ASC Company Info

Supply Chain Management Innovations Drive ASC

Question: How do you go from EXECUTION to ORCHESTRATION in your supply chain?

Answer: INNOVATION.

"Innovations from ASC were awarded the 'Microsoft® Pinnacle Award for Innovation' and those innovations are the key to our daily business operations. By using ASC's advanced workflow solutions, we save time, insure accuracy, and keep our customers happy. Additionally, we are able to ship customer orders almost as fast they are entered."

Ken W. - ASCTrac® user

ASC innovations: For more than twenty-five (25) years, ASC has been providing both process-based and technology-based solutions for supply chain operations. ASC innovations are often used as benchmarks and in many instances have become the industry standard.

Award winning innovations: Consistently winning top awards every year, again this year, we are pioneers and innovators in our processes to solve complex supply chain challenges.

Adaptable and affordable innovations: In today’s ever changing business environment, your clients' needs have become more complex. They require more features, more automation, better adaptability, and affordable costs when solving complex challenges in the supply chain. As a leader in innovation, ASC can proudly say that “we have been there, done that” and adaptability is built into all of our solutions.

Orchestration by innovation: As an example; ASC has engineered complex algorithms for conveyor and automated picking systems using pick waves from multiple zones. We believe in automating a proactive approach (orchestration), versus a reactive approach (execution or expediting mode.) This type of innovation allows our clients to easily move from conception, to execution. and finally to full orchestration excellence in their operations.

ASC experience: You and your company can benefit from both our experience and continuing innovations, allowing for real orchestration in your supply chain.

Request More Information

Some examples of our innovations are:

Built-in Mobile device - worker "proof" of process

ASC announced in 2016 multiple new built-in "Apps." for the mobile worker that gives the ability to snap a camera shot of a quality issue, or a truck inspection, or any other in-line-process "proof" using the same device as they use daily in their operations. This gives the user more freedom to be mobile and move to the next task without ever leaving the fork truck or changing work queues. This gives the managers the ability to dynamically see what is happening in their operations or provide "legal proof" of an event. This helps ensure a good food and pharma supply chain. (Runs in conjunction with ASC's patented RF engine for sub-second response and guaranteed "no-lost transactions.")

Built-in user definable business intelligence portal 'BI portal'

ASC announced in 2016 a new built-in user defined data 'portal' for the ASCTrac® Distribution and Manufacturing business intelligence (BI) views. This gives the managers the ability to dynamically create their own views of WMS business intelligence information customized to suite their needs. You must be able to see what you manage, and trust what data you analyze from one source of truth. Any BI tool can be used with this portal. (Metrics were already there as part of the core product.)

Built-in visual customer order scheduler based upon "supply"

ASC announced in 2016 multiple new built-in advanced visual customer order scheduler tools for predicting "supply" in highly variable supply chains (hourly variance.) This runs in conjunction with "demand" but runs in conjunction with ASC's Demand Forecasting and MRP, and or/Shop Floor where every portion of supply and demand are connected. The customer is the most important ingredient, and you can now dynamically match supply and demand like never before to deliver on your promised goods delivery and on schedule. True orchestration!

Built-in user defined data 'views'

In our WMS software, we were the first to create built-in user defined data 'views' for the WMS warehouse worker. This gave the warehouse users the ability to dynamically create their own views of WMS information on their screens unlike the older 'locked' designs. It allowed processes to work better for the WMS worker and set the standards for a WMS user interface. (deployed 1989, then again in 1996)

easy-to-use engineered screen designs

We were the first to create built-in easy-to-use engineered screen designs for the WMS mobile worker to optimize the least amount of key strokes and to allow users to configure their own WMS views to what they needed to see at the point of activity. (deployed 1989)

WMS processes to auto-size customer order

We were the first to create built-in WMS processes to auto-size customer orders (based upon size and weight dimensions) and create optimum picking paths for zone picking. Our software won an award for innovation from Microsoft for this feature. (deployed 1989, and 2005)

wireless WMS 3-tier intelligent client server processing

We were the first to create a built-in wireless WMS 3-tier intelligent client server processing that guaranteed sub-second response with guaranteed "no 'lost' transactions." We won a technology award from Symbol - Motorola (now Zebra) for this fast and secure TCP/IP packet layer protocol. (deployed 1992)

WMS physical counting methods

We were the first to create built-in WMS physical counting methods that were designed for "no-shut-down"processing where we first coined the phrase "floating physical" using wireless devices. This allowed for all warehouse functions to continue (based upon a configuration) while a complete or controlled physical was being conducted. (deployed 1990)

WMS wireless label printing, electronic document controls, and "paper clip" picture and document functions

We were the first to create built-in WMS wireless label printing, electronic document controls, and "paper clip" picture and document functions. This was announced during a key presentation at a national Lexmark printer conference. (deployed 2001)

intelligent and compact CSMA wireless protocol

We were the first to create a built-in intelligent and compact CSMA wireless protocol for wireless technologies (narrow band) to insure fast respond for outside coverage over a 5 mile range (ship to shore, or banana plantations, utility companies, farm tracts, timber, etc.) for WMS inventory tracking. We won a technology award for this from Psion PLC. (deployed 1992)

convert Psion PLC hand held units

Continuing our WMS wireless innovations from the last entry, we were the first ones to convert Psion PLC hand held units from batch to wireless mobile devices to use with our WMS solutions. Long distance 'narrow band' radios were used first, and then we migrated to the newer 'spread spectrum' radios. This challenged the current school of thought at that time regarding batch versus wireless. (deployed 1992)

true chain-of-custody for route drivers

We were the first to create true chain-of-custody for route drivers (combining our ASCRoute® with our ASCTrac® WMS and including our ArmoredTrac® product) using technology to verify the loads, the deliveries, and any pickups on the route. (deployed 1997)

standard built-in WMS RFID scanning and printing functions

We were the first to create standard built-in WMS RFID scanning and printing functions to the WMS software without using any middleware and without adding any price increase to the product. This was demonstrated at the Dayton RFID facility and discussed at the DOD RFID conference in Washington DC where ASC President, Pete Gilstrap, was the chair-person for the DOD event. (deployed 2005)

WMS print server to handle enterprise-attached bar code printers

We were the first to create our own built-in WMS print server to handle enterprise-attached bar code printers using the printer's native language to insure incredibly fast response. And, it can be used globally - for example, to print serialized bar code labels at the overseas manufacturing facilities. (deployed 1990)

containerized freight tracking in our WMS system

We were the first to create a built-in containerized freight tracking in our WMS system to verify inventory being loaded onto ocean-going freight containers, and then allowing a financial system to see that data for "on the water" payments. It handles all statuses of where the container is at. And for port pickups, mobile devices are supported for selection of the "optimum container" to pick up at port. (deployed 2003)

report writer in a WMS at no additional cost

We were the first to include a built-in report writer in a WMS at no additional cost that is fully integrated inside the product, not an external product. It allows user defined reports with PDF and Excel extraction based upon Sarbanes Oxley compliant security standards to allow user access. (deployed 1996)

Tier 1 WMS solution designed for food and pharmaceutical manufacturers

We were the first to create a specific Tier 1 WMS solution especially designed for food and pharmaceutical manufacturers (first used at one of the world's largest food manufacturing companies) that could be fully supported and implemented completely by our Tier 1 clients for unlimited users and for unlimited sites in a global environment. They could deploy as many locations, users, or copies as they desired at no extra charge. (deployed 1996)

built-in WMS VOICE picking option

We were the first to create a built-in WMS VOICE picking option that is in the core product. No external interfaces are required, and it supports scanning, voice, and RFID on the same devices and on the same servers without sacrificing any wireless bandwidth. (deployed 2008)

"Innovation drives ASC"

We invest heavily in our R&D so that you will have the best processes using the latest technologies and innovations to use in your supply chain. Even with twenty-two years of great innovations for the WMS industry, we are constantly updating our products with the most current innovations for your future growth.

Bottom Line:

ASC has the best record of innovations and the best ROI and TCO in the industry. Want to know more? Request our "Why Buy ASC Products?" document for more details on why we make a great partner for you.

For more information about ASC or our products, give us a call at 937-429-1428 or click the "Request Information" links to request more information.