Glossario
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Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Electronic Data Interchange refers to a computerized exchange of information with the client through the warehouse management system. It is a method of exchanging orders, invoices, shipping forms and other documents over the computer. By eliminating the clerical, mailing and other costs associated with paper-based information, EDI reduces costs, time delays and errors.
ERP, Enterprise resource planning
Describes software systems designed to manage most or all aspects of a manufacturing or distribution enterprise (an expanded version of MRP systems). ERP systems are usually broken down into modules such as Financials, Sales, Purchasing, Inventory Management, Manufacturing, MRP, DRP. The modules are designed to work seamlessly with the rest of the system and should provide a consistent user interface between them. These systems usually have extensive set-up options that allow you to customize their functionality to your specific business needs. Unfortunately, in the real world, ERP systems rarely are sufficient to meet all business needs and a myriad of other software packages such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS), Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Transportation Management Systems (TMS) are being sold to make up for these deficiencies.
ESFR, Early suppression fast response
Sprinkler system technology that executes faster and with a substantially greater volume of water. ESFR sprinklers may eliminate the need for in-rack sprinkler systems in many warehouses, thus reducing the cost of installation and, more importantly, the risk of water damage caused by damage to in-rack sprinklers. Retrofitting ESFR into older warehouses is not always feasible due to limited water pressure in old systems. re being sold to make up for these deficiencies.
Event management
Term used to describe software functionality that triggers specific actions based upon the occurrence of a specific event or combination of events. This is another one of those terms used primarily by software vendors and consultants to push "new" technology. In reality, business software has been providing event-management functionality for years. If inventory dropping below a predetermined level (reorder point) triggers a message to a planner (or even a listing on a reorder report), this is essentially event management.
FIFO First-in-first-out
In warehousing describes the method of rotating inventory to used oldest product first. Actually an accounting term used to describe an inventory costing method. See LIFO
Flex conveyor
Portable conveyor that can be expanded, contracted, and flexed around curves. See Conveyer Pics.
Floor Load
Refers to product stacked directly onto the floor of a trailer without pallets or slip sheets; product must be unloaded manually without the use of a forklift.
Flow rack
Racking system that incorporates sections of conveyor to allow the cartons or pallets to flow to the face of the rack. Stocking is performed from the rear of the rack. Also see Racking Pics Page.
Forklift
A warehouse vehicle, also called a lift truck, that used for lifting and transporting pallets of product; a forklift may have a special attachment on the front for specialized handling of product.
Freight Bill
An invoice for transportation charges generated when a load is delivered.
Freight Charge
Compensation paid to Nexus by the client for transportation services performed.
Freight Cost
This is the compensation paid to the contracted carrier by Nexus for the transportation services performed.
Fulfillment
Describes the activity of processing customer shipments. Though most manufacturig and warehouse operations will process customer shipments, this term usually refers to operations that ship many small orders (usually parcels) to end users as opposed to operations that process larger shipments to other manufacturers, wholesalers, or resellers. Examples of fulfillment operations would include operations that process shipments for mail-order catalogs, internet stores, or repair parts.
Full Truckload
This term refers to a shipment comprising a full or almost full load on a truck. A full or almost full load is considered to be 39,000 – 44,000 pounds.
Gaylord
A large corrugated container usually sized to match the length and width dimensions of a pallet. Gaylord is actually a trade name that has become synonymous with this specific type of container.
Gravity conveyor
Types of conveyor that use gravity to move materials. Skatewheel conveyer and roller conveyor are the most common types of gravity conveyor used, however, even a simple steel chute is essentially a gravity conveyor.
Gross Weight
The total weight without deduction for tare.
Handling
The labor involved in moving product received from the trailer into the warehouse dock and then into the storage location on the “IN” and moving the product out of the storage location and into a staging location to then be loaded onto a trailer on the “OUT”. The Warehouse Forklift / Clamp Operator moves product IN and OUT. If additional handling is involved such as opening on days off, pick packing etc., that are not the normal handling as defined in the warehouse contract, these would be defined as additional accessorial charges for handling.
High-density storage
Describes storage methods where unitized loads are stored more than one unit deep and/or high. Stacked bulk floor storage, drive-in/drive-thru rack, push-back rack, flow rack, and, to a lesser extent, double-deep rack, are examples of high-density storage.
Honeycombing
Honeycombing refers to the unused pallet positions in high-density storage that result when the number of unit-loads for an item does not completely fill the storage lane. Since mixing SKUs in high-density storage is normally not done, these unused pallet positions are not available to store other materials.
In-House Damage
Damage to product that occurred while in the warehouse (i.e. water leak, dropped product, etc.).
Initial Storage
Warehouse storage charge for the month when product is received; it is typically billed when product is received.
Intermodal
Intermodal means using 2 or more, modes of transportation: rail, truck or ship. The stock can move over sea by ship, over land by rail and then, at the main rail switch, the container is removed and put on truck chassis. The stock is then carried by truck to our Distribution Centers.
Inventory Turn
Number of times inventory turns during a one year period. Generally calculated by dividing the average inventory level (or current inventory level) into the annual inventory usage (annual Cost of Goods Sold).
JIT, Just-in-time
Term usually thought of as describing inventory arriving or being produced just in time for the shipment or next process. Actually, JIT is a process for optimizing manufacturing processes by eliminating all process waste including wasted steps, wasted material, excess inventory, etc.