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Tobacco

Barcode verification gate, zero-defect shipment.

Implemented at PMI's Torbalı (İzmir) factory, the Automatic Shipment Barcode Verification System scans pallet labels at the shipment exit, verifies them against shipment orders, and updates SAP-WMS.

Sector
Tobacco
Location
Torbalı / İzmir
Year
2023
Scope
Turnkey
PMI Logo
Customer and Context

Fully automated control at shipment exits

PMI's Torbalı (İzmir) factory is a cigarette manufacturing facility. The produced items are shipped on a pallet basis via exit ramps during the shipment process.

The project was implemented to automate the pallet verification and shipment order matching process at the shipment exit.

Needs / Problems

Shipment errors and control difficulties

Checking pallets manually against correct work orders at shipment ramps caused delays and increased shipment error risks.

  • 01Shipment Error RiskThe risk of incomplete or incorrect barcode products being shipped without detection.
  • 02Manual MatchingOperational inefficiency caused by manually matching pallet labels with shipment work orders.
  • 03WMS SynchronizationInability to process pallets exiting from ramps into the WMS system instantly and automatically.
Solution

Barcode Gate System & Automated Verification

The barcode gate system installed at the exit ramp automatically reads all pallet labels. The system automatically retrieves shipment orders from SAP-WMS, compares them with pallet labels, and writes data to WMS on match.

01

Work Order Integration

Work orders belonging to the shipment plan are automatically loaded from the SAP-WMS system.

02

Ramp Barcode Scanning

The Barcode Gate on the exit ramp automatically reads all pallet labels passing over it.

03

Match & Verification

Pallet labels are compared with shipment orders to instantly query content accuracy.

04

WMS Confirmation

Matched pallet barcodes and the shipment number are instantly sent to the SAP-WMS system.

Technology / Equipment Used

Industrial scanners and SCADA verification

HARDWARE

Industrial Barcode Readers

Industrial scanners that read pallet barcodes on the fly at exit ramps without errors.

AUTOMATION

PLC field automation

PLC system managing pallet transits, sensors, and gate flow at the ramp.

INTERFACE

SCADA application with C#

SCADA software managing matching logic, operator alert screens, and system data integration.

INTEGRATION

WMS data layer

Integration interface where matched pallet barcodes and shipment numbers are pushed to the WMS system.

SAFETY

Operator Alert System

Control mechanism providing visual/audible warnings to the operator in case of mismatched or incorrect labels.

DATA

SAP ERP integration

SAP connection that enables the system to automatically retrieve shipment work orders.

Integrations

SAP-WMS Integration

The automatic shipment barcode verification system runs with bi-directional and real-time integration with PMI's SAP-WMS infrastructure; data is verified independent of the operator.

Work Order RetrievalShipment work orders in the SAP-WMS system are automatically pulled into the system, ready for verification.
Shipment ConfirmationVerified pallet barcodes and associated shipment numbers are written back to the SAP-WMS system in real time.
Benefits / Results

100% Verified automated shipment

Automated pallet verification

100% automated pallet verification is achieved at the shipment exit, eliminating the need for manual checks.

Zero shipment errors

Shipment of products with missing, wrong, or incorrect barcodes from shipment ramps is completely prevented.

Operator warnings

Shipment operations are secured with an instant warning mechanism when an incorrect pallet is detected.

OnSuite Trace

Meet Our End-to-End Traceability Solution

OnSuite Trace allows you to manage all your production processes from a single platform. We provide end-to-end digital traceability for your business with the motto "Continuous Control, Zero Defects".

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