Integration between Manhattan WMS and WCS for controlling automated storage and material handling systems.
Saga, ABNET’s manufacturer-independent WCS, connects Manhattan WMS requirements to automation execution. The WMS manages inventory and processes; the WCS coordinates physical flow and execution feedback.
Discuss Manhattan WMSThe integration contract defines data exchange between Manhattan WMS and ABNET WCS: available interfaces, authentication, message formats, identifiers, and execution commands. Versions, required fields, and validation rules should be agreed before deployment.
An acknowledgement (ACK) confirms a communication step, such as receipt or acceptance of a message. It does not, on its own, mean that movement is complete. The design distinguishes message receipt, command acceptance, and execution states such as in progress, completed, or failed.
Queue design organizes pending messages and defines processing order. Retry rules determine when to resend, how many attempts to make, and when to escalate for review. Identifiers and duplicate detection prevent a resent command from being executed twice.
Communication failures, invalid data, and physical events require different responses. Integration should define which failures can be retried, which require data correction, and which need operational intervention, while retaining the event context.
Correlation identifiers connect the request, command, acknowledgements, and physical outcome. Feedback should update the WMS with agreed states and define how to reconcile pending messages and discrepancies after communication interruptions.
The WCS translates movement requirements into flow coordination. Interfaces with material handling equipment (MHE) and PLCs connect that coordination to execution on sorters and conveyors. Commands, events, and control responsibilities are defined for the project’s equipment.
The Manhattan WMS version, available interfaces, and automation architecture determine the technical scope. These topics guide project specifications; protocols, APIs, states, and recovery policies are defined during that stage.
Understand WMS × WCS integrationIllustrative specification model. Responsibilities and mechanisms are defined for each project.
Record the Manhattan product, version, extensions, authentication, traffic limits and available environments. For each flow, identify the task-creation trigger, destination owner and physical completion point. WMS, WES, WCS and local control do not necessarily map to separate servers.
The interface document should cover nominal execution, cancellation, priority changes, partial outcomes and recovery. Assign owners at both ends and define contract-change validation. A connected interface can still carry the wrong interpretation of a load identifier or destination.
Transport receipt, business acceptance and physical completion must be distinguishable in logs and interfaces. Transport acknowledgement may precede destination validation. An accepted task may wait for capacity without any communication fault.
Manhattan → WCS
Request T42 with load, destination and version.
Channel → producer
Acknowledge protocol receipt without implying execution.
WCS → Manhattan
Accept after validation and recording, or reject with a reason.
WCS ↔ equipment
Reserve, send command and track the load.
WCS → Manhattan
Publish evidenced delivery with a stable event identity.
Manhattan → integration
Confirm processing or support outcome reconciliation.
If the final response is lost, replaying the event must not repeat the inventory transaction. Deduplication retention must cover the agreed replay window.
