Automated Warehouse Execution and Two-Way ERP-WMS Integration via Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
ERP Customization | Automated Warehouse Pick Allocations | Hands-Free Voice Picking
At a Glance
| Industry | Food Distribution |
| Services | ERP Customization, Warehouse Execution Automation, Two-Way System Integration, Volumetric Calculation Engine Development |
| Challenge | Manual allocation of cages, slots, and assignment numbers for daily high-volume warehouse picks; unscalable fulfillment workflows; and a lack of automated, real-time inventory synchronization between the ERP and WMS. |
| Solution | Developed a custom AI-based volumetric calculation engine within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and built a secure, two-way automated integration layer using Azure Integration Services to connect with the Timewise WMS. |
| Key Result | Eliminated manual warehouse pick allocations, enabled hands-free voice picking and barcode tracking, established real-time inventory visibility, and removed duplicate data entry. |
About the Client
The client is a large food distribution company processing a high volume of customer orders every day.
The Challenge
The client used Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to manage its primary enterprise resource planning, including purchasing, sales orders, and inventory management. Their physical warehouse operations were run via the Timewise Warehouse Management System (WMS).
While Business Central (BC) successfully generated the standard warehouse picks, there was a major operational blockage immediately after creation. Before beginning the physical picking process, their warehouse team had to manually determine and assign the appropriate cage, assignment number, and slot for each pick.
They approached Aegis Softtech to mend this severe operational friction caused by a disconnected setup:
- Time-Consuming Manual Allocation: Warehouse operators had to manually figure out slot, cage, and assignment designations for every pick. This slowed down overall order fulfillment.
- Low Picking Productivity: Their warehouse was relying on traditional workflows rather than modern hands-free technology. This was capping operator throughput.
- Lagging Inventory Synchronization: The ERP was not automatically reflecting active warehouse floor movements. Thus, their Business Central was dependent on manual updates to stay accurate.
- Siloed Execution: There was no automated pipeline to generate calculated pick data out to the floor and bring completed pick confirmations back.
The Solution
A team of expert Dynamics 365 Business Central developers thoroughly mapped the complete fulfillment pipeline from sales order creation to final shipment. We determined that the missing allocation logic needs to be embedded directly within Business Central to fire automatically the moment a Warehouse Pick is generated.
Custom AL Volumetric Calculation Engine
We engineered a custom volumetric calculation engine directly inside the Business Central SaaS environment by using native AL development. This new engine automatically evaluates each newly created Warehouse Pick. It also applies the warehouse's operational rules and shipment characteristics to calculate and append:
- The designated Cage Number
- The designated Slot Number
- The designated Assignment Number
Secure Azure Integration Layer
Once the engine uses these required execution metrics to enrich the Warehouse Pick, BC generates a structured XML document containing the quantities, item info, bin information, pick details, and the calculated cage, assignment, slot, and parameters.
To bridge the applications, we implemented Azure Integration Services as a secure, reliable transaction layer. This pipeline transmits the enriched XML payload directly to the Timewise WMS.
Voice-Directed Picking and Barcode Scanning Integration
The Timewise WMS receives data and starts guiding operators via integrated wireless headsets and handheld barcode scanners:
- Hands-Free Voice Picking: Operators receive spoken instructions directing them straight to the correct bins. This removes the need for printed paper pick lists.
- Scan Confirmation: Operators scan barcodes to confirm each item pick. This accelerates execution speeds while boosting accuracy.
Two-Way Real-Time Synchronization
Once picking is completed on the floor, Timewise automatically generates an XML pick confirmation message. Azure Integration Services then routes this message back through to Business Central. BC instantly processes the confirmation, updates the original Warehouse Pick record, and synchronizes the picked quantities, updating the inventory status with zero human intervention.
The Results
The automated, two-way integration transformed the client's food distribution workflows:
- 100% Automated Allocation:
We completely eliminated manual cage, slot, and assignment tracking. This allowed the data warehouse development teams to pick orders immediately. - Enhanced Warehouse Productivity:
Implementing voice-directed instructions and barcode scanning optimized operator speeds and picking precision. - Real-Time Cross-Departmental Visibility:
Customer service, operational, and warehouse teams gained real-time visibility into inventory shifts and order fulfillment status. - Zero Duplicate Data Entry:
Automated XML confirmations removed manual updating habits. This eradicated human processing errors and duplicate data entry. - Scalable Operational Framework:
The architecture established a highly stable warehouse integration. This is capable of scaling with future order volumes without growing internal administrative overheads.
What Made the Difference?
Elimination of Front-End Blockages
Our team shifted the spatial and volumetric allocation calculations away from the warehouse floor and into an automated AI-driven ERP codebase. This enabled the warehouse teams to begin picking immediately upon pick generation.
Two-Way Integration Architecture
We established a strict two-way data contract. Here, Business Central is the key system of record for inventory, and Timewise safely governs the physical execution.
Paperless Validation Loops
Combining voice-directed prompts and mandatory barcode scan confirmations resulted in a hands-free validation workflow. It helps capture errors before items leave the facility.
Technology Stack
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (SaaS)
- Warehouse Management Module
- AL Development
- Azure Integration Services
- REST/Web Services
- XML Integration
- Timewise Warehouse Management System (WMS)
- Voice Picking Solution (Wireless Headsets)
- Handheld Barcode Scanners
Want to Automate Your Business Central Operations?
Whether you need to build secure two-way integrations or automate manual inventory and picking loops, Aegis Softtech provides the Microsoft Dynamics 365 expertise and systems integration knowledge to deliver it.
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*Client identity is confidential. Project details verified through internal delivery records. Reference available on request.*