System WCS/MFC Qguar
State-of-the-art control of automated solutions
Efficient synchronization and ongoing control of all automated warehousing processes
- Automation
- PLC
- RFID
- Interfaces
Qguar WCS/MFC is a system designed to manage the flow of materials, extended to include warehouse control functions. It constitutes the foundation of efficient management of automated warehousing solutions, irrespective of the scale of their application. The WCS/MFC system efficiently manages the operation of complex automated installations in logistic centres, irrespective of the level of their complexity. The software provided by Quantum Qguar combines the capabilities of MFC-class systems (Material Flow Control) and WCS-class systems (Warehouse Control System) in one environment.
What is the purpose of the WCS/MFC from Quantum Qguar?
The WCS/MFC system is a part of the group of SCE-class Qguar systems that constitute a link that integrates the warehouse management system (WMS) with physical devices of implemented automation solutions. The data exchange technology implemented coherently in the Qguar package significantly reduces communication delay and guarantees precise control of the material flow, which allows it to integrate with any devices fitted with PLC controllers.
Thus, the WCS/MFC system ensures fast and error-free transport of goods, in both warehousing and production processes. The software controls directly the operation of such devices as, for instance, automatic racking systems, sorters, miniload systems or stacker cranes.
WCS/MFC QGUAR – Examples of system screens
Qguar WCS/MFC – what is the distribution of roles in the system?
MFC (Material Flow Control) Module:
It constitutes the executive centre in charge of direct communication with PLC controllers. Its main task consists in “translating” logistic instructions into the machine language and in optimizing flows in physical systems. The program synchronizes simultaneous operation of multiple devices provided by different manufacturers and thus it guarantees their collision-free cooperation in real time.
WCS (Warehouse Control System)Module:
WCS enhances control of devices with business logic. It can have precise knowledge of the content of load units and their specific locations. It provides for easier management of the processes of input and output of entire orders into and from warehouses and it is also capable of reporting warehouse stock levels. Moreover, it facilitates the task of defining strategies of reception and issuing of load units in automated warehouses.
Integration of these roles ensures smoot and efficient control of automatic devices and, when necessary, provides the basic knowledge concerning transported and warehoused goods. Wherever comprehensive management of warehousing logistics is required, Qguar WCS/MFC may be supported with the Qguar WMS system.
Why Qguar WCS/MFC?
Qguar WCS/MFC is an advanced system that has been proven in multiple implementation and guarantees exceptionally efficient management of automated solutions in intralogistics and production.
- Efficient and safe method of communication with controllers of multiple industrial devices.
- Instantaneous exchange of information with devices, which allows optimal management of processes.
- Algorithms for managing complex and large-size automated solutions.
- Proven software that turned out reliable in multiple advanced implementations that involved the use of intralogistic and industrial equipment provided by a variety of suppliers.
- A system that has been proven reliable in processes of automating warehousing works for e-commerce.
- Extension with additional WCS functions allows the system to easily manage automatic warehouses of the black-box type.
What are the key functions of Qguar WCS/MFC?
The MFC domain:
- Direct communication with PLC controllers: Precise control of automated devices, such as stacker cranes, conveyors, sorters, lifts, shuttle carts, carousel shelving, Grid/Hive-type systems and many others.
- Integration with measurement infrastructure: Support of scales, clearance gauges (load outline control), palletizers, stretch-foil wrapping machines, label applicators and other auxiliary devices.
- Automatic identification (Auto-ID): Integration with barcode scanners, RFID and DPM (Direct Part Marking) tags.
- Harmonization of materials flow: Coordination of the operation of multiple devices provided by various manufacturers.
- Simulator: Possibility of testing automatic processes or their part in simulation mode.
The WCS domain:
- Storage and issuing strategies: Enhancement of the MFC system with WCS functions facilitates construction of strategies of input and output of automated solutions based on business (logistic) logic.
- Precise records of stock on hand: Maintenance of complete knowledge of load carrier content and stock on hand in automated warehouses, when it has not become indispensable to use a WMS-class system yet.
- Uniform communications interface: One coherent system for managing logistic tasks in multiple Qguar systems.
- Functions that support servicing tasks: Support of automatic process testing in servicing tasks.
The WCS/MFC Qguar System - what objectives does it help achieving?
- Management of entire, large-sized and diversified automatic solutions of any type.
- Fast operation thanks to advanced models of integration with controllers.
- Error-free operation proven in large-sized installations.
- Ease of reconfiguration.
- Possibility of simulating specific processes at the implementation stage.
- In the case of WCS, strategies of reception and issuing are based on business logic.
FAQ – WCS/MFC
Answers to frequently asked questions concerning the Qguar WCS/MFC system.
WCS/MFC Qguar is an MFC-class system enhanced with functions of a WCS-class system. Integration with automatic devices and comprehensive management of good flow are enhanced with the knowledge about the content of load carriers and information about stock on hand. Qguar WCS/MFC also allows one to manage algorithms of location assignment in automated solutions and to define reception and issuing strategies and to do so in a manner closer to business logic.
The Qguar WCS/MFC system proves its worth in automated facilities of any profile, in any industry, in the management of both intralogistic and production processes.
The software coordinates operation of multiple devices of any type that are fitted with PLC controllers, which includes, among others, stacker cranes, conveyors, lifts, shuttle carts, palletizers, grid/hive-type structures, sorters or Autonomous Mobile Robots, as well as many others.
In a typical model of cooperation with a WMS system, cooperation proceeds according to the following pattern: WMS generates commands to transport a load unit from the original location to the target location. WCS/MFC converts these instructions into control signals and communicates directly with PLCs. Once the task has been completed, it sends a realization status message to WMS.
Yes, the Qguar WCS/MFC system can operate without a master WMS system. In such case, it will manage goods flow and, if necessary, it may also ensure basic management of the information about the stock on hand and the content of load units, which it does thanks to WCS functions. Thus, it is possible to have full control over automation solutions even in facilities that are not fitted with WMS-class systems.
Yes, Qguar WCS/MFC can cooperate with any piece of WMS-class software that manages warehousing processes.
Yes, the MFC-class software is the foundation of productivity of such installations. As load handling does not require any personnel to be present, the system allows the lighting of storage zones to be eliminated, which reduces operating expenses (OPEX).
The system provides data about the movement of goods and status of particular devices, or even their elements, and does so in real time. This enables ongoing monitoring of efficiency and early detection of and reaction to delays or failures.
Yes, the platform allows one to quickly modify the model of materials flow and to continuously react to such changes as warehouse extension or new types of implemented devices if the very devices allow for such a modification to be realized.
One should start to outline such implementation at the stage of determining the concept of warehouse automation, planning of the physical flow of goods and creating successive layout versions. It is at this early stage that a company offering an MFC-class system should start to participate in the process of flows design. In this way one can avoid logical problems with flow design and better plan the required efficiency levels.
Qguar WCS/MFC implementation time depends on the scale of a given project and the degree of automation of involved processes. A standard implementation takes from several to over a dozen months. The process covers pre-implementation analysis, software configuration, software testing and comprehensive testing of the entire automated system, as well as assistance in production launch of the system.