The PINQUARK system is equipped with a module that allows for the creation of detailed maps of various warehouses. Drawing warehouse maps is simple and intuitive. Importantly, it does not require IT expert support. We provide tips on how to create a warehouse map in a few simple steps!
The PINQUARK Warehouse Management System is equipped with a so-called map creator, which enables the creation of detailed, graphical warehouse maps (fully corresponding to reality). All walls, doors, shelving units, zones and other elements located in the system's library can be placed on the maps. PINQUARK provides the ability to create different warehouse maps for multiple facilities and take into account various features, such as warehouse floor space, shelving height, number of storage zones, aisles or levels. The system can be easily adapted to the changing needs of the business.
Mapping the physical warehouse on the warehouse map is crucial for the subsequent functioning of the PINQUARK WMS system. It forms the basis for the calculations performed by artificial intelligence. For the calculations to be correct and to enable an increase in warehouse work efficiency, the map must include several essential elements.
Warehouse map in the PINQUARK system – where to start?
First, you should draw the warehouse walls. To do this, select the warehouse rectangle or polygon from our drawing tool library (according to the shape of your warehouse).
While drawing the warehouse, you will see a measurement tool that will allow you, among other things, to measure the walls. For the artificial intelligence to function correctly, it is important that you place doors on the map.
The map creator is a flexible tool that allows you to move all elements and interact with them – much like in a professional graphics system.
We are putting up the first bookcase!
The most time-consuming stage is designing the shelving units, as they must reflect actual dimensions. Why is this particularly important? Because the PINQUARK system is equipped with innovative functionality that allows exact locations to be calculated – thanks to this, warehouse workers will know where to place goods so that they end up in the right spot. This, in turn, will significantly increase their work efficiency and reduce the risk of making a mistake, among other benefits. You need to select a „shelving unit” from the design tool library and place it on the map. Then you can change the actual size – to do this, go to the shelving unit settings.
In the main settings view, you can set the number of bays and rows for each side of the shelving unit. The system also allows you to configure location naming. Locations consist of the shelving unit name, side, bay, and row, creating names such as: A1-B-2-1. All parameters of the shelving unit name can be either numbers or letters.
Although this stage requires the most time, the actual creation of shelving bays is simple and very intuitive. Through the shelving settings, you can modify all shelves to create a structure that reflects a real warehouse. In the video below, you can see how easily you can modify a shelving bay.
Drawing shelving units – it can be done faster!
Once the first shelving unit is in place and all the remaining ones look identical, it is enough to copy the object and paste it in the appropriate location. In this way, the entire warehouse structure can be quickly created. The final essential element of creating the warehouse map is placing a zone on it and marking it as the destination zone. For the artificial intelligence, this is the information where the picking process should end.
How long will it take to create the entire warehouse?
In the case of a simple facility, the entire warehouse structure can be created in just over ten minutes. More complex warehouses require a few hours of dedication. Below is an example of a complete warehouse map created by one of our customers. Thanks to the PINQUARK WMS map creator, our customer drew all the racking in just 1.5 hours. The challenge in this case was that almost every rack had its own modifications made via the racking settings.
The PINQUARK WMS map creator allows for very simple, intuitive and, above all, rapid creation of precise warehouse maps. Unlike standard WMS systems, PINQUARK does not require the user to create locations in a table format. System users can design a map of the entire warehouse without unnecessary and time-consuming stages, which is clear, legible and provides an exact reflection of the actual facility.
