Next Generation Warehouse Control System on the Wearable Smartwatch

W&H Systems, a full-service integrator of material handling systems that improves fulfillment operations and maximizes warehouse efficiency, announces that their next generation Warehouse Control System (WCS), Shiraz, now works on a Smartwatch.

Based on the Pebble Smartwatch, W&H Systems’ Shiraz allows warehouse managers to gather critical key performance indicators to better manage their distribution and fulfillment operations from their wrist.

With real-time visibility into warehouse operations 24/7, managers can better meet the demanding requirements of today’s modern distribution operations.

“Wearable technology is exploding in the retail industry and consumer-focused markets, but other businesses like wine & spirits distributors are starting to see the benefits, such as improved productivity across business processes and faster, more informed decision-making,” said Chris Castaldi, Director of Business Development, W&H Systems.”

“A warehouse manager can be in a meeting and see activity on his Smartwatch that requires him/her to make a decision immediately. Instead of having to guess the outcome, or leave the meeting to go out into the warehouse, the manager has the information he/she needs right there on their wrist to make the best decision.”

With the Shiraz Warehouse Control System, executives are able to look at important KPIs to ensure customer orders and service levels can be met, to monitor inventory levels, and to supervise operational performance. With the Smartwatch, managers can also receive emails, voice mails, text messages, and notifications, providing them with visibility into what is happening within their distribution operations. Shiraz visualizes warehouse operations and provides critical event reporting through email and text alerts, keeping management up to date 24/7.

W&H’s Shiraz is equipped with apparel, wine & spirits, and retail specific applications. The Smartwatch can display real-time KPI information and operations reports such as:

• Number of cases shipped
• Quantity of mixed case units shipped
• Time cases/units were shipped
• Total number of mixed cases and full cases shipped
• Estimated time of completion

“In the information age, people are doing everything they can to get the right information to the right people,” adds Chris Castaldi. “In the past, busy managers have found it time-consuming and awkward to access information about warehouse operations from their laptops. Now management has reliable, real-time access to all the information they need at their fingertips – and on their wrist.”

W&H Systems will unveil Shiraz at MODEX 2014 in Atlanta on March 17 – 20 in their Exhibit Booth #4726.