One of central features in Assure WMS is the concept of unique item-id. When inventory is GRN’d into the WMS, every single piece is given a unique number (similar to the concept of IMEI number for mobile phones). This item-id is printed and pasted on to individual pieces. This is also called as serialization of inventory.
Item ID is the key feature that helps ensure
~100% inventory accuracy
~100% order fulfillment accuracy
Sample Item ID Bar-code Sticker
Advantages of Item ID
There are multiple advantages of item-id
During GRN, the system can record QC issue against every single item. So, you can pick items by their QC failure – e.g. pick all items which are soiled
Item ID enables 100% accuracy in counting during GRN and picking. Usually people will scan an EAN and enter a number. The number can be incorrectly entered (e.g 8 instead of 7). But in case of Item-ID, the system generates a unique serial no, which needs to be scanned. So counting errors or duplicate counting cannot happen.
On picking, the item-id needs to be scanned.
Here, item-id is automatically associated with an order.
Also, scanning item-id ensures the right count of inventory getting picked.
One can simply scan the item-id and know whether the item belongs to a single piece order or multi-piece order. So it helps in consolidating multi-piece order items
While packing, the item-id needs to be scanned. So wrong item cannot be dispatched with an order
When you find a piece lying in the warehouse, you can just scan the item-id, and know what to do with it. E.g.
Put it in XYZ bin
It is associated with an order, so take it to ABC packing station
During B2C returns, you can take photos and mark QC fail reasons against every item. This item-level evidence helps in making damage claims at marketplaces.
You can mix inventory across Legal Entities (since every item is also mapped to a legal entity). This helps improve warehouse storage density.