Glossary · Packaging and intralogistics
Warehouse execution system (WES)
Also known as: WES
German: Warehouse Execution System (WES)
In intralogistics, a warehouse execution system (WES) is software that orchestrates warehouse work in real time across people, automation and robots, combining order release and workload balancing with parts of warehouse control.
- Intralogistics
In one sentence
A warehouse execution system (WES) orchestrates warehouse work in real time across people, automation and robots.
Example
The WES releases orders in waves depending on the current load of the sorter and the number of pickers on shift.
How it applies
- Engineering: A WES sits between WMS and equipment controls or overlaps with both. It decides when to release which orders to which areas based on real-time capacity.
- Operation: Dynamic order release reduces congestion and idle time compared with fixed waves. Supervisors monitor work queues and bottlenecks.
- Integration: Because WES, WMS and WCS functions overlap, projects need a clear allocation of functions and interfaces; otherwise two systems try to make the same decision.
- Documentation: Document the function allocation between systems and the rules for order release. The term is used differently by vendors, so a project glossary should define what 'WES' means in that project.
WES vs. MES
A WES orchestrates warehouse execution; a Manufacturing execution system (MES) manages production execution. Both sit between planning systems and control systems at their level.