Mass Inventory Storage System

About MISS

Vertical storage systems sales have been growing rapidly as customers are finding out about the advantages and extra value they can achieve by storing raw materials, retains and laboratory samples vertically instead of horizontally. Valuable floor space is saved and the machines improve inventory put-away and retrieval times.

One of the major drawbacks of these systems is the fact that operators have to do a great deal of manual inventory record keeping. They have to record what materials they are storing, in which slots and on which trays. The same type of information also has to be collected on materials as they are removed from inventory.

This inventory information then has to be manually entered into computer inventory records or even worse, onto paper index cards. Until now, these systems have been prone to human error, whether due to not recording the information correctly in the first place or in transcribing errors when entering the information into the computer / index card.

Our software program has been successfully installed and field-tested in several sites. This program solves the inventory data collection problem by the use of touch screens and bar code scanning. Bar code labels are placed on all inventory containers. As inventory is entered into or removed out of the vertical storage system, the bar code labels are scanned. The bar code number identifies the ingredient and the computer assigns the tray and row number that the container is stored in.

To assist operators in identifying the correct container they require, from the hundreds of individual containers stored on a tray, an optional Laser-pointer is used. Using an X / Y configuration, the system identifies the correct container and shines a laser dot onto it. The operator scans the bar code label to verify that the right container was selected when removing it.

The performance of any existing or new vertical storage system can be dramatically improved with the installation of this software. This program streamlines inventory data collection, while actually controlling the movement of the hardware trays to minimize any waiting time on the part of the operator.

Takasago International Corporation, a large international Fragrance and Flavor company, has stated that they have obtained a 40% increase in efficiency from their Kardex® system, after installing the upgrade software.

Features

• Computerized Inventory Control
• Fast Accurate Product Locating
• Eliminate Inventory Recording Errors
• Dramatically Increase System Efficiency
• Each step of the batching operation is policed by the software in order to ensure that all steps are performed as defined in the process specification
• Minimize Tray Movement
• Real-Time Inventory Updates
• Validated Audit Trail Records
• Paperless Operation