{"id":31567,"date":"2022-11-16T10:39:30","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T15:39:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hy-tek.com\/?post_type=resources&p=31567"},"modified":"2023-04-04T09:42:34","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T13:42:34","slug":"what-is-a-warehouse-control-system","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/hy-tek.com\/resources\/what-is-a-warehouse-control-system\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Warehouse Control System?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A warehouse control system (WCS) is a software application that sends tasks to systems in the warehouse. It tells the systems what task to do to move items and orders from receiving to shipping. A WCS makes sure everything happens in the right order to make the warehouse more efficient.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The WCS sits below the warehouse management system (WMS)<\/a><\/strong> and provides real-time execution control of automated equipment such as conveyors, sortation systems, AS\/RS cranes, robots, and AGV\u2019s. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Understanding Warehouse Control Systems (WCS) <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Warehouse control systems <\/a><\/strong>provide the essential link between WMS software and automated equipment. But what exactly do they do, and how do they work? Let’s take a closer look.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does a WCS Do? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A WCS coordinates the movements of materials throughout the warehouse to ensure an efficient and smooth workflow from receiving to shipping while providing real-time directives to operators and equipment controllers for proper product routing and fulfillment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The WCS is capable of a variety of interface options and can communicate with multiple \u201cHost\u201d Systems. Interface options include FTP, TCP\/IP Sockets, ODBC, Shared Table, and Web Service. Custom interfaces are also available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It accesses data from external sources and then disseminates it to the various floor-level controllers, like a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)<\/a><\/strong>, Server, or PC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The WCS also includes OPC (Open Platform Communication)<\/a><\/strong> software that allows it direct communication with Industrial Controllers like a PLC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This might be necessary for telling the PLC lane assignment for a sorter, pass\/fail information for a reject diverter, or any other application that requires WCS-directed routing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Does a WCS Work? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Warehouse Control Systems are the middleware that generally sits between the WMS and the floor-level controls for the various \u201cIslands of Automation.\u201d These Islands of Automation include, but are not limited to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n