Implementing Oracle WMS/MSCA in a Wireless

Environment
7 Steps to the Finish Line
OAUG OATS Conference
Worcester, MA
June 2003
Teresa K. Purdy
Oracle Practice Director
Datavision, Inc.

12 years in business
120 Employees
Corporate office in Warminster, PA
International offices in United
Kingdom and Australia
Global Sales and Service

We evaluate, implement, and support

leading technologies for Global 2000
and emerging companies.

Slide 2
Oracle Practice Credentials

• Oracle Applications User

• Utilize mobile data collection with Oracle
Applications internally
• Oracle Partner
• WMS Beta Testing Participant with Oracle
WMS Development
• Maintain a WMS/MSCA development
environment
• Leadership in the OAUG WMS/MSCA SIG

Slide 3
Introduction to Oracle WMS/MSCA
Full Integration = No Middleware

• Business logic remains within the enterprise server

• Data integrity preserved

• Data redundancy eliminated

• Database synchronization eliminated

Slide 5
Standard Desktop Interface

Browser
UI Manufacturing
Browser
UI Quality
Browser Forms E-Business
UI Server Inventory Suite
Browser
UI Shipping
Browser
UI Receiving

Slide 6
Mobile Interface
Mobile support for existing desktop
applications
Mobile
Browser
UI
UI Manufacturing
Mobile
Browser
UI
UI Quality
Mobile
Browser Mobile
Forms E-Business
UI
UI Server Inventory
Server Suite
Mobile
Browser
UI
UI Shipping
Mobile
Browser
UI
UI Receiving

Oracle MSCA
Slide 7
Oracle MSCA & WMS Incremental Functionality

INBOUND
!LPN Based Receipts
!Mobile User Interface
!Rules Based Put Away
!Rules Based Cost Groups
!Auto Assign Status & Attributes
OUTBOUND
!Rules Based Allocation
!Task Type Assignment
!Cartonization
!Pick Methodologies
!Task Split & Merge
!Task Dispatching
!LPN Based Picking
!Dock Appointments
!LPN Based Shipping

New Entities : Rules Engine, LPN’s, Tasks

WMS Installed, WMS Org

New Entities : Cost Groups, Material Status, Lot/Serial Attributes

WMS Installed, Inv Org

Mobile (RF) Transaction & Barcode Support

Mobile Transaction Server, Mobile Applications Framework, New UI
!Receipt Routing !Pick Release
!Direct !Release Rules
Inventory

!Standard !Release Sequence Rules

MSCA

!Inspection !Pick Slip Grouping Rules

!Inspection with Oracle Quality !Pick Confirm
!Inbound ASN !Ship Confirm
Oracle Mobile Applications
Architecture
 Oracle Mobile Applications Architecture

Mobile
Application /
Transaction
Server Data Base
RF Base
Station
RF Device (Router) LAN or WAN
Telnet over TCP/IP SQL Net

Slide 10
Mobile Transaction Server (MTS)

• SOFTWARE, not hardware

• Supports both WMS and MSCA
• Adheres to IEEE 802.11b
• Device independent
• Scalable over multiple servers
• “Forms Server” for data collection devices

Slide 11
Telnet Session Mirroring on the Desktop

• Allows the Telnet session to be viewed from a

desktop or other Telnet client

• Facilitates user training and performance monitoring

• Enables remote trouble shooting and support

Slide 12
Label Printing with Oracle

Label Design Format 3rd Party Software

Oracle Labeling Setup

Label Print Requested

Oracle MSCA
Printer/Format Assigned

Oracle Created XML Request

Label Printing 3rd Party Software

Slide 13
Example Label Types

• LPN – LPN information

• LPN Content – LPN plus content information
• LPN Summary – Nested LPN contents summarized
• Material – Item, quantity, lot, etc.
• Serial – Material plus serial number
• Location – Subinventory / Locator
• Shipping – Customer / Address
• Shipping Contents – Shipping plus content
• WIP Content – WIP job content

Slide 14
Functionality Demonstration
Oracle WMS/MSCA Login Screen

Slide 16
Main Menu (Inbound)

Slide 17
Inbound Process - Receiving a PO

Slide 18
Inbound Process – PO and Line

Slide 19
Inbound Process – LPN Assignment

Slide 20
Inbound Process – Optional Details

Slide 21
7 Steps Methodology

• One Step at a Time

• Build on Your Strengths
• Take Advantage of the Best Technology
• Master the Basics
• Control Risks
• Train for the Event
• Who Has Your Back?

Slide 22
Step 1: One Step at a Time

• A comprehensive wireless data collection

integration plan should be developed in
conjunction with end user input.

Slide 23
Integration Process Map
• Review Current Network
Information Perform Site
• Review Functional Requirements
Gathering Survey and
• Develop Future Requirements
Security Analysis Can include:
Application
• Software Installation
Configuration and
& Configuration
Modifications
• TE Modifications
Site Survey and
• Mobile Screen
Security Analysis Security Analysis
Customizations
Reports to Customer
Integration of
Labeling Software
and Hardware
Hardware / Device
Hardware Procurement
Recommendation
and Selection
• Completed at
Integration of Labeling Datavision
Hardware and Software Customer Site Device
• Shipped to Customer
(if required for Pilot) Preparation Configuration
prior to installation

Business Process
Mapping WLAN WLAN Installation
Installation includes installation of Optional
the Security Solution Key:
Services

Install CRP
Knowledge (Optional Anchor Leg Services
Environment
Transfer and have a dotted line border.)
Device Training

Slide 24
Step 1: One Step at a Time

• The foundation of the application

implementation is having the software up and
running on your network and data collection
devices without errors.

Slide 25
 Wireless LAN Configuration

Mobile
Application/
Transaction
Database
RF Base Server
Station
RF (Router) LAN or WAN
Device Telnet over TCP/IP SQL Net

Slide 26
Step 2: Build on Your Strengths

• “Inventory” your business practices.

• Match them against “best” practices.
• Deploy seeded Oracle WMS/MSCA
functionality and flexibility, including–
– Predefined forms
– Data Field Identifiers (DFI’s)
– Adaptive forms based on item type and setup

Slide 27
Step 2: Customize if Required

• Oracle WMS/MSCA’s Java and PL/SQL

architecture allows for the customization of
the application to mirror your best business
practices, if necessary
• Customizations can include
– Changing the order of the fields in the display or
other display modifications (JAVA customization)
– Adding information fields into the display or other
data customizations

Slide 28
Customization Process
MSCA Telnet Server Process
$MWA_TOP/bin/mwactl.sh
CLASSPATH variable
Mobile Device
Application /
Middle Tier
$CUSTOM_TOP/java
Telnet over Customizations
WLAN LAN
802.11b
$JAVA_TOP/apps.zip
Standard Functionality

Database
Access Point Tier

Slide 29
Customized Slides Example
Form: ITEM PO form (Receiving -> Receipts -> Item PO)

Standard Functionality Customization

AAAAAA

Customization Description: re-label the “Supplier Item” field to “X Ref”

Slide 30
Step 3: Take Advantage of the Best Technology

• Build your wireless automated data collection

system with the best pieces available
• The 802.11b standard or WIFI allows for
interoperability between different
manufacturers devices, allowing you to select
the best devices for every situation in your
business environment, regardless of the
manufacturer
• Be satisfied with nothing less than best-of-
breed hardware selections
Slide 31
Best of Breed Hardware Options

Slide 32
Step 4: Master the Basics

• Accurate barcode printing and labeling is the

foundation to any automated data collection
system
• The integration of barcodes into your existing
business environment and processes requires
careful planning and expertise

Slide 33
Barcoding Basics – Breaking It Down

• Integrating barcode printers

• Integrating barcode printing software
• Developing a barcode labeling system for
labeling items, LPNs, and locations
• “Installing” internal barcode labels and
placards on warehouse infrastructure
• Compliance Labeling

Slide 34
 Label Printing Software Integration
1) WMS/MSCA user triggers a 3) Printing process waits and executes
print request print requests as they come in,
executing the XML data contents

Label Printing Module

(can co-exist with Oracle
database or externally on
another server)
Wireless LAN
(802.11b)
XML data transfer Print Request over TCP/IP 4) Print request is
over TCP/IP submitted to the
printer using the
template as designed
Oracle ERP System in the Label Module

2) XML data is
LAN/WLAN and in Oracle
Applications
generated, per
business rules
(via Java Classes
and PL/SQL)

WMS: Label Print Mode

Synchronous or Label Printers
Slide 35
A-Synchronous
“Decorating the Warehouse”

• Sight Survey / Analysis – identifying locations

• Functional requirements review

• Testing with hardware

• Size, material, symbology determination

Slide 36
“Decorating” continued

• Quote provided for the manufacturing

process. Includes materials, printing, hanging
specifications

• Quote acceptance – Proofs provided for

further testing on site

• Installation
– Entire process take approximately 4 weeks

Slide 37
Step 5: Control Risks

• Security flaws for 802.11b WEP encryption

have been publicized in the press
• Two primary security concerns
– Data Privacy (encryption)
– Network Access
• No one solution is a “best fit”
• Layered solution is recommended

Slide 38
 Security Options

Wiirreele
W lessss No
rhhoooodd Security
Neeiigghhbboor
N
WEP 128
Enabled
Enabled
SSID Off

Door is locked
Door is open

LEAP/802.1x/802.1
VPN 1i
ALARM
ALARM FIPS 140 Dynamic WEP 128
AES & EAP

Rootta
R ionn
attio
kssm
Loocck
L hss
ith
mit

Hardened Security Slide 39

Active Security
Step 6: Train for the Event

• Change can be intimidating

• Solid end-user training and testing programs
are essential to building acceptance and
excitement for your new solution
• As an transaction execution system,
WMS/MSCA is mission critical
• End User failure means that Operations fails

Slide 40
Types of Training Most Needed

• Technical Training for IT staff and internal

Help Desk
• Application Training and Certification for
Super Users and End Users
• Device Training and Trouble Shooting for
Managers/Super Users
• Device Training for End Users

Slide 41
WMS/MSCA Conference Room Pilot

• Allows for validation of solution

• Extended hands-on with hardware/application to
clarify form factor and functionality requirements
• Opportunity for technical staff to gain experience
with system and hardware
• Opportunity to for end-users to gain experience
• Ability to analyze end users’ skill gaps for training
• Provides “Sandbox” to define areas for customization
or procedural modifications

Slide 42
WMS/MSCA Pilot Kit Components

• Wireless Access Point

• 2 Portable Data Terminals (PDTs)
• Omni-directional Antenna
• Power Supplies
• Hardware Setup
• Software Setup and Training
• Available Options
– Label Printing: Printer, Software, Software Integration
– Help Desk Support
– Project Management
– End User Documentation

Slide 43
Step 7: Who Has Your Back?

• Develop post-implementation support

requirements
• A single point of contact for all of your service
issues will minimize “finger-pointing” and
eliminate confusion

Slide 44
Post-Installation Services

• Help Desk (24 x 7 Service available)

• Depot Repair Services
• Hot Spares Program
• Asset Tracking
• Network Monitoring
• Customer Care Center Gateway

Slide 45
Customer Care Center Gateway

• Internet Portal
• View equipment by serial
number, model number or
location
• Search the complete support
and repair history for any
item
• Monitor the performance
statistics of your wireless
network
• Seamless integration with
your company’s help desk
• Customized Knowledge-Base

Slide 46
Thank you!

• Contact:
– Teresa Purdy tpurdy@datavision.com

• Datavision Oracle Practice:

www.datavision.com/oraclewms

• To join the OAUG WMS/MSCA SIG:

WMS_MSCA_SIG@Datavision.com@datavision.com

Slide 47
Presented at OAUG OATS 2003
OATS2003