Security

Access 1000 requires entry of user name and password before access to the system is allowed at either an Administrative PC or hand-held unit.

A systems administrator, or "Master User," is assigned and maintains the Master User Name and other user names and passwords. Privileges are assigned for access to various functions, by user name.

System Parameters

Access 1000 includes numerous setup parameters based on the needs of the site. Two examples are:

• System pick product/location selections can be based on either LIFO or FIFO.
• Inventory can be relieved after being picked, after being shipped, or after an order is invoiced.

Setup parameters are provided to help streamline the task of customizing the system for each customer.

Warehouse Zones

To accommodate the practice of organizing the warehouse into sections, Access 1000 provides for "Zone" setup. Typical zones include:

• Shipping and Receiving areas
• Forward Picking areas
• Bulk Storage areas
• Controlled Storage areas
• General Racking

The warehouse can have as many or as few zones as necessary. Sectioning the warehouse into the least quantity of zones provides for maximum optimization of storage locations.

During initial setup and as part of ongoing operations, each product in inventory is coded with its preferred zone. Access 1000 uses this information when recommending put-away locations to the hand-held operator.

Warehouse Locations

Each warehouse location receives a "smart," three-part identification code, as follows:

• Aisle: A one or two-digit letter
• Level: A two-digit number
• Bin: A three-digit number, even numbers on the left side of the aisle, odd numbers on the right.

For example location G-3-222 would be 111 bins down aisle G, on the left side of the aisle, 3 shelves up from the floor.

In the case of bulk locations, the level number has no significance.

Access 1000 provides an easy-to-use function for setting up locations. Only one data entry screen is required for each warehouse section, or rectangular array of contiguous bin locations. In addition to its code, each location is assigned a set of properties as follows:

• Zone code
• Maximum quantity, used only when the location is reserved for a single product.
• Replacement Percent. For locations with a meaningful maximum quantity, automatic replenishment can be scheduled when the quantity in the location falls below the level defined as the replacement percent times the maximum quantity.
• Pick number. In addition to its location code, each location is assigned a pick number, used for optimum routing during put-away and pick operations. Once the warehouse manager selects the optimum route, he uses a special function in Access 1000 to assign these numbers to thousands of locations in a matter of minutes. The organization of the optimum route can be easily changed, and the pick numbers re-assigned without difficulty.

Access 1000 provides an additional function for printing bar coded warehouse location code labels. The data entry screen is similar to the screen used when assigning location codes, which means one screen is used to print all labels in a warehouse section.

Product numbers

The ability of Access 1000 to provide a highly accurate record of inventory counts by location is a function of the system's use of product bar codes to record changes in products' location. In certain operations the product bar code can be the same as the standard product number used by the warehouse. More frequently, the bar code number uses one numbering scheme, and the product number uses a different numbering scheme. Most warehouses, for example, stock products from more than one supplier. Suppliers have already labeled products with bar codes, and it is more efficient to use suppliers' bar code labels than to re-label products as they are received.

Access 1000 supports product numbers up to 50 characters in length and containing numbers, letters and special characters. If the warehouse wishes to use the product number as the bar code number, this is usually practical up to a maximum of about 20 alpha-numeric characters.

In order to support sales order entry, the Business system must continue to provide for the creation and maintenance of product numbers. If the Business system supports dual product numbers, then it can maintain them both. If not, maintenance of the bar code number can be accommodated within Access 1000.

Access 1000 supports two or more product numbering systems for the inventory. One of the numbering systems is designated as the bar code number. Using a cross-reference table, internal product numbers are displayed on lookup screens.

Before beginning Access 1000 operations, all inventory must be bar code labeled. If existing inventory is not labeled, Access 1000 can be used to create labels. If incoming inventory is not consistently bar code labeled, Access 1000 receiving can be put into operation in a labeling-only mode while the initial product labeling work takes place.

Building the inventory

Access 1000 provides three tables to keep track of inventory, as follows:

• Catalog table, which identifies inventory by part number and description, provides the numbering system cross reference, and lists various inventory properties.
• Location table, which shows inventory quantity by location
• Products table, which shows total inventory quantity.

The first step in building the inventory is to receive the inventory catalog information from the business system.

Then a physical inventory is taken using Access 1000 hand-helds.

The initial physical inventory is reconciled with the Business System inventory using standard Access 1000 and Business System physical inventory functions. When complete, the Access 1000 warehouse operations may begin.