Implementing WMS and MSCA in a Wireless Environment

Implementing Oracle WMS/MSCA in a Wireless Implementing Oracle WMS/MSCA in a Wireless EnvironmentEnvironment

7 Steps to the Finish Line7 Steps to the Finish LineOAUG OATS ConferenceOAUG OATS Conference

Worcester, MAWorcester, MAJune 2003June 2003

Teresa K. PurdyTeresa K. PurdyOracle Practice DirectorOracle Practice Director

12 years in business

120 Employees

Corporate office in Warminster, PA

International offices in United Kingdom and Australia

Global Sales and Service

We evaluate, implement, and support leading technologies for Global 2000

and emerging companies.

Datavision, Inc.

Oracle Practice Credentials

• Oracle Applications User • Utilize mobile data collection with Oracle

Applications internally • Oracle Partner• WMS Beta Testing Participant with Oracle

WMS Development• Maintain a WMS/MSCA development

environment • Leadership in the OAUG WMS/MSCA SIG

Introduction to Oracle WMS/MSCA

Full Integration = No Middleware

• Business logic remains within the enterprise server

• Data integrity preserved

• Data redundancy eliminated

• Database synchronization eliminated

Standard Desktop Interface

Browser Browser UIUI

Forms Forms ServerServer

ManufacturingManufacturing

EE--Business Business SuiteSuite

QualityQuality

InventoryInventory

ShippingShipping

ReceivingReceiving





Mobile Interface

Mobile support for existing desktop applications


BrowserBrowserUIUI

BrowserBrowserUIUI

BrowserBrowserUIUI

BrowserBrowserUIUI

ManufacturingManufacturing

Forms Forms ServerServer

EE--Business Business SuiteSuite

MobileMobileUIUI

MobileMobileUIUI

MobileMobileUIUI

MobileMobileUIUI

MobileMobileUIUI

Oracle MSCAOracle MSCA

Mobile Mobile ServerServer

QualityQuality

InventoryInventory

ShippingShipping

ReceivingReceiving

Oracle MSCA & WMS Incremental Functionality

INBOUNDINBOUND OUTBOUNDOUTBOUND

Inve

ntor

yIn

vent

ory

!Receipt Routing!Direct!Standard!Inspection

!Inspection with Oracle Quality!Inbound ASN

!Pick Release!Release Rules!Release Sequence Rules!Pick Slip Grouping Rules!Pick Confirm!Ship ConfirmM

SCA

MSC

A

Mobile (RF) Transaction & Barcode SupportMobile Transaction Server, Mobile Applications Framework, New UI

WM

S In

stal

led,

Inv

Org

WM

S In

stal

led,

Inv

Org New Entities : Cost Groups, Material Status, Lot/Serial Attributes

WM

S In

stal

led,

WM

S O

rgW

MS

Inst

alle

d, W

MS

Org

New Entities : Rules Engine, LPN’s, Tasks

!LPN Based Receipts!Mobile User Interface!Rules Based Put Away!Rules Based Cost Groups!Auto Assign Status & Attributes

!Rules Based Allocation!Task Type Assignment!Cartonization!Pick Methodologies!Task Split & Merge!Task Dispatching!LPN Based Picking!Dock Appointments!LPN Based Shipping

Oracle Mobile Applications Oracle Mobile Applications ArchitectureArchitecture

Oracle Mobile Applications Architecture

Application /Application /Data BaseData Base

RF Base RF Base Station Station (Router)(Router) LAN or WANLAN or WAN

Mobile Mobile Transaction Transaction

ServerServer

SQL NetSQL NetTelnet over TCP/IPTelnet over TCP/IPRF DeviceRF Device

Mobile Transaction Server (MTS)

• SOFTWARE, not hardware• Supports both WMS and MSCA• Adheres to IEEE 802.11b• Device independent• Scalable over multiple servers• “Forms Server” for data collection devices

Telnet Session Mirroring on the Desktop

• Allows the Telnet session to be viewed from a desktop or other Telnet client

• Facilitates user training and performance monitoring

• Enables remote trouble shooting and support

Label Printing with Oracle

Label Design Format 3rd Party Software

Oracle Labeling Setup

Label Print Requested

Printer/Format Assigned

Oracle Created XML Request

Label Printing 3rd Party Software

Oracle MSCA

Example Label Types

• LPN – LPN information• LPN Content – LPN plus content information• LPN Summary – Nested LPN contents summarized• Material – Item, quantity, lot, etc.• Serial – Material plus serial number• Location – Subinventory / Locator • Shipping – Customer / Address • Shipping Contents – Shipping plus content• WIP Content – WIP job content

Functionality Demonstration

Oracle WMS/MSCA Login Screen

Main Menu (Inbound)

Inbound Process - Receiving a PO

Inbound Process – PO and Line

Inbound Process – LPN Assignment

Inbound Process – Optional Details

7 Steps Methodology

• One Step at a Time• Build on Your Strengths• Take Advantage of the Best Technology• Master the Basics• Control Risks• Train for the Event• Who Has Your Back?

Step 1: One Step at a Time

• A comprehensive wireless data collection integration plan should be developed in conjunction with end user input.

Integration Process Map

Information Gathering

Security Analysis

Hardware Recommendation

and Selection

Install CRP Environment

Integration of Labeling Hardware and Software

(if required for Pilot)

Business Process Mapping

Perform Site Survey and

Security Analysis

Site Survey and Security Analysis

Reports to Customer

Hardware / Device Procurement

Customer Site Preparation

WLAN Installation

Knowledge Transfer and

Device Training

Application Configuration and

Modifications

Integration of Labeling Software

and Hardware

Device Configuration

Optional Services

• Review Current Network• Review Functional Requirements• Develop Future Requirements

Can include:• Software Installation

& Configuration• TE Modifications• Mobile Screen

Customizations

• Completed at Datavision

• Shipped to Customer prior to installation

WLAN Installation includes installation of the Security Solution Key:

(Optional Anchor Leg Services have a dotted line border.)

Step 1: One Step at a Time

• The foundation of the application implementation is having the software up and running on your network and data collection devices without errors.

Wireless LAN Configuration

RF Base RF Base Station Station (Router)(Router) LAN or WANLAN or WAN

Mobile Mobile Transaction Transaction

ServerServer

SQL NetSQL NetTelnet over TCP/IPTelnet over TCP/IPRF RF

DeviceDevice

Application/Application/DatabaseDatabase

Step 2: Build on Your Strengths

• “Inventory” your business practices.• Match them against “best” practices.• Deploy seeded Oracle WMS/MSCA

functionality and flexibility, including–– Predefined forms– Data Field Identifiers (DFI’s) – Adaptive forms based on item type and setup

Step 2: Customize if Required

• Oracle WMS/MSCA’s Java and PL/SQL architecture allows for the customization of the application to mirror your best business practices, if necessary

• Customizations can include – Changing the order of the fields in the display or

other display modifications (JAVA customization) – Adding information fields into the display or other

data customizations

Customization Process

Database Tier

Mobile Device

Telnet over WLAN

802.11b

Access Point

LAN

MSCA Telnet Server Process

$MWA_TOP/bin/mwactl.sh

CLASSPATH variable

$CUSTOM_TOP/javaCustomizations

$JAVA_TOP/apps.zipStandard Functionality

Application /Middle Tier

Customized Slides ExampleForm: ITEM PO form (Receiving -> Receipts -> Item PO)

Standard Functionality Customization

AAAAAA

Customization Description: re-label the “Supplier Item” field to “X Ref”

Step 3: Take Advantage of the Best Technology

• Build your wireless automated data collection system with the best pieces available

• The 802.11b standard or WIFI allows for interoperability between different manufacturers devices, allowing you to select the best devices for every situation in your business environment, regardless of the manufacturer

• Be satisfied with nothing less than best-of-breed hardware selections

Best of Breed Hardware Options

Step 4: Master the Basics

• Accurate barcode printing and labeling is the foundation to any automated data collection system

• The integration of barcodes into your existing business environment and processes requires careful planning and expertise

Barcoding Basics – Breaking It Down

• Integrating barcode printers• Integrating barcode printing software• Developing a barcode labeling system for

labeling items, LPNs, and locations• “Installing” internal barcode labels and

placards on warehouse infrastructure• Compliance Labeling

Label Printing Software Integration1) WMS/MSCA user triggers a

print request

WMS: Label Print ModeSynchronous or A-Synchronous

Oracle ERP System

2) XML data is generated, per business rules (via Java Classes and PL/SQL)

XML data transfer over TCP/IP

3) Printing process waits and executes print requests as they come in, executing the XML data contents

Label Printing Module (can co-exist with Oracle database or externally on another server)

4) Print request is submitted to the printer using the template as designed in the Label Module and in Oracle Applications

Label Printers

LAN/WLAN

Print Request over TCP/IP

Wireless LAN(802.11b)

“Decorating the Warehouse”

• Sight Survey / Analysis – identifying locations

• Functional requirements review

• Testing with hardware

• Size, material, symbology determination

“Decorating” continued

• Quote provided for the manufacturing process. Includes materials, printing, hanging specifications

• Quote acceptance – Proofs provided for further testing on site

• Installation– Entire process take approximately 4 weeks

Step 5: Control Risks

• Security flaws for 802.11b WEP encryption have been publicized in the press

• Two primary security concerns– Data Privacy (encryption)– Network Access

• No one solution is a “best fit”• Layered solution is recommended

Security Options

Door is locked

WEP 128 EnabledSSID Off

Rotation LocksmithsRotation

Locksmiths

LEAP/802.1x/802.11i

Dynamic WEP 128AES & EAP

Active Security

VPN FIPS 140ALARMALARM

Hardened Security

Wireless

NeighborhoodWireless

NeighborhoodNo

Security Enabled

Door is open

Step 6: Train for the Event

• Change can be intimidating • Solid end-user training and testing programs

are essential to building acceptance and excitement for your new solution

• As an transaction execution system, WMS/MSCA is mission critical

• End User failure means that Operations fails

Types of Training Most Needed

• Technical Training for IT staff and internal Help Desk

• Application Training and Certification for Super Users and End Users

• Device Training and Trouble Shooting for Managers/Super Users

• Device Training for End Users

WMS/MSCA Conference Room Pilot

• Allows for validation of solution• Extended hands-on with hardware/application to

clarify form factor and functionality requirements• Opportunity for technical staff to gain experience

with system and hardware• Opportunity to for end-users to gain experience• Ability to analyze end users’ skill gaps for training• Provides “Sandbox” to define areas for customization

or procedural modifications

WMS/MSCA Pilot Kit Components

• Wireless Access Point• 2 Portable Data Terminals (PDTs)• Omni-directional Antenna• Power Supplies• Hardware Setup• Software Setup and Training• Available Options

– Label Printing: Printer, Software, Software Integration– Help Desk Support– Project Management– End User Documentation

Step 7: Who Has Your Back?

• Develop post-implementation support requirements

• A single point of contact for all of your service issues will minimize “finger-pointing” and eliminate confusion

Post-Installation Services

• Help Desk (24 x 7 Service available)• Depot Repair Services• Hot Spares Program• Asset Tracking• Network Monitoring• Customer Care Center Gateway

Customer Care Center Gateway

• Internet Portal• View equipment by serial

number, model number or location

• Search the complete support and repair history for any item

• Monitor the performance statistics of your wireless network

• Seamless integration with your company’s help desk

• Customized Knowledge-Base

Thank you!

• Contact:– Teresa Purdy [email protected]

• Datavision Oracle Practice:www.datavision.com/oraclewms

• To join the OAUG WMS/MSCA SIG:[email protected]@datavision.com

Presented at OAUG OATS 2003 OATS2003

Implementing WMS and MSCA in a Wireless Environment

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