The impact of IT on logistics – part 10
Without the use of ADC techniques in the warehouse, it is difficult to speak of a modern warehouse logistics system and, consequently, of the impact of IT on logistics. As I mentioned previously, purchasing and installing ADC devices is a very important stage of implementing automatic identification in an enterprise. However, the devices themselves are worth little if they are not managed by a properly prepared computer program. Creating a program that ensures the operation of ADC devices and meets the requirements of a specific enterprise is a much more difficult task than the hardware installation itself. An enterprise investing in an ADC system basically has four options regarding software:
- create the program based on the knowledge and skills of its own programmers (if it has any)
- purchase a ready-made universal program
- order a custom-written program from a specialized company
- adapt an existing system in the enterprise for new purposes.
Creating software in-house can be afforded by a company that has a strong and available team of programmers. A significant obstacle for local programmers, however, is the lack of experience in working with ADC hardware. It should also be noted that the costs of software development by an in-house IT team are hidden and usually much higher than purchasing an external system.
Another option is to purchase a ready-made “off-the-shelf” program. Such a solution is characterized by quick implementation, but has significant drawbacks. Companies creating programs intended for wide sales try to create a universal package, which they then try to sell in as many copies as possible. The creators of the program make many decisions affecting the final shape of the program themselves, often without knowing the general operating principles of the enterprise well enough. Even though they declare the possibility of adapting the software to the specific needs of the user, it often ends with declarations. I think it is still worth looking at the functionality of the system, to what extent the organization of logistics in the enterprise can be adapted to the offered IT solution. Let’s remember that an IT system is a synergy of experiences from many implementations. The third option is to commission the writing of a program to a company that will undertake the effort of creating specialized software and has sufficient competence in understanding the essence of the problem in warehousing. The advantages of such a solution are as follows:
- the system can be tailored to the specific requirements of a given user
- it can take into account specific equipment and therefore use it as efficiently as possible
- it can be developed in the future as needed.
However, when choosing this type of solution, one must expect that creating from scratch a program managing the ADC system operating in a specific configuration will take some time and be costly. Of course, nothing stands in the way of combining the three above methods of procedure when creating the program.