Revolution Street WXS – Project Execution
The execution of a Revolution Street WXS warehouse automation project has a huge effect on your return on investment. Whenever Pendant works on a project with you, our aim is to get it right, get it done efficiently, and make it easy for your team. Your level of engagement with the process is a critical factor in achieving that aim. To that end, here’s how it works and what we expect from you.
There are 8 distinct segments to the process:
- Kickoff Call
- Workshops
- Writing the Functional Design Document (FDD)
- Application Configuration
- Offsite Host Testing
- PLC-WXS Testing
- Integration Testing
- User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
Kickoff Call
The kickoff call has multiple objectives:
- Identify the project team members.
- Discuss the application development process.
- Review the life cycle of the cartons and totes in your system.
- Review the server requirements for developing, hosting, and testing the system.
- Go over some basic questions, including the host system, communications with the host, label specifics, etc.
Who from your team participates: Software and Server Decision Makers.
Workshops
There will be a series of workshops of about one hour in duration. Usually we conduct two per week for the first two weeks. This can be adjusted up or down depending on the complexity of your system.
The objective for the workshops is to:
- Discuss and assemble the information needed to build the FDD
- Review the flow of the software process
- Go over the data interface points.
Who from your team participates: Project software team, representatives of operations and possibly maintenance.
Create FDD
Over the next month or so, the Pendant software team will create the FDD. Usually there are multiple back and forth discussions. At the end your team signs off on the completed FDD. Prior to the conclusion of the FDD phase, we also are typically expecting your server team to “deliver” the servers so the Pendant team can begin to configure, load, and test your application. You will want to avoid delays in turning over the servers so that your project timelines can be met.
Who from your team participates: Your project software team will need to be available for the back and forth discussions as needed.
Configuration
Now that the FDD is completed and approved in writing, the Pendant software team starts the configuration of your application to the specifications established in the FDD phase.
Who from your team participates: Your project software team will need to be available for questions as needed.
Offsite Host Testing
In this phase we test the communications between your host WMS or ERP. We also test the communications between other automation systems in your warehouse like goods to person, robots, AS/RS.
Who from your team participates: Project software team.
PLC/WXS Connections
Here we test the communications between the PLC and the WXS. Typically, Pendant’s software team will test remotely with Pendant Controls Engineers on site.
Who from your team participates: Project software team as needed.
Integration Testing
In this step, we begin to test with boxes and totes. We use the scenarios developed and documented in the FDD to govern the design of the tests. Pendant Controls Engineers are typically on site for this step, and we look for help in procuring test boxes/totes and in moving boxes/totes around while we are testing.
Who from your team participates: Project software team as needed, and operations personnel.
User Acceptance Testing
Here’s where we actually run the system with the operations team to prepare them for Go Live. Pendant Controls Engineers are on site working with our off site software team. When this testing phase is complete, we are ready to turn over the system to your operations team and begin production.
Who from your team participates: Project software team as needed, and operations personnel.
Project Management Tools
Our team uses tools like Jira, GitHub, and Slack throughout. We use these to manage sprints, maintain the code, manage team communications, and maximize efficiency.
The fun begins now as your investment in this modern and user-friendly system starts to pay off with a better understanding of your operation, higher throughput, higher accuracy, and faster and more informed troubleshooting. Enjoy!