Retek® Distribution

Management
10.3

Release Notes
 Retek Distribution Management

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 Release Notes 1

RDM functional features

Enhanced Putaway Features
RDM now supports several new putaway types along with the existing ones.

Pallet Putaway
Current functionality that encompasses putting away a full pallet or a standalone
container into storage.

Case Putaway
New functionality that allows for putaway of a single case from a pallet into
storage. The user scans a container that is on a pallet and can putaway just that
case without having to first disassociate it from the master.

Active Putaway
This functionality is divided into Active Putaway and Active Replenishment
Putaway and is utilized anytime the user is putting away into a Forward Case
Pick (FCP) or Less Than Case (LTC) location. Types of active putaway include:
1 putting away a full pallet into one or many FCP/LTC locations
2 putting away a standalone container into an FCP/LTC location
3 putting away a mixed SKU single container into multiple LTC locations.

Concentric Putaway
This functionality is used to suggest putaway locations into reserve that are
closest to the Forward Picking locations, based upon a user defined set of rules.
For concentric putaway, X, Y and Z coordinates are assigned to each location
and each location is tied to a reference point. The reference points also have X, Y
and Z coordinates which are stored in RDM.
The ‘starting point’ for the concentric putaway logic will always be the picking
location for the item. All locations that fit the specifications for the item’s
putaway plan detail line will be identified. Each of those locations will be
evaluated to determine distance from the starting location. RDM uses the
following formula for distance between two points in a three dimensional plane:
D = (x2 - x1)2 + (y2 - y1)2 + (z2 - z1)2
2 Retek Distribution Management

If the location being evaluated and the starting location have two different
reference points, then the calculation for distance involves three parts. First, the
distance from the starting location (pick face) to the reference point of the
starting location is calculated. Second, the stored value between the two
reference points is checked. And finally, the distance from the second reference
point to the targeted location is calculated. The first and third parts of this
equation are calculated using the formula above for distance between two points
in a three dimensional plane. These three numbers are added together to make up
the traveling distance between the two locations. The location determined to
have the smallest traveling distance from the item’s picking location will be
suggested to the user.

Enhanced Replenishment Features

Preplanned (wave-based) replenishment now provides additional flexibility.
Configurable options now include:
Configurable algorithm at the location level
Users have the ability to configure the algorithm (at location level) that
preplanned replenishment uses in situations where on-hand quantities in forward
pick locations cannot satisfy demand.
User-defined task priorities
Users are able to define task priorities for situations in which demand in a
forward pick location exceeds existing on-hand quantity and pending
replenishment tasks exist for that location. In such situations, RDM can
automatically increase the priority of the Replens. As demand falls below the
quantity on-hand in the location, the replenishment tasks assume their original
priorities.
Replenishment tasks ‘On-Hold’
Users now have greater flexibility with respect to forward picking locations that
require replenishments greater than their capacity. Users can place replenishment
tasks on hold if the quantities will not fit into forward picking locations. Rather
than using ‘fit’ by unit quantity in a literal sense, this logic now allows users to
define a trigger point at which replenishment tasks will be released. This allows
the DC to build in timing of the release of replenishment picks in order to reduce
stock outs in forward pick locations while managing capacities.
Pallet Let Down
10.3 Replenishment is enhanced to provide more flexibility for the Distribution
Center with limited case picking equipment. This user configurable
replenishment type will create bulk replenishments from reserve where less than
the full pallet quantity is required for replenishment.
Pallet let down permits a user to bulk pick out of reserve, complete the desired
replenishments, and return the pallet back to reserve. This eliminates the need to
do replenishment case pick out of high-bay locations.
The determination of pallet let down is done at the process-level.
 Release Notes 3

Enhanced Bulk Handling

The DC can now see the total cube and weight of orders for user-defined criteria
such as time periods.
The screen below displays the output of the user defined criteria to provide
visibility to the anticipated impact that the select order/order lines will have in
shipping.

This new functionality also includes cross-dock merchandise that falls within the
indicated time period. A new interface point has been added to RDM so that the
information that is retrieved, like the info displayed on the screen above, can be
sent to a routing package (reference the 3rd Party Routing Package section below
for more information).

3rd Party Interfaces for Dimensions and Routing

New Cubiscan and Routing Package interfaces enable the DC to track
merchandise dimensions as well as improve load and routing management.

Cubiscan Interface
Timely case and unit measurements are a must in a fast-paced distribution
management system. This new addition allows for RDM-initiated requests for
case and unit dimensions to a Cubsican machine. The real time results in an
update RDM Item Master for unit and case dimensions.
4 Retek Distribution Management

3rd Party Routing Package

This new interface allows data transfer to a 3rd Party Routing Package. Data
passed will include destination total cube and weight. Routing information is
taken into RDM and used to order and stage outbound picks based upon the
provided routing information.

Other Functional Enhancements

Wave Completion Time
Based on a set of user-defined rules, introduced with the Foundation
elements in RDM 10.2, Distribution Center personnel can enter time
requirements into wave planning screens and RDM will then estimate the
number of resources needed by area and process/pick type.

Hot Picking for Bulk Pallets

RDM 10.3 supports hot picking for Bulk Pallet picking. When pickers declare
shortages, the system will automatically attempt to locate bulk replacement picks.

Unit of Measure Display

This enhancement allows users to define how dimensions display on the screen.
An example would be measurements taken in inches and displayed in cubic feet.

RF Screen Sizing for Unit Picking Screens

RDM now offers Unit picking screens with an 8-line display for use with wrist-
mount devices.

Print and Email BOL and Manifest

The ability to email BOL paperwork is available in RDM 10.3. This
enhancement makes emailing BOLs a simultaneous transaction triggered by the
shipping of a trailer. Each ship destination has a default email address stored as
part of the shipping information.

ASN Pallet Receiving and Breakdown

RDM 10.3 supports TARE level (pallet level) receiving. Additionally, this new
functionality permits the breakdown of mixed sku pallets that have been received
and which provides increased inbound productivity.

Trailer Maintenance
The Trailer Editor and Trailer Status screens were modified to allow for Trailer
User Definable Attributes. Attributes, such as length, refrigerated, etc., may be
added to individual trailers. Data on the Trailer Status screen can be sorted by
these attributes.
 Release Notes 5

Multiple Seal Numbers for Outbound Trailers

RDM Trailer Shipping screen now accepts the entry of multiple Seal Numbers.
This functionality supports a single trailer that is making multiple delivery stops.
Each Seal Number is captured and produced on paperwork. This is user
configurable.

Warning Messages for Close and Ship Trailer Functions

The Close and Ship trailer functions in 10.3 warn users of additional tasks
remaining for destinations on the trailer. The types of tasks that prompt warnings
are user configurable.

Technology Enhancements
• Upgrade to Oracle 9i Database Server, Release 2 (9.2.0.2)
• Requires Oracle Patch #2474232

Known Issues
N/A