24
Sun, Nov
1 New Articles

Technology Focus: Distribution, Warehousing, and Trucking Apps

General
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Depending on whom you ask, distribution, warehousing, and trucking applications may or may not also be considered "supply chain" apps.

 

One of the many technological issues that seems to be in flux today is the question of whether or not software product types such as distribution, warehousing, and trucking (D/W/T) apps are included when we speak of "supply chain applications."

 

Traditionally, supply chain apps have been considered more pertinent to the process of moving raw materials to some facility where they are processed, either into finished goods or goods that are later made part of some other finished product. The classical view is that then distribution, warehousing, and trucking apps are concerned with the movement of these finished goods to retail outlets. This, of course, is regardless of the fact that to the average retailer or consumer, the entire process is part of a supply chain from their point of view.

 

Let's further stipulate that distribution apps generally have to do with the logistics of moving goods from one place to another. Warehousing, or warehouse-management apps, have to do with housing and retrieving goods efficiently from large storage facilities. Trucking applications refer to apps for handling the distribution of goods by truck as opposed to rail, air, or some other means.

 

Members of the Club or Not?

 

What might be surprising is that vendors of D/W/T apps don't themselves all agree on whether or not those kinds of software fit under the "supply chain" umbrella. When asked if it's a valid distinction to separate D/W/T from supply chain apps based on whether or not they deal with finished goods, several polled vendors of IBM i apps in this market segment gave differing answers.

 

"In our experience, I would say this [differentiating D/W/T apps from supply chain apps] is a very fair categorization," notes Dan Kiefer, vice president of sales and marketing at King III Solutions, maker of a warehouse-management app. "In dealing with our customers as well as prospects, this is exactly the way they normally view it as well."

 

"We do distribution and warehousing apps. I feel these are supply chain apps. I'm not sure why there would be a differentiation; there's not a valid distinction. These are all part of the supply chain," disagrees Greg Neal, director of product development at Mincron.

 

Lane Nelson, president of HarrisData, which specializes in distribution, splits the difference: "If you consider 'supply chain' to be one end of the spectrum and the logistics of moving finished goods to be the other, most businesses live somewhere in the middle, leveraging a blend of techniques and technologies that optimize their system for their businesses. In our opinion, creating distinctions between the two is how software companies attempt to create niche markets they can dominate. Business people don't look to buy one or the other; they look for solutions to solve problems, reduce costs, and grow profits."

 

So it appears that whatever your opinion on this question might be, you're going to find others who agree with you. Should you want to take a closer look at non-D/W/T supply chain apps for the IBM i, please see "Technology Focus: Keeping the Links in Your Supply Chain Strong." For a more detailed look at enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications for IBM i, please see "Technology Focus: ERP Software for IBM i Offers a Smorgasbord of Features."

Challenges in the D/W/T Market

Regardless of how we define supply chain, D/W/T apps, like many others, face constant challenges from a changing market.

 

"Our customers are still focused on eliminating the time and effort required to track goods," HarrisData's Nelson observes. "Many have achieved a level of accuracy in inventory that provides key insights into their businesses. Now, they are looking at reducing the cost of recording the information involved in tracking goods. Recent enhancements [to our product] have focused on such areas as data collection."

 

"One of the areas that consistently comes up [in customer feedback] is an area we call metrics. The executives are looking for ways to make sure their company and employees are getting the maximum benefit from our tools. Are their buyers using it properly? Is there still room for improvement, and if so, where?" reports King III's Kiefer.

 

Mincron's Neal similarly points to data analytics as an important customer concern, highlighting "mixing and summarizing data from everyday transactions, identifying trends, and making smart business decisions from what they can glean from their data."

 

He also notes that e-commerce is playing a bigger role. "The lines are blurring between warehouse and retail," he observes. "Some of our customers are venturing into B2C" and interfacing directly with consumers.

 

Kiefer also puts a spotlight on support and training. "The reality is that the new generation entering the workforce will not show the same loyalty to a company that previous generations have. This creates a huge obstacle for our customers. How can they get new employees trained and knowledgeable on our application as quickly as possible? For us, this has meant continuous improvement to our interfaces to ensure ease of use, but also providing them access to continuing education and training so their internal staff is not solely responsible for getting a new employee up to speed."

Technology Improvements on the Horizon

When asked what technologies will have the biggest impact on their software, Mincron and HarrisData both point to integration with mobile devices.

 

"The pervasiveness of these devices is a critical issue," Neal emphasizes. "We need to extend our apps to work with Apple iOS or Android primarily, and also smart phones."

 

Nelson agrees. "The impact of mobile devices (and the 'Bring Your Own Device' mentality) [means that] instead of coding for specific devicesbar code readers, RFID devices, etc.applications must be able to be rendered appropriately for whatever type of device emerges in the warehouse without requiring additional programming. Touch interfaces will become the norm in a few short years…. Imagine a single device that can notify a user of an issue via text message (including a photo of the problem, if appropriate), allow the user to jump directly to the application for more information, and more."

 

"These devices exist today," Nelson adds. "Applications are going to need to extend quickly to the new platform."

 

Kiefer sees Web portals and similar ways of accessing data while out of the office as important. "For our company, this has meant developing our software to be browser-based so that employees can run our software from any computer, tablet, or phone with a browser. Being platform-independent means that our users can access the information they need from anywhere, any time."

 

Kiefer and Neal also cite the impact of cloud computing.

 

"We've seen far more customers and companies moving toward a hosted environment," relates Kiefer. "They no longer want to maintain servers."

 

"Cloud apps and computing will play a part," agrees Neal. "Our distributors currently have their own infrastructures. That's where their employees connect to." But if there's a large move to the cloud, "those facilities may not be on premises. It's a change in paradigm in IT infrastructure."

 

Below are the major players in distribution, warehouse management, trucking, and shipping applications for the IBM i. The product descriptions are simply brief summaries. Be sure to check the links to vendor Web sites for more complete information on each product.

 

And as always when looking for products or services, be sure to check the MC Press Online Buyer's Guide.

Distribution, Warehousing, Trucking, and Shipping Apps for IBM i

HarrisData

HarrisData Distribution

Although part of HarrisData's larger enterprise resource planning (ERP) software suite, HarrisData Distribution focuses on warehouse operations, inventory management, and deliveries tracking.

 

King III Solutions (K3S)

K3S Replenish

K3S Replenish focuses on warehouse and store-level inventory control. Features include order-cycle analysis tools; alternative-source purchasing support; ability to handle multiple warehouse locations; and proven-demand, lead-time, and seasonal forecasting.

 

Knighted

VisionWMS

VisionWMS helps users manage warehouse operations with support for inbound receiving and putaway, labor management, dynamic picking and slotting, RF wireless and voice technology, and inventory and shipping controls.

 

WCSPlus

WCSPlus is an order-fulfillment solution for warehousing companies. A Web-enabled application, WCSPlus automates routing to balance workloads, optimizes picking with visual technology, and issues alerts when conditions exceed predefined parameters.

 

Krengel Technology

KrengelShip for UPS

KrengelShip for UPS is an alternative application for accessing APIs connected with United Parcel Service's tracking system for shipments. KrengelShip validates addresses, compares shipping times for various UPS services, tracks parcels, and lets users schedule or modify pickup times and other details.

 

Logicor

Global Ship iSeries

Logicor's shipping software provides a solution for outbound logistics that works with multiple carriers and private fleets to ship small parcels or heavy freight loads. Features include support for a browser interface, multiple billing types, multiple rates per carrier, export docs for international shipments, and automated packing.

 

Made4Net

SCExpert

SCExpert is an application suite written in Microsoft .NET, the applications of which offer supply-chain services such as shipping, warehouse management, goods routing and transport, logistics, inventory, container planning, and billing.

 

Mincron Software Systems

Enterprise Software Solution

Enterprise Software Solution is a software application that controls distribution functions for enterprises. Modules include inventory management and replenishment, order processing, warehouse management and logistics, EDI, and document imaging.

 

Warehouse Manager

Warehouse Manager is tailored for warehouse operations management and includes facilities for inventory control and troubleshooting, putaway, SKU number management, automated cycle counts, EDI, replenishment, paperless operations, barcode label printing, and multiple-location warehousing.

 

Nulogx

Managed Inbound Transportation

Managed Inbound Transportation is a hosted service application that helps cut inbound freight costs and streamlines warehouse operations. Features include a logistics control center, scalability for different-sized operations, and extensive reporting options.

 

Transportation Management System Online (TMS-O)

TMS-O is also a hosted service application that handles shipping and other logistical activities for enterprises using all platforms. Features include cost-allocation protocol options, support for segmented carrier operations, shipment optimization, automatic mileage calculations, and support for all EDI standards.

 

TMW Systems

Innovative Access and Access Plus

Innovative Access and Access Plus is an application that handles trucking operations for small to mid-sized carriers and provides a more economical entry point for the company's Innovative IES application system.

 

Innovative IES

Innovative IES is a software solution that helps trucking enterprises of any size administer fleet operations and dispatching. Features include ability to enter orders and master orders; track data on drivers and trucks; coordinate mileage and fuel expenses; and manage taxes, fees, and detention charges.

 

TL2000

TL2000 is an IBM i application for managing shipping operations via truck. Features include truckload and LTL planning, accounting, performance reporting, preventive maintenance records, accident and cargo-claims tracking, log auditing, truck dispatch, and customer service.

 

Varsity Logistics

Shipping Software Solutions

Varsity offers a suite of shipping-related software applications for the IBM i. These include ShipSoft Parcel for the small-package shipping process, the TransData datamart for acquiring a global view of transaction activities, ShipView Plus for managing shipping-system performance, and ShipSoft Freight for handling LTL, truckload, and rail shipments.

 

 

John Ghrist

John Ghrist has been a journalist, programmer, and systems manager in the computer industry since 1982. He has covered the market for IBM i servers and their predecessor platforms for more than a quarter century and has attended more than 25 COMMON conferences. A former editor-in-chief with Defense Computing and a senior editor with SystemiNEWS, John has written and edited hundreds of articles and blogs for more than a dozen print and electronic publications. You can reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: