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After four decades of integrating material handling automation technologies and software in warehouses, distribution centers, and parcel handling operations, DCS recognized several shortcomings in existing warehouse execution systems (WES). In recognition of the limitations of custom warehouse software and standard warehouse management software features, DCS designed and developed our new DATUM WES from the ground up. As part of DATUM’s design, we incorporated several key features that ensure stable, safe, and secure warehouse software delivery—both during the initial implementation and during subsequent updates.
Problems Associated with Custom Warehouse Management Software Features
Historically, custom, monolithic software applications connected different automated material handling equipment and systems together with the facility’s overarching host software—typically an enterprise resource planning (ERP) or warehouse management system (WMS). While the monolithic approach can work for a while, problems often arise when it comes time to update to the latest version of the WMS, ERP, or equipment software. These changes will almost certainly impact the overarching code tying the entire system together. Likewise, adding a new piece of equipment or modifying an existing process can also cause problems with the custom software.
In the best-case scenario, extensive, manual testing will be necessary to verify that the modifications do not impact the system’s functioning and overall stability. Testing requires time, during which the system may not be available. At worst, changing one portion of monolithic software increases the risk that the entire system will break. This can lead to unanticipated downtime that prevents an operation from meeting its service level agreements (SLAs).
Further, custom warehouse management software may not have the highest-level security protocols embedded within it. Whereas material handling systems of the past may have been isolated from the wider corporate network, in today’s increasingly connected world that’s no longer the case. Hackers will exploit any weakness to breach a network and access sensitive data. Monolithic software with security deficiencies can increase the opportunity for unauthorized network access.
How DATUM’s Development Platform Ensures Stability
DATUM’s platform leverages a microservice architecture built and deployed on widely used, open-source components. That makes it both robust and well supported, with billions of worldwide users continuously improving and refining the source code. We developed it with components widely used by major software and service providers. This foundational architecture incorporates the latest security protocols and standards, making DATUM extremely dynamic, easily updated, and highly resilient for maximum solution reliability.
In designing DATUM’s functionality, we leveraged DCS’ past experience in launching and delivering material handling solutions to clients. Utilizing a microservice architecture and widely used platform enables us to deploy seamless updates to a client site without impacting operations or requiring downtime.
Microservice architecture also allows us to create application modules that are specific to each process and piece of equipment or function. Because they are self-contained, making changes to one module does not affect the others. This preserves the overall stability of a system while allowing modifications to be made seamlessly.
Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery Ensures Safe Deployments
Additionally, we utilize a DevOps approach when developing Datum. This includes a continuous integration/continuous delivery (CICD) methodology to allow for stable and quicker updates.
The continuous integration pipeline relates to the building and testing of the DATUM application. It incorporates an automated testing mechanism within the build process of the software that analyzes the proposed changes and flags any potential bugs for correction. This allows the development team to target its assessments when performing our own quality assurance testing prior to deploying new features. Ultimately, it speeds up software development and modifications for our clients.
The continuous delivery pipeline also leverages automation to deploy the latest updates to DATUM users. Updates are automatic, and—because they’re typically relegated to one module at a time—fast. Because changes have been tested both automatically by the system and by DCS’ engineers, they pose minimal risk to overall system functionality.
However, should a system failure occur, DATUM’s platform incorporates redundancy. This warehouse management software feature protects critical processes and application data. It also automates recovery after a failure, getting DATUM back up and running without manual intervention in most cases. Meanwhile, it documents the scenario surrounding the failure, allowing the engineers to assess, evaluate, and resolve the issue without affecting ongoing operations.
Baked-in Security Protocols Prevent Unauthorized Access
It’s no longer the case that material handling systems are on self-contained networks impervious to access from the outside world. That’s why the CICD pipeline methodology used to build DATUM incorporates vulnerability scanning. This function assesses and verifies the overall security and impenetrability of the code.
DCS also works with each client to apply best practices of hardening their underlying environment where DATUM is deployed. Further, DATUM also employs widely used secure protocols for data transfer between systems to ensure maximum security.
Learn More About DATUM’s Architecture and Its Benefits to Your Operation
I recently discussed DATUM’s architecture and how it benefits operations through greater stability, safety, and security in a DCS On Time In Full podcast episode. The recording, “Setting Well-Defined Expectations for Software Delivery,” also offers tips for operations looking to deploy WES software, including:
Want to learn more about DATUM and how it can enhance your warehouse operations? Connect with us; our software team would be happy to schedule a virtual tour of our new WES and its features and functionality.
AUTHOR:
Adam Bommer
Director of Software Delivery
adam@designedconveyor.com
