Warehouse Control System

PALMS™ Warehouse Control System

A warehouse control system (WCS) typically acts as a bridge between the WMS Software and Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS).  

This allows the WMS Software to provide additional functionalities to the warehouse. The WCS translates the instructions received from the WMS into machine readable language to carry out operations like put away, picking, internal transfers etc. 

What does a warehouse control system do?

PALMS™ WCS performs the following functions:  

  • Integration with ASRS PLCs (Programming Language Controllers)   
  • Interfacing bridge between the XML based web services protocol on PALMS™ and the typical binary protocol at the PLC end.  
  • Elaborate functionality including Location Management, Location Suggestion for incoming pallets over conveyors, enforcing FIFO / FEFO allocation rules, routing dispatches to correct truck bays etc. 

Key functionalities of the WMS vs the WCS

A WMS Software is a broader solution that manages aspects like inbound and outbound operations, ERP integration, and labor management. On the other hand, a warehouse control system is a real-time control solution that manages specific tasks; primarily the storage and retrieval of material within the warehouse. 

Some of the functions are elaborated in the table below: 

WMS 

WCS 

Order Management Integration 

Pack Sorter Management 

ERP Integration 

Machine Control Integration 

Advanced Receiving 

Automated Pick Management 

Management Reporting 

In-line Weight and Motion 

Reverse Putaway 

In-line Print and Apply 

Why choose PALMS™ WCS?

The PALMS™ warehouse control system framework provides the interface for the WMS Software with different AS/RS systems to seamlessly carry out operations in the warehouse, and maintain an incredibly precise degree of inventory control.

  • The wherewithal to manage all the types of storage and conveyor technology like ASRS, shuttle systems and high bay warehouses 
  • Vendor-agnostic warehouse controller that keeps the flow of material going even if individual devices fail   
  • End-to-end control over operations and visibility of automated processes 
  • Tracking of barcodes and flow of material and the ability to trace and immediately adjust in case of malfunctions. 
  • Grow throughput, optimize and maximize warehouse capacity 
  • Highly scalable with a database driven architecture  
  • Smart analytics, data visualization and actionable insights 
  • Support for common workflows including basic automation, full automation, and automation-workforce hybrids 

An effective inventory control WMS software makes all the difference in offsetting those tiny, pesky margins that inflate costs and inhibit maximum efficiency. With PALMS™ WCS, you have a centralized solution with all the integrations customized for any business scenarios.  

Speak to our in-house experts today to increase productivity across your supply chain!