Until now, most of our Revolution Street WXS content focused on the WCS layer.  In the meantime, the development team worked on adding WES functionality to the application.  We’re now at the point where the term “WXS” really means something. (The Revolution Street part is another story).

People often ask why we use the term WXS instead of WCS or WES.  My smart aleck answer is usually that we just wanted to confuse everyone even more.  But the real answer is that we always intended for Revolution Street to have both WCS and WES capabilities.

There’s no universally accepted definition of the differences, but we like this one:

• WCS – software that controls the machines in an automated warehouse.  This can include sorters, scanners, print and apply units, scales, dimensioners, etc.
• WES – software that helps manage people, processes, and orchestrates the activities of other forms of warehouse automation.  This includes AGVs, AMRs, ASRS, Goods to Person systems, shuttle systems, etc. Processes includes things like inventory and order management, wave picking, batch picking, etc.
• WXS – a hybrid between the two.

These definitions aren’t airtight in the sense that there isn’t room for debate.  We mean to help delineate the differences at a high level. In the case of both WCS and WES, the application connects to the warehouse host, usually a Warehouse Management System (WMS).  Sometimes the WES layer and WMS layer offer similar, overlapping functionality in parts of the warehouse.

Guiding Principles Used to Develop Revolution Street WXS Carry Foward

The WES modules included with Revolution Street WXS are built with the same guiding principles:

• Make it modern and intuitive for users.
• Make it modular so you only pay for what you need.
• Access the software with any device that has a web browser.
• Build it on an Open Source Foundation using tools like Node.js, Next.js, React, and Prisma. (I have to admit this means very little to me.  But I’m told that if you know, you know. And it’s a good thing for you!)
• Make it highly configurable for each individual warehouse and each individual user.
• Back it up with an extensive knowledge base and 24/7 support.

In our next set of software posts, look for more detailed WES-related content. We will share capabilities and screenshots so you can see it’s the same great look and feel, with even more power to help you generate great returns on your investments in automation.

I want to learn more about your WES capabilities!