Designed for Multi-Channel Distribution

In the September issue of Modern Materials Handling, the cover story focused on Vera Bradley’s efforts to achieve multi-channel distribution success.

As the systems integrator and WCS provider for the phased implementation of their scalable distribution center master plan, we (FORTE Industries) are proud of our partnership with Vera Bradley which started nearly a decade ago, in 2004.

Among the highlights of the most recent 205,000 sq. ft. expansion which houses their value-added services and e-commerce processing are:

1. Inclusion of a put wall for direct-to-consumer orders with more than one item, since more than 60 percent of Web orders are multi-unit orders
2. Construction of an 18,000 sq. ft. mezzanine for value-added services required by key accounts, removing that volume from other pick modules
3. Outbound shipping from the Web packing stations now bypasses the shipping sorter and flows directly into parcel carrier trailers, thereby opening up capacity on the shipping sorter for retail and partner store growth

One of the keys to making these systems work together is the integration between the WMS and WCS. In this new configuration, the WMS performs management functions such as determining how and where orders will be picked and how they will be batched; then the orders are sent to the WCS for execution.

FORTE’s WCS, Automation Director®, is the highly configurable operational control system built to manage the complex demands of any distribution center’s fulfillment requirements associated with automated material handling equipment. Functionality handled by Automation Director includes:

• Intelligent sortation logic
• Dynamic routing
• Inline compliance labeling
• Inline scale interaction
• Touchscreen-enabled operator interface
• Data logging
• Non-standard/seasonal operations

“In the two-week period after Thanksgiving, we processed 40 percent more volume and improved service levels by 60 percent over the previous year. And, we did it with very little stress,” said Dave Gealy, senior director of distribution, Vera Bradley.