Warehouse Management System (WMS)
Digital control center for the warehouse
Fast-paced supply chains make warehouse efficiency a cornerstone of business success. As customers expect ever-shorter delivery times and greater transparency, seamless logistics processes must be guaranteed. Integrated software solutions for warehouse management—Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)—are crucial to achieving this.
Warehouse management systems (WMS) such as Linde Warehouse Manager track and control all goods flows and provide data and key performance indicators for the analysis and optimization of all material-handling processes. Warehouse management systems provide the foundation for strategic business decisions and are a prerequisite for comprehensive warehouse automation.
The Linde Warehouse Manager (LWM) is a modular and versatile warehouse management system that supports both manual and automated workflows from goods receipt to goods issue. Thanks to its numerous interfaces, the LWM can also be seamlessly integrated into existing IT infrastructures.
Thanks to the modular design of our WMS, you always have exactly the right functions available to meet your current needs. If necessary, the system can be flexibly adapted and easily expanded. Preconfigured standard modules and installation packages make commissioning particularly efficient. This ensures that the system is precisely tailored to your specific warehouse operations and processes.
For example, it is possible to start with simple manual warehouse operations and later upgrade gradually to semi- or fully automated solutions. Before implementation, experts from Linde MH provide consultation to define a customized solution tailored to your specific needs.
Modular functions: From WMS to forklift guidance systems
Linde Warehouse Manager combines four powerful core functions into a comprehensive solution for warehouse logistics. Each of these functions performs specific tasks—from basic inventory management to real-time control of manual industrial trucks via the integrated forklift guidance system (FGS) or the transfer of warehouse orders to the control software of automated systems. Together, they enable end-to-end digitization and optimization of all warehouse processes.
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The LWM is suitable for automated (left) and manual (right) warehousing processes.
The LWM is suitable for automated (left) and manual (right) warehousing processes.
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Warehouse Management System (WMS)
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Warehouse Execution System (WES)
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Warehouse Control System (WCS)
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Forklift Guidance System (FGS)
Warehouse Management System (WMS)
The Warehouse Management System (WMS) of the Linde Warehouse Manager ensures efficient warehouse management by controlling all warehouse processes and tracking all inventory and goods movements in near real time. It supports material ordering and optimizes warehouse utilization by flexibly adapting to various inventory methods such as FIFO, LIFO, or best-before dates. Inventory counts can be performed at any time. In this way, the system ensures optimal organization and control of all warehouse operations.
Warehouse Execution System (WES)
The Warehouse Execution System (WES) handles the operational control of all warehouse processes, from goods receipt, storage, order picking, and production supply to replenishment control, stock transfers, and goods issue. Through continuous data analysis, it increases process efficiency and optimizes the management of both traditional warehouse areas and automated systems. Transports are prioritized according to user-defined rules, and inbound and outbound orders, for example, are intelligently grouped to significantly increase warehouse throughput.
Warehouse Control System (WCS)
The Warehouse Control System (WCS) is designed to control automated transport and storage systems. To do this, the WCS coordinates processes via the control software of the systems in use, such as conveyor systems, AGVs, or shuttles. To synchronize various warehouse processes, it can also be integrated with the WMS and WES, thereby ensuring maximum efficiency in material flow.
Forklift Guidance System (FGS)
The Forklift Guidance System (FGS) plans, prioritizes, and controls all manually performed transport tasks in the warehouse. Operators receive only the orders relevant to them directly on their forklift terminals and can efficiently process them in the calculated order. This intelligent control system reduces idle time and increases handling capacity. The integration of barcode scanners also reduces errors and speeds up processes.
Intuitive user interface
The user interface is intuitive and web-based. Employees can access the warehouse management system via smartphones, forklift terminals, or web browsers. The Warehouse Management System (WMS) always provides a clear overview of all warehouse processes, shipments, inventory levels, and reports. The software is available in up to 24 languages, making it ideal for international use in globally operating companies.
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Numbers That Matter: KPIs for All Logistics Processes
The Linde Warehouse Manager’s KPI dashboard provides decision-makers with key performance indicators for warehouse operations. The warehouse management system offers various reports as standard, including transport lists, order lists, and material inventory overviews. By combining data from WES, WCS, and WMS, the Linde Warehouse Manager enables comprehensive analysis and monitoring of all warehouse processes. The system is also capable of integrating automated guided vehicles into warehouse management.
Benefits of a Warehouse Management System (WMS)
Ready for the Future: A Quick Start to Automation
Automation is the key to sustainable and efficient warehouse logistics. Linde MH’s Warehouse Management System enables a wide variety of systems and devices—such as automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and shuttle systems—to be easily and securely integrated into existing processes via interfaces with their control software. All processes are centrally controlled via the core modules WMS, WES, and WCS.
The seamless integration of the control software for automated system components and the Linde Warehouse Manager’s routing system work together to ensure optimally coordinated manual and automated processes. Thanks to centralized control, warehouse managers always have a complete overview of the automated processes. Downtime or malfunctions are detected immediately and can be quickly resolved. This ensures smooth operation at all times.
Linde Warehouse Manager Control Center:
- Integration of various automation solutions
- Centralized control via WMS, WES, and WCS
- Smart route optimization for manual vehicles
- Full process transparency for warehouse managers
- Quick detection and resolution of issues
Custom-integrated: Connecting systems and devices to the WMS
Linde Material Handling’s Warehouse Management System integrates seamlessly into existing IT infrastructure. It offers numerous interfaces to traditional ERP systems and production planning systems, as well as to existing third-party WMS and automation solutions.
The system also supports integration with a wide variety of devices: from automated guided vehicles (AGVs/AMRs) to VNA trucks and forklift cranes, as well as conveyor systems, shuttles, PLC systems, sensors, gates, and barcode scanners. IT devices such as PDAs and terminals can also be integrated. This comprehensive compatibility sustainably increases the efficiency of the entire warehouse logistics process.
The right service: from basic to 24/7
Linde MH offers comprehensive support for the Linde Warehouse Manager. Basic support is available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (CET) and guarantees a response time of within 4 hours. Optionally, service hours can be extended to 24/7 operation, 365 days a year. Regular software updates ensure the continuous development of the warehouse management system.
- Standard response times of 4 hours
- Optional 24/7 service, 365 days a year
- Regular software updates
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions About the LWM
What is a Warehouse Management System (WMS)?
A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is an intelligent software solution designed to control and optimize all warehouse processes. It manages and optimizes a wide range of warehouse processes, including inventory management, order fulfillment, and shipping and receiving. It provides real-time visibility into inventory levels, stock locations, and goods movements. With a modern, modular WMS such as the Linde Warehouse Manager, both manual and automated workflows can be efficiently managed.
What does a Warehouse Management System (WMS) do?
A WMS controls and monitors all warehouse processes, from goods receipt to goods issue. It tracks inventory and goods movements in real time, optimizes warehouse utilization, and supports material ordering. It also adapts flexibly to various inventory management methods, such as FIFO, LIFO, or best-before dates. The system enables inventory counts at any time, thereby ensuring optimal organization and control of all warehouse processes.
What are the benefits of a Warehouse Management System (WMS)?
A WMS such as the Linde Warehouse Manager offers numerous advantages: It optimizes warehouse processes, boosts efficiency and productivity, reduces error rates, and enables transparent inventory tracking. Thanks to its modular design and standardized interfaces, it can be implemented quickly and expanded flexibly. It supports warehouse automation and integrates new technologies. It also provides key performance indicators for the warehouse, enabling informed decision-making.
Which processes can be automated using a warehouse management system (WMS)?
With a WMS such as the Linde Warehouse Manager, numerous warehouse processes can be automated: from goods receipt, storage, and order picking to production supply and replenishment control, all the way through to stock transfers and goods issue. It enables the integration and control of automated transport systems such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and shuttle systems. Route planning for automated vehicles and the prioritization of transport tasks can also be automated.
How much does a warehouse management system (WMS) cost?
The cost of a warehouse management system such as the Linde Warehouse Manager is determined on a case-by-case basis, with Linde MH experts defining a customized solution as early as the consulting phase. The modular design allows for a needs-based start—for example, with simple manual warehouse operations—and subsequent step-by-step expansion to include semi- or fully automated solutions. In addition to the software, the complete package includes implementation, training, and support, with a standard basic service covering 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a 4-hour response time, which can be optionally expanded to 24/7 operation.
