Features

Features

PALMS™ Smart WMS by Technoforte is a Digital Transformation tool for supply chain and warehouse management designed to effectively manage warehouse operations across multiple warehouse locations, and a variety of industry verticals. With PALMS™, businesses are able to harness the software to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the overall fluency of warehouse operations. 

Digitizing data using PALMS™ Smart WMS profoundly affects the ease of traceability, compliance with regulations, data insights and visualization. With all data on resources digitally accessible in the application, managers are able to make more informed decisions.

PALMS™ can have a transformational effect on your warehouse, eliminating the need for a physical document library and the risks associated with it. Documentation like supplier invoices, delivery challans, PO copies can all be accessed instantaneously.

The modular architecture of the application allows the customer to “pick and choose” from a rich add-on module repository. This means pricing can be customized to match customer requirements.

PALMS™ Smart WMS Core Features:

  • Master Data Setup (Warehouse, SKUs, Customers, Suppliers, Locations etc.,)
  • Receiving (ASN, Gate Inwards, Put-away with Location Suggestion, Exceptions etc.,)
  • Dispatch (Sales Order, Allocation by FIFO/FEFO/FMFO, Picking, Picking Exceptions etc.,)
  • Inventory (Stock, Stock Ledger, Internal & External Stock Transfers etc.,)
  • Stock Taking & Cycle Counts (Inventory reconciliation functions)
  • HHT Operations (Handheld Terminal Operations using Android based HHTs)

PALMS™ Smart WMS Self-Learning Features:

PALMS™ Smart WMS has built-in self-learning capabilities that adapt to the specific needs of your business:

  • Zero-setup recommendations like:
    • Put-away Bin Location Suggestion – based on past storage history
    • SKU’s Bin capacity computation – based on past storage statistics
    • Fast-mover SKU’s getting auto-awarded more accessible and closer-to-exit bin locations to maximize warehouse throughput

    Note – all zero-setup recommendations also have associated setups to further fine-tune system recommendations. However, the system also works without any setups by its self-learning capability

  • Best fit UOM allocation for a Sales Order in case of multi UOM scenarios
  • Remembering user preferences for all UI elements
  • Custom Notifications

PALMS™ as a Digital Transformation Tool

The implementation of PALMS™ Smart WMS impacts every aspect of warehouse management to create a “Digital Warehouse”.

The “Digital Warehouse” refers to the transformed warehouse with increased throughput, productivity and efficiency created by PALMS™. The real-time visibility, traceability and analytics offered by the application creates a competitive advantage in today’s challenging business environment.

The “Digital Warehouse” is centered around a number of smart features that put the control of all warehouse activities at your fingertips:

  1. Real-Time Visibility and Control: One of the core pillars of digitization is the ability to see and manage your warehouse operations in real time. PALMS™ excels in providing an immediate, holistic view of every aspect of your warehouse. From inventory levels to order status, you gain unprecedented visibility. This real-time insight enables you to make data-driven decisions, respond swiftly to changes in demand, and prevent errors, resulting in a more efficient and agile warehouse.
  2. Smart Mobility Solutions: PALMS™ takes warehouse mobility to a new level. The introduction of handheld devices equipped with smartphone apps, voice interfaces, and smart eyewear equips your workforce with powerful tools. These tools streamline processes such as picking, packing, and kitting, significantly boosting productivity. Managers can also enjoy the flexibility of remote monitoring, using mobile dashboards and reports to keep a watchful eye on inventory and stock levels in real time.
  3. Data-Driven Decision- Making: Leveraging machine learning and predictive analytics, PALMS™ transforms data into actionable insights. Historical data is analysed to forecast demand and optimize the use of assets and warehouse capacity. This data-driven approach empowers warehouse professionals to make proactive decisions, shifting from a reactive mode of operation. As a result, resource allocation, inventory control, and overall efficiency are dramatically improved.
  4. Automation and Robotics: Automation and robotics represent a cornerstone of modern warehousing, and PALMS™ seamlessly integrates these technologies. Automation reduces labor costs and enhances precision by handling routine tasks with minimal human intervention. Concurrently, robotics accelerates order fulfillment and inventory management. These advancements minimize human error and increase the overall efficiency of warehouse operations.
  5. Technology for Enhanced Transparency: In addition to the existing features, PALMS™ embraces technology to offer enhanced transparency and trust within the warehouse. PALMS decentralized ledger records all transactions and movements securely. It brings transparency, streamlines supply chain communication through smart contracts, ensures enhanced security, and offers end-to-end traceability. With reduced paperwork and improved accuracy, PALMS adds a new layer of confidence and efficiency to the modern warehouse.

PALMS™ - A Future-Ready WMS

Implementing a Warehouse Management System is one of the most critical decisions for any enterprise with supply-chain-intensive operations. Once implemented, the WMS becomes a backbone for all future warehouse operations across the enterprise. One key decision-making factor is the WMS’s readiness for future requirements. While current requirements may be limited, it cannot be ruled out that requirements will evolve and more complexity will be added to the business operations.

PALMS™ Smart WMS is a highly scalable solution with a rich set of Add-On Modules that can be opted for at any later date, whenever the need arises:

  • Wave Picking – eCommerce operations are increasingly becoming a part of large enterprise supply chains. PALMS™ Wave Picking module is designed especially for eCommerce-related picking operations, offering the capabilities for automated wave generation based on pre-set criteria. It achieves this by batching orders together for consolidated pick operations.  These picks are then quickly sorted into orders, packed as per destination, and slotted as per the courier/shipping partner. The coexistence of eCommerce and conventional warehouse operations is becoming commonplace in warehouse operations. PALMS™ also offers the capability to manage omni-channel warehouse operations using multiple configurable workflow templates within the same warehouse.
  • PALMS™ VMT – The PALMS™ Android-based HHT App is optimized for Vehicle Mounted Terminals with long-range scanners. This ensures fast scanning by MHE operators without having to leave their seats each time. It improves the productivity of MHE Operators threefold by reducing travel time. For managers, Handy PALMS™ increases accessibility and mobility in the warehouse by offering remote visualization capabilities.
  • PALMS™ Resource & Cost Tracking – PALMS™ allows accurate tracking of manpower, machinery, and consumable resources. PALMS™ Task Management can handle automated as well as user-entered data on resource utilization. Costs can be attached to each resource type, and based on the actual utilization of resources, the cost of executing each transaction is computed. PALMS™ Analytics add-on module provides a drill-down and multi-dimensional analysis function to spot leakages and ‘MUDA’ (work that does not add value) wastages in processes, allowing businesses to increase operational efficiency. With all data on resources digitally accessible in the application, managers are able to make more informed decisions.
  • Robotic Process Automation (RPA) ready interfaces – Most time data that has to be entered into the system is not available in digitized EDI / CSV formats. Users are forced to perform repetitive data entry tasks in such scenarios. For example, ASN details wherein Supplier Invoices are sent as hard copies or PDF files. RPA interfaces in  PALMS™ use tools like UIPath to process various types of Supplier Invoices so that all data entry can be done by the RPA robots. This eliminates needless manual labor and activities that contribute to the wastage of time and resources.
  • PALMS™ Activity Planner – The PALMS™ Activity Planner and Scheduler is driven by operations research-based heuristics and artificial intelligence. The algorithm computes various constraints like resource availability, MHE availability, Dock availability, shift timings, etc., and schedules the operations of the warehouse.
  • PALMS™ Cross Dock – PALMS™ Cross Dock helps run operations that directly allocate and transfer stock from receiving bays to dispatch bays. It is applicable in scenarios where back-to-back orders are received for dispatch or back orders require a direct transfer from the receiving to the dispatch bay.
  • PALMS™ Voice Picking – The PALMS™ Android-driven HHT Application can provide voice instructions and also accept voice inputs from the binner/picker. It helps in optimizing operations by hands-free communication of data.
  • PALMS™ Analytics – PALMS™ supports BI and Analytics reporting tools. Technoforte has a ready Analytics wrapper built on Qlik and can also be made available on Microsoft Power BI tool. PALMS™ Analytics is available on SaaS and requires additional 3rd party Qlik Licenses and Hosting capabilities. PALMS™ Analytics ‘out of the box’ Dashboards presentation is attached as an annexure along with this proposal. The dashboards cover visual analytics of Throughput, Location Utilization, Planned v/s Actual Receipts, Put Away Details, Put Away Performance, Put Away Quality Monitoring, Put Away Turnaround Time, Planned v/s Actual Dispatch, Dispatch Details, Pick Performance, Pick Turnaround Time, Vehicle Turnaround Time and Detention Analytics. The digital transformation of the warehouse enables instantaneous access to many insightful metrics.
  • PALMS™ Forecasting – An end to end Forecasting engine which can forecast Demand, Inventory and Purchase quantities based on past demand trends and other variables like seasonality. The capabilities of the application to forecast and provide managers a more comprehensive understanding of the warehouse are a result of PALMS™ digital transformation.

PALMS™ R&D Labs

The PALMS™ Smart WMS Product team is continually enhancing the product features so that you as a customer can rest assured that every update ensures that you stay ahead of the curve. Some of the futuristic features that are currently being worked upon at the PALMS R&D Labs are:

  • PALMS™ Step Counter: In warehouses where work gets done by mostly walking around, PALMS™ Step Counter, helps to know historic trends on the number of steps required to traverse across locations. This data helps in judging the quantum of work completed and also for estimating the time for future tasks.
  • VMT Odometer Interface: Just like steps counting helps in estimating the quantum of work for manpower moving on foot, VMT Odometer Interface is able to automatically collect the distance traversed data from the MHEs and tag it against location to location hop.
  • Time Predictor: AI/ML-based algorithms use the Steps and Odometer data for the prediction of “Estimated Time Required” for all Warehouse Tasks & Instructions. Provides a manpower performance monitor and incentive program for rewarding productive manpower.
  • Augmented Reality & Wearables: Wearables are changing the way warehouse operations can be performed. PALMS™ R&D Labs is continuously working on integrating wearables for warehouse staff. Google Glass based augmented reality-driven instructions, ring scanners for hands-free operations, and headphones and mic for voice-driven operations are some of the initiatives in progress at our R&D Labs.

PALMS™ WCS
PALMS™ WCS helps customers integrate our warehouse management system to AS/RS, vertical carousel, and other PLCs.

Standard reports available in PALMS™ WMS:
Digitized warehouse data can be utilized for smart analytics. The data collected by PALMS™ is used to create data visualization reports and actionable insights for decision makers.

PALMS™ has 120+ ready-to-use reports available which can deliver insights on a variety of metrics so that your business is able to gauge the fluency of warehouse operations. Frequently searched screens and columns can be saved as a named search.

Palms Location Analytics

Monthly Performance

Trucks Received and Dispatch Analytics

Bin Utilization Analytics by Storage Area

SKU Analytics

SKU Movement

The aforementioned features make PALMS™ the preferred warehouse management system for large warehouse operators. At the highest levels, areas where Technoforte’s PALMS™ Smart Warehouse Management System shows the greatest ROI are:

01 Efficient Forecasting Algorithms ensure Optimal Inventory Positions resulting in Direct Cost Savings

02 Barcode, RFID and Voice Picking enabled processes for efficient and accurate material movement. Rugged Hand-held terminals with
barcode or RFID functionality can be used for operations such as: receiving, binning/put-away, picking, kitting and packing.

03 Improved Utilization & Tracking of Man Hours through live monitoring dashboards.

04Faster decisions improving the ROI of overall SCM Operations.

05 Empower the business through increased access to holistic, consistent enterprise information

06Improved business performance, increased profitability, streamlined operational efficiency and proactive management of regulatory compliance.

07PALMS™ Smart WMS can be integrated to third party ERP using electronics data interchange (EDI).

08PALMS™ electronics data interchange (EDI) helps companies extend their Warehouse Management System to their customers and suppliers.

09PALMS™ can easily be extended to customers and suppliers using palms portal users

10PALMS™ WCS helps customers integrate the warehouse management system to ASRS, vertical carousel and other PLCs.

  • Efficient Forecasting Algorithms ensure Optimal Inventory Positions resulting in Direct Cost Savings
  • Barcode, RFID and Voice Picking enabled processes for efficient and accurate material movement. Rugged Hand-held terminals with
    barcode or RFID functionality can be used for operations such as: receiving, binning/put-away, picking, kitting and packing.
  • Improved Utilization & Tracking of Man Hours through live monitoring dashboards.
  • Faster decisions improving the ROI of overall SCM Operations.
  • Empower the business through increased access to holistic, consistent enterprise information
  • Improved business performance, increased profitability, streamlined operational efficiency and proactive management of regulatory compliance.
  • PALMS™ Smart WMS can be integrated to third party ERP using electronics data interchange (EDI).
  • PALMS™ electronics data interchange (EDI) helps companies extend their Warehouse Management System to their customers and suppliers. Standardization across all suppliers can be achieved through the digital capabilities of the application.
  • PALMS™ can easily be extended to customers and suppliers using palms portal users
  • Digitized, real-time inventory data means that information is always readily available to decision-makers. The storage of historical data by PALMS™ allows for precise serial number traceability.
  • PALMS™ WCS helps customers integrate the warehouse management system to ASRS, vertical carousel and other PLCs.

We have satisfied customers in many countries – India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, USA, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Kenya

Speak to our experts today, and find out how PALMS™ can transform your business!