The real work of the warehouse in ceramic industries is made up of situations that are constantly evolving. The need for finalized and immediate response times are vital to provide timely responses to customers and to the new challenges requested by the market: INTELLIMAG® pro-tile is perfectly able and designed for these targets.

INTELLIMAG® pro-tile is a solution without compromise to the specific business needs of companies in the ceramic industry because of its robust architecture but versatile and scalable, open to all types of integration.

The logistics solution and warehouse specialist for ceramic industries and distributors

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intelligente

efficienteefficient

sempliceeasy

smart

Coordinates and optimizes all warehouse activities, automatically

Affordable, flexible, innovative: the WMS system for scheduling

works of your warehouse Performance always under control with a high configurable KPI system

Web 2.0 multiplatform, can be used via the Internet and on any operating platform and database.

fully scalable, parametric, easily customizable and already integrated with major international ERP.

ready for use with systems WiFi, RFid, Voice, RTLS and FGS systems, automated storage and handling.

consolidated based on the experience of more than 200 systems installed.

multi company, multi-contractor, multi-plant and multi language

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Copyright © 2014, INFOLOG. All rights reserved. Other names of companies, products and services may be trademarks of their respective companies or services of other companies. This document is provided for information purposes only and the information contained herein are based on the development plan of INFOLOG software which may be subject to change without notice. The reproduction, even partial, by any means, for any reason, it’s forbidden without prior written permission.

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Evolution of logistics processes in the ceramic sector

The Logistics Manager, every day must target a foundamental list of challenges:increase the level of efficiency: reduce costs; increase the level of service; obtain the best from his working team often large and heterogeneous

For those who work in a ceramic company, whether production or distribution, these targets are amplified by a series of sector-specific factors, both recent and historical, which have deeply changed the rules of the game in this area.So, why continue to play the same way?INTELLIMAG® pro-tile, referenced in ceramic companies, introduces an innovative process model, completely changing the “game and the rules” from Man to -> Zone focus. The new concept is decoupling the picking activities from the handling activities, thinking that all warehouse activities should be reduced to the simple tasks of handling pallets/packages. The forklifts runs moving one or more pallets at the same time to bring them from a original position to a destination location, that may be the ultimate goal of an intermediate target position . The forklift’s operator that drive the forklift, in the new concept, it is no longer aware in the nature of the shift . In this context it is possible to push to the maximum the logics of any operational optimization, path and time to reduce the travels in relation to the activities to be performed. With INTELLIMAG® pro-tile, you can perform these tasks by zone/area, perhaps in combination with production receivement, working completely paperless without any voucher, moving pallets for multiple orders simultaneously. The system, automatically releases the activities to the forklifts and controls each task completion, for at the right time and with the right priorities. Easy, simply, efficient.

Shipping processes of ceramic companies are typically characterized by a direct relationship between the document (pickup voucher or sales order), forklift, activities necessary for the completion of the delivery, sales employee at the office that operates in a dedicated way, not only for the service to customers, but also for specific market.

In this way each office operatori takes care of managing and controlling the entire process for his market segment and guide the process for the completion of activities related to an individual picking list or sales order. All is completely driven by the office employer, which directly coordinates the forklift, often assigned to 100%.

It’s evident an organization where the picking list sales orders are essential to handle the job and that has characteristics of fragmentation of the working groups that work completely independent of each other by taking direct orders from their correspondent at the office.

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Functionality

Regia Attiva (the intelligence):the supervisor and automatic task scheduler The “Regia Attiva” system is an always-active automatic software task of INTELLIMAG® pro-tile that dynamically evaluates, re-evaluates and optimizes the workloads of each operator/veichle, together to the distribution and re-distribution of tasks to active resources working in the entire warehouse area. As “activities”, we mean all missions planned (stock, pick, handle, move, etc.) and all other actions/missions not planned created by an exceptional event, a current situation or a current operation regarding the movement of all Stock Units (UDC). The warehouse manager will only have to do define base parameters, department, area of work, roles and attitudes for each operator and forklift, on witch the system will distributes the works&workloads respecting all technical constraints. The assignment of work, with RTLS system active, is based on the instantaneous position of the forklift and optimal paths/ alghoritms. INTELLIMAG® pro-tile provides a dashboard control to the managers, centralizing strategic decision and decentralizing operating functions. The “lights” on the manager console dashboard, properly configured and dynamically updated in real time, showing appropriate measures for resource planning and any critical issues can be managed. On the dashboard are shown all queues activities, with fetaures to change priorities , to force a specific forklift or a specific resource .

Execution Planningmissions release, execution tasks and unavailable products The system collects all type of tasks issued from the ERP system. A special feature of operational planning results in the release of the missions. This function is similar to traditional print vouchers for picking products. All missions are printable, but the system works perfectly even without the paper. The vouchers gives to executors normally generated missions divided by area of work and type of preparation. The missions, instead, are released already divided for single whole-pallet or for counted picking packages. The missions are collected in logic queues diversificated by operating mode. In the release phase, you can assign different execution priorities to specific queues defined in the configuration of the “Regia Attiva” system. A special feature allows you to monitor the status of missions by “operating mode”, “job queue” and the “type of products”, useful to immediately identify products, pallets, containers (and/or others) that require special attention. The dashboard allows you to change the priority of executions and enables to check the progress of any work. The missions start to execution mode automatically , supervisioned and scheduled by the “Regia Attiva” system, with specific behaviors in relation to the type of task and veichle. The tasks of any kind, are processed automatically after the release of the Execution Planning. A Job is closed when all task’s rows are completed. In presence of “Unavailable products” the task is automatically set to “blocking state” and highlighted. Once the cause is resolved, you can proceed by forcing the un-lock or regenerating the task .

Picking baysystem equipped area for multi-reference preparationThe “Picking Bay” mudule automates and optimizes the operational sequences for the preparation and multi-reference pallets preparation . The concept behind this revolutionary feature is to divide (having asynchronous operations) the activities of the resources that are involved in the floor preparation of mixed products from the other operators on forklifts designed only for pallets moving; the operation is similar (but more flexible) to what we can achieve with the implementation of an automated warehouse. Using a touch-screen in the proximity of the picking cranes, the system graphically (and automatically) represents the pallets positioned on the floor. The system guides the operator to make any single picking and crane movement, from the Warehouse’s monoreference pallets.The movements of the pallets to the bay are controlled automatically by the “Regia Attiva” module and any handling is performed by the first-free planned forklift . Each bay execute one picking at a time, and the system calls products in order of weight and size and, only at the end, it call the decorations “mixed pre-prepared pallet” for the synchronizated reunion. The “Regia Attiva” automatically calls the pallets approach, used to realize target Customer’s preparation in the best cumulative way. The “not-full-pallets” are held in peripherics buffer areas as long as the system call them, according to a parametric horizon of orders. Doing so, the first great and obvious advantage is that the resources operating on the floor of the picking bay (with manual cranes, etc.) no longer need a forklift. Other significant advantages are the reduction in the movement to and from the yard, the cost of capping, a sensible increase in operational efficiency due to important reduction of waiting times and preparation times.

Preparation of whole pallets The tasks addressed to a physical whole-pallets are channeled by INTELLIMAG® in a specific work queue. Every mission is linked to a specific location of the warehouse. The choice of the physical pallet to handle is performed by the operator during the extraction phase, in order to assume the most convenient pallets on the top of the stack (one, two or more pallets simultanousely on the forks are automatic readed) The missions are assigned to forklifts using the “Regia Attiva” module . The confirm of reservations is made pallet by pallet automatically, whenever the operator executes the displacement sequences . The missions for whole-pallets SKU will address you to move them in the labeling area (in proximity of a specific shipping area dedicated to whole-pallets). Arriving in the labelling area, the system generates automatically the customer-labels in relation to the pallet on the forks. The labelled pallets are considered “Reserved” and will be transformed from Stock Units (UDC) to Ship Unit (UDS) ready for the loading on trucks . In this way the pallet takes a new destination in the ready-to-ship area. The mission ends when the pallet is placed in a ready-to-ship area map position (with virtual-tag GPS if installed).

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Preparation in shelvings The operator of the shelving’s area executes all pickings sequentially one by one, in order to facilitate the reunion in the “Picking Bay” between funds, special pieces and samples. The operator is assisted by a wireless mobile computer (handheld) and doesn’t need any paper.

Acceptance and Shipping Bay The system procedure is based on the concept that all material prepared assumes a known location in the warehouse map, so the system always knows what is ready and what you can load and ship. Specific features allows you to achieve the acceptance of the transporter (trucks) arrived at the company to take the products, regardless for the reason of the load. The acceptance operator, with the INTELLIMAG® pro-tile console, is able to search informations by Carrier or Customer in order to define the load and shipping list . Each “Load List” takesa unique number and automatically creates two queues : A “First Load Queue” with materials that are 100% “ready”, a “Second Load Queue” with the other products still in “progress preparation” that is automatically “changed” in higher priority. When the preparations are completed for the load, the system generates an alarm to authorize a specific numbered “loading bay” suitable for the best optimization of that load. Loading lists are visible directly from the forklifts assigned by the “Regia Attiva” that gradually executes all load mission, ending their job with the declaration of “Load End” that generates transport documents and the transmission of information to the ERP system for the issue and printing of invoices. The Carrier, in this automated way, is called to the office only to take shipping documents

Receivement from internal productionThe Receivement procedure from production presides for the identification and acceptance of the pallets come out from production and subsequent stock operations . The system automatically collects informations relating to the pallets produced by the control system of the palletizer, the “Regia Attiva” releases active missions for the transfer from the roller to the receiving buffer from production to allow you to release the position immediately and arrange the stocking operations with the best efficiency . The “Regia Attiva” actively releases and coordinates stocking missions applying the optimization rules configured (locations, routes, full load, combined cycle, alghoritms, etc..) and suggesting the best locato for any pallets on the basis of the historical data and the rules defined. The operator of the forklift can choose a different pallet’s position other than those suggested and communicated by the system. If are implemented the RTLS features, the system detects and automatically transfers the position of the pallet and the level in the stack (the system manage two, three or more pallet stacks in one single auto-detection).

Receivements from supplier and subcontractorsThe procedure of receipt from Suppliers and Subcontractors is the same regardless of the materials (finished products, semi-finished and samples) and the incoming reason (purchase, external labour, etc.) .There are several scenarios of receipt and the system

functionalities allow a total control of the process of receivings , from the acceptance to the quantity control, from the product Identification tto the stock unit (UDC) labeling and stocking, ensuring complete synchronization with the ERP system’s government level. Its possible to manage the steps for Quality Control of the products not in free pass and send automatic messages to the preparation area that is wating unavailable products at urgent attention level . The “Regia Attiva” assigns the relative stocking or release missions according to rules configured similarly to the production receivement.

Samples ManagementAll the functionality provided in INTELLIMAG® pro-tile allow you to fully manage the warehouse of samples. From the picking of funds and decorations destinated to be shipped to subcontractors or internal preparation area, to the receiving from internal or external production and subsequent stocking operations, from preparation on shelving to the delivery and the shipping to the customers, with or without reunification operations in the auto-guided picking bay .

Supply Chain Communicationintegration portal for suppliers and subcontractors INTELLIMAG® pro-tile SCC (Supply Chain Communication) is an integrated platform designed to manage operations and communication between the suppliers and the Company, with the target of integrating their logistics processes. SCC provides for internal and external users who work in the logistics chain, a single portal interface, that allow you to reduce or eliminate paper-based communications, fax, etc. Taking advantage of all the features of the technological architecture and user interface of Web 2.0 INTELLIMAG® pro tile, SCC can be used via the Internet and on any operating system platform.An internal Workflow Engine trace all communications between internal employee and external supplier’s contacts not included in the internal organization

KPI (Key Performance Indicator)dashboards, alarms, reports, and data analysis The KPI (Key Performance Indicator) are graphical instruments that help to define and measure progress towards the achievement of targets of any organization. The performances of a company, in fact, need to be measured in every action, for continuous improvement . INTELLIMAG® pro-tile provides the tool that allows you to define a simple and fast control panels (dashboards), diversified by user and activity, through indicators updated in real time, flash graphics, historical and trend indicators provided by the system (eg: stock levels). Alarm messages enable you to monitor the activities in progress and executed. INTELLIMAG® pro-tile also has a report designer and a built-in OLAP server distributed with the application. Through the web portal, you can analyze logistics processes by making pivot tables and related graphics directly on the data of the system. The statements and reports obtained can be exported to spreadsheets or PDF documents.

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Functionality of FGS/RTLSFGS (Forklift Giudance System)navigation assistantThrough a 3D graphical interface, similar to a GPS system, the FGS functionality of INTELLIMAG® pro-tile (available in the presence of the INFOLOG GPS system) provides continuing assistance to truck operators, indicates them in real time the optimal paths to follow on the basis of the operations to be performed (pick, stock, displacement, picking bay approach, etc.). The FGS features also allow you to increase the safety of the operators and the vehicles through a prevention security system based on accidental collision warnings, proximity warnings of collisions with shelving and pallets, speed control and identification of risky behaviors.

RTLS (Real Time Locating System)real-time location of forklifts and palletsDue to the RTLS functionality of INTELLIMAG® pro-tile is possible at any time to get the position of forklifts and pallets. In the case that these features are supported by the INFOLOG GPS system, the detection is “in continuous” with an average accuracy of 2cm with respect to the real physical position, even outside the areas traced (clearing-area). The RTLS system transmit continuously (through the Wifi) its positions to the “Regia Attiva” that generates, distributes and dynamically optimize missions according to the presence or proximity of veichles (Forklifts) in the operating area required.

RTLS (Real Time Locating System) auto-Id of the productsTagging the areas in the proximity of the locators indoor or outdoor, on floor or shelving (virtual-tag GPS, physical RFID tag or Optical TAG depending on the technology used by the RTLS) and completing the equipment of forklifts with sensors for the automatic detection of the height of the forks and the presence of load, it is possible to map a three-dimensional space and get a really efficient system enable to determine and provide the Auto-Identification of products according to their physical position, making unnecessary any kind of Label-Id or product-Tag (for any hold actions) . With this configuration, the forklift operators can also operate all spontaneous movements (in all XYZ directions) because their performance is still auto-detected.

Veichle’s equipment for FGS and RTLSFor automatic localization of forklifts fo FGS and RTLS is necessary to mount on the veichles , a specific equipment. For INTELLIMAG® pro-tile, there are all alternatives technologies avalailable, already configured and interfaced, ready to use, described as follows:

specific GPS Systems (equipments and algorithms that calculates the average position of goods with a maximum of 2 cm gap) for outdoor warehouses, need the use of FGS; RFID for both indoor and outdoor warehouses; video Camera for indoor warehouses;

For localization and automatic identification of goods, based on its position (auto-identification) it’s necessary to equip the forks with the other equipments:

height sensor; load presence sensor;

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Other features

Service FunctionsWarehouse Map and configuration data The warehouse map is a part of the core of the solution. In a very simple way you can configure the system to describe the logistics sites, shelvings, floor areas, where you can locate managed pallets and materials, as well as the various equipment and physical operation constraints to be considered. With its informations about weight, volume, size and shape, the system is able to rationalize and optimize the use of space and warehouse resources. The types of information are always available in real time for the operators and for monitoring functions of supervision. We describe the main features :

Stock and Storage structure (functions for automatic creation of locators with matrix parametric model); Type of handling, type of vehicles, optimal routes and alternative; Classification of the stock structure, for the different policies of stocking, replacement and picking ; Stock Units, SSCC and stocking rules (mono / multi reference / batch id); Materials or products managed by principal unit of measure and / or a handling unit (packaging units); Stock Units and Handling Units serialized (rolls, boxes, pallets ...); Receivement Units; Delivery / Shipping Units; Monitoring of physical inventory, with location and physical details, navigation by tree or matrix positions, search for article and/or logic state;

Not planned execution functions enabled: Stocking; Picking; Adjustments; Properties change ; Movements, Replacements; labels creation and print ; Operations and movements monitoring ;

Inventories:INTELLIMAG® pro-tile can be defined a permanent inventory system, but anyway has available functions for cycle inventory

Finish Product Traceability batch/Lots: All warehouse operations allow to trace the physical characteristics of materials handled, special informations about batch/lots combined with quality informations or quality status. The traceability is guaranteed by id acquisitions (performed by barcodes, Rfid, virtual tag GPS, etc.) placed on the materials and / or a Handling Unit used for the movements. For ceramic industries is guaranteed a full Traceability of batch/Lots of finished product delivered to the customer.

Integration with ERP systems of CustomersINTELLIMAG® pro-tile can be integrated with the most important national and international ERP systems. The integration level is configurable agree with individual processes defined for Company and Logistic sites. INTELLIMAG® pro-tile captures documents and datas from the ERP system with all most popular methods for updating and synchronization, or you can arrange to send commands to insert, change and cancel in relation to the entire document or individual lines. The master data informations can be sent separately or together with the same documents. The integration between IINTELLIMAG® pro-tile and ERP systems can be done synchronously or asynchronously, in case of asynchronous data, the queues are managed to achieve event or configurable-time communications. From a technical point of view, data exchange is configurable for single message or by flow, being able to define what information is exchanged and the appropriate connection mode. The connection is normally an automatic and transparent operation , for the users of the logistics system.

Technological aspects

Technological architecture A really Web 2.0 logistics system multi-platform and multi-databaseINTELLIMAG® pro-tile is a software solution built on multi-tier architecture, service-oriented architecture (SOA). This structure makes the software light, scalable user load (1-1000 users), stable and secure, accessible through the Internet and the corporate network, independent of the platform used, which may also be one of those in use in the company. All the software and the logic for operational and integration , is on server architecture, with security and with full transaction management through the pool of connections to the Data Base (optimized transaction load) . The client, who can also operate in connection-less mode, communicates directly with the server via HTTP protocol in bidirectional mode (WEB 2.0) and is distributed via a web browser, so no software is installed on the user PC. The Multi-Tier architecture makes the solution very versatile for integration capability with the various types of clients, hosts, and moving systems, storage systems and handling machines.

Integration, automations and devicesINTELLIMAG® pro-tile integrates all mobile computer devices and the most important industrial systems of auto-identification, ensuring:

support all barcodes; voice interface, always on-line, that also allow to operate in dual mode (integration of voice and barcode reader); RFID integration and use of EPC encodings; touch screen support;

Wireless connectionsAre supported, depending on the model of handheld terminals and vehicular terminals used, both wireless connections over WiFi networks and on telephone networks GSM, GPRS and UMTS networks. With the use of vehicular terminals in conjunction with the RTLS and FGS, due to the traffic on the network, is required coverage of the affected areas with WiFi technology.

Automated systems and machines interfacesIts Multi-Tier architecture makes the solution very versatile and with integration capabilities. With INTELLIMAG® pro-tile, you can directly drive automatic storages, product’s handling and moving machines that require sophisticated logics:

Vertical rotating storage or with elevators The operational features of INTELLIMAG® pro-tile are integrated in order to directly call the drawer’s moving, stock units and single products stored in automated warehouses.

Automated warehouses with stacker cranes (STC)Management of systems with more than one stacker crane system which require sophisticated navigation’s logics for stock units. INTELLIMAG® pro-tile provides the driver for “supervision and scheduling logic,” which directly interface the systems level 0-1 of the manufacturers of automated warehouses. With this drivers INTELLIMAG® pro-tile takes control of the management of the plant with all the necessary logical scheduling of missions in relation to the priorities, the workload and the demands of the picking and shipping bays. In both cases, the graphic interface (GUI) of INTELLIMAG® pro-tile provides a cross-functional panel to support the work without having to modify the standard functions of the software. The architecture of INTELLIMAG® pro-tile allows to interface and interact the same way with:

Handling systems (sorters, dispatchers, palletizers, bottom line installations, etc.). Handling/Moving Systems/AGV/LGV;

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APPLICATION SERVER JEE (JBOSS)

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HTTP

TelnetServer

TransactionManager

Data Base

GUI Applet JAVARPC Client

GUI .NetSOAP Client

GWT (Javascript)AJAX Client

Pool Connessioni

EmulatoreVt220

WEB 2.0

Increased efficiency and reduced costs

Optimizing management of un-palletized decoupling activity of picking and pallet handling; reduction in the number of forklifts and consequent cost of ownership and energy; reduction in the number of references to un-palletized stock (up to one for reference); reduction in the number used caps reduction time for re-caps operations; reduction and improved efficiency of travels between stock and grips; better coordination of the preparation and reunification of special pieces, merchandising and samples funds;

Optimization of forklifts activities:suggested paths; reduction movement to and from the yard (outside stock area); automatic management of the workload of resources; automatic assignment of activities to forklifts based on the role and proximity; dynamic management of emergencies and priorities; continuous balancing of the workload; combined cycle; always full forklifts ; always at maximum load; always the driver on board;

Other elements of optimization of forklift activities (with modules FGS and RTLS):

assistance and guidance to navigation with 3D maps (with module FGS); automatic delivery traffic dispatch on shelving aisles; signaling traffic and obstacles in real-time to “Regia Attiva” and warning to the driver; auto-identification Stock Units (UDC) and Customers Units (UDS) based on physical location in space of the products; elimination of labeling UDC in stock (labels can be both not present and/or not visible); ability to do and place spontaneous free missions, always perfectly traced (only GPS) ; continuous tracking of the forklifts (“Regia Attiva” module assigns missions to proximity foklifts and controls its movement and actions);

Stock Management optimization of space required and occupied; suggestion best location available; dynamic and automatic locations; ability to make spontaneous movements of products are always tracked (with module RTLS);

Activities of the acceptance and shipping offices:carriers guided acceptance; elimination of waiting time for the loads; automatic load management; paperless management automatic customer’s label printing on-demand; launch DDT (Packing List) or print the confirmation of the load from the forklift;

Communications and Control dynamic management for Sales and Operational priorities; elimination of waiting times for operational communications; paperless management; forklift automatically supervised and managed by one man;

Increased level of service

Full real-time controls operated by a single person of:: human Resources; veichles; equipment; operations and activities are always tracked;

Stock control eliminate errors by control logic applied and the use of Auto-identification systems (with RTLS module); permanent inventory management; simplification and / or elimination of inventory needed;

Human Resources Management increase of the daily maximum operational capacity; increase the satisfaction of the workforce; increase overall operational efficiency; independence from the level of experience and knowledge of the resources involved;

Sales Departmentbetter integration between sales office and warehouse; elimination of time for communicationand coordination between sales office and warehouse; dynamic priority management for sales and operational; paperless management (no longer necessary to print vouchers); improved responsiveness and flexibility to match the needs of the customers; general improvement of customer service for response times and due date delivery respect; eliminating shipping errors and problems of related disputes from customer’s return procedures;

The advantages

Infolog SpA, with its strong experience in the ceramic industry and his specific dedicated software simulator is able to identify and demonstrate (calculating values; your company numbers!). Improvements that can be obtained with INTELLIMAG® pro tile even in integration of solutions and / or systems already present in the company.

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b u s i n e s s s o l u t i o n s

Infolog is a company specialized in the design, creation and implementation of IT solutions for the management of the company’s business and, in particular, for the management of operational logistics warehouse.

Taking advantage of the know-how reached with about 200 installations in various industries, manufacturing and distribution.

The supply and support of ERP and CRM solutions and products and services for IT infrastructure complete the offer of the company.

Infolog actively collaborates with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and with leading companies in the ICT national territory for which he has made logistics solutions which are distributed by their brand.

Infolog regularly carries out activities throughout the country and internationally (Europe, Asia and the Americas), either directly or as a strategic partner of international companies.

The continued implementation of existing technologies and the study of innovative service models are a fundamental strategy of Infolog.

INFOLOG S.p.A.

Via Pier Paolo Pasolini, 2341123 - ModenaPh (+39) 059.822.446Fax (+39) 059.822.478info@infolog.it - www.infolog.it