Indianapolis, IN -- (SBWire) -- 10/01/2015 --Eric Cameron, Bastian Solutions VP of Sales, discussed the advantages of making the shift to an automated warehouse in the company blog. Cameron noted, "Controlling and monitoring material handling equipment on the floor is key to running an efficient operation. The WCS (warehouse control system) was developed to be a single solution to fill the information gap that existed between a warehouse management system (WMS) or ERP and the material handling equipment. As companies turn to automation solutions to increase efficiency and reduce operating costs, the WCS has grown to become a crucial component in any automated warehouse environment."

More and more, the WCS is the go-to technology for handling and directing order fulfillment operations, acting as the control tower in an automated warehouse. Where it was initially a tool for more basic equipment control, the WCS has evolved into a solution that can handle more advanced order fulfillment functionality. The most advanced WCS solutions are beginning to provide functionality typically found within a WMS. Should this trend continue, direct integrations between an advanced WCS and a host ERP could become a very cost-effective solution for companies leveraging material handling and automation solutions within their supply chain.

Making the move to automate warehouse processes and operations is no small decision. There are many factors to consider and plenty of details to iron out before moving forward with implementing a system that might include pick to light, mobile robotics, and miles of conveyor. The benefits, however, often prove worth the effort of making the shift to an automated warehouse.

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About Bastian Solutions
Bastian Solutions (http://ow.ly/LaOTe), a global material handling systems integrator and expert in e-commerce fulfillment automation is an innovator in the fields of material handling automation, goods-to-person systems, wearable AR technology, supply chain software, and robotics. Bastian Solutions recently announced the acquisition of Forte Engineering. The merge creates a turnkey software suite for beverage distributors and strengthens the companies' overall product offerings and customer support.

Bastian Solutions is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, with an additional 16 domestic offices and 7 international offices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Mexico, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Uniquely positioned, Bastian Solutions offers customers complete and innovative turnkey material handling systems, from design and simulation, all the way through installation and operations. Modern Materials Handling named Bastian Solutions 2015 Top 20 Systems Suppliers Worldwide.

Bastian Solutions provides integrated material handling systems reducing the total cost of order fulfillment and delivery cycle times for its customers; tremendous productivity gains and a quick return on investment are ensured. Automating supply chain logistics with harmony between material flow, information flow, and operational processes, yields a unique and important competitive advantage.

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