ASC Solutions

Innovation drives us.

Over the past 20 years, ASC has pioneered many industry standards in warehouse management systems (WMS.)

ASC has been a leader in innovations for over 20 years in warehouse management and manufacturing software. Listed below are just some of our many ASC innovations that have became industry standards or are used as benchmarks in the industry. Some are process based innovations, some are technology based innovations:

• In our WMS software, we were the first to create built-in user defined data 'views' for the WMS warehouse worker. This gave the users abilities to dynamically create their own views of WMS data on their screens unlike the older 'locked' designs. It allowed processes to work better for the WMS worker and set the standards for a WMS user interface. (deployed 1989, then again in 1996)


• We were the first to create built-in easy-to-use engineered screen designs for the WMS mobile worker to optimize the least amount of key strokes and to allow users to configure their own WMS views to what they needed to see at the point of activity. (deployed 1989)


• We were the first to create built-in WMS processes to auto-size customer orders (based upon size and weight dimensions) and create optimum picking paths for zone picking. Our software won an award for innovation from Microsoft in 2005 for this feature. (deployed 1989, and 2005)


• We were the first to create a built-in wireless WMS 3-tier intelligent client server processing that guaranteed sub-second response with guaranteed "no 'lost' transactions." We won a technology award from Symbol (now Motorola) for this fast and secure TCP/IP packet layer protocol. (deployed 1992)


• We were the first to create built-in WMS physical counting methods that were designed for "no-shut-down"processing where we first coined the phrase "floating physical" using wireless devices. This allowed for all warehouse functions to continue (based upon a configuration) while a complete or controlled physical was being conducted. (1990 deployed)


• We were the first to create built-in WMS wireless label printing, electronic document controls, and "paper clip" picture and document functions. This was announced during a key presentation at a national Lexmark printer conference. (deployed 2001)


• We were the first to create a built-in intelligent and compact CSMA wireless protocol for wireless technologies (narrow band) to insure fast respond for outside coverage over a 5 mile range (ship to shore, or banana plantations, utility companies, farm tracts, timber, etc.) for WMS inventory tracking. We won a technology award for this from Psion PLC. (deployed 1992)


• ..continuing our WMS wireless innovations from the last entry, we were the first ones to convert Psion PLC hand held units from batch to wireless mobile devices to use with our WMS solutions. Long distance 'narrow band' radios were used first, and then we migrated to the newer 'spread spectrum' radios. This challenged the current school of thought at that time regarding batch versus wireless. (deployed 1992)


• We were the first to create true chain-of-custody for route drivers (combining our ASCRoute with our ASCTrac WMS and including our ArmoredTrac product) using technology to verify the loads, the deliveries, and any pickups on the route. (deployed 1997)


• We were the first to create standard built-in WMS RFID scanning and printing functions to the WMS software without using any middleware and without adding any price increase to the product. This was demonstrated at the Dayton RFID facility and discussed at the DOD RFID conference in Washington DC where ASC President, Pete Gilstrap, was the chair-person for the DOD event. (deployed 2005)


• We were the first to create our own built-in WMS print server to handle enterprise-attached bar code printers using the printer's native language to insure incredibly fast response. And, it can be used globally - for example, to print serialized bar code labels at the overseas manufacturing facilities. (deployed 1990)


• We were the first to create a built-in containerized freight tracking in our WMS system to verify inventory being loaded onto ocean-going freight containers, and then allowing a financial system to see that data for "on the water" payments. It handles all statuses of where the container is at. And for port pickups, mobile devices are supported for selection of the "optimum container" to pick up at port. (deployed 2003)


• We were the first to include a built-in report writer in a WMS at no additional cost that is fully integrated inside the product, not an external product. It allows user defined reports with PDF and Excel extraction based upon Sarbanes Oxley compliant security standards to allow user access. (deployed 1996)


• We were the first to create a specific Tier 1 WMS solution especially designed for food and pharmaceutical manufacturers (first used at one of the world's largest food manufacturing companies) that could be fully supported and implemented completely by our Tier 1 clients for unlimited users and for unlimited sites in a global environment. They could deploy as many locations, users, or copies as they desired at no extra charge. (deployed 1996)


• We were the first to create a built-in WMS VOICE picking option that is in the core product. No external interfaces are required, and it supports scanning, voice, and RFID on the same devices and on the same servers without sacrificing any wireless bandwidth. (deployed 2008)


• We invest heavily in our R&D so that you will have the best processes using the latest technologies and innovations to use in your supply chain. Even with 20 years of great innovations for the WMS industry, we are constantly updating our products with the most current innovations for your future growth. "Innovation drives us."

ASC WMS Software - bottom Line, ASC has the best record of innovations and the best ROI-TCO in the industry.

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