Editors’ Picks




Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 7.85
…But it was also the subject of much of Softeon's conversations at its booths since MODEX 2020 and again at this year’s ProMat. With the high cost of labor and the increasing reliance on automation, getting the most out of our investments through eliminating those islands of automation is perhaps the challenge of our time. Integrating robots, software, and staffers was a popular topic at ProMat 2023. Source: SVT Robotics Is conventional automation poised for a comeback? For the past five or six years, so much of our focus and attention has been on e-commerce and piece picking that it’s…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 7.68
…accept tasks from BlueYonder, Körber Supply Chain, Manhattan, SAP, Softeon, Zethcon, and other warehouse management systems. The platform optimizes workflows for the company’s collaborative AMRs with path planning and fleet management software. Intelligent orchestration includes each and batch order picking, case picking, putaway and replenishment, packing and sorting, and pallet transport. With mission-control dashboards, predictive analytics, operational performance data, and intelligent labor direction, the Locus warehouse execution program provides customers with actionable intelligence in real time, claimed Lombardi. All of this is accessible through an iPad or any other connected device. All communications are available in a variety of languages,…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 41.00
Softeon Inc., a global warehouse management services company, said it will be featuring its suite of services for automated warehouses at the MODEX supply chain trade show in Atlanta this week. The Reston, Va.-based company said its integrated warehouse management system (WMS), warehouse execution system (WES), and overall supply chain execution technology platform are intended for warehouses looking to upgrade. Softeon offers range of warehouse services Interest has risen in all types of distribution center automation because of labor shortages and rising costs. Softeon said it offers unique approaches to materials handling systems, from highly automated goods-to-person and sortation systems…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.37
…said Dan Gilmore, chief marketing officer at software provider Softeon. “And certainly, there is a segment of the market where DCs are growing larger and more complex. In these environments, that means there’s more and more processes and systems that need to be synchronized. And, if you can’t do that well, you wind up with bottlenecks.” The core inventory management features in WMSes remain relevant, however. The use of bar-code data capture to verify inventory consumption or moves remains WMS table stakes. So are functions like cycle counting and tracking minimum SKU levels as part of managing replenishment of forward…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 8.28
…other way, says Dan Gilmore, chief marketing officer with Softeon, which offers WMS/WES software. Generally, it’s best to avoid sending single line item orders through a putwall, as that creates an extra handling step versus a method like pick to cart. “The software needs to be smart enough to identify which orders are best suited for processing through a putwall and release them in a way that will complete the maximum number of orders in the fewest number of picks.” In Gilmore’s view, WES is evolving in a way that makes it essential to concepts like the “smart” or “autonomous”…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 11.54
…other way, says Dan Gilmore, chief marketing officer with Softeon, which offers WMS/WES software. Generally, it’s best to avoid sending single line item orders through a putwall, as that creates an extra handling step versus a method like pick to cart. “The software needs to be smart enough to identify which orders are best suited for processing through a putwall and release them in a way that will complete the maximum number of orders in the fewest number of picks.” Podcast: Softeon's Dan Gilmore Discusses WMS and WES with Bob Tebilcock In Gilmore’s view, WES is evolving in a way…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.91
…Robots from Locus Robotics Warehouse Execution System (WES) from Softeon Goods-to-Person Picking solutions from AutoStore, and Robotic Stretch Wrapping from Robopac Other automation technologies are under consideration in UPS’s innovation centers. Automation represents a marked shift for UPS, notes Bobby Clements, vice president of strategy and marketing for UPS Global Logistics and Distribution, especially in multi-client facilities dedicated to e-fulfillment. “We have used conventional automated technologies in the past,” says Clements. “The difference is that those were in dedicated facilities for clients willing to make a long-term commitment.” In its multi-client facilities, UPS, like other third-party logistics providers (3PLs), relied…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 23.62
…this new WES, which was developed by UPS and Softeon, a provider of supply chain technology services, is geared towards enabling faster intake and fulfillment for customers, notably those with fluctuating order patterns, are able to get products on time. And they added that this new WES enables UPS to define specific customer requirements so that the highest priority orders are worked first and without manual intervention that results in more than 50% gains in productivity for some customers. UPS and Softeon began developing WES functionality early in 2019 and deployed first in June 2019. Bobby Clements, VP of Strategy…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 10.86
…mobile robots. In fact, there’s already some cross-over with Softeon, Lucas Systems and Vargo Solutions developing functionality to optimize a fleet of robots like they would optimize a cadre of associates. “When it comes to work optimization, the WES is especially well suited to medium automation solutions, where you’re using putwalls, smart carts and robotics,” notes Dan Gilmore, Softeon’s chief marketing officer. Softeon demonstrated its capabilities at ProMat last April and Vargo’s WES manages execution of robotic putwalls in several retail e-commerce facilities. “The goal is to integrate AMRs and robotic putwalls into the workflow because they’re performing with people,”…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 21.03
…above, but, don’t count the WMS providers out. Manhattan, Softeon, HighJump and JDA are playing in this emerging space. I’m sure there are others. In addition to real-time optimization, Softeon is also incorporating simulation and forecasting into its suite. “After 20 years of incremental gins in WMS technology, this focus on optimization is a step change,” notes Dan Gilmore, Softeon’s chief marketing officer. “That’s kind of remarkable, if you think about it, since WMS is such a mature technology.” Those are the things that are going to keep me busy in 2020. I’d love to know what you’re keeping an…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 6.01
…even the most challenging distribution environment. “Both Manhattan and Softeon are developing [solutions] that help companies look more carefully at how to apply work optimization techniques in high-volume distribution environments, such as those that we see with e-commerce,” says Klappich. In a similar vein, he expects more companies to move away from “after the fact” reporting in areas like labor, where questions like: “how did Sally do yesterday?” can be flipped around to “what do we need to accomplish today or this week?” or “do we need to shift workers from receiving to packing because the latter is behind schedule?”…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 11.47
…will include Tompkins Robotics, the SensorThink IoT platform, the Softeon technology platform, and the Tompkins Warehouse Execution System, all working together in a seamless manner. Along with the NFI team, this solution provides a uni-channel distributed logistics capability. MonarchFx was created to give brands and retailers a credible fulfillment solution with low capital investment as an alternative to other 3PL solutions. “I am excited to announce our partnership with NFI and to announce our first location in Chino,” said Jim Tompkins, CEO, MonarchFx. “This state-of-the-art fulfillment center will allow us to provide huge benefits to our clients and their customers.”…