Logistics Tech Outlook

Softeon
Orchestrating Order Fulfillment - With or Without Warehouse Automation

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Dan Gilmore, Chief Marketing Officer, SofteonDan Gilmore, Chief Marketing Officer
Modern-day warehouses seek advanced automation technologies to cope with the rise of e-commerce, increasing labor costs, and evolving customer expectations. Businesses also want a more plug-and-play approach to reduce the time-to-value for their automation investments and provide more agility in piloting and deploying automation of all types.

This is where Softeon takes center stage, providing clients a full suite of flexible, robust, and end-to-end warehouse automation solutions within a single technology platform based on an integrated services-based architecture. The portfolio is anchored by Softeon's Warehouse Management System (WMS), Warehouse Execution System (WES), and Distributed Order Management (DOM) solutions.

The software provides a powerful solution suite that optimizes distribution by comprehensively handling the basics (receiving, putaway, real-time inventory management, barcode-based processes using mobile terminals, intelligent order planning and pick release, packing, truck planning, loading, and more).

But together, the WMS and WES (an extension of the WMS) take fulfillment to a whole new level, orchestrating and optimizing picking and shipping processes in new ways. That includes the automated release of work based on order priority, optimization opportunities, inventory and resource availability, customer commitments, carrier cut-off times, and more, ushering in the era of the "autonomous warehouse."

The WES is available as an integrated warehouse management and execution system or as a standalone solution implemented on top of any existing WMS. In standalone mode, the WES can turbocharge an aging WMS without needing a complete replacement.

A critical capability of the WES is the real-time tracking of activity, throughput, and bottlenecks across DC processes and dynamically adjusting the flow of goods to maintain maximum performance.

"We focus on the continuous flow of goods and the management of resource constraints within the warehouse to keep the product moving with lower throughput fluctuations than encountered in conventional warehouse systems," says Dan Gilmore, chief marketing officer, Softeon.

A robust capability Softeon also brings is the ability to directly manage and optimize a variety of picking systems without the need for any 3rd party control software, including Voice, pick-to-light, smart carts, put walls, mobile robots, and more. This has many cost and operational advantages.

Uniquely, Softeon WES also delivers significant value not only for facilities with highly automated processes but also in manual and partially automated warehouses. One Softeon WMS/WES customer saw productivity gains of 100 percent in a manual DC.

A great example of the agility and continuous improvement enabled by Softeon is Duluth Trading Company, a fast-growing omnichannel retailer. Duluth started using manual pick carts (and cluster picking) with delivery to packing stations.

  • We focus on the continuous flow of goods and the management of resource constraints within the warehouse to keep the product moving with lower throughput fluctuations than encountered in conventional warehouse systems


Due to growing volumes, Duluth needed more throughput and decided to pilot a single put wall module, which Softeon quickly enabled. With success, Duluth added nine more put wall modules, then another 20, all powered by Softeon, optimizing pick and put operations simultaneously. Later, Duluth added mechanized pick modules with "virtual wall modules" to increase density and reduce tote traffic on the conveyor system. This is a story of continuous operational improvement over a relatively short period.

Through its robust functionality, supported by its industry-leading innovation lab packed with equipment, Softeon continues to deliver best-suited solutions for evolving warehousing needs and automation opportunities. Softeon also invests heavily in R&D to continue its leading-edge capabilities.

With over 20 years of experience as a supply chain software company and an unequaled track record of achieving 100 percent system success, Softeon is a prominent player in warehouse automation. Looking ahead, Softeon aims to continue providing high levels of client satisfaction, reduced operating costs, and a platform for quickly meeting new opportunities and requirements over time.

Softeon News

Softeon Ranked Amongst the Five Highest Scoring Vendors for Level 3 Through Level 5 Warehouse Operations Use Cases in 2024 Gartner® Critical Capabilities Report

RESTON, Va --WES, DOM, returns management, and direct store delivery, all available on a unified platform.
“Softeon has long provided solutions for our customers’ largest, most sophisticated, and highly automated facilities,” says Jim Hoefflin, CEO of Softeon. “We feel our consistent placement in the Critical Capabilities Report recognizes our strengths and challenges. We have the solutions and approach for helping any organization looking to solve their most challenging problems regarding complex order flows, varying automation sub-systems, and multi-system integrations.”
Softeon’s WMS drives the logistics performance of numerous top companies, including Brooks, Casey’s, DB Schenker, Denso, Saddle Creek Logistics, Sears Home Services, Sony DADC, Suncast, UPS Supply Chain Solutions, UPS Healthcare, and many others.
As a WMS industry capabilities leader, Softeon remains committed to empowering the world’s most complex, highly automated warehouses. We think recognition in the Gartner Critical Capabilities Report for seven years in a row demonstrates Softeon’s ability to unlock the full potential of its customer's supply chains through innovative capabilities and solutions.

Top 10 Warehouse Automation Solutions Companies - 2022

Company
Softeon

Management
Dan Gilmore, Chief Marketing Officer

Description
Softeon is a global provider of supply chain solutions from planning through execution, anchored by Warehouse Management System, Warehouse Execution System, and Distributed Order Management solutions. Its WMS software is delivered through the cloud and has rich functionality that sparks innovative solutions that address the warehousing needs of large and mid-sized companies.