Andrew Karasev

Dynamics GP in the Warehouse: Barcoding Routines

Microsoft Dynamics GP is mid-market Corporate ERP system with reasonable flexibility and openness to such business routines as Supply Chain Management, Distribution, Logistics

There are Dynamics GP ISV add-ons, available to enable WMS barcoding routines.  Generic Corporate ERP applications do not support barcode scanning (and RFID tags reading) out of the box – you need special software to enable Great Plains forms, such as SOP Transaction Entry (Order Allocation or Fulfillment), POP Purchase Receipt (Inventory Restocking/Replenishment) and Inventory Transaction/Transfer for barcode laser scanning.  Here, in Alba Spectrum we provide consulting services on WMS and Barcoding modules selection for Microsoft Dynamics GP, we also respect older versions of Great Plains Dynamics and help you to pick the best option for your legacy ERP application.  In some cases, there is no need to pick expensive graphical barcode scanner, you may decide to automate your warehouse with text mode compatible barcoding device.  Please, review the following highlights, regarding the Warehouse Management automation and barcoding:

1. WMS Architecture.  This dilemma may not sound as important in the beginning of the Warehouse Management research.  However, down the road, especially when you hit the implementation phase, there might be some surprises.  For example, external WMS may require integration implementation (via various connectors or integration interfaces).  We recommend you to consider two platforms –External WMS (standalone and self-sufficient) and Warehouse Management Extensions (working directly in the Dynamics GP database with Great Plains forms and transactions)

2. Barcode Scanning directly in Great Plains Dynamics.  This approach requires higher cost of warehouse worker GP user training and equipping them with something like light weight netbook computers with USB attached barcode scanners.  You should review the SOP, POP, Inventory transactions with your workers and decide if tabbing through the Dynamics GP forms is feasible options.  Out of the box Dynamics GP doesn’t support such barcode scanning (and RFID tags reading) features as batch mode documents scanning and upload, the whole document scanning (with multiple inventory item lines) and uploading it at once

3. Beyond the WMS functionality.  Warehouse Management System is substantial part of the Supply Chain Management theory.  Each Distribution oriented business is unique and might require additional SCM routines, such as Merchandise Delivery Route and Time optimization, consignment automation (in Dynamics GP Inventory control module with the conjunction with General Ledger, as Consignment should not be shown on your assets balance)

4. Going web friendly.  Internet customer self-service seems to be a required feature for modern Corporate MRP system.  In Dynamics GP you can connect your custom ecommerce web site with such popular shopping carts as Magento, ASP.Net Storefront.  It is also typically not a big deal to enable UPS, FedEx, USPS item delivery tracking

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Article Tags: Great Plains, Warehouse Management

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