The logistics lexicon -
informs from A to Z

ABC articles are categories that are created for all articles in a range using the ABC analysis according to certain criteria. Possible storage criteria can be a high sales quantity, access frequency or turnover frequency. This means: A-items have a high sales quantity, access or turnover rate, whereas C-items have a low one. Our warehouse management system SuPCIS-L8 automatically classifies items into ABC items and implements corresponding storage strategies. This means that A-items, also known as "fast-moving items" - which are accessed frequently - can be stored in quickly accessible storage locations. This saves travel time during storage and retrieval. In contrast to the usually turnover-related ABC classification in the ERP system, the classification in SuPCIS-L8 is based on real movements for each storage area. After all, from a logistics point of view, it makes a big difference whether 1,000 items are picked from a pallet or 500 picks of 2 items each.

The automated small parts warehouse (AKL) is controlled fully automatically and works according to the "goods-to-person principle". Complete storage units with small parts are controlled by our warehouse management software. The goods are automatically removed by rack conveyors (RFZ), which travel alone, and made available to the picking units or the conveyor line connection. The employees can pick from the units provided, while the conveyor system works in the meantime. This avoids long collection routes and search work in the storage units.

Picking goods creates partial units. This means that a partial quantity is removed from a single-item unit, e.g. from an outer packaging, loading or staging unit.

The article description describes the article in simple, precise words. The designation makes the item easily recognizable. However, it should be short enough to be attached to storage locations, containers or pallets or to be shown in shelf displays. The item description is part of the item master data and makes it easier to find, manage and track the goods in the warehouse.

An article unit is the smallest unit or container size of an article. A sales unit, on the other hand, can be an item unit, but does not have to be the smallest unit. It can also be a combination of article units to form a saleable unit. For example, an item unit can be a single item of clothing, a single book or a bottle of water - regardless of whether this product is later sold in larger packaging units.

An article group is the combination of articles as a subset of a product group, product group or product range according to similar properties, characteristics or uses. These can be, for example, the same ingredients or common application features. The article group belongs to the article master data.

The article number - often referred to as a product number, order number or SKU Stock Keeping Unit - is a unique identifier for products or articles in a merchandise management and warehouse management system. Each article number consists of a specific combination of numbers, letters or both and is used to uniquely identify a product and distinguish it from others. The article number is part of the article master data. The article number plays a central role in logistics, as it forms the basis for smooth warehouse management, stock control and tracking. In order for an article number to be machine-readable or displayed as a barcode, it is designed according to data technology criteria.

Single-item storage refers to a form of storage in which only a single item is stored in a storage bin. No items are mixed on a load unit, which can be a pallet or a container.

The article master is a central component of master data management in the merchandise management system or warehouse management system. The structured data collection contains all the important information about an item or product. The article master enables companies to manage all relevant data centrally and uniformly. The article master is the directory or the entirety of all articles that are managed in the system. The article master in merchandise management systems (ERP) and warehouse management systems (WMS) are similar, but usually differ in terms of depth of detail and functionality. While the ERP system provides a more comprehensive collection of data for the entire company, the item master in the WMS focuses on information that is specific to warehouse management and logistics processes. Why is the article master important? A well-maintained article master forms the basis for smooth business processes in warehouse management. A clean database minimizes errors, saves time and ensures greater transparency throughout the entire supply chain.

Article master data is the inventory data that serves as the starting point for all merchandise management subsystems. All item-specific information required to control the goods processes is entered in the item master data.

An automatic forklift guidance system improves the utilization and efficiency of forklift transports on the company premises. This improves the coordination of journeys, particularly in plants with a high volume of manual transportation. The vehicles are usually equipped with terminals and scanners. The terminals are used to assign orders to employees. Storage and retrieval at the start and end point of the journey is confirmed with the scanner. The employees are therefore in permanent contact with the IT system, which means that the system can react immediately to current developments. The storage location and the transported goods are scanned. This means that the goods moved are automatically recorded in the system and the forklift control system always has the current position of the vehicle. Scanning the transported goods and the storage area increases the certainty that the delivery has been placed in the correct location.

All products ordered by a customer are summarized and specified in an order with quantity per item, type, delivery form, delivery date, etc.

The order type is the underlying process type, e.g. initial order or repeat order.

Combining several orders into one processing batch is referred to as an order batch. Batch picking, i.e. multi-order picking, can be controlled and optimized by intelligent warehouse management software.

The order throughput time is the sum of the respective partial times required for an order to pass through a picking and dispatch system.

Order picking is the order-oriented processing of order items (one-step picking).

Order management is the proactive control of orders with the aim of receiving goods on time and in the right quantities. Intelligent warehouse management systems take over order management and contribute to the optimization of intralogistics processes with sophisticated strategies.

An order item is a single item of a sales order. This in turn can contain several picking items. A picking item specifies the number (pieces) of the item unit of an order item to be picked by a staging unit. An order item can contain several picking items, while a picking item is always assigned to a staging unit.

The stock removal strategy is a procedure for determining the storage unit to be removed from the set of possible storage units according to certain stock removal criteria. Removal criteria can be First In First Out (FIFO), Last In First Out (LIFO), best before date (BBD), batch, system load or malfunction. The subsequent retrieval or retrieval strategy is often already taken into account during putaway.

Removal from storage includes all data-related and operational processes, from removal from the storage bin to leaving the system. In contrast to removal, stock removal involves the removal of entire storage units from the warehouse.