CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUTION
1.1 GENERAL OVERVIEW AND CONCEPT OF THE TOPIC
The majority of the problems that occur in the warehouse occur because of lack of control, lack of inventory control, operational control and management control. To become a dynamic and consistent organization, all the operations must be under “control”. In order to achieve this control, all the tools and technology available have to be used to get control and manage the warehouse operations. A control system is a means, mechanism or procedure by which we manage these operations. There are three basic objectives of a control system, either manual or computerized:
1. To identify and coordinate the work that has to be performed.
2. To direct the achievement of the work to maximize performance
(Productivity of warehouse resources and customer satisfaction) and
Minimize or eliminate human errors.
3. To report the status of the work that needs to be done or was done.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The importance of warehouse management system cannot be overemphasized. However, this research work is not an exception to the above idea. It aims to examine the manual system in warehouse management that is predominant in our companies, point out short comings and the corrective measures by introducing the computerised method otherwise known as warehouse management system (WMS).
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are as follows:-
- To design software system, for operating on the logistics approach to implement an efficient warehouse management.
- To optimize the facilities used in the warehouse.
- Find out the warehouse management system and some access procedures employed in some organisations.
- To examine to what extent the manual method employed to manage the warehouse had been successful and point out short comings.
- To specify a new system (warehouse management system i.e. computerised system) and how to put it in place.
- How to design and code the program that will handle the warehouse management.
- To suggest how to convert from manual system to computerised system (warehouse management system).
1.4 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
This study can be applied to any company or organisation for effective management of warehouse. The study will take into consideration the warehouse employees (operators) and barcodes (a device used to reduce the amount of information). It comprises of programs that will handle the procedure and maintenance to control the movement and storage of material within a warehouse and process the associate transaction, including shipping, receiving, put away and picking.
1.5 DEFINITION OF TECHNICAL TERMS CONCERNING THE TOPIC
BARCODE: A device used to reduce the amount of information
COMPUTER: Is a machine or device that accepts data through the input devices process the program of instruction stored in its memory and then outputs information through the output devices.
COMPUTERISED: The act of converting to a system controlled by or stored on computer
CUSTOMER: A person buying goods or services from a shop, person, organisation etc.
INFORMATION: These are data processed and presented in a form that makes meaning to the user.
INVENTORY: These are methods, procedure that are organised for the performance of functions or task within the organisation i.e. a detailed organisation of a large and complex exercise.
LOGISTICS: these are methods, procedure that are organised for the performance of function or tasks within an organisation i.e. a detailed organisation of a large and complex exercise.
MANAGEMENT: Is a transformation process consisting of planning, organising directing (initializing) and controlling the inputs to the transformation process.
MANUFACTURER: A person or organisation that converts raw materials to finish goods using machinery.
PRODUCT: These are goods or service that rendered for sales in exchange for money.
PROGRAM: A program is a carefully arranged sequence of statements that tells the computer what to do.
STOCK: A supply of goods or materials available for sale or use.
SUBROUTINE: Is a subprogram that can conveniently handle such situation or a block of instruction in a program that performs a specific task.
SYSTEM: This refers to an organised unitary whole comprising of two or more interrelated parts working independently or joint to accomplish a specific objective.
TRANSPORTATION: The act of moving product, goods or persons from one place to another
WAREHOUSE: Is a place where products, goods are kept in a very large quantity for sales or supply.
WMS (WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM): Is a group of computer programs design to help a distributor perform warehouse operations more quickly and consistently with fewer errors.
