Maximizing Efficiency: Operating an External Shared Warehouse with Warehouse Management Only Mode

Maximizing Efficiency: Operating an External Shared Warehouse with Warehouse Management Only Mode

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

Editor: Denis Conway

Introduction

This blog post is a follow-up to the Leverage Warehouse management only mode to optimize your business blog post. Warehouse management only mode was presented as a transformative tool for enhancing warehouse operations without the need for extensive system overhauls. Warehouse management only mode improves efficiency, and flexibility within existing infrastructure. The preview release of Warehouse management only mode was explored to discover its potential in revolutionizing warehouse management practices.

In this blog post you will learn about how a wholesaler used the Warehouse management only mode feature in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management to handle shared warehouse operations for multiple sales subsidiaries.

Image: Warehouse Manager checking inventory

Business requirements

The client’s requirement was to distribute product master data among all sales subsidiaries, and to restrict each one to managing only their own physical inventory in the same distribution centre (DC) building. The DC building needed to handle all inbound, outbound, and correction updates for all sales subsidiaries.

Implementation

The client chose to use Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management in a single-instance deployment model. They set up a separate legal entity for each sales subsidiary and an additional legal entity for distribution.

Figure 1: This diagram shows the wholesaler implementation with two sales subsidiaries using purchase and sales orders, which are fulfilled by a third legal entity running the Warehouse management only mode capability.

The implementation uses an inventory owner dimension for each sales subsidiary to control the physical inventory in the DC for the same item numbers. This ensures that the DC only allows shipping an item when physical inventory exists for the related legal entity.

graphical user interface, application
Figure 2: This screenshot shows how to set up an inventory owner dimension value to be linked to the sales subsidiary legal entity LE1 in this example.

The distribution legal entity maps item numbers using a dedicated source system record to define the source system items.

graphical user interface, text, application, email
Figure 3: This screenshot from the Source system items page shows how to set up a dedicated source system to link item numbers between the legal entities.

Each sales subsidiary has an external warehouse linked to the DC building in the distribution legal entity.

graphical user interface, text, application, email
Figure 4: Screenshot parts showing an example of how to set up the system to run an externally managed warehouse process.

The system automatically creates inbound and outbound shipment orders each time a sales subsidiary releases purchase and sales orders against the DC.

The DC can combine several shipment orders from different sales subsidiaries into a single load and report back via an external warehouse shipment order updates message to each of the legal entities, when it completes the receiving or shipping of the requested inventory.

In each sales subsidiary an automated process updates the related purchase and sales order line transactions, so each sales subsidiary can continue with the order processing.

Figure 5: This diagram shows the order process flows.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the integration of Warehouse management 0nly mode within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management has effectively addressed the intricate demands of the wholesaler, facilitating streamlined management of shared warehouse operations across multiple sales subsidiaries. Through the utilization of this advanced feature, the client has realized significant improvements in efficiency and flexibility within their existing infrastructure.

The establishment of separate legal entities, coupled with meticulous configuration of inventory owner dimensions and source system mappings, has ensured seamless management of physical inventory for each sales subsidiary within the distribution centre. Moreover, the automation of inbound and outbound shipment orders, alongside the capability to consolidate multiple orders into a single delivery, has greatly enhanced logistics processes and overall operational efficiency.

As a result, the wholesaler is positioned to capitalize on the benefits of this implementation, with optimized warehouse management practices fostering smoother operations and laying the foundation for future growth and success. Don’t miss this opportunity to try out this feature and see how it can transform your business. 


Learn More

Try out the preview release today and get ready to experience the power of Warehouse management only mode.

To learn more about how Warehouse management only mode works and how to set it up, see Warehouse management only mode in Supply Chain Management.

Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management capabilities

Modernize your supply chain to enhance visibility, improve planning, streamline procurement, and optimize fulfilment – Learn More


The post Maximizing Efficiency: Operating an External Shared Warehouse with Warehouse Management Only Mode appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.

Introducing the 2024 Imagine Cup World Championship Judges!

Introducing the 2024 Imagine Cup World Championship Judges!

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

MaddyEpstein_0-1714578960682.png



Get ready for the pinnacle of startup innovation as the Imagine Cup World Championship unfolds live at Microsoft Build on May 21! Three outstanding startups from across the globe are poised to showcase their AI-solutions on the global stage, vying for the coveted title and a chance to win USD100,000 and a mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella.


Since the start of the 2024 season back in October, the competition has been a journey of collaboration with expert mentors and growth for participating startups. From a pool of tens of thousands of applications, the field was narrowed to the elite semifinalists, and now, only three world finalists remain.


 


As the anticipation mounts for the grand finale, our esteemed panel of judges face a daunting task. Drawing on their industry expertise and personal insights, they will meticulously evaluate each startup’s pitch and engage in Q&A sessions. Their evaluation criteria extends beyond mere innovation to encompass the responsible use of AI technology, accessibility for all users and the fundamental business viability of each startup.


The culmination of this journey promises to be nothing short of spectacular. Live on the global stage, the judges’ decision will be unveiled, determining the ultimate champion of the 2024 Imagine Cup!


 


But who are the discerning minds tasked with determining the 2024 World Champion?


Let’s meet the judges!  


MaddyEpstein_1-1714578989713.png


 


Ali Partovi


CEO, Neo; Co-founder of Code.org


 


Ali Partovi heads Neo, a startup accelerator, diverse mentorship community, and VC fund that helps tomorrow’s tech leaders maximize their potential. Ali invests in people smarter than himself and has backed Airbnb, Dropbox, Facebook, & Uber.


 


He grew up in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq war, attended Harvard, and sold his first startup, LinkExchange, in 1998. He co-founded Code.org (#HourOfCode) to bring Computer Science to classrooms. He’s passionate about education and loves climbing, guitar, puzzles, and family.


 


MaddyEpstein_2-1714578989721.jpeg


 


Annie Pearl


Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Ecosystems


 


As Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Ecosystems, Annie Pearl leads a globally-distributed organization that empowers current and future customers to discover and engage with AI capabilities on the Microsoft Cloud. Teams under her oversight develop and build on platforms, such as Founders Hub and Microsoft Learn, to reach new audiences, skill them on Microsoft’s technology, and help them build the most innovative and AI-driven solutions.  


 


Annie joins Microsoft with +15 years of tech leadership experience in both startup ventures and established enterprises. She served as the Chief Product Officer at Calendly, a premier scheduling automation platform. There, she led the end-to-end strategy and execution of the product vision and roadmap. Under her guidance, Calendly achieved remarkable growth, solidifying its position as the leading scheduling automation tool in the market.


 


Before her tenure at Calendly, Annie held the role of Chief Product Officer at Glassdoor, where she shaped the product vision and user experience for millions of job seekers and employers worldwide. Earlier in her career, she led Enterprise product teams at Box, contributing to its trajectory both before and after its 2015 IPO. Notably, Annie also played a pivotal role as the VP of Product and a founding team member at Xpert Financial, an early-stage financial services startup.


 


Annie started her career as a Lawyer and held roles in management consulting before transitioning to the tech industry.





MaddyEpstein_3-1714578989726.jpeg


Elnaz Sarraf


Founder & CEO ROYBI (Roybi Robot & RoybiVerse)


 


Elnaz is a successful entrepreneur and CEO, renowned for her innovations in the field of EdTech, AI, and Robotics. She is the founder of ROYBI® Robot, an AI-powered smart toy that teaches children language and STEM skills. This groundbreaking product has won several prestigious awards, including being named one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions in Education and winning the World Economic Forum smart toy award.
 
With over 15 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur, Elnaz has established herself as a leader in the industry. As the CEO of ROYBI, an investor-backed EdTech company, she has raised millions in funding to focus on early childhood education and self-guided learning through artificial intelligence.
 
Elnaz’s journey to success has been shaped by her early experiences growing up as a woman in Iran, where opportunities were limited. However, her drive and passion for entrepreneurship led her to the U.S., where she has significantly contributed to the tech industry. Her achievements include being selected as Inc. Top 100 Female Founders, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center Milestone Maker, named the Woman of Influence by Silicon Valley Business Journal, and Entrepreneur of The Year in Silicon Valley.


 


_________


 


Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply someone who loves to witness the inspiring passion and innovation of students – this is an event you won’t want to miss! Gain insights into cutting-edge use cases of AI technology and discover how these startups are shaping the future to make a real impact on the world.


 


Tune incheer for your favoritesfollow along, and get inspired by the ingenuity of these student founders.

Mark your calendars for May 21 to witness this moment!


 

Optimizing Performance: Oracle to SQL Server Migration using JDBC

Optimizing Performance: Oracle to SQL Server Migration using JDBC

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

Introduction


When migrating from Oracle to SQL Server, Azure SQL Database or Azure SQL Managed Instance, an application using the Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server is often used to avoid re-writing the application. However, after migration it’s often discovered that performance is not the same as it was when the data was on Oracle. Optimizations are necessary for query tuning due to the distinct behaviors of the two database engines.


 


An unnoticed yet significant issue arises from implicit conversions due to JDBC driver settings, leading to performance degradation. This blog seeks to highlight this easily overlooked problem, offering solutions to ensure optimal performance with SQL backend while preserving the JDBC application.


 


How to Detect Implicit Conversion


Obtain execution plans for your most CPU-intensive queries by enabling the query store. Be aware that implicit conversions might be happening in smaller queries with high execution counts, even if they don’t individually consume significant resources. An easy way to identify the type conversion is given in this blog.   


 


Looking at the execution plan you would see something like this:


 


rashmishuklaSQLCSE_0-1714443843136.png


 


While if you look at the statement text, you will see that the JDBC Driver presents the statement like this, which looks innocuous:


(@P0 nvarchar(4000),@P1 nvarchar(4000))select col1, col2 from table1 where col1 = @P0 ….


 


Nevertheless, implicit conversion will result in queries consuming more CPU resources than anticipated, hindering the scalability of your application. Implicit conversion occurs when the data types of SQL Server columns differ from those presented by the parameter data types of the JDBC driver. Typically, SQL columns are configured with varchar(x) to conserve space compared to Nvarchar(x), while the JDBC driver defaults to transmitting strings as Unicode.


 


 


Preventing Implicit Conversion with JDBC Driver


You have two options to choose from based on ease of implementation:



  1. Change the underlying SQL Server column types to align with the parameter datatype. However, this may not be ideal as Nvarchar occupies more space, and altering SQL column types entails significant design changes.

  2. For applications utilizing JDBC, utilize a driver connection property known as “sendStringParametersAsUnicode.” This setting determines whether strings are sent to SQL as Unicode parameters or not. It’s the recommended option. If your SQL column datatypes involved in implicit conversion are varchar, set the value to false.


 


 


Once this is implemented, check the query plan again. If the value of the “sendStringParametersAsUnicode” setting is false, the parameters presented by the driver will show up as follows:


(@P0 varchar(4000),@P1 varchar(4000))select col1, col2 from table1 where col1 = @P0 ….


 


As the underlying SQL column types are also varchar, there is no implicit conversion, leading to improved performance and reduced CPU usage!


 


You can find a list of all the JDBC driver settings here. 


 


Feedback and suggestions


If you have feedback or suggestions for improving this data migration asset, please send an email to Databases SQL Engineering Team.

Introducing Tracked components for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management

Introducing Tracked components for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

Editor: Denis Conway

Empower your manufacturing journey with Tracked Components: Unveiling the future of precision, compliance, and efficiency in Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management

Introduction

We’re thrilled to unveil the public preview of our latest feature, Tracked Components, as part of our manufacturing capabilities in Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management. This feature, released in version 10.0.40 on April 26 2024, streamlines the process of registering batch and serial numbers for components used in manufacturing processes, seamlessly matching them to the batch and serial numbers for the finished products being produced.

Enhanced track and trace capabilities in manufacturing offer a compelling value proposition. They provide real-time visibility into the supply chain, ensuring quality control, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, enhanced productivity, and improved customer satisfaction. These systems empower manufacturers to optimize operations, reduce errors, and base decisions on data, ultimately leading to increased efficiency and superior products.

Boosting Manufacturing Precision with Tracked Components

At Contoso Inc., Jody, responsible for assembling loudspeakers, must register the serial numbers of the components used and match them to the speaker’s serial number during assembly.

Jody selects the assembly job she is working on in the Production Floor Execution interface and open the Tracked components page. First, Jody scans the serial number of the speaker, and then the serial numbers of the two tracked components used in the assembly. The association between the serial numbers of the components and the serial number of the speaker is now complete. As Jody completes the assembly job, all the serial numbers Jody registered are automatically deducted from inventory and consumed.

During quality inspection, an issue is discovered with on one of the speakers Jody assembled early that day. Peter, the quality supervisor, opens the Item tracing report and scans the serial number of the affected speaker to trace the component serial numbers used for further inspection.

Additional information
  • Batch and serial numbers can be registered as tracked components in both production and batch orders.
  • This feature is accessible in both the web client and the production floor execution interface. Within the web client, the interface for registering tracked components is accessible from various points such as routes, jobs, picking list journals, start and report as finished dialogs, and the current operations page.
  • Batch and serial numbers can be registered using either the keyboard or barcode scanning operations. The feature supports GS1 barcodes, enhancing efficiency by reducing the number of scans required during the registration process.
  • This feature is prepared for integration to the Traceability add-in for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management. The Traceability feature (coming in 2024) seamlessly integrates with the tracked components feature, offering visibility into the genealogy tree, also known as the As-Built BOM structure. This integration enables tracking of the assembly process throughout manufacturing. Furthermore, the feature includes forward and backward search capabilities against the genealogy tree. This empowers manufacturers to not only trace product histories but also manage component associations with greater precision.
Image: Preview – Traceability Feature – coming in 2024

Key Business benefits to utilizing Tracked Components

Benefits of Introducing Tracked Components in Manufacturing for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management:

  • Enhanced Efficiency: Tracked Components streamline the process of registering batch and serial numbers for components used in manufacturing processes. This efficiency boost translates into time savings and smoother operations on the production floor.
  • Improved Quality Control: With real-time visibility into the supply chain, manufacturers can ensure that components meet quality standards before they are used in production. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of defects and rework, ultimately improving the overall quality of the finished products.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Tracked Components help manufacturers stay compliant with regulations by providing accurate documentation of component usage and traceability throughout the production process. This ensures that products meet regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of fines or penalties.
  • Risk Mitigation: By enabling quick and accurate tracing of component serial numbers, manufacturers can promptly identify and address any issues that arise during production. This proactive approach minimizes the impact of potential disruptions and reduces the risk of product recalls or warranty claims.
  • Enhanced Productivity: The seamless integration of Tracked Components into existing workflows allows manufacturers to optimize operations and minimize errors. This increased productivity translates into faster production cycles and higher output levels, ultimately improving overall efficiency.
  • Improved Customer Satisfaction: With better quality control and more efficient production processes, manufacturers can deliver products that meet or exceed customer expectations. This leads to higher levels of customer satisfaction and strengthens relationships with clients.
Conclusion

In conclusion, Tracked Components for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management offer a significant boost to manufacturing efficiency and transparency. This feature enables seamless batch and serial number registration and tracing, ensuring quality control and enhancing productivity. With real-time visibility and barcode scanning support, it streamlines operations and integrates seamlessly into existing workflows. The integration with the Traceability add-in further enhances functionality, promising improved efficiency and compliance. Overall, Tracked Components revolutionize manufacturing processes, optimizing operations and customer satisfaction.



Learn more about Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management

Modernize your supply chain to enhance visibility, improve planning, streamline procurement, and optimize fulfilment: Supply Chain Management | Microsoft Dynamics 365

Dynamics 365 increases agility and resilience through supply chain modernization. Plan with confidence, maximize asset uptime and streamline fulfilment to improve overall profitability learn more here with our Supply Chain Modernization Guided Tour

Learn more about how to register and track batch/serial numbers for finished products and their components (preview) – Documentation


The post Introducing Tracked components for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.

Introducing Tracked components for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management

Introducing Tracked components for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

Editor: Denis Conway

Empower your manufacturing journey with Tracked Components: Unveiling the future of precision, compliance, and efficiency in Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management

Introduction

We’re thrilled to unveil the public preview of our latest feature, Tracked Components, as part of our manufacturing capabilities in Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management. This feature, released in version 10.0.40 on April 26 2024, streamlines the process of registering batch and serial numbers for components used in manufacturing processes, seamlessly matching them to the batch and serial numbers for the finished products being produced.

Enhanced track and trace capabilities in manufacturing offer a compelling value proposition. They provide real-time visibility into the supply chain, ensuring quality control, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, enhanced productivity, and improved customer satisfaction. These systems empower manufacturers to optimize operations, reduce errors, and base decisions on data, ultimately leading to increased efficiency and superior products.

Boosting Manufacturing Precision with Tracked Components

At Contoso Inc., Jody, responsible for assembling loudspeakers, must register the serial numbers of the components used and match them to the speaker’s serial number during assembly.

Jody selects the assembly job she is working on in the Production Floor Execution interface and open the Tracked components page. First, Jody scans the serial number of the speaker, and then the serial numbers of the two tracked components used in the assembly. The association between the serial numbers of the components and the serial number of the speaker is now complete. As Jody completes the assembly job, all the serial numbers Jody registered are automatically deducted from inventory and consumed.

During quality inspection, an issue is discovered with on one of the speakers Jody assembled early that day. Peter, the quality supervisor, opens the Item tracing report and scans the serial number of the affected speaker to trace the component serial numbers used for further inspection.

Additional information
  • Batch and serial numbers can be registered as tracked components in both production and batch orders.
  • This feature is accessible in both the web client and the production floor execution interface. Within the web client, the interface for registering tracked components is accessible from various points such as routes, jobs, picking list journals, start and report as finished dialogs, and the current operations page.
  • Batch and serial numbers can be registered using either the keyboard or barcode scanning operations. The feature supports GS1 barcodes, enhancing efficiency by reducing the number of scans required during the registration process.
  • This feature is prepared for integration to the Traceability add-in for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management. The Traceability feature (coming in 2024) seamlessly integrates with the tracked components feature, offering visibility into the genealogy tree, also known as the As-Built BOM structure. This integration enables tracking of the assembly process throughout manufacturing. Furthermore, the feature includes forward and backward search capabilities against the genealogy tree. This empowers manufacturers to not only trace product histories but also manage component associations with greater precision.
Image: Preview – Traceability Feature – coming in 2024

Key Business benefits to utilizing Tracked Components

Benefits of Introducing Tracked Components in Manufacturing for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management:

  • Enhanced Efficiency: Tracked Components streamline the process of registering batch and serial numbers for components used in manufacturing processes. This efficiency boost translates into time savings and smoother operations on the production floor.
  • Improved Quality Control: With real-time visibility into the supply chain, manufacturers can ensure that components meet quality standards before they are used in production. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of defects and rework, ultimately improving the overall quality of the finished products.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Tracked Components help manufacturers stay compliant with regulations by providing accurate documentation of component usage and traceability throughout the production process. This ensures that products meet regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of fines or penalties.
  • Risk Mitigation: By enabling quick and accurate tracing of component serial numbers, manufacturers can promptly identify and address any issues that arise during production. This proactive approach minimizes the impact of potential disruptions and reduces the risk of product recalls or warranty claims.
  • Enhanced Productivity: The seamless integration of Tracked Components into existing workflows allows manufacturers to optimize operations and minimize errors. This increased productivity translates into faster production cycles and higher output levels, ultimately improving overall efficiency.
  • Improved Customer Satisfaction: With better quality control and more efficient production processes, manufacturers can deliver products that meet or exceed customer expectations. This leads to higher levels of customer satisfaction and strengthens relationships with clients.
Conclusion

In conclusion, Tracked Components for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management offer a significant boost to manufacturing efficiency and transparency. This feature enables seamless batch and serial number registration and tracing, ensuring quality control and enhancing productivity. With real-time visibility and barcode scanning support, it streamlines operations and integrates seamlessly into existing workflows. The integration with the Traceability add-in further enhances functionality, promising improved efficiency and compliance. Overall, Tracked Components revolutionize manufacturing processes, optimizing operations and customer satisfaction.



Learn more about Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management

Modernize your supply chain to enhance visibility, improve planning, streamline procurement, and optimize fulfilment: Supply Chain Management | Microsoft Dynamics 365

Dynamics 365 increases agility and resilience through supply chain modernization. Plan with confidence, maximize asset uptime and streamline fulfilment to improve overall profitability learn more here with our Supply Chain Modernization Guided Tour

Learn more about how to register and track batch/serial numbers for finished products and their components (preview) – Documentation


The post Introducing Tracked components for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.