ifwla - Warehousing and Logistics International

Yale Advertorial 51WAREHOUSE SIMULATORSHOWS THE FULL STORYYale’s warehouse simulator is an extremely accuratesoftware program designed to provide operators of largewarehouses with a sophisticated consultancy solution.Yale’s consultative approach is provided free ofcharge by the company’s warehouse equipment specialistsin determining the optimum warehouse design andequipment specification. The program uses the samesimulation ‘engine’ used by major European airports,leading rail infrastructure companies and other blue-chiporganisations. It uses intelligent algorithms to write thespecialist code bespoke for each end user application,down to the finest level of detail.The input interface breaks down the sections of thelargest warehouse into atomic parts including marshalling,parking and staging areas, the exact type ofracking, storage and the fleet to be used. VDI dataincluding speeds and energy consumption, goods flowand order picking and replenishment regimes data canall be input into the program.The simulation software was recently used to helpdetermine the optimum design and equipment requiredfor one of the largest warehouses in the Middle East, a375,000 sq ft facility at Jabel Ali South, Dubai, operatedby Clarion Integrated Logistics Solutions.Yale was involved with the development from the earliestplanning stages with SSI Schaefer, when Clarionneeded to know the maximum number of pallets thatcould be stored and moved within the available space.To illustrate the potential capacity of the facility the simulationsoftware was used to show how the maximum efficiencycould be achieved.Using six Yale Very Narrow Aisle high level orderpickers (MTC) trucks, combined with six counter balancetrucks on a wire guided system, the software showed thatjust under 192 pallet movements per hour could beachieved. Within three hours the simulation identified acongestion issue in the picking operations. This helpedprovide Clarion with a clear picture of their requirementsand gave them the reassurance that Yale was a companywith the knowledge, expertise and product range tobe able to supply the materials handling equipment fortheir showpiece warehouse.The simulator’s presentation is unique in that it showsa realistic picture of the warehouse using images of theequipment being proposed and the customer’s currentor planned assets in situ. In addition, it builds in orderpicking paradigms and other important details of day towww.warehousinglogisticsinternational.comday operations including details of the equipment beingspecified, speed, braking, lifting and lowering and otherperformance criteria. The simulation also accounts forpower usage and the impact of battery changing andcharging on shift performance.Yale’s VNA and warehouse systems manager, RonFarr, comments: “We can build in accurate break timesand interfacing operations as well as congestion withinthe aisles. All of the data is input and then the simulatoritself writes the specialist coding. This enables clients tomake easily informed decisions when they can see thefull story of what will happen in their warehouse whenall the equipment has been commissioned and the warehouseis fully operational.“The shift pattern system is intelligent enough to handlecontract details such as service intervals and caneven account for user licences.”As well as calculating hourly usage rates and or KPIsfor service agreements, the number of pallet movementsand even the number of lorries that are backed up duringa period can be seen.The algorithms can handle seasonal fluctuations, flexiblelayouts, mixed fleets and additional stand-by trucksto provide a vivid and colourful 3D and 2D representationof the warehouse.Yale warehouse equipment is provided through BriggsEquipment UK Ltd the exclusive Yale dealer in GreatBritain. As one of the leading materials handling specialists,Briggs Equipment has the ability to provide customerswith a complete warehouse solution, from assistingin the planning of a new warehouse to the efficientmanagement of the materials handling fleet once thewarehouse is operational.Mark Murfet, VNA and warehouse product managerfor Briggs Equipment comments “We understand theimportance of getting the most out of any warehouseassets and storage space, as well as ensuring that thefacility operates with maximum efficiency. Briggs, inpartnership with Yale, offers a consultancy solution aspart of our business ethos. The Warehouse Simulatorfrom Yale gives us the ability to analyse data to offer thebest solution that is tailored to that exact need of eventhe most complex warehouse scenarios.”For further information please log on towww.yale-warehousing.euIssue No.3