SnapFulfil, a provider of edge cloud-based warehouse management system (WMS) software, has used this year’s co-located Robotics and Automation and IntraLogisteX events to unveil SnapControl – a new technological solution designed to orchestrate all automation devices and robotic systems within the warehouse from a single centralised platform.
SnapControl is on display for the first time at Stand i704, with Dan Moss, commercial and operations manager at Synergy Logistics, describing it as a multiagent, rather than just a point solution, which can bring a more uniform approach to automation, making the platform completely device and technology agnostic.
According to Moss, the solution has already been delivered to a customer distribution centre (DC) equipped with autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated packaging systems, where SnapControl was reportedly deployed in a matter of weeks and without major software upheavals.
Commenting on the show so far, Moss said: “It’s been impressive so far – the location of the stand has been great. What we’re demonstrating here at the show is our tier one WMS, which has been around for 25 years. The real power in it is that it uses our rules engine to orchestrate robotics, and that we’re not tied to any one provider.
“Our open API system will direct anything… it’s very customer-driven. So while we have our own partnerships, you can also come to us as a customer that’s using a robot and we can integrate with it no matter what. That’s the maturity of the WMS.”
Adding to this, Rich Pirrotta, Group CEO, Synergy Logistics and Synergy North America, said: “As businesses adopt new technologies and automation to mitigate labour challenges and make warehouses more efficient and productive, the ability to rapidly integrate and operate these investments is critical.
“Synergy is one of the very few WMS providers with an integrated, holistic and high value solution that can be deployed quickly, cost effectively and with minimum disruption.”
SnapControl works by orchestrating the prioritisation of work, automatically allocating tasks and workflows, evaluating which robotic devices best match specific operations, enabling data capture to assess the value each device yields – all with a low total cost of ownership and rapid time to value.
Equally, SnapControl connects to all types of devices, including RF, AMRs, conveyors, palletisers, putwalls, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), etc, plus in any possible transport method (API, CSV, etc,). What’s more, if one type stops working, users can switch over to another device quickly and in real time.
SnapControl also promotes bi-directional MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT) messaging and conversational decision-making between the WMS and remote warehouse devices, which both typically have a small code footprint and minimal network bandwidth.
“In other words, SnapControl speaks to the devices and the devices talk back, enabling the most efficient warehouse decisions to be made automatically,” added Pirrotta.
Synergy describes it as an ideal solution for mixed portfolio and multiple vendors, as it offers both AMRs and other autonomous/manual systems, plus is designed to work hand-in-hand with SnapFulfil and any other incumbent WMS, organisation management system (OMS) or e-commerce front-end system – both in the cloud or locally.
The solution from Synergy has been developed to facilitate a more efficient and adaptable warehouse by accelerating integration and giving customers the freedom to choose automation and robotic devices that best fit specific operational needs.
Moss expands on some of its additional benefits, which he says include SnapFulfil’s Tier 1 WMS rules engine functionality that includes the capacity to make adjustments for expiry dates and traceability, create buffers for delaying tasks and manage exceptions without downtime.
Learn more about the all-new solution by paying a visit to Stand i704.
Missed Day 1 of Robotics and Automation 2023? There’s still time to register for Day 2 (29 March)! Click here to register for your free visitor pass – which includes access to the co-located IntraLogisteX 2023 – and see the very best in robotics and automation solutions live at the NEC Birmingham!
