THE OPTIMIZATION OF WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (WMS) TO

INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY & EFFECTIVENESS OF PRODUCTION

PROCESS IN AN AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY

NUR FATEHAH BINTI HARUN

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

“I hereby declare that have read this report

and in my opinion this report is sufficient

in terms of scope and quality for the award of the

Bachelor of Technology Management (Innovation Technology)”

Signature : ………………………………….

Name : MADAM L. GANAGAMBEGAI

Date : 25th

JUNE 2013

THE OPTIMIZATION OF WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (WMS) TO

INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY & EFFECTIVENESS OF PRODUCTION PROCESS

IN AN AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY

NUR FATEHAH BINTI HARUN

Report submitted in fulfillment of

the requirement for the award of

The Bachelor of Technology Management (Innovation Technology)

Faculty of Technology Management and Technopreneurship

Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka

JUNE 2013

ii

“I declare that report entitle

‘The Optimization of Warehouse Management System (WMS)

to Increase the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Production

Process in Automotive Company’

is the result of my own research except as cited in the references”

Signature : …................................

Name : NUR FATEHAH BINTI HARUN

Date : 25th JUNE 2013

iii

For the very special……...

My Family;

Harun bin Ibrahim,

Arif, Adibah, Amira & Zarina

Thank you for everything.

The support and the help…

I will always love you all and really appreciate it…

Special thanks;

Madam L. Ganagambegai & Dr. Chew Boon Cheong

Ever patient and always encouraging.

Your guidance has made me through....

Thanks for everything..

iv

ABSTRACT

In manufacturing industry, supply chain management (SCM) is one of the

sections which are equally important in ensuring the smooth of production process. It

also must be integrated together with warehousing management system (WMS) as a

distribution centre which is will consist of materials and inventory control before

being distributed to assign workstation to be assembled which is focusing on

automotive industry. There are few ways that has been recently practiced by the

organisation in lead to well- managed of WMS which results in effective and

efficient production operation process such as just-in-time (JIT) concept. This

research has been conducted to discover the impact of well-managed warehouse

system on production operation process and examine the process integration that

involves in handling the parts distribution to production line in assessing the

effectiveness of the system. In gaining the data, questionnaire is distributed as a

technique to obtain the primary data that is full description of running process of

WMS in automotive company to seek for understanding based on the current process

flow of the WMS in the company and it has been analysed by using mono method

that is quantitatively. The data is supported by the secondary data from the journal

and previous research paper that based on performance in attaining the lean

production process. Therefore, it can be concluded that the effectiveness of the good

WMS in automotive company totally will improve the efficiency of production

process in producing their products instead of reducing the lead time and bottleneck

that comes together with the application of an appropriate technology in their system

to ensure the process can become lean. This will assure that the process in an orderly

organize manner and has good flow of information between parties involves.

Keywords: automotive industry, WMS, effectiveness, lean production process.

v

ABSTRAK

Dalam industri pembuatan, Pengurusan Rantaian Bekalan (SCM) merupakan

salah satu bahagian yang penting dalam memastikan kelancaran proses

pengeluaran. Integrasi perlu antara pengurusan tersebut dengan sistem pengurusan

gudang (WMS) yang bertindak sebagai pusat pengagihan di mana terdapat bahan

dan kawalan inventori sebelum diagihkan kepada bahagian kerja yang telah

ditetapkan untuk dipasang yang berfokus kepada industri automotif. Kebelakangan

ini, terdapat pelbagai cara telah dipraktikkan oleh organisasi untuk ke arah

pengurusan gudang yang baik di mana akan menyumbang ke arah operasi

pengeluaran yang berkesan dan efisyen seperti konsep Just-In-Time (JIT). Kajian ini

dijalankan bertujuan mengenalpasti impak sistem gudang yang baik terhadap proses

pengeluaran serta bagi mencari tahu integrasi proses yang terlibat dalam

pengurusan pengagihan barang ke bahagian pengeluaran di samping menilai

keberkesanan sistem tersebut. Dalam perolehan data primer, set soalan telah

digunakan sebagai teknik pengumpulan data dan diagihkan oleh kerana teknik

tersebut berpotensi memperoleh penerangan terperinci mengenai perjalanan proses

WMS dalam syarikat automotif serta mendalami pemahaman terhadap aliran proses

WMS. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis dengan menggunakan teknik mono iaitu secara

kuantitatif. Data tersebut disokong oleh data sekunder daripada jurnal dan kertas

kajian lepas berdasarkan prestasi dalam mencapai proses pengeluaran yang

sempurna (lean). Oleh hal demikian, dapat disimpulkan bahawa keberkesanan WMS

dalam syarikat automotif akan meningkatkan sistem pengeluaran yang efisyen di

samping mengurangkan gangguan dan masa diturut serta dengan penggunaan

teknologi yang bersesuaian bagi memastikan proses berjalan lancar. Hal ini akan

memastikan proses berada dalam keadaan tersusun dan mempunyai sistem

penyaluran maklumat yang baik.

Kata kunci: industri automotif, WMS, keberkesanan, proses pengeluaran ‘lean’.

vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ITEMS PAGES

TITLE i

DECLARATION ii

DEDICATION iii

ABSTRACT iv

ABSTRAK v

TABLE OF CONTENTS vi

LIST OF TABLE xi

LIST OF FIGURE xiii

LIST OF ABBREVIATION xv

LIST OF APPENDICES xvi

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Research question 2

1.3 Objectives 3

vii

CHAPTER ITEMS PAGES

1.4 Scope 3

1.5 Importance of the Project 4

1.6 Summary 5

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 6

2.1 Introduction 6

2.2 Theories & Analysis 8

2.2.1 Flow of Goods in Warehousing System 8

2.2.2 Process Integration 9

2.3 Theories & Application of Theories 10

2.3.1 Implementation of WMS System 10

2.3.2 JIT Concept 10

2.3.3 Poka-yoke Concept 11

2.4 Variables of the Study 11

2.4.1 Performance of Warehouse Order 11

Fulfillment (IV)

2.4.2 Improving the Effectiveness of WMS 12

and Production Process (DV)

2.5 Summary 13

viii

CHAPTER ITEMS PAGES

CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHOD 14

3.1 Introduction 14

3.2 Research Design 15

3.3 Methodological choice 16

3.3.1 Quantitative 16

3.4 Primary & Secondary Data Sources 17

3.5 Location of Research 17

3.6 Method of Primary Data Collection 18

3.6.1 Quantitative 18

3.7 Validity, Generalisability & Reliability 19

3.7.1 Validity 19

3.7.1.1 Construct Validity 19

3.7.1.2 Internal Validity 20

3.7.1.3 External Validity 20

3.7.2 Reliability 20

3.8 Summary 21

ix

CHAPTER ITEMS PAGES

CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION 22

4.1 Introduction 22

4.2 Demographic Analysis 23

4.3 Results 27

4.3.1 The Impact of Well-managed 27

Warehouse System on Production Process

4.3.2 The Process Integration between 31

Warehouse and Production

4.3.2.1 Factors Affecting the Integration 38

of the WMS

4.3.3 The Sequence of Parts Distribution Process 47

4.4 Discussion 49

4.4.1 The Impact of Well-managed Warehouse 49

(RO1)

4.4.2 The Process Integration of WMS and 50

Production (RO2)

x

CHAPTER ITEMS PAGES

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS 53

5.1 Conclusion 53

5.2 Recommendations 54

REFERENCES 55

APPENDIX 58

xi

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO. TITLE PAGES

4.1 Gender 23

4.2 Education Level 24

4.3 Department 25

4.4 Distribution Process 27

4.5 Inspection 28

4.6 Optimization 28

4.7 Effective & Efficient 29

4.8 Process Integration 31

4.9 Centralization of WMS 32

4.10 Synchronization of Distribution 33

4.11 Information as a Driver 34

4.12 IT Systems 35

4.13 Information Accuracy 36

4.14 Decision Making Process 36

4.15 Implementing IT Systems 37

4.16 Delivery Time 39

4.17 Information 40

xii

4.18 Parts Availability 41

4.19 Responsiveness 42

4.20 Location Proximity 43

4.21 Inventories 44

4.22 Less Important Factors 45

xiii

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO. TITLE PAGES

2.1 Framework Design 7

2.2 Measurement Focus 9

4.1 Gender 23

4.2 Education Level 24

4.3 Department 25

4.4 Distribution Process 27

4.5 Inspection 28

4.6 Optimization 29

4.7 Effective & Efficient 30

4.8 Process Integration 31

4.9 Centralization of WMS 32

4.10 Synchronization of Distribution 33

4.11 Information as the Driver 34

4.12 IT Systems 35

4.13 Information Accuracy 36

4.14 Decision Making 37

4.15 Implementing IT System 38

4.16 Delivery Time 39

xiv

4.17 Information 40

4.18 Parts Availability 41

4.19 Responsiveness 42

4.20 Location Proximity 43

4.21 Inventories 44

4.22 Least Important Factors (cost, availability 46

of Manpower, Returnability)

xv

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ABBREVIATION

ABC Activity Based Costing

BOM Bill of Material

CKD complete-knock-down

DSS decision support system

DV dependent variable

DW data warehouse

ERP Enterprise Resource Planning

IV independent variable

JIT just-in-time

OPPS order picking planning system

PPC production planning and control

RFID Radio Frequency Identification Device

SCM Supply Chain Management

SKU stock keeping unit

WIP work-in-process/work-in-progress

WMS Warehouse Management System

xvi

LIST OF APPENDIX

APPENDIX NO. TITLE PAGE

A Sample of Questionnaire Form 58

1

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

It is known that the effective system applies in the manufacturing industry

will contribute to the high efficiency of operation process and reduce other pitfalls

too. It also being applied in automotive industry especially company that has their

own manufacturing plant and having an integrated process between the production

line and their stock keeping unit (SKU) also known as warehouse system. It is

significant to have an effective link between these two sections to ensure the

information flow through the supply chain channel can reach to the right person at

the right time. Therefore, warehouse management system (WMS) is one of the

systems which are crucial in internal process in a manufacturing plant to ensure that

the operation process going on smoothly and integrate the data gained from multiple

sources. A certain optimization techniques for WMS system is applicable due to

common problems that arise in logistic or WMS system such as (Solstroff, P. &

Rosenbaum, R., 2012):

a) High traceability levels have to be reached.

b) Optimization of warehouse fills rates.

2

c) Reduction of order leads time

WMS is a process which involves in handling the inventory, work-in-

progress (WIP) goods or might be finished products before being distributed to

production line to produce a finish product. It also acts as an intermediary between

the manufacturer and customers. It plays the roles as a distribution centre and move

to the assign workstation to distribute the parts for assembling process to produce a

unit of finished product. Hence, this research is conducted to study the impact of

optimization of well-managed WMS in production operation process on how it

affects the operation process in terms of lead time and reducing the bottleneck.

The delivery process of parts in line section is vital to ensure there is enough

quantity of parts is sent to the assign workstation to avoid processing delay or

interrupted due to unavailability of parts for assembling process. Consequently, it

shall affect the process in achieving the production target which results in reducing

the volume of products. The WMS is important in the distribution process whereby

to assure the right information is conveyed and the right part is being distributed to

the right place at the right time in the right quantity. Thus, time waste and parts

shortage can be avoided.

As the conclusion, the effectiveness of the integration process can be seen

through the efficiency of the production process and the application of the current

technology such as scanner and barcoding system to enhance the productivity.

1.2 Research Question

The common problem faced by the manufacturing plant is mixed parts such

as complete-knock-down (CKD) parts that have been placed in a container once they

receive them at the loading dock. As a result it requires them to segregate the parts

accordingly based on the model of the vehicles that they would like to produce

before it being distributed to a body shop, paint shop and general assembly line

section. Hence, here is where the WMS requires practicing an operative distribution

process to ensure there is no disruption arises during the delivery process. Thus, a

3

few questions are emerging as below to figure out the problem of the relationship

between the well control of inventory in the warehouse and the effectiveness of

production process regards the distributed parts:

a) Why it is vital to implement the WMS system in the production operation

process?

b) How to implement the WMS system in the production operation process?

1.3 Objectives

The objectives of this research is to determine the answer for the problems

based on the scenario that happened in the automotive manufacturing plant and

clarify the infirmity of the current WMS system. Those are:

a) To examine the impact of the well managed warehouse system on the

production process.

b) To discover the process integration of parts handling between warehouse and

production.

c) To find out the sequence of the distribution process of parts.

1.4 Scope

The research project is focusing primarily on the process conducted in

warehouse starting from parts received, the segregation of parts to be distributed to

line section until the delivery process, only involve the internal process. The

packaging process and ordering process which is related to outbound logistics

activities is not being covered in this research project. It is only being conducted in

warehouse and production line that involves the distribution process those are body

shop and a general assembly section which consists of three sub-sections; engine and

axle, chassis line, and trim line. The paint shop is not included as it only focuses on

the painting process of the body frame/cab. Besides, the researcher also has to face

the delay in the process that happen due to order parts from vendor cannot be

delivered as scheduled and it causes downtime in the process. In short, the researcher

face problem to study the process flow in one proper flow and cause the researcher to

miss out certain process to proceed study another process that involves while waiting

4

everything back to normal. The limitation that faced by researcher is the accessibility

to distribute the questionnaire in certain automotive company which seems difficult

to get their ample time to answering the questionnaire.

1.5 Importance of the project

The significance of the research is conducted regarding on warehouse system

is to carry out in-deep study about the current process flow that has been practiced in

the manufacturing plant and determine the improvement that can be made to upgrade

the process. Furthermore, the research also shall lead to identification of new

technology that can be implemented in the warehouse system to intensify the

distribution process so that the parts can be delivered on time to the assign

workstation. Those technologies that probably can be applied are such as barcoding

system, scanner or data integrated software like Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

system along with Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID). All of these

technologies may contribute to increase the production volume and more efficient

operation process which will lead to lean manufacturing process.

In fact, the current warehouse system can be turned into more flexible and

agile which consequently will improvise the communication between the line section

in ensuring the information and other data can be conveyed in proper manner and

received by the right person at the right time and place. Moreover, the expenses

incurred for any rejected parts or reorder the new parts due to unavailability also may

be reduced.

5

1.6 Summary

On the whole, WMS system is equally important in supply chain

management (SCM) and it needs to be optimized in the operating system to become

more effective as it practices together with current advanced technology to increase

its productivity and performance. Besides, in providing a successful WMS system,

distribution and operation process must be practical and has its flexibility so that it

can adapt to any changes of technology or management process and yet the

distribution process still can be conducted in any obstruction that exists. This will

lead to better communication propagation among the workers in each section that

involves in distributing and receiving parts.

6

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

A review of the literature or the source of the reference used in research is

important to develop an understanding regarding the research topic that is being

studied. Through the literature review the researcher is able to get a helicopter view

on the topic that has been studied and insight of it that relates to the iron triangle; the

topic itself, the research questions and the objectives. The outline and framework of

the study are drawn out and the key of the research is identified to give a full of

attention on the problems that become the questions about the research. Besides,

from the reading made regards the research topic; the optimization of warehouse

management system (WMS), it has been specified and narrowing down to the main

problems arise that researcher have an in-deep study of the topic for a better

understanding and clarify about it that is to study how the effectiveness of the system

applied gives impact to the production.