Glossary

A warehouse is a facility for receiving, storing, and dispensing goods, raw materials, or loading units. It serves to ensure a material flow that meets demand and to manage inventory efficiently.

Warehouses are a central component of intralogistics and handle tasks such as goods receipt, putaway, inventory management, order picking, and goods shipment. Modern warehouses use automated conveyor systems, warehouse management systems, sensors, and identification technologies to make processes efficient, transparent, and error-free. The digital recording of master data forms the basis for precise control of all warehouse movements.

Practical example:

Upon delivery, pallets are automatically identified, measured, and assigned to an available storage location before being stored in the warehouse autonomously.

See also: High-bay warehouse, intralogistics, order picking, warehouse management system (WMS), material flow, master data capture, goods receipt, Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a software solution for managing, controlling, and monitoring inventory and warehouse processes. It forms the basis for the structured organization of storage locations, inventory, and goods movements.

A WMS supports processes such as goods receipt, putaway, stock transfer, order picking, and goods issue. It manages warehouse information, coordinates workflows, and exchanges data with ERP systems, DWS systems, conveyor systems, and automated warehouse solutions. By processing real-time process data, a WMS enables transparent inventory management, reduces errors, and improves efficiency within intralogistics.

Practical example:

After automatically measuring and identifying a pallet, the DWS system transmits the data to the WMS, which then determines the optimal storage location and controls the putaway process.

See also: Data capture, DWS, ERP system, intralogistics, warehouse, material flow, master data entry, Warehouse Management System (WMS)

The waybill is a transport document that contains key information about a shipment, the transport order, and the parties involved. It serves as proof of the acceptance, transport, and delivery of goods.

A waybill includes, among other things, details on the shipper, consignee, cargo, weight, quantity, and special transport conditions. Depending on the mode of transport, different formats are used, such as the CMR waybill for road freight or electronic documents. In digital logistics processes, information from WMS systems, ERP systems, and transport management systems can be automatically imported to ensure accurate documentation and efficient processing.

Practical example:

After a pallet has been automatically measured and weighed, the collected freight data is used to generate the electronic waybill.

See also: Data capture, document handling, freight data, freight billing, shipment document handling, transport management system (TMS), shipping, customs clearance

A weighing system is a technical system for the automated or manual recording and processing of weight values. It consists of one or more measuring components, as well as the associated evaluation and control technology.

In logistics, weighing systems are used, for example, for packages, pallets, and other loading units. They can be integrated into conveyor lines, automated sorting systems, or standalone measuring stations and transmit the determined weight data to higher-level systems. In conjunction with identification, measurement, and digital interfaces, they support processes such as freight billing, transport planning, and quality control. Depending on the application, weighing systems must meet defined requirements for accuracy and traceability.

Practical example:

An integrated weighing system records the weight of a shipment during the conveying process and automatically transmits the data, along with the dimensions, to the transport management system.

See also: DWS, traceability, weight recording, measurement accuracy, weighing scale, sensor technology, load cell, weighing technology

Weighing technology encompasses all technical processes, devices, and systems used to record, process, and analyze weight data. It forms the basis for precise weight measurements in industrial, logistics, and commercial applications.

In logistics, for example, weighing technology is used in scales, conveyor systems, and integrated WMS systems. Modern systems automatically capture weight data and often combine it with information on dimensions and identification. The measurement results are transmitted to higher-level systems such as ERP, WMS, or transportation management solutions and used for freight billing, transportation planning, or process control. Reliable weighing technology supports the accuracy and transparency of logistics processes.

Practical Example:

A pallet is automatically weighed as it moves along a conveyor line during transport. The determined weight is processed along with the measurement data for shipping and billing.

See also: WMS, weight measurement, measurement accuracy, weighing scale, sensor technology, scale, load cell, weighing system

Weight measurement refers to the determination of the weight of packages, pallets, or other loading units using appropriate measuring systems. It provides precise weight data for logistics processes, master data entry, and freight billing.

Weight measurement is performed manually or automatically using industrial scales and is often an integral part of modern DWS systems. When combined with dimensional measurement and identification, this process generates complete freight data that is transmitted directly to warehouse management, transportation management, or ERP systems. Accurate weight values support cargo space planning, increase process reliability, and form the basis for legally compliant and transparent billing.

Practical example:

When packaging a machine component, the shipping weight is automatically recorded and transmitted along with the dimensions to the transportation management system to determine the appropriate shipping rate.

See also: Billing purposes, Dimension measurement, WMS, Calibration capability, Freight billing, Freight measurement, Master data entry, Volume weight

Weight recording refers to the measurement and digital recording of an object’s weight. The recorded weight data provides an important basis for logistics, storage, packaging, and transport processes and can be transferred to higher-level IT systems.

Practical example:
In logistics, weight recording is used to determine the exact weight of products, parcels, or pallets. The recorded data can be used to maintain master data, calculate shipping costs, monitor load limits, optimize transport capacities, and support automated logistics processes.

See also: Data Capture, Data Integrity, DWS, Measurement Accuracy, Measuring Scale, Sensor Technology, System Integration, Valid Data

WELMEC refers to the European cooperation among national authorities in the field of legal metrology. The organization develops guidelines and recommendations to ensure the uniform application of European regulations for measuring instruments.

WELMEC supports manufacturers, testing laboratories, and regulatory authorities in implementing the requirements of the European Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) and other metrological regulations. The published documents cover, among other topics, conformity assessment, testing procedures, and technical requirements for measuring systems. In the logistics sector, WELMEC is particularly relevant for manufacturers and operators of scales, dimensioning systems, and automatic weighing systems (AWS) whose measurement values are used for business purposes.

Practical example:

A manufacturer of a calibratable AWS system follows the WELMEC guidelines to meet the requirements for European conformity assessment and legally compliant use.

See also: Calibratability, Measurement and Calibration Act (MessEG), MID (Measuring Instruments Directive), MID-compliant, OIML, OIML R: 129, PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt), Certification

WMS refers to a digital system for controlling, managing, and optimizing warehouse processes. It organizes all goods movements within a warehouse and ensures transparent and efficient management of inventory and warehouse operations.

A warehouse management system controls processes such as goods receipt, putaway, stock transfer, order picking, and goods issue. It manages storage locations, inventory, and orders in real time and communicates via interfaces with ERP systems, DWS systems, conveyor systems, and automated warehouse solutions. By utilizing up-to-date process data, errors are reduced, warehouse capacity is optimized, and material flows are efficiently controlled.

Practical example:

After automatically measuring and identifying a pallet, the DWS system transmits the data to the WMS, which then assigns the appropriate storage location and controls the putaway process.

See also: Data capture, DWS, ERP system, warehouse management system (WMS), material flow, master data entry, transport management system (TMS)

A wrapping machine is a piece of equipment used to automatically secure load units by applying stretch film or other packaging materials. It is used to stabilize goods for storage, handling, and transport.

Wrapping machines are frequently used in logistics for the automatic securing of pallets and can be integrated into packaging or conveying processes. They control parameters such as film consumption, wrapping tension, and the number of wraps to ensure uniform securing of the load unit. In combination with automation, sensor technology, and material flow systems, they enable efficient and reproducible packaging processes.

Practical example:

After order picking, a pallet is automatically transported to the wrapping machine, where it is secured with stretch film and then prepared for shipment.

See also: Automation, Conveyor Technology, Loading Unit, Load Securing, Material Flow, Pallet Management, Stretch Film, Outbound Logistics