0on$management$with$the$use$of$an$easy$to$use$a$graphical$tool.$

• Item$movement$management$for$the$picking$and$replenishment$of$orders.$

• Item$movement$management$with$the$ability$to$perform$immediate$requests$(hotUpicks).$

• User$/$operator$management$based$on$three$dis0nct$hierarchical$access$levels,$depending$on$their$role.$

• The$ability$to$manually$import$/$export$data$to$and$from$with$the$enterprise$host$system$via$a$fixed$–$layout$ASCII$
file$exchange.$
WMS(BASE(PLUS(So,ware(Features(
The$WMS$–$BASE$PLUS$so2ware$package,$which$adds$two$important$so2ware$func0onali0es$in$
addi0on$to$the$WMS$–$BASE$so2ware$package.$

The(available(features(of(the(WMS(–(BASE(PLUS(so,ware(are:(
• Advanced$security$management,$providing$for$a$user’s$database$with$personalized$
operator’s$passwords,$beneficial$to$users$that$desire$to$lock$out$specific$trays$for$certain$
operators$/$users,$for$example.$

• An$automa0c$and$configurable$import$/$export$data$exchange$with$a$client’s$management$
system$(host),$using$text$files$or$shared$tabled$accessible$via$ODBC,$.XML$files,$ASCII$files,$or$
using$Excel$files.$
WMS(STANDARD(So,ware(Features(
The$WMS$–$STANDARD$so2ware$package$includes$func0onality$designed$to$make$the$MODULA®$
VLM$units$as$efficient$as$possible.$

The(main(features(of(the(WMS(–(STANDARD(so,ware(package(include:(
• Dynamic$compartment$management$(item/compartment$matching)$

• Dynamic$batch$and$serial$number$management$

• FIFO$and$due$date$management.$

• Warehouse$sta0s0cal$analysis$tools$as$well$as$printed$report$customiza0on.$
WMS(STANDARD(So,ware(Features(
The(WMS(–(STANDARD(so,ware(package(adds(the(following(features(and(
func3onali3es(to(the(WMS(–(BASE(so,ware(package:(
• Item$and$loca0on$management.$
• Advanced$user/operator$management,$it’s$possible$to$configure$for$each$operator$the$enabled$
procedures$required$for$their$role.$
• A$customizable$print$&$label$report$management$tools.$
• Automa0cally$assign$an$item$to$a$preselected$compartment$or$loca0on.$
• Complete$data$import$/$export$management$with$customizable$layouts.$
• Items$can$be$managed$with$a$FIFO$sequence,$or$on$a$sub$code$based$priority.$
• It$is$possible$to$retrieve$sta0s0cal$informa0on$of$the$VLM’s$movements$and$opera0ons.$
• It$is$possible$to$manage$movement$causes$for$immediate$requests.$
WMS(DRIVER(So,ware(Features(
WMS$–$DRIVER$provides$high$level$management$of$MODULA®$VLM$units,$by$sending$tray$movement$
orders$(picking*requests,*replenishment*requests*and*inventory*cycle*coun7ng)$via$shared$tables$or$
ASCII$files.$These$orders$are$simply$tray$lists$associated$with$item$picking$or$replenishment$data$
(item*number,*descrip7on,*quan7ty,*etc.)$grouped$by$orders.$
$
When$the$order$is$complete,$WMS$–$DRIVER$sends$back$the$results$of$the$order$to$the$client’s$ERP$
or$WMS$system,$which$then$regains$control$of$the$order$to$proceed$with$its$workflow.$

The(available(features(of(the(WMS(–(DRIVER(so,ware(are:(
• For$clients$/$users$already$having$a$“WMS”$type$of$so2ware$in$place,$the$WMS$–$DRIVER$so2ware$
package$allows$the$exis0ng$“WMS”$to$communicate$to$and$directly$drive$one$or$more$MODULA®$
VLM$units,$with$no$need$to$develop$direct$communica0on$protocols$with$the$machines.$
• In$addi0on,$users$/$operators$will$be$able$to$s0ll$u0lize$the$MODULA®$unit’s$CoPilot$operator$console$
(HMI)$for$the$required$picking$and$replenishment$ac0vi0es$as$the$informa0on$is$clearly$shown$on$
the$screen.$
• By$purchasing$the$DRIVER$so2ware$package,$the$customer$is$provided$with$the$communica0ons$
interface$to$perform$an$automa0c$data$exchange.$
• The$WMS$–$DRIVER$so2ware$package$is$an$alterna0ve$to$MODULA®$LINK$$as$well$as$the$WMS$–$
STANDARD$and/or$WMS$–$BASE$PLUS$so2ware$packages.$
MODULA LINK(So,ware(Features!
®(

MODULA®$LINK$allows$control$of$MODULA®$VLM$units$at$a$more$inUdepth$level,$by$directly$driving$
tray$request$commands$&return$opera0ons.$It$is$also$possible$to$manage$some$available$unit$
accessories,$such$as$posi0on$indicator$items.$
MODULA®$LINK$requires$the$client’s$Host$system$to$manage$a$virtual,$direct$communica0on$with$
unit$by$connec0ng$to$local$server$PC$via$a$socket$connec0on.$
With$MODULA®$LINK$the$client’s$ERP$or$WMS$system$has$the$full$and$precise$control$of$the$
MODULA®$VLM$unit;$it$is$possible$to$manage$all$the$advanced$logis0c$features$which$the$client’s$
ERP$or$WMS$system$may$be$equipped$with.$

The(available(features(of(the(MODULA®(LINK(so,ware(are:(
• MODULA®$LINK$so2ware$package$allows$an$exis0ng$“WMS”$to$communicate/directly$drive$one$or$
more$MODULA®$VLM$units,$with$no$need$to$develop$direct$communica0on$protocols.$
• Using$MODULA®$LINK$operators$are$only$able$to$control$picking$and$replenishment$opera0ons$
through$an$external$device,$such$as$a$PC,$handUheld$RF$terminal,$etc.$
$

• By$purchasing$the$MODULA®$LINK$so2ware$package,$the$customer$is$provided$with$the$means$for$a$
direct$communica0on$to$VLM$units$via$sockets$to$drive$the$units.$
• The$MODULA®$LINK$so2ware$package$is$an$alterna0ve$to$the$WMS$–$DRIVER,$as$well$as$the$WMS$–$
STANDARD$and/or$WMS$–$BASE$PLUS$so2ware$packages.$
WMS(Module(Func3onali3es(
Op3onal(So,ware(Modules(Available(
Advanced(Item(Management(Module:(
(

The$Advanced$Item$Management$Module$allows$for$added$func0onality,$building$upon$what$is$included$with$
the$WMS$STANDARD$Module.$It$allows$for$item$security$management,$allows$users$to$associate$an$image$to$a$
par0cular$item,$a$user$can$also$group$items$into$families$and$categories$to$improve$search$and$filtering$
func0onality.$Finally$it$is$possible$to$use$$addi0onal$sub$codes$to$beder$define$items$and$orders.$
$
Advanced(Item(Picking(Module:(
(

The$Advanced$Item$Picking$Module$allows$for$added$func0onality,$building$upon$what$is$included$with$the$
WMS$STANDARD$Module.$It$allows$for$packing$list$management,$kiAng,$batch$picking$and$transit$materials$
management$(totes,*boxes,*etc.)$
$
Manual(Warehouse(Management(Module:(
(

The$Manual$Warehouse$Management$Module$allows$for$the$crea0on$and$management$of$manual$storage$
areas,$in$proximity$to$the$VLM.$This$module$allows$for$management$of$the$manual$areas$using$a$userUfriendly$
graphical$tool,$management$of$picking$in$the$manual$areas$and$also$the$management$of$material$distribu0on$
between$different$manual$areas$based$on$accessed$quan00es.$Users$can$also$manage$material$transfer$
between$areas$as$well$as$materials$incoming$from$receiving$areas.$
Op3onal(So,ware(Modules(Available(
RF(Module:(
(

The$RF$Module$extends$the$func0onality$of$the$Manual$Warehouse$Management$Module$and$it$is$only$
available$in$addi0on$to$the$Manual$Warehouse$Management$Module.$This$module$allows$the$use$RF$terminals$
to$manage$manual$storage$areas.$
$
Remote (Assistance(Module:(
(
(

The$Remote$Assistance$Module$provides$the$capability$for$Vidmar$TOWER$technicians$to$remotely$diagnose$
faults$and$assist$in$troubleshoo0ng$immediately,$without$wai0ng$for$a$technician$to$arrive.$The$customer$must$
allow$for$a$VPN$connec0on$to$be$made$for$this$module$to$be$available.$

The$Remote$Assistance$Module$/$remote$support$is$made$available$to$all$clients$for$no$charge$during$the$
standard$included$5/8$telephone$support$agreement$period$for$the$first$two$(2)$years$of$ownership.$
$
SAP(IDOC(Module:(
(

Allows$interfacing$with$the$SAP$R3$WM$module$by$means$of$IDOC$exchange$via$FTP.$
Op3onal(Module(Func3onali3es(
Item(Management(Capabili3es(
WMS(so,ware(manages(its(own(item(list…(

• It(is(possible(to(expand(the(
item(list(with(a(series(of(
aWributes(that(extend(the(item(
list(characteris3cs(to(increase(
the(search,(filtering,(and(
grouping(capabili3es.(

• It(is(possible(to(use(the(unit(
weight(for(each(item.(This(
func3on(is(useful(when(you(
want(to(use(picking(
accessories,(such(as(a(coun3ng(
scale,(etc.(

• It(is(possible(to(associate(an(
image(of(each(item(in(the(list.((
Graphical(Tools(Capabili3es(
Using(the(builtZin(graphical(tools,(it(is(possible(to(do(the(following…(
Create$compartments$within$a$tray$
assigning$one$item$from$the$item$list$
(with$an$automa0c$selec0on$of$the$
item$code$from$a$list).$

Graphically$replicate$compartments$
on$a$tray.$

Save$compartment$types$and$tray$
layout$templates$to$allow$their$
replica0on.$

Define$stock$and$maximum$capaci0es$
for$each$compartment.$

Search$for$empty$compartment$ Create$inventories$of$the$ Search$for$trays$containing$a$

loca0ons.$$ contents$of$a$tray$range.$ certain$item.$
Graphical(Tools(Capabili3es(
It(is(possible(to(view(tray(cell(layouts(for(each(tray(graphically(to(analyze(cell(sizes(and(
u3liza3on…(
Item(Search(Capabili3es(
It(is(possible(to(use(advanced(grids(to(allow(to(filtering(of(item(data,(such(as(descrip3on,(
min.(/max.(levels,(weight,(etc...(
Data(Search(Capabili3es(
It(is(possible(to(use(advanced(grids(to(allow(to(filtering(of(order(and(group(data...(
Management(Types(Available(
It(is(possible(to(manage(items(with(different(movement(priority(types…(

FIFO:$$The$item’s$movement$priority$is$
based$on$the$material$loading$
date.$

VOLUME:$$The$item’s$movement$
priority$is$based$on$space$
occupied$in$the$VLM.$

PRIORITY:$$The$item’s$movement$
priority$orders$the$
sequence$based$on$the$
sub$code$of$the$order.$
Inventory(Management(Capabili3es(
WMS’s(Inventory(Management(capabili3es(allow(users(to(do(the(following…(
• Execute$an$inventory$for$each$compartment$or$loca0on$on$the$trays$located$within$the$VLM.$
• Execute$an$inventory$for$a$defined$tray$range.$
• Execute$an$inventory$for$each$individual$item.$
• Execute$inventory$orders.$$
Basic(Management(For(Picking(&(Replenishment(
Basic(Management(allows(users(to(do(the(following…(
• Pick$and$replenish$items$with$immediate$requests.$
• Pick$and$replenish$items$with$orders$created$locally$or$imported$from$the$host$system.$
• Simulate$orders$to$verify$their$outcome.$
• Tell$the$VLM$to$move$immediately$upon$the$execu0on$of$an$order,$or$it$is$possible$to$wait$for$a$local$ac0va0on.$

The(following(features(and(func3onality(
are(also(available(for(picking(and(
replenishment(opera3ons(using(WMS(
so,ware:(
• Automa3c(Combina3ons((
• Material(Engagement(Management((
• Loading(With(Transit(Area((
• Packing(List(Management((
• Batch(Picking(Management$
Order(Execu3on(Capabili3es(
It(is(possible(to(select(orders(to(execute(or(to(view(their(contents,(status(and(priority...(

Orders$

Order(Informa3on$
Kit(Management(Capabili3es(
Kit(management(is(useful(to(arrange(items(during(the(replenishment(process(to(assist(the(
ease(of(the(picking(process…(
• During$the$replenishment$process,$items$are$loaded$into$assigned$compartments$un0l$the$required$quan0ty$has$
been$reached.$
• When$a$compartment$contains$all$the$elements$needed$to$complete$the$kit,$it’s$possible$to$pick$the$en0re$kit$with$
a$single$opera0on.$
Tray((LU)(Detail(Informa3on(
It(is(possible(to(view(the(specific(details(and(informa3on(for(a(given(tray…(

Tray(Type$

Tray(Variables$

Tray(Weights(/(Loads$
Print(Report(Capabili3es(
The(so,ware(has(several(preconfigured(builtZin(reports(available.(
It(is(also(possible(to(create(custom(reports(with(an(easy(to(use,(intui3ve(report(tool…(
Manual(Areas(Management(
Basic(Management:(
(

With(Basic(Management(func3onality,(it(is(possible(to(do(the(following:(
• Manage$an$item’s$loca0on$within$the$manual$storage$area(s).$

• Print$a$report$with$a$comprehensive$list$of$the$loading,$picking,$and$inventory$opera0ons$that$have$taken$place.$

• Confirm$the$movements$of$items$within$the$manual$storage$area(s).$

Area(Management:(
(

With(Area(Management(func3onality,(it(is(possible(
to(do(the(following:(
• Manage$a$minimum$stock$for$each$area.$

• Create$internal$movements$to$replenish$items$from$
different$areas.$
Manual(Areas(Management(
RF(Terminal(Management:(
(

With(RF(Terminal(Management(func3onality,(it(is(possible(to(do(the(following:(
• Manage$in$real$0me$the$ac0vi0es$in$the$manual$storage$area(s).$
• Track$the$users$/$operators.$
• Split$opera0ons$between$operators$depending$on$the$area’s$assignment.$
• Execute$and$confirm$immediate$requests.$
• Confirm$the$loading$movements$indica0ng$directly$the$des0na0on$tray.$
• Execute$inventory$movements.$
• Create$loca0ons$“on$the$fly”$(item$mapping).$
$

Input(Areas:(
• It’s$possible$to$manage$input$type$orders$that$contain$items$immediately$available$for$picking$on$a$virtual$loading$
unit$called$“input$area”.$
• The$items$present$in$these$areas$have$a$higher$priority$for$the$picking$movements.$
• A$tool$is$available$to$create$transfer$orders$from$the$input$area$to$the$VLM$unit(s).$
WMS(So,ware;(Op3ons(For(Integra3on(
Op3ons(For(WMS(So,ware(Integra3on:(
Uses$an$ODBC$connec0on$to$the$Host$database$t$read$
data$being$imported$and/or$write$export$data.$
Database(With(
1( This$is$the$most$flexible$solu0on,$it$enables$users$to$
ODBC(Support( enter,$modify$and$delete$data$using$the$SQL$
statements$supported$by$the$selected$ODBC$driver.$

Enables$the$user$to$import$one$or$more$ASCII$files.$
2( ASCII(Data(Files( There$is$a$table$for$every$file.$

Enables$the$user$to$import$one$or$more$XML$files,$
whereas$the$export$func0on$creates$a$single$file.$It$is$
3( XML(Data(Files( necessary$to$specify$the$reading$scheme$for$the$XML$
file$in$order$to$import$data.$

Par0cular$implementa0on$of$the$ODBC$database.$Uses$
the$ODBC$driver$for$Excel.$Every$job$will$have$its$own$
MODULA(VLM(NETWORK( 4( Excel(Files( associated$Excel$file,$containing$the$necessary$tables.$
The$user$can$read$and$enter$data,$but$cannot$delete$or$
modify$them.$

Integra0on$to$SAP$using$the$WM$module.$Other$
5( IDOC(For(WM( modules$such$as$the$MM$module$are$to$be$$available$
shortly.$

Full(Process(
6( Integra3on(
Integra3on(To(A(Host(System(
It(is(possible(to(import(/(export(data(to(and(from(a(Host(WMS/ERP…(
• Available$for$both$automa0c$and$manual$opera0ons.$

• With$the$automa0c$feature$it’s$possible$to$define$when$to$execute$the$opera0ons$and$the$0me$interval$between$two$
execu0ons.$
• The$data$exchange$can$be$performed$via$ASCII$files,$
XML$files,$Excel$Spreadsheets,$and$data$exchange$
on$shared$tables$accessible$via$an$ODBC$driver.$$
Thank(You(For(Your(AWen3on(
MODULA®(
90$Alfred$A.$Plourde$Parkway$
Lewiston,$ME$$04240;$U.S.A.$
Tel.:((207)$440U5100$
Fax.:((207)$786U0271$
info@modula.us$
www.modula.us$