IT SySTemS - SSI Schäfer

IT SySTemS
Global Logistics System Partner

2
From the high bay warehouse to
the order-picking station –
expertise from one single source
The competitive factor logistics
Growing globalization, increasing pressure to cut costs and world-wide networking
confronts companies with todays logistic challenges. The investment in a high-quality
logistics is the key to economic success, world-wide and locally. The use of innovative
and high-capacity information technology is essential for this purpose.

Global logistics competence
The IT is one of SSI SCHÄFER‘s core competencies for the design
of efficient solutions in the intra-logistics.
Based on a complex cooperation with leading universities,
SSI SCHÄFER‘s IT logistics solution ant is fit for the up-to-date
implementation and integration of current communication and
information technologies. With the most modern methods, the
developers design trendsetting tools for scalable software with
standard modules covering a major part of the functionality
requested by the market.
Result: short projecting and integration periods leads to a faster
start of the productive operation.
The know-how from more than 250 successful implementations
as well as the trusted business environment of a group of
companies whose logistics sector is characterized by higher-thanaverage
growth, offer additional sustainable investment security.
USA
Mexico
Denmark
Brazil
Germany
SSI Schäfer
n successful in the market since 1990
n over 200 employees in the IT area
n internationally present with
8 IT locations worldwide
n expertise gained from over
250 implemented projects
Austria
Romania
Australia
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SSI system software for effective warehouses
ant – aimed towards the future – designed for the present
As much as necessary, as less as possible. Modern, business
oriented design, functional methods as well as maximum integration
and update ability turn the SSI SCHÄFER‘s software
solution ant into an important basis for the control and
optimization of an efficient intra-logistics – accurately specified
and without unnecessary components. This applies for smaller
warehouses as well as for complex systems.
From manual block storage to single-aisle pallet or automatic
small-parts warehouses to sophisticated distribution centers –
software solutions by SSI SCHÄFER provide efficient and transparent
material flows. There are nearly no limits to integration
possibilities, from the utilization of one server to cooperating
implementations on several servers.
Host
WMS/
WCS
MFS
PLC
Area Manager
WMS/
WCS
MFS
PLC
MFS
PLC
Host ... Host
CDS - Central Dispatch System
WMS/ WMS/
WMS/
WCS ... WCS
... WCS ... ...
...
MFS
PLC
...
MFS
PLC
Area
overlapping
MFS
PLC

What we mean by ”standard“ software
Host
WMS/
WCS
MFS
PLC
Transfer Car
Procurement Sales Production Distribution Accounting
Order Based
Load Unit Based
Returned Goods
Cross Docking
Repacking
Infeed
Host Interface
PLC Interface
Work Station
User Permission
Identification and
NOK - Handling
Area decision
Automatic Area
Manual Area
Replenishment
At the base of the ant system is the material flow control which is responsible for the navigation
and the transportation of carriers from source A to target B. Besides the typical
material flow-technical components, the material flow control also supports the connection
of a multitude of machines such as for example (de-) palletizers.
The warehouse management system, on top of the material flow control, is based upon
fundamental trans-sectional functions used in nearly every project. These vary from
system functions such as access rights management to adaptive standard modules
such as Host interface module.
This basis is the core for further components relying on the main tasks goods receiving,
storage, order-picking and dispatch. They track approved solution patterns and therefore
enable the straightforward implementation of customer requests for efficient orderpicking
work stations and highly dynamic order-picking.
Outfeed
Information
Order Preparation
Material Reservation
Picking Strategy
and Planning
Picking
Load Balancing
Stock
Master Data
Global Transport Orders
ant SySTem SOfTWAre
Standards give project and investment security. Therefore, software solutions by SSI
SCHÄFER are based on a consolidated core used in every project. However, it is not the
software that is standardized but the processes for the implementation of the logistic
business processes.
Thus, every project relies on a well tested framework that can be tailored to the individual
logistic business processes and requirements of the application by a standardized
procedure and with the help of project-specific additions, options and adjustments.
Receiving Storage Picking Dispatch
Storage Topology
Tracking
Consolidation
Sorting
Load Protection
and Labeling
Staging
Truck Loading
Storage Strategies
Control Center
Material Flow Controller Forklift Guidance System
S/R Machine Monorail Conveyor Forklift
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cOUPLING WITh eXTerNAL SySTemS
Tasks
Disposition
Stock
Management
Storage
Management
Transport
Open to anything
SAP Assignment of Tasks
ant
SAP-Host
SAP MM / SD / PP
SAP LES / WM
Material Flow
Control
ant ant ant
PLC
ant is versatile
The SSI SCHÄFER standard software ant can be used as stand-alone-solution or can also
be smoothly integrated in existing ERP-systems. The consideration of modern industry
standards as well as the integration of approved components and current technologies
guarantee optimal capability and long term investment security.
The Host-interface-adapter with its open and future oriented architecture makes it easy
for ant to communicate with the different systems of the middleware, for example IBM
Websphere MQ or with standard ERP systems, such as SAP. The integration of the interface
adapter into the framework provides a high degree of speed, reliability, transaction
security and flexibility for the communication with the different systems. The communication
with SAP is carried out by the SAP Java Connector via tRFC, qRFC or via the
direct call of a SAP BAPI. Project-specific components are smoothly integrated into the
framework, independent from operating system and communication type. The scope of
services of the interface adapter is completed by its standard tools for administration,
control and monitoring.
ant is SAP-certified. For the integration into logistic networks, ant supports the sectortypical
interfaces of Oracle, Microsoft, SAP, SUN, IBM, HP, Datalogic, Symbol, Zebra,
Intermec, Sato and many more.
SAP MM / SD / PP
SAP LES / WM
Host
SAP-Host SAP-Host
Warehouse
Control System
Material Flow
Control
SAP MM / SD / PP
Warehouse
Management System
Warehouse
Control System
Material Flow
Control
File
FTP
Database
Socket
SOAP
RPC
Host-Interface
Adapter
asynchronous
Database
SAP integration scenario
ant provides various possibilities of
assignment of tasks and adjustments of
levels at the integration into an existing
SAP environment.

Flexible system design at the most
modern state of technology
ant
Dialog
System
ADI
System design
Customer Extensions
MFS WMS
ant Extension Points ant Extension Points
ant Lo gistics
ant Core
SySTem DeSIGN
Logistics API
Core API
Process control with ant means flexibility, reliability, security and future prospects. The
decisive system characteristics are mainly the modern, business oriented system design,
the integration ability and the user-oriented scalability of the software.
This is, among other things, achieved by the object-oriented software design and the
division of single components of the framework into logistic and non-logistic elements.
The non-logistic core area provides the base functionality for the logistic material flow
and warehouse management as well as for the components to implement the dialog
systems. The interfaces of the logistic elements enable the developers to implement
customer requests and necessary upgrades of functions fast and straightforward.
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A system as different as the requirements
of our customers
Remote
Server
ant Application
Terminal
Server
Database Database
Server
Internet
VPN-Tunnel
(VNC, PCAnywhere, ...)
Server (background processes)
n OS: Windows Server, Linux, UNIX
n Runtime environment: Java
n Database: Oracle, MS SQL Server
clients (dialog systems)
n OS: Windows XP, Linux
n Runtime environment: Java
n For webdialogs: MS Internet Explorer
Printer standards
n Zebra
n Sato
n PCL
Remote
Desktop
RMI API
Special
Interface
Special
Interface
flexible and optimal specified to the user
The employees are the soul of a company. The easier and more comfortable they can
work with ant, the more extensive functionality and potential of the system is used.
Therefore, software solutions of SSI SCHÄFER are designed user-friendly and
self-explanatory.
Background processes run on the servers, working dialogs on the clients at the work
stations. Regarding the user prompting, the dialog interfaces are adjusted to the
assignment of tasks of the corresponding processes and are mainly key-controlled.
For the support of complex processes, special external systems such as Pick-by-Light
systems may be integrated.
Technically proven tools are available for configuration and control. Journal and control
panel functions make the operating status of the system transparent and traceable
for the operator. Special remote access points are implemented for maintenance and
service.
Remote Desktop
Client
Fat Client
SWT / JFACE
Light Indicating
System
Head Set
Service
Application
Mobile
Dialog
Information
Dialog
Worker
Dialog
Worker
Dialog
SSI Schäfer (Service)
User Interface Mobile (UIM)
User Interface (UI)
Configuration
Dialog
Mobile
Dialog
Worker
Dialog
Pick-by-light
Pick-by-voice
The correct user interface for every task
Over and over again, the constant growing
complexity of the processes confront the
user interfaces of a software system with
large challenges. Good operability, overview
and clear user statements are the
basis for a good user interface. ant solves
these requirements by the use of special
user interfaces designed for different
tasks. Ergonomics and efficiency at the
work station are increased and operating
errors are minimized.

Standard dialog work station
Order-picking dialogs especially depend
on high ergonomics and good operability.
With the use of different methods the
error ratio can be minimized and the
efficiency increased. SSI SCHÄFER has
therefore developed a work station dialog
especially designed for these requirements.
A well readable representation of information,
the clear arrangement of the
screen, a structured, task-oriented user
prompting, the dialog control via keyboard
as well as via touch screen and the
consistent support of data input via
scanner are only some aspects of this
dialog development.
Standard dialog mobile
ant meets the special requirements of vehicle and handheld
computers by the use of specially adjusted dialogs. They are
optimized on the corresponding procedure and the device-specific
input possibilities. The workflow is exemplified logic and step
by step, the amount of information and representation size are
attuned to the end device and needless information are concealed.
Therefore, efficient and fast working is also ensured on
mobile devices.
DIALOGS AND rePOrTS
Standard dialog administration
SSI SCHÄFER uses special administration
dialogs for controlling and monitoring the
warehouse. They are characterized by high
flexibility and intuitive operation.
Fast data representation, continuous
input control, extensive filter functions
as well as optimized navigation and
extensive editing functions are only a few
characteristics of this dialog form. With
this dialog form all data necessary for the
operation of the warehouse is available
fast and clear.
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DIALOGS AND rePOrTS
Web dialogs
For management and display dialogs, ant can also provide web-based dialogs. For this
type of dialog, the Microsoft Internet Explorer is used as corresponding runtime
environment.
multi-language support
you never lose your track - statistics and reports
In the statistics dialog, nearly all information regarding the
warehouse processes can be displayed in table form or in
different diagram forms, both online and offline.
Warehouse-ramp-up statistics, availability and warehouse load
are standard statistics. Further project-related statistics up to a
data warehouse are possible.
With many available report options, ant provides an optimal
monitoring of the stocks. Article master, bin status report, history
of loading units, storage location, storage unit and location are
recorded as standard function. The output is effected via PCL
or Postscript on a printer or as export into a PDF or a CSV file
format.
Plant monitoring
By the combination of statistics data with
further data sources and the comparison with
plan data, ant plant monitoring determines
current key data enabling an optimal control
of the warehouse processes.
This allows an early determination of improvement
possibilities in the warehouse processes
and helps to achieve the best possible
warehouse performance.
As company language, English forms the basis of SSI SCHÄEFER‘s software development –
this ensures a smooth cooperation in the international business. German and English are
installed in standard applications.
Moreover, the system offers the languages Spanish, Italian, French and also Russian with
Cyrillic characters as options. The language can be changed in the dialogs at any time.

Standards and quality assurance –
software development at SSI SCHÄFER
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Quality assurance – test, test, test
WORKFLOW
SSI-IT ©
Software
Development Process
Project
Management
Requirement
Analysis
Design
Implementation
Project
Plan
Twiki
Site
Calculation
Iteration
Plan
Requirement
List
Requirement
Speci�cation
Glossary
Detail
Speci�cation
Test & Quality Open Issue Test
Assurance
List
Cases
Open
Issue
Build & Release
Management
Maintenance /
Support
Documentation
& Training
Tool
Management
Project
Environment
Development and quality control are two different departments
at SSI SCHÄFER. Every iterative version, every release is first
examined in unit tests by the programmers and then handed
over to the quality engineer. In a quality inspection, the software
needs to verify its capability during integration tests. Only if the
release is carried out at all levels, the completely tested system
is supplied for installation and startup.
Software development process with the most modern methods
PHASES and ITERATIONS
Project
Going
Start-Up Conception
4-8 weeks
Live Operation
0 1 2 3 ...
n n+1 n+2
Project & Service
Manual
Test
Data
User
Documentation
Test Analysis Design Coding
Implementation
Model
Test
Plan
Code &
Documentation
Test Analysis Design Coding
Test Analysis Design Coding
Test Analysis Design Coding
Bug�x Test
Bug�x Test
Test
Report
QUALITy ASSUrANce
With this iterative and incremental proceeding, SSI SCHÄFER relies on the most modern
practices from the evolutionary software development at the development and design
of customer-specific software solutions for logistic processes. Advantage: The dynamic
development model complies with the process character of projects.
From the first day on, a base version of the standard is used for the implementation. This
version is tailored little by little to the project requirements. The target-oriented concentration
on the most important user specifications make sure that substantial components
are designed first and tested intensively.
This proceeding enables moreover the immediate integration of current modifications at
any time. And: A project is divided into clear, independent phases that are continuously
optimized and tested as units. Not only a detailed documentation of all relevant single
factors is developed, but also a software solution whose single modules are already
tested in complete.
Bug�x Test
Bug�x Test
Training
Manual
Bug�x Test
Bug�x Test
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QUALITy ASSUrANce
emulation – the system in the computer
In cooperation with the University of Würzburg, SSI SCHÄFER has
developed the integration of the topology-independent simulation
tool SeSAm. With that application, the software functions of the
projected warehouse can already be tested without conveyor
system. This allows SSI SCHÄFER to provide a powerful quality
management system for customer tests.
A further plus factor: SeSAm is available as optional device for
user trainings. This program illustrates the processes in the warehouse
as well as the interaction of background processes, work
dialogs and operative processes and makes them accessible to
the users.
n Use cases
n Unit tests
n Integration tests
n Daily builds
n Documentation
n Manual
Safety is our top priority
High data security, permanent system availability, and easy
process management regarding malfunctions – when it comes
to reliability and safety, you can’t be too demanding.
Especially with the multitude of dynamic data in storage logistics,
continuous data backup is the top priority. Consequently, the
following installations apply as minimum requirements for software
solutions from SSI SCHÄFER:
n multi-user / multi-tasking system (Unix, Linux or Windows)
n relational database (e.g. Oracle)
n uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
n daily backup on an external medium

System Terminal
Switch
Active System Passive System
off (cold)
System / Data
Database Database
Database Database
UPS
System Terminal
Ethernet TCP/IP
Switch Ethernet TCP/IP Ethernet TCP/IP
Server
Active System Passive System
on (hot)
System / Data
System Terminal Database Database UPS
Fibre Channel Switch
Fibre Channel Switch
Database Database
Data-Synchronisation
Systems in separate locations
LAN
Server Server
SAN Container SAN Container
System /
redundant Data
System Terminal Database Database UPS
Database Database
Fibre Channel Switch
Fibre Channel Switch
Data Data Data Data Data Data Data Data
Systems in separate locations
SSI Schäfer solutions for your safety
With three predefined solutions, SSI SCHÄFER covers the most
different safety requirements of nearly all IT applications.
Additionally, and if desired, the safety degree of all solutions
can be further increased and combined individually.
cold Stand-by Solution
In case of computer problems, passive systems are available,
which assume the tasks by re-plugging the hard disks and the
UPS and by rebooting.
n active computer with hot-plug disks including UPS
n two disks for database and operating system, two
disks for the data
n all disks are mirrored (RAID 1)
n backup computer without disks and without UPS
extended high Safety Solution
This completely proprietary development from SSI SCHÄFER for
complex storage systems meets maximum requirements for data
availability and data security.
n active and passive computers, each with two system
hard disks and two data hard disks
n all applications and currently recorded data are
available parallel
n continuous data synchronization of the passive system
n monitoring of functionalities
n UPS for both computers
n computers in separate locations
fail Over cluster Solutions
SAfeTy Of OPerATION / BAck-UP cONcePTS
To increase the availability and reliability of the system even
more, cluster solutions, if requested by the customer, may be
used.
n Several active servers
n Manual or automatic change from primary server to a
standby system
n Computers in separate locations
n User interface for the monitoring and the manual switching
n Continuous data reflection on the second SAN-Container
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IT PrOjecTmANAGemeNT
Step by step to the objective
Project Management
Analysis, Conception, Consultancy
Documentation
Detailed specification
together with
customer
Customisation and
parameterization
of the software
Development
of customer
specific
requirements
Software
Development
Process (SDP)
Training
In-house
tests
together
with
customer Commissioning Ramp-up Finetuning
onsite
of system
After-sales
� Call center
� Help Desk
� Release management
� Hardware upgrade
� OS upgrade
� Change management
Project Start Acceptance according to functionality,
performance and availability
Nothing is as constant as the change
IT projectmanagement at SSI Schäfer
The necessary basic conditions are, of course, defined at the start of every project and
outlined in requirement specifications. During the term of a project, however, changes
or extensions of functions or responsibilities may arise. These will be analyzed and documented
by the SSI SCHÄFER project management. The effects of a change request are
analyzed regarding calculated time frame and complexity and scheduled for the next
possible iteration phase.
This firmly defined procedure contributes to a large part to the success of the project
and avoids time and cost-consuming work steps during the whole project period.
The SSI SCHÄFER standard software development process enables the project participants
to determine an actual status of the project at any time. For that purpose, projects
are split into revisable, repeatable and structured processes and phases with defined
actors and clear responsibilities. Early and constant examinations, progress monitoring
and tests enable an increased risk analysis regarding progress, quality, budget and time
schedule. Small working packages with short iteration loops make the project structure
flexible towards outside influences.
So SSI SCHÄFER manages to establish a structured, repeatable and reliable procedure
to guarantee a maximum of quality for the system to be designed.
Customer
Project
Manager
Architecture
Team
Implementation
Team
SSI SCHÄFER
QA Team
Customer
Change Request
Verify Change Request
Include in Iteration Plan
Update Architecture and Design
Implementation
Integration
Integration Test
Release – Ready for Installation
Test Enivronment (optional)
Production Environment

System modernization
Start of operation does not mean
end of SSI-support
help Desk & call center
Service without compromises: application advice, active system support, and preventive
maintenance are just a few examples of the multitude of services, which SSI SCHÄFER
offers its customers beyond the commissioning of the system. On-call duty hours that
are compliant with the requirements of the customers ensure prompt support.
SSI SCHÄFER’s call center can be reached 24/7 at a central access number.
System support
Replacing outdated components increases operational safety and system availability.
The market-driven spectrum of hardware and software components with defined interfaces
and precise functional delimitations enables SSI SCHÄFER to implement
necessary modernizations by simply replacing individual components.
In this way, the systems can promptly and easily be adapted to modified processes,
and material flows can be accelerated.
ServIce AND mAINTeNANce
With SSI SCHÄFER, active system support does not only include the maintenance of
supplied hardware and software components. With a structured development of knowhow
for personnel with operative tasks, operator training during the commissioning
phase, and additional training for new personnel at a later point in time, we ensure
that the human resources of our customers can make optimal use of the potentials of
the system.
To us, system support during the run-up phase is a matter of course. Upon request,
we also offer long-term complete support of the system in the areas of IT and control.
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SSI Schäfer NOeLL GmBh i_Park Klingholz 18/19
D-97232 Giebelstadt
SSI Schäfer Peem GmBh Fischeraustraße 27
A-8051 Graz/Austria
Tel.: +49/93 34/97 9-0
Fax: +49/93 34/97 9-100
Tel.: +43/3 16/60 96-0
Fax: +43/3 16/60 96-457
www.ssi-schaefer-noell.com
info@ssi-schaefer-noell.com
www.ssi-schaefer-peem.com
sales@ssi-schaefer-peem.com
Nr. 30042008en, © by SSI SCHÄFER Giebelstadt, Printed in Germany. Any liability for misprints excluded. Translation: Janina Bambach