Posts Tagged ‘System’
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Duration : 0:2:57
QC Software is the leading provider of Tier 1 warehouse control systems to the warehousing and distribution industries. Since 1996, QC Software, utilizing state of the art technology combined with extensive research, development, and rigorous testing, has developed the QC Enterprise suite of products. Designed to be modular in nature, easily configurable, and platform independent, this highly scalable solution satisfies the needs of any size warehouse.
The warehouse control system enables an automated warehouse or distribution center to reach peak operating performance. These new technologies remove the inefficiencies commonly associated with under or over element of lean manufacturing and elimination of waste, a warehouse control system pulls product through an automated warehouse or distribution center increasing overall productivity and throughput.
Jerry List, Vice President of Cincinnati, Ohio-based QC Software (www.qcsoftware.com) recently noted that the company’s inclusion in the new directory, “Premier List of Warehousing Software” compiled by Philip Obal for Industrial Data & Information.
According to the author the following personnel in an organization can benefit from this publication: Consultants, Integrators, Information Technology Management, Operation Management, Purchasing Management, Logistics Management, Customer Service Management, 3rd Party Logistics providers, 3rd Party Fulfillment, and owners of the company who are involved in the search for warehouse software.
Some solutions offer that the key to the optimization of material flow by warehouse automation is tracking key performance indicators such as the current and anticipated workloads at workstations in order to make key material routing decisions; inbound and outbound order tasks to make key material release decisions.
Obal suggests that Warehouse Control System is software that directs the material handling equipment via PLC’s and controllers. Sorters, diverters, AS/RS, carousels, robots, and other ME types are controlled by the software. The MHE will perform the operations and the WCS will notify the WMS/ERP system that it has accomplished that task. WCS is used in high volume warehouses and manufacturing plants with heavy automation.
QC Software, Inc.
Jerry List
(513) 469-1424
A recent seminar by a leading provider of integrated material handling systems, based in Lakeland, FL, helped companies evaluate if a Warehouse Management System or Warehouse Control System Technology is the right choice for their operation.
Hosted by TriFactor, LLC, distribution professionals attended the seminar, which was held in both Lakeland and Jacksonville. Presenters were Jerry List, Vice President of QC Software, Inc., who discussed Warehouse Control Systems, and Kevin Tedford, Principal with KT Consulting, LLC, who discussed Warehouse Management Systems. Topics focused on how the technology can reduce labor costs and improve both productivity and accuracy.
Tedford described how Warehouse Management Systems first took hold in the 1980s, and how many companies knew the time was right to implement a WMS into their distribution center operation when they saw delivery and labor costs start to escalate, and the need to control inventory increase. “It was the moment they first began to realize they had no control,” Tedford told the audience. “A Warehouse Management System changed all that.”
List addressed the Warehouse Control System side of the seminar by stating that companies still need to be educated on what a Warehouse Control System does. List explained how Warehouse Control Systems came into existence as Warehouse Management Systems began to take on more responsibilities, creating a gap that Warehouse Control Systems nicely filled.
“A WCS works in real time and adapts to situations on the spot,” explained List. “It is able to make a ‘last-minute decision’ based on current activity and operational status.” List commented that Warehouse Control Systems are newer and haven’t been around as long as the WMS. “Hopefully, those who chose to attend now have a better understanding of its capabilities, and what it can do to make them more productive,” said List.
“We put together the seminar in order to give attendees the knowledge they needed to make an informed decision as to the benefits of a Warehouse Management System and Warehouse Control System,” said J.J. Phelan, Chief Operating Officer for Trifactor, LLC. “Jerry and Kevin did an excellent job answering a lot of the questions that came up. Hopefully, everyone left with a little more knowledge on this important topic.”
TriFactor, LLC has extensive expertise in planning, designing and implementing innovative material and information handling solutions that shorten the order-to-delivery cycle for manufacturers and distributors.
QC Software (www.qcsoftware.com) is the leading provider of Tier 1 warehouse control systems to the warehousing and distribution industries. Since 1996, QC Software, utilizing state of the art technology combined with extensive research, development, and rigorous testing, has developed the QC Enterprise suite of products. Designed to be modular in nature, easily configurable, and platform independent, this highly scalable solution satisfies the needs of any size warehouse.
QC Software, Inc.
Jerry List
(513) 469-1424
QC Software (www.qcsoftware.com) is the leading provider of Tier 1 warehouse control systems to the warehousing and distribution industries. Since 1996, QC Software, utilizing state of the art technology combined with extensive research, development, and rigorous testing, has developed the QC Enterprise suite of products. Designed to be modular in nature, easily configurable, and platform independent, this highly scalable solution satisfies the needs of any size warehouse.
A recent seminar by a leading provider of integrated material handling systems, based in Lakeland, FL, helped companies evaluate if a Warehouse Management System or Warehouse Control System Technology is the right choice for their operation.
Hosted by TriFactor, LLC, distribution professionals attended the seminar, which was held in both Lakeland and Jacksonville. Presenters were Jerry List, Vice President of QC Software, Inc., who discussed Warehouse Control Systems, and Kevin Tedford, Principal with KT Consulting, LLC, who discussed Warehouse Management Systems. Topics focused on how the technology can reduce labor costs and improve both productivity and accuracy.
Tedford described how Warehouse Management Systems first took hold in the 1980s, and how many companies knew the time was right to implement a WMS into their distribution center operation when they saw delivery and labor costs start to escalate, and the need to control inventory increase. “It was the moment they first began to realize they had no control,” Tedford told the audience. “A Warehouse Management System changed all that.”
List addressed the Warehouse Control System side of the seminar by stating that companies still need to be educated on what a Warehouse Control System does. List explained how Warehouse Control Systems came into existence as Warehouse Management Systems began to take on more responsibilities, creating a gap that Warehouse Control Systems nicely filled.
“A WCS works in real time and adapts to situations on the spot,” explained List. “It is able to make a ‘last-minute decision’ based on current activity and operational status.” List commented that Warehouse Control Systems are newer and haven’t been around as long as the WMS. “Hopefully, those who chose to attend now have a better understanding of its capabilities, and what it can do to make them more productive,” said List.
“We put together the seminar in order to give attendees the knowledge they needed to make an informed decision as to the benefits of a Warehouse Management System and Warehouse Control System,” said J.J. Phelan, Chief Operating Officer for Trifactor, LLC. “Jerry and Kevin did an excellent job answering a lot of the questions that came up. Hopefully, everyone left with a little more knowledge on this important topic.”
TriFactor, LLC has extensive expertise in planning, designing and implementing innovative material and information handling solutions that shorten the order-to-delivery cycle for manufacturers and distributors.
QC Software, Inc.
Jerry List
(513) 469-1424
Hosted by TriFactor, LLC, distribution professionals attended the seminar, which was held in both Lakeland and Jacksonville. Presenters were Jerry List, Vice President of QC Software, Inc., who discussed Warehouse Control Systems, and Kevin Tedford, Principal with KT Consulting, LLC, who discussed Warehouse Management Systems. Topics focused on how the technology can reduce labor costs and improve both productivity and accuracy.
The recent seminar by a leading provider of integrated material handling systems, based in Lakeland, FL, helped companies evaluate if a Warehouse Management System or Warehouse Control System Technology is the right choice for their operation.
Tedford described how Warehouse Management Systems first took hold in the 1980s, and how many companies knew the time was right to implement a WMS into their distribution center operation when they saw delivery and labor costs start to escalate, and the need to control inventory increase. “It was the moment they first began to realize they had no control,” Tedford told the audience. “A Warehouse Management System changed all that.”
List addressed the Warehouse Control System side of the seminar by stating that companies still need to be educated on what a Warehouse Control System does. List explained how Warehouse Control Systems came into existence as Warehouse Management Systems began to take on more responsibilities, creating a gap that Warehouse Control Systems nicely filled.
“A WCS works in real time and adapts to situations on the spot,” explained List. “It is able to make a ‘last-minute decision’ based on current activity and operational status.” List commented that Warehouse Control Systems are newer and haven’t been around as long as the WMS. “Hopefully, those who chose to attend now have a better understanding of its capabilities, and what it can do to make them more productive,” said List.
“We put together the seminar in order to give attendees the knowledge they needed to make an informed decision as to the benefits of a Warehouse Management System and Warehouse Control System,” said J.J. Phelan, Chief Operating Officer for Trifactor, LLC. “Jerry and Kevin did an excellent job answering a lot of the questions that came up. Hopefully, everyone left with a little more knowledge on this important topic.”
TriFactor, LLC has extensive expertise in planning, designing and implementing innovative material and information handling solutions that shorten the order-to-delivery cycle for manufacturers and distributors.
QC Software (www.qcsoftware.com) is the leading provider of Tier 1 warehouse control systems to the warehousing and distribution industries. Since 1996, QC Software, utilizing state of the art technology combined with extensive research, development, and rigorous testing, has developed the QC Enterprise suite of products. Designed to be modular in nature, easily configurable, and platform independent, this highly scalable solution satisfies the needs of any size warehouse.
QC Software, Inc.
Jerry List
(513) 469-1424
The telephone is very important for all people. It allows you to keep in touch with your family and friends and it also allows you to communicate with your business acquaintances. Today, with the advancement in communication technology, it allowed people to communicate more clearly at a very cheap rate. Some communication mediums are also provided for free, such as emails.
With all the different kinds of communication technology available today, you would definitely want the best kind of communication system available in order for you to communicate with your family, friends and business acquaintances more efficiently and also at a much cheaper rate.
This kind of technology is called VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol. This is the latest technology available to all consumers all over the world to provide cheaper and more efficient calls. Unlike conventional phone systems, the VoIP uses the internet to transmit and receive voice and video signals. This means that the data transmitted is in digital format. Because it is in digital format, it will mean faster transmission rate at a much clearer and sharper audio quality.
Another great advantage of VoIP is that most VoIP service providers enable free calls within their subscribers. This means that if you are calling a person who is subscribed to the same VoIP service provider you are subscribed in wherever they are in the world you will be able to call them for free. There will be no hidden charges, and not a single cent will be charged to you. Not only will you be able to make free calls within the subscribers of the same VoIP service provider, but the best part is, the calls are unlimited.
Just imagine, if you are in the United States, and you are calling someone in the United Kingdom who is also subscribed to the same service provider you are subscribed in, you can talk for hours without worrying about the phone bill.
Not only are VoIP phones able to provide you with free calls, but they also charge far lower long distance fees and rates. For example, if you are calling from your VoIP phone to a landline phone in another state or in another country, the overseas or long distance call charges will be far lower than charges that you will have in conventional landline phones.
All of these things are just the beginning of the advantages of VoIP. One other advantage is that VoIP offers free features that are usually expensive in landline phones. Features such as three-way calling, video conferencing, caller ID, return call, call waiting and others are considered to be standard features of VoIP.
Because of these features, VoIP is considered to be the phone of the future.
However, you will need a broadband Internet connection for you to be able to maximize your usage for VoIP. You need a broadband or high speed Internet connection in order to transmit and receive data signals from the Internet at a faster rate. Without a broadband connection the calls can result to poor quality.
But, you should consider that most households and offices today uses a broadband internet connection and is readily available in almost every part of the United States, especially with the wireless internet capability that is widely available today. Broadband connection today is cheap and widely available, so getting VoIP in your home can be easy.
All you need to do is download a VoIP software program from the Internet from your preferred VoIP service provider website, register and start making those free and low cost calls.
The only disadvantage of VoIP is that when the Internet connection is down, you will not be able to make calls. Also, if you are using an IP phone used for VoIP and looks like a conventional phone, you can never use it if the power is out. This is because IP phones are dependent on home electricity to operate, unlike traditional phones where it has an independent source of power in their lines.
However, if you want to have a low cost phone call, VoIP is your best choice. Besides, electricity supply and internet connectivity is now getting more stable than ever before. With VoIP, you can be sure that you will be able to save a lot of money and also let you consider getting rid of your traditional landline phone.
QC Software is the leading provider of Tier 1 warehouse control systems to the warehousing and distribution industries. Since 1996, QC Software, utilizing state of the art technology combined with extensive research, development, and rigorous testing, has developed the QC Enterprise suite of products. Designed to be modular in nature, easily configurable, and platform independent, this highly scalable solution satisfies the needs of any size warehouse.
ConnectShip’s goal is to make shipping management as easy as possible. Distributors who ship product via the world’s system of small package carriers are able to utilize a product line to ship efficiently including:
• ConnectShip Warehouse – A shipping management application designed for companies with mid to high volume shipping needs; ConnectShip Warehouse provides reliable and efficient small parcel and LTL shipment manifesting for distribution operations.
• ConnectShip Advisor – A shipment rating application designed to assist shippers with carrier/service selection decisions. ConnectShip Advisor provides comprehensive shipping advice and allows integration with order management, ERP and other backend systems.
• ConnectShip ChainLink – A suite of browser-based applications that support shipping functions throughout the enterprise, ConnectShip ChainLink includes shipping applications to support desktop shipping requests, customer service inquiries, and small parcel and LTL shipment manifesting.
• ConnectShip Merchant – An electronic routing guide for traditional and online order entry systems, ConnectShip Merchant provides functionality to determine preferred shipping methods and accurately calculate shipping charges at time of order entry.
According to Rich Hite, co-founder of QC Software, “Being a ConnectShip reseller is vital to our clients because it gives us total visibility as the outbound floor manager for the distribution facility, which allows us to provide a complete, rather than disjointed, system to our clients. ConnectShip is a flexible, extremely customizable product that allows us to meet each client’s unique needs and requirements. Additionally, the ConnectShip suite supports multiple major carriers which allow customers more shipping choices and flexibility.”
The solutions provided by QC Software (www.qcsoftware.com) enables companies to streamline their warehouse operations with the lowest total cost of ownership in the industry ensuring increased corporate profitability. Clients include Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour, and Arbonne. To see if WCS software is appropriate QC has developed testing methodology at http://qcsoftware.com/wcs_factors.html.
The core of QC Enterprise is the QC Navigator. The QC Navigator directs real-time data management and interface responsibilities of the material handling system as well as provides common user interface screens for monitoring, control and diagnostics.
As the focal point for managing the operational aspects of the material handling system, QC Navigator provides the critical link between the non-real time host and the real-time Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based material handling system. It coordinates the various real-time control devices to accomplish the daily workload. At each decision point, QC Navigator determines the most efficient routing of the product and transmits directives to the Equipment Controllers to achieve the desired result. The decision making process in controlled by two separate utilities, the Sort Manager and the Route Director.
The Sort Manager controls high speed sorting devices such as cross-belt, sliding shoe, tilt-tray, and wheel style sorters. This tool is utilized in environments where single source scan points are required.
The Route Director is utilized in more complex environments where multiple scanners are required during the routing process and provides for priority based route sequencing. This utility is easily configurable based on individual business rules and allows for complex routing and zone skipping.
The QC Navigator is a flexible and scalable module within the QC Enterprise system that ensures an environment that functions at the highest efficiency and the lowest total cost of ownership.
QC Software is the leading provider of Tier 1 warehouse control systems to the warehousing and distribution industries. Since 1996, QC Software, utilizing state of the art technology combined with extensive research, development, and rigorous testing, has developed the QC Enterprise suite of products. Designed to be modular in nature, easily configurable, and platform independent, this highly scalable solution satisfies the needs of any size warehouse.
The solutions provided by QC Software (www.qcsoftware.com) enables companies to streamline their warehouse operations with the lowest total cost of ownership in the industry ensuring increased corporate profitability. With a commitment to total customer satisfaction QC Software is the obvious choice for warehouse control, order management, and inventory management needs.
The core of QC Enterprise is the QC Navigator. The QC Navigator directs real-time data management and interface responsibilities of the material handling system as well as provides common user interface screens for monitoring, control and diagnostics.
As the focal point for managing the operational aspects of the material handling system, QC Navigator provides the critical link between the non-real time host and the real-time Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based material handling system. It coordinates the various real-time control devices to accomplish the daily workload. At each decision point, QC Navigator determines the most efficient routing of the product and transmits directives to the Equipment Controllers to achieve the desired result. The decision making process in controlled by two separate utilities, the Sort Manager and the Route Director.
The Sort Manager controls high speed sorting devices such as cross-belt, sliding shoe, tilt-tray, and wheel style sorters. This tool is utilized in environments where single source scan points are required.
The Route Director is utilized in more complex environments where multiple scanners are required during the routing process and provides for priority based route sequencing. This utility is easily configurable based on individual business rules and allows for complex routing and zone skipping.
The QC Navigator is a flexible and scalable module within the QC Enterprise system that ensures an environment that functions at the highest efficiency and the lowest total cost of ownership.
QC Software is the leading provider of Tier 1 warehouse control systems to the warehousing and distribution industries. Since 1996, QC Software, utilizing state of the art technology combined with extensive research, development, and rigorous testing, has developed the QC Enterprise suite of products. Designed to be modular in nature, easily configurable, and platform independent, this highly scalable solution satisfies the needs of any size warehouse.
The solutions provided by QC Software (www.qcsoftware.com) enables companies to streamline their warehouse operations with the lowest total cost of ownership in the industry ensuring increased corporate profitability. With a commitment to total customer satisfaction QC Software is the obvious choice for warehouse control, order management, and inventory management needs.
Solar power energy systems are not inexpensive. That said it’s important to compare them within context of other types of home improvement projects. Home buyers and realtors view a solar photovoltaic or solar hot water heating system as a significant value-added improvement – similar to adding a deck or remodeling your kitchen. Plus unlike a deck or kitchen remodel, you also gain one-up on your power bills. Here are some foolproof ways to estimate the cost of a solar photovoltaic or solar thermal system and to figure out if a solar energy system makes sense for you.
Six Easy Steps To Estimate Cost of a Solar Power System
Solar power energy systems are not inexpensive. That said it’s important to compare them within context of other types of home improvement projects. Home buyers and realtors view a solar photovoltaic or solar hot water heating system as a significant value-added improvement – similar to adding a deck or remodeling your kitchen. Plus unlike a deck or kitchen remodel, you also gain one-up on your power bills.
Solar power systems often get an additional financial boost as well: many jurisdictions and utilities across the USA offer attractive financial incentives to drive down the upfront capital costs associated with a solar power system.
Here are some foolproof ways to estimate the cost of a solar photovoltaic or solar thermal system and to figure out if a solar energy system makes sense for you. Let’s start with a home photovoltaic (PV) system.
Step 1: Estimate your home’s electricity needs
To get started, it’s good to have a sense of how much electricity you use. You’ll have a better point for comparison if you find out how many kilowatt hours (kWh) you use per day, per month, per year. Your utility bill should include that information.
Of course, the utility bill will also display your costs and many utilities include a graph that displays how your monthly energy use/cost varies throughout the year. That helps you estimate where your highest energy use is and at what time of year.
New Home Construction
If you are constructing a new home, then you’ll need to estimate your demand based on the type of equipment you plan to install and your home’s square footage. The pross call this “your load”.
To figure out your anticipated load, create a table to record the watt use for each appliance. Each appliance – be it a water heater, electric light, computer, or refrigerator – should have a nameplate that lists its power rating in watts. Or you can get the information from the manufacturer’s website.
Some labels list amperage and voltage only; to obtain watts multiply the two together (amperage x voltage = watts). In another column, record the number of hours each appliance is expected to operate. Then multiple the watts and hours together to estimate watt-hours used per day. Since it’s hard to anticipate all electric loads (it may get tedious scouting out every toothbrush and mobile phone cell charger), you might want to add a multiplier of 1.5 to be safe.
Step 2: Anticipate the future
In 2005, average residential electricity rates across the USA ranged from about 6 to nearly 16 cents per kilowatt hour depending on where you lived. Average retail and commercial electricity rates have increased roughly 30% since 1999 and the upward trend will likely continue especially as costs for the coal and hydropower used to generate that electricity rise as well. So think about your home electricity needs and present and future cost in relation to one another.
Step 3: How much sun do you get?
The Florida Solar Energy Center has conducted a study to examine how a 2-kW photovoltaic system would perform if installed on a highly energy efficient home across the continental USA (http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/publications/html/FSEC-PF-380-04/).
The study accounted for all factors that impact a PV system’s performance such as the temperature effect on the photovoltaic cells, the amount of sun peak hours in various regions, and the efficiency of inverter to convert solar derived energy from DC to AC.
As the study implies, solar photovoltaic systems work just about anywhere in the US. Even in the Northeast or in “rainy Seattle”, a pv system can pencil out if designed and installed properly. In New York or New Jersey, a one kilowatt system should produce about 1270 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, in Seattle, a one kilowatt system should produce about 1200 kilowatt hours per year. In the Southwest, of course, those ratios will be much greater.
Solar contractors in your area can help determine the best size for your solar photovoltaic system.
Step 4: Size your system
In general, solar photovoltaic systems sized between 1 to 5 kilowatts are usually sufficient to meet the electricity needs of most homes. One advantage of grid-tied systems is that you can use solar PV to supplement or offset some of your electricity needs; therefore you can size your system to match your budget and always add to the system later if needed.
Also as a side note, here’s a rule of thumb to remember to help you estimate the physical space your PV system might need: one square foot yields 10 watts. So in bright sunlight, a square foot of a conventional photovoltaic panel will produce 10 watts of power. A 1000 watt system, for example, may need 100 – 200 square feet of area, depending on the type of PV module used.
Step 5: Know your rebates
Many states and local jurisdictions offer rebates, tax credits and other types of incentives to homeowners for installing residential photovoltaic and solar domestic water systems. To view a comprehensive database of the incentives available for renewable energy visit http://www.dsireusa.org.
At the Federal Level, you can take advantage of a 30% tax credit (of up to $2,000) for the purchase of a residential solar system at least until December 31, 2008.
Step 6: Run the numbers
Although the cost for a solar PV system will depend on the size of the system you intend to install, your electricity rate, the amount of kilowatt hours you expect to generate, and the state/local rebates/tax credits that may be available, the formulas for calculating the returns are pretty much the same.
For those who appreciate having the formulas, use the ones listed below to do a quick ballpark estimate of how much a solar photovoltaic system might cost you.
Retail Price for Solar Photovoltaic System
+ Building Permits
- $2,000 Federal Tax Credit
- State or Local Tax Credit or Rebate
- Utility Rebate or Other Incentive
= Net Investment
Kilowatts of electricity generated from PV per year
x Kilowatt hours used per year
= Annual Kilowatt energy from the PV system
Annual Kilowatt energy from the PV system
x Current Residential Electricity Rate
= Annual $$ Saved
Yearly Excess PV Energy Produced
x $$ credit applied per watt
= Annual Value from Net Metering
Of course, a more accurate assessment can be made by a pro. Work with a solar power contractor to size and price the right system for you. As is true with any major purchase, don’t hesitate to ask for several bids from different contractors.
Many solar power providers will provide you with a comprehensive estimate. Helpful information to know includes:
- Total cost to make the system operational (labor cost for design and installation and equipment costs)
- Equipment (Make and Model)
- Warranty info
- Permit costs, if needed
- Tax, where applicable
- Federal tax credits
- State or local jurisdiction tax credits or rebates
- Utility rebates
- Expected Renewable Energy Certificates or Net metering credits
- Expected operation and maintenance costs
- Projected savings
Solar Thermal (also called Solar Hot Water)
Solar thermal systems capture the sun’s energy to heat water and are one of the most cost-effective renewable energy systems. They are used to heat hot water tanks and/or a heating system. A solar pool heating system is another type of solar thermal system designed specifically to heat a pool or hot tub.
Generally it’s worth investigating the economic viability of installing a solar hot water system if you have an electric water heater with utility rates of at least 5 cents per kilowatt hour and have tax credits or rebates available. (It may even be worth changing out a gas-powered water heater if your costs are at least $8/million BTU).
The formulas for costing out a solar water heater system are similar to estimating the cost for installing solar PV system. Many solar energy professionals can help you determine what system might work best for you.
Heating Your Swimming Pool with Solar Power
Although few jurisdictions provide financial incentives for using solar energy to heat a swimming pool or hot tub, in general, using solar power to heat your pool is a “no-brainer” from a return on investment standpoint.
The electricity used to heat a pool during the swimming season often amounts to the same amount of energy that homes-without-pools consume over a year. Combining a solar thermal system to generate heat for the pool with a solar thermal pool cover to retain the heat generated can further maximize efficiencies and extend your swimming season.
Most installers recommend that a solar collector used to heat a pool is sized at roughly half the square footage of your pool surface area. Solar thermal panels typically last 10 – 20 years and come with a 10-year warranty.
How long it takes to break even on the cost of your solar power pool system depends on where you live. In California or other parts of the Southwest, you’ll break even in 1 to 3 years but places as “far north” as Canada, a solar pool heating system pencils out over a slightly longer period of time.
