FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for warehouse data
management. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for data
management in a warehouse using portable hand held device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0002] We may have to face challenges in our day to day life if we do not manage or plan
our things in an orderly manner. Managing things in an appropriate manner may help us in
making our lives simpler and easier. The principle of managing ones data applies to everyone
performing a task in his or her day to day life. For an example, retailers, wholesalers, rental
services, and other like product distributors may have to often maintain an inventory of various
items that may be ordered by clients or customers in order to carry out their business easily and
profitably. Similarly, for a warehouse, data management becomes a necessity. Data management
in warehouses may assist the warehouse persons to keep a track on shipment coming in and
shipments going out, also it may assist on keeping a watch over the time period of goods that
maybe lying in the warehouse in order to avoid damage.
[0003] Data management may be considered as a simple step wise procedure. In
conventional technology so far the data may be extracted periodically from the application that
may be configured to support business processes and may be copied onto special dedicated
computers. Once the data reaches the said computer/system, it may be validated, reformatted,
reorganized, summarized, restructured, and supplemented with data from other sources. The
resulting data becomes the main source of information for report generation, analysis, and
presentation through ad hoc reports, portals, and dashboards. Particularly the data management
in present day technology may pertain to at least one of tracking records of inward and outward
inventory, weight management, quality check, commodity health check, keeping a record of
racks or trays for all the types of data and like functions. In order to perform the said functions
one may have to include skilled labor along with a group of smart computers to keep a record of
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the data. Such methods may prove to be expensive and time consuming for the warehousing
industry.
[0004] Thus, there exists a need for a system and a method that keeps a constant track of
inward and outward shipments, keeps a track of inventory while it is in storage to monitor the
quality and quantity, and communicating the same to the client and the main server present at a
remote location all using a potable hand held device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0005] In an aspect, the present invention relates to a method for real time data
management. The method may include steps like entering data into a portable handheld device,
wherein the data may be entered manually. Further the method may comprise transferring the
data from the handheld device to a MIS database.. The data from MIS database may be
communicated to a SAP database, wherein the data received at the SAP database may be ratified
by an authorized entity. In the next step, the SAP database may be synchronized with the MIS
database and an alert may be sent to client via MIS database.
[0006] In another aspect, at least one of handheld device, MIS database and SAP
database may be connected wirelessly to each other.
[0007] In yet another aspect, the said method may be used for inward and outward
processes.
[0008] In still another aspect, the method for outward process may comprise of receiving
request of withdrawal from client, wherein the request may be received by an authorized entity.
The next step of the method may be entering data for withdrawal, generating a check list,
validating the said check list. Further the next step includes updating at least one of MIS
database, SAP database and sending alert to the handheld device
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[0009] In yet another aspect, the MIS database may be updated after the validation check
list may be found in order.
[0010] In still another aspect, the validation check list may be simultaneously displayed
and sent for approval to the authorized entity.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0011] The main object, of the present invention is to provide an inward method for
warehouse data management.
[0012] Another main object, of the present invention is to provide an outward method for
warehouse data management.
[0013] Yet another object, of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing
crop report for quality control in a warehouse.
[0014] Still another object, of the present invention is to provide a method to seal record
of the entered data for internal audits.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES:
[0015] The features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the
appended claims. The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages,
will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present
invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanied
drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[0016] Fig. 1A represents a general system for data management in a warehouse,
according to various embodiments.
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[0017] Fig. 1B represents a method for data management in a warehouse, according to
various embodiments.
[0018] Fig. 2 discloses a dataflow diagram for the data management system, according to
various embodiments.
[0019] Fig. 3 represents method steps for data management in the warehouse, by way of
a flowchart, according to various embodiments.
[0020] Fig. 4 represents an inward process using data management system by way of a
flow diagram, according to various embodiments.
[0021] Fig. 5 represents quality check process using data management system by way
of a flow diagram, according to various embodiments.
[0022] Fig. 6 represents an outward process using data management system by way of a
flow diagram, according to various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
[0023] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be
described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the
invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
[0024] Before describing in detail embodiments it may be observed that the novelty and
inventive step that are in accordance with the present invention reside in the method for
warehouse data management accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details
that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure
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the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having
benefit of the description herein.
[0025] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device that comprises a list of
components does not include only those components but may include other components not
expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a
system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude
the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[0026] Fig. 1A illustrates a general system 100 for data management in a warehouse.
The data management system 100 may be configured to include a portable handheld device 102.
The handheld device 102 may be configured to enter a data 104 of goods for at least one of
inward and outward transactions one at a time. The data 104 may be entered through one of an
input interface and an application input interface, wherein the handheld device 102 may be
configured to incorporate one of the input interface and application input interface. In an
example, the input interface may include at least one of touch, type and like platforms. The data
management system 100 may further include a MIS database 106. The data 104 entered in the
handheld device 102 may be transferred to the MIS database 106, wherein the MIS database 106
may be an editable database. In an aspect, any corrections in the data 102 may be done in the
MIS database 106. The MIS database 106 may also be referred as management information
system database. The system 100 further comprise a SAP database 108, wherein the SAP
database 108 may remain connected to the MIS database 106. In an embodiment, the data from
the MIS database 106 may be transferred to the SAP database 108, wherein the SAP database
108 may be kept at a distant location from the MIS database 106 and the handheld device 102.
Specifically in an embodiment, the SAP database may be monitored by an authorized entity in
order to approve the data. The database 108 as shown in figure 1a may comprise one of SAP and
any other like database.
[0027] As clearly indicated in fig. 1A once the data from SAP database 108 may be
approved by the authorized entity (not shown), the approved data may be communicated to the
MIS database 106. Once, the MIS database 106 is updated a SMS with all the necessary
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information and text may be fired to the client, wherein firing SMS may be preliminary report
subject to confirmation by the SAP database 108. In another example, SMS to client may
include one of weight of goods, time of delivery, time of receipt and like information’s. Further
to transfer the necessary information between the SAP database 108 and the MIS database 106,
the two may be connected by wireless means. In an aspect, the handheld device 102 may be
configured to provide a printout of the data 104 entered also mentioning therein the timestamp
and location latitudes. Specifically in an aspect, the handheld device 102 may include a printer.
In an embodiment, handheld device 102 may be a GPRS enabled device to transfer data 104 to
the MIS database 106. Specifically in an embodiment, the handheld device 102 may incorporate
tri-band GSM/GPRS/CDMA Type B class 10 connectivity. The handheld device 102 may
further include an integrated display to confirm the data 104 being entered, an optical biometric
scanner with onboard matching algorithm.
[0028] Fig. 1B corresponds to a method for real time data management. The method for
real time data management as shown in fig. 1 B may start with entering the data 104 into a
portable handheld device 102, in step 110. The data 104 entered in the handheld device 102 in
step 110 may be done manually. Further, step 112 comprises transferring the data 104 from the
handheld device 102 to the MIS database 106. The data 104 being transferred from the handheld
device 102 to the MIS database 106 may be edited at the MIS database 106 if required. The
method further includes, communicating the data 104 from the MIS database 106 to the SAP
database 108 in step 114. In an example, the data 104 coming to the SAP database 108 may be
ratified by an authorized entity in step 114. In the next step 116, synchronization of the SAP
database 108 may be done with MIS database 106. Further, once the MIS database 106 may be
synchronized with the SAP database 108, an alert from MIS database 106 may be sent to the
client in step 118. In an embodiment, at least one of the handheld device 102, MIS database 106,
and SAP database 108 may be connected wirelessly to each other. The said method may be used
for one of inward and outward data management processes in the warehouse.
[0029] Fig. 2 talks about the data flow diagram 200 for the data management system.
The flow diagram 200 comprises a handheld device 202, a central web-server 204 and a SAP
database 206. The handheld device 202 may be configured to enter data manually via one of an
input interface and application input interface. The data entered within the handheld device 202
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may then be transferred to the central web-server 204. The central web-server 204 may be kept
at any location near or far to the handheld device 202. The two may be configured to be
connected to each other wirelessly. The central web-server 204 may also be referred a MIS
database and the data transferred to it from the hand-held device 202 may be edited. The data of
the central web-server 204 may further need approval from the SAP database 206. The SAP
database 206 may be kept a distance from the central web-server 204, and are connected
wirelessly to each other. The data on approval from the SAP database 206 may be sent to the
central web- server 204, from where it may be transferred to the handheld device 202 where a
printout of the same may be taken. In an aspect, at least one of the handheld device 202, central
web-server 204 and the SAP database 206 may be connected to each other.
[0030] Fig. 3 discloses a step wise outward process 300 for data management in the
warehouse. The method may be initiated at step 302 by receiving request of withdrawal from the
client via email or other means of communication. The client request for withdrawal may be
received by an authorized entity in step 304, which further comprises entering the data for
withdrawal, wherein the data may be entered into the system at the head office level. The
outward process 300 further comprises step 306, for generating a check list. Specifically in an
example, in step 306 the check list may be generated and reply with all required documents may
be done. Simultaneously the MIS database 106 may be updated in step 308. In an aspect, such a
check list may be generated by the delivery department present at the office (not shown).
Further in step 310, validations of all check list and other documents may be done. In a case the
validation of the documents if found ok, than MIS database 106 may be updated with the same in
step 312, wherein if the validation is not ok, it may be sent back for check list generation in step
314. In particular, the data validated in step 310, if found ok may also be transferred to a
concerned person in the display department in step 316. The said data may than be approved or
rejected by authorize entity in step 318. In case the data is rejected, it may be sent back
concerned person in the main office in step 320, wherein on approval of the same, MIS database
106 and the SAP database 108 may be updated and simultaneously alert to the portable handheld
device 102 may be sent in step 322. In an embodiment, the data approved by the authorize entity
in step 318 may be used to utilized to update at least one MIS database 106 and SAP database
108 and alert may be sent to handheld device 102. The handheld device 102 may further be
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configured to take a printout of the same in step 324. Specifically in an embodiment, the term
handheld device 102 and the term portable handheld device 102 may be used interchangeably.
[0031] Fig. 4 represents an inward process 400 for data management in a warehouse.
The inward process 400 may comprise measuring weight of the goods to be stored in the
warehouse in step 402. Once the weight of the goods is measured it may be stored in the
warehouse in step 404. The good arrived at the warehouse may than be unloaded in step 406 and
simultaneously the data of the same may be entered in the handheld device 102 in step 408. The
handheld device 102 may whenever required, be connected to the MIS database 106 through
GPRS. The data entered in the handheld device 102 may be transferred to the MIS database 106
in step 410. The data from MIS database 106 may than be transferred to the SAP database 108
(not shown). Further on approval of the data by the SAP database 108 the MIS database 106 may
be updated for the same and SMS alert with necessary information and text may be delivered to
client in step 412. In an aspect firing SMS to the client may be preliminary report subject to
confirmation with SAP database 108.
[0032] Fig. 5 represents a quality check process 500 using data management system. The
quality check process 500 using data management system may be initiated by taking sample of
the goods from the bags at the time of unloading the goods, in step 502 (not shown). The sample
may than be distributed into plurality of samples, in step 504 (not shown). In an example, three
samples may be created out of the same sample. Further in step 506 (not shown) the said
samples may be analyzed and the information thus attained may be filled in the handheld device
102. In an embodiment, for quality check of the sample at least one of moisture, temperature,
density and like parameters may be measured. Specifically in an embodiment, the said
parameters may vary for different types of goods. The information of the sample so entered in
the handheld device 102 may then be transferred for taking a printout to be given the client in
step 508. Simultaneously in step 510 the said data may be entered in MIS database 106 and
further it may be transferred to the SAP database in step 512. In an aspect the data transferred to
the MIS database 106 and SAP database 108 may be stored for future reference.
[0033] Fig. 6 in another embodiment represents an outward process 600 using a data
management system. The outward process 600 may include receiving a client request in step
602. In an example, the client request may be received via one of phone, mail, fax, SMS and like
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services. The client request may than be transferred to the concerned person of the department in
step 604. Upon receipt of such request the data relating to the client request may be entered into
a system present in the main office in step 606. In an example, the system (not shown) used for
entering the client data may be different from the system used by SAP database 108 and MIS
database 106. The said data may further be utilized for preparing a material withdrawal checklist
in step 608. Further, a delivery order may be prepared by using the same in step 610. However
in step 612, the order prepared for delivery may be transferred to the SAP database 108. In an
example, the SAP database 108 being the main database may be installed at the main. The SAP
database installed at the office may be used to give final go for all the inward and outward
processes to the handheld device 102.
[0034] Further, the MIS database 106 may than be configured to receive a request from
the SAP database 108 in step 614. . Once, the MIS database 106 receive the said requests it may
be forwarded to the handheld device 102, in step 616. The handheld device 102 may then be
configured to make an entry of the data so received from the MIS database 106 in step
620.Simultaneously in step 618an alert to the warehouse for loading the goods in the respective
vehicles and deliver it to the client may be sent. In an embodiment, when the SAP database 108
approves the data and MIS database 106 may be updated for the same as discussed in step 614,
an SMS alert with necessary information and text may be delivered to client. In an aspect firing
SMS to the client may be preliminary report subject to confirmation with SAP database 108.
[0035] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with
reference to figures and certain preferred embodiments thereof, other versions are possible.
Therefore, the spirit and scope of the present invention should not be limited to the description of
the preferred versions contained herein.
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We claim:
1. A method for real time data management, the method comprising steps of;
entering data, into a portable handheld device, wherein the data is entered
manually;
transferring the data, from the handheld device to MIS database;
communicating the data, from the MIS database to SAP database, wherein the
data received at the SAP database is ratified by an authorized entity;
synchronizing the SAP database with the MIS database; and
sending alert to client via MIS database.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the handheld device, MIS
database, and SAP database are connected wirelessly to each other.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 is for inward and outward processes.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein outward process comprising steps of;
receiving request of withdrawal from client, by authorized entity;
entering data for withdrawal;
generating a check list;
validating the check list; and
updating at least one of MIS database, SAP database and sending alert to the
handheld device.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the MIS database is updated once the
validation check list is in order.
6. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the validated check list is simultaneously
displayed and sent for approval to the authorized