Abstract:
A novel rules engine which automates many warehouse processes, and provides for efficient management of a warehouse. The rules engine provides a flexible and customizable structure for modeling the many different types of processes governing the function of a warehouse. The rules engine translates business level logic into code for manipulating the warehouse database. The rules engine allows a user to create their own user logic for working with the database, which operates at a level of abstraction more feasible for the user. The rules engine understands the user logic by the way the user decides how to string various restrictions together. The rules engine implements the translation via its internal understanding of the structure of the particular application. Thus, the rules engine allows the user to define logic without understanding how to manipulate a database.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to management of warehouse functions, and more particularly to computer program-implemented management of warehouse functions. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Material handing rules, customer requirements, storage constraints, and efficiency, place complex demands on the modern warehouse. Warehouse management systems enable a warehouse to dispatch tasks and manage inventory. Currently many decisions within a warehouse, however, are left for an operator and/or supervisor to perform, demanding a high degree of training, but still yielding sub-optimal results and occasionally, serious mistakes. 
         [0003]    A common warehouse management system  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The system has a number of system defined rules  20 . The rules execution function  40  uses the attributes of a specific request  30  and an applicable system defined rule to manipulate a database  50  containing such information as quantity of inventory, location of inventory, etc. The warehouse management system  10  then provides the user with a solution  60 . For example, a particular item may have just been received. The user can enter the description of the item, and the warehouse management system will tell the user where current stock of the same item is located, so that the new quantity can be added to the existing quantity in the same location. 
         [0004]    Effectiveness can be increased by customizing the warehouse management system in accordance with the users specific business, processes, and needs. Customization in traditional systems entails going back to the software vendor or a third party, to make modifications to the system defined rules and or adding additional rules to model processes of the specific user. However such customization results in increased systems costs, difficulty in upgrading, and may also make it difficult for the user to change their area or way of business in response to changing customer needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention enables the efficient management of inventory, personnel and space in a warehouse or supply chain. A rules engine, in the warehouse management system, provides a flexible and customizable repository for modeling many different types of processes used to effectively manage a warehouse. A warehouse management system is then able to provide intelligent solutions in response to requested actions performed in the warehouse. Thus a decision making process of warehouse management systems is automated, removing it from the operator and thereby reducing mistakes and increasing efficiency. 
         [0006]    Intelligent solutions are obtained from manipulation of a warehouse database, by the rules engine. The rules engine allows each individual warehouse to create rules to model the processes followed by the warehouse. The rules engine is also able to execute the rules, which manipulate the warehouse database to find intelligent solutions. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a process for obtaining intelligent solutions for management of warehouse functions. The process of obtaining intelligent solutions includes the steps of receiving a request to perform an action in the warehouse. The request to perform an action is comprised of a list of attributes, which act to characterize the requested action. A hierarchical search, based upon the specific attributes, is then performed on a database. The database contains various information about the items in a warehouse. An intelligent solution is provided based upon information contained in the database, which best matches, the attributes of the requested action. 
         [0008]    In so doing, the rules execution function intelligently: suggests material allocations for picking, suggests put away locations for LPNs, assigns tasks to resources with appropriate training and equipment, assigns cost groups to transactions, and assures internal, customer, and carrier compliant labels. 
         [0009]    In a second embodiment of the present invention, a warehouse management system provides a means for obtaining an intelligent solution to a requested management action performed in the warehouse. The warehouse management system includes a means for defining rules to model the requested management action based upon logic defined by the user. The warehouse management system also includes a means for manipulating a database. The database contains elements describing the items contained in the warehouse. The method of manipulating the database is based upon the defined rules and the requested management action. 
         [0010]    In a third embodiment of the present invention, a warehouse management system provides for a rules creation function and a rules execution function. The rules creation function is capable of translating user defined logic, which models warehouse processes, into user defined rules. The rules execution function is capable of manipulating a database, containing information about the contents of a warehouse, according to the user defined rules and system defined rules. The manipulation of the database according to the user defined rules and system defined rules provides the rules execution function with the ability to provide intelligent solutions to a requested action. 
         [0011]    In so doing, the rules execution function processes requests by starting at a highest priority criteria of an applicable rule, and continues searching in the order of priority unit a matching criteria is found or until it reaches a lowest priority criteria. The rules execution function then searches a strategy associated with the matching criterion. Additional attributes of the request and strategy sequence determine which strategy is selected for the matching criteria. The rule execution function then searches one or more solutions associated with the matching strategy using additional attributes and solution sequence. The solution selected is the one or more solutions that satisfy all the restrictions of the rule. 
         [0012]    In a forth embodiment of the present invention, automated management of a warehouse is implemented by creating user defined rules. The user defined rules, along with system defined rules are then executed to obtain an intelligent solution. 
         [0013]    In fifth embodiment of the present invention, a process for creating user defined rules is implemented by defining one or more solutions and selecting one or more criteria. The criteria are the standards or tests upon which the user defined rules select a particular solution. 
         [0014]    In a sixth embodiment of the invention, user defined rules are created in a hierarchical structure that allows for efficient operation. Creating a rule is divide into four main steps: identifying a rule type; selecting and prioritizing one or more criteria, defining one or more strategies for each of the selected criteria, and finally defining one or solutions for each of the selected criteria and or solutions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a warehouse management system, according to the prior art. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a warehouse management system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a hierarchical structure of a possible user defined rule. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a flow diagram of a process for creating a user defined rule, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a hierarchical structure of a possible user defined rule created by a rules creation function. According to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows a flow diagram of a second embodiment of a warehouse management system. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a hierarchical structure of a possible user defined rule created by a rules creation function, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 8A-8D  shows an example of a possible graphical user interface implementation of a rules creation function, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  shows a block diagram of a warehouse management system, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  shows a block diagram of a warehouse management system, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a diagram of a warehouse management system  70  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The warehouse management system  70  includes a rules engine  80  communicatively coupled to a warehouse database  140 . The rules engine includes a rules creation function  100 , one or more user defined rules &amp; system defined rules  110 , and a rules execution function  130 . 
         [0028]    The rules engine  80  provides an intelligent solution  150  in response to a requested action  120  performed in the warehouse. The intelligent solution  150  is obtained by manipulation of the warehouse database  140  by the rule rules execution function  130 , based upon the user defined rules and or system defined rules  110 . The user defined rules and system defined rules  110  are capable of modeling any warehouse process  90 . The warehouse database  140  contains information about the contents of a warehouse and elements describing them. 
         [0029]    The rules engine  80  has two primary features: a rules creation function  100  and a rules execution function  130 . The rules creation function  100  is used to create user defined rules that model the various warehouse processes  90  (also referred to as user defined logic). The rules execution function  130  uses the user defined rules and system defined rules  110 , along with the attributes of a requested action  120 , to manipulate the warehouse database  140  in order to provide the intelligent solution. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a hierarchical structure of a user defined rule  160 , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The user defined rule  160  includes one or more criteria  170 , one or more strategies  180 , and one or more solutions  190 . 
         [0031]    The user defined rule consists of a complete relationship between the criteria  170 , strategies  180 , and solutions  190 , used to fulfill a particular warehouse process. The relationship between each level of the hierarchical structure consists of one or more restrictions. A user defined rule can be based on nearly any field in a warehouse database. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows the process of creating a user defined rule  200  as implemented by a rules creation function, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The process of creating a user defined rule  200  includes: identifying the rule type  210 ; selecting applicable criteria, and prioritizing the criteria  220 ; defining strategies for each criteria  230 ; and finally defining solutions  250 . 
         [0033]    The rule type  210  is the name of the rule that implements a particular warehouse process, such as pick, put away, task type assignment, cost group assignment, or label format assignment. 
         [0034]    The criteria  220  used for each rule type are then selected. Criteria are the standards on which judgments or decisions are based. Examples of criteria may include: Item category, item, customer, freight carrier, order type, default, etc. It is also possible to define and sequence any sub-criteria, such as perishable, summer seasonal, winter season, for a criterion such as item category. Not all the available criteria need to be assigned in the rule type. In fact, it is unlikely that an organization will need more than three or four criteria in each rule. Next the criteria need to be prioritized. The most specific criteria is designated as having the highest priority, with the next less specific criteria given the next highest priority, until the most general criteria is given the lowest priority. The priority determines the order in which a rules execution function will search for a criterion that matches one or more attributes of a requested action. 
         [0035]    An example of a possible user defined rule is depicted in  FIG. 5 . The example illustrates the selection of three criteria: item  260 , item category  270 , and organization  280 . Item category has three sub-criteria sequenced in the order of perishable  300 , summer seasonal  310 , winter seasonal  320 . Item  260  is the most specific criteria and is thus assigned the highest priority, denoted by (10). Item category  270  is assigned an intermediate priority, denoted by (20). Organization  280  is the most general criteria and is thus assigned the lowest priority, denoted by (30). 
         [0036]    The strategies are an ordered sequence of solutions that are used to try to fulfill complex requested actions. Strategies are defined, such as quality, never comingle, refrigerate, off season, on season, default put away, etc. The strategies are then associated with the applicable criteria. Common occurrences of strategies can be combined, potentially creating a many to many relationship. 
         [0037]    For example,  FIG. 5  shows the defining of five strategies: never comingle  350 , refrigerate  360 , off season  370 , on season  380 , default put away  390 . Each strategy is associated with applicable criteria. The summer seasonal  310  and winter seasonal  320  criteria each have common occurrences of the on season  380  and off season  370  strategies. Therefore the two on season and two off season strategies can be combined creating multiple to multiple relationships with summer and winter season criteria. 
         [0038]    Solutions are then defined and are associated with applicable strategies or criteria. Sequencing of the solutions will determine the order chosen. Again, common occurrences of solutions can be combined, potentially creating a many to many relationship. 
         [0039]    For example,  FIG. 5  shows the defining of six solutions: put in empty locator  410 , put into any location but do not comingle  420 , put into refrigerated location  430 , put into location with rack #&gt; 3   440 , put in location with rack #&lt;= 3   450 , put into any locator  460 . 
         [0040]    As can be seen from  FIG. 5 , the solutions along with permitted associations between solution and strategy, strategy and criteria, and solution and criteria, represent the various restrictions of a rule. 
         [0041]    The schematic represented by  FIG. 5 , however, would grow to complex to construct for all but the simplest cases. In another embodiment of the invention, a navigator-like approach can be taken, instead, to map out real-life systems. For example: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Rule Type 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Criteria 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Sub-Criteria 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Strategy 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Solution 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0042]    The example of  FIG. 5  can be mapped out as: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Put Away Rules 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (10) Item 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 PR11568 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (10) Never Commingle Strategy 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (10) Put away into empty locator 
               
               
                   
                 (20) Put away into any locator, do not 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 commingle 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (20) Category 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Perishable 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (10) Refrigerated Strategy 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (10) Put into refrigerated locator 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Summer Seasonal 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (10) On Season Strategy (mar-sep) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (10) Put away into locator with rack &gt; 3 
               
               
                   
                 (20) Put away into any locator 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (20) Off Season Strategy (oct-feb) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (10) Put away into locator with rack &lt;=3 
               
               
                   
                 (20) Put away into any locator 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Winter Seasonal 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (10) On Season Strategy (oct-feb) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (10) Put away into locator with rack &lt;=3 
               
               
                   
                 (20) Put away into any locator 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (20) Off Season Strategy (mar-sep) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (10) Put away into locator with rack &gt; 3 
               
               
                   
                 (20) Put away into any locator 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (30) Default 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Default 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (10) Default Put Away Strategy 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (10) Put away into empty locator 
               
               
                   
                 (20) Put away into any locator, do not 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 commingle 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 (30) Put away into any locator 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0043]    To read the navigator-like text schematic, one searches down the hierarchy of criteria until an attribute of the requested action matches. The first strategy that is applicable and currently effective for the matching criteria is selected. Then one goes down the solutions of the strategies in order. The numbers in parentheses indicates the priority of the corresponding criterion or the sequence of the strategy or solution. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  shows a warehouse management system in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. A rules creation function  470  receives user defined logic  465  and creates user defined rules  555  therefrom. A rules execution function  565  uses the user defined rules  555  to manipulate a database  570  in order to provide an intelligent solution  575  in response to one or more attributes of a requested action  560 . 
         [0045]    The rules creation function  470  is used to perform the following steps to create the user defined rules  555 : specify an entity  475 , select a: rule type  480 , select applicable criteria and prioritize the selected criteria  490 , define one or more strategies  500 , define one or more solutions  510 , sequence the solutions  520 , assign the solutions to the related strategies and or the criteria  530 , sequence the strategies  540 , and assign the strategies to the related criteria  550 . 
         [0046]    The rules creation function can be used to obtain an integrated warehouse management systems across a full chain of related entities. For example, the management systems for the raw material supplier, manufacturer, distributor, carriers, and other entities, could be integrated. Therefore, the rules creation function also provides for specifying the entity  470  for each rule type. 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  illustrates a possible picking rule used by a warehouse that carries strawberries. An example of user defined logic for picking strawberries can be summarized as including restrictions based upon quality and expiration, and restrictions based upon the customer. For example strawberries have lot grades of Excellent, Good, and Average. Restaurants and Retailers require Excellent strawberries when available, and Good strawberries only if necessary. However, Jam Manufacturers only need Average strawberries. The Warehouse wants to fill orders on a first expired first out (FEFO) basis. 
         [0048]    In the above example, the warehouse&#39;s requirements (Organization  640 ) are the most general. Specific customers have more restrictive requirements. Therefore, the Customer criterion  610  is selected and given highest priority. The Customer criterion  610  has Restaurants &amp; Retailers  620 , and Jam Manufacturer  630  sub-criteria. The Restaurants &amp; Retailers  620  sub-criterion is sequence before the Jam Manufacture  630  sub-criterion because it is more restrictive. 
         [0049]    The strawberry example requires four solutions. First the Restaurants &amp; Retailers require picking of Excellent strawberries and the warehouse wants to fill the order on a FEFO (First Expire First Out) basis. If Excellent strawberries are not available they will accept Good strawberries. Again the warehouse will want to fill the order on a FEFO basis. Because Jam Manufactures only need Average strawberries, the warehouse will want to try to fill the order with Average strawberries, but will supply Good or Excellent if necessary. In the absence of the above requirements, the warehouse will supply strawberries on just a FEFO basis. This leads to four solutions: Excellent &amp; FEFO pick  710 , Good &amp; FEFO pick  720 , Average &amp; FEFO pick  730 , Default FEFO pick  740 . 
         [0050]    The requirements of the Restaurants &amp; Retailers can first be satisfied by the Excellent &amp; FEFO pick and then by the Good &amp; FEFO pick. The Jam Manufacturers requirements can be satisfied by the Average &amp; FEFO pick and then by the Default FEFO pick. The warehouses restrictions are simply satisfied by the Default FEFO pick. Therefore, three strategies are required: Excellent/Good  670 , Average/Default  680 , and Default  690 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 8A-8D  depict a possible graphical user interface implementation for using a rules creation function in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8A  shows two view of a criteria priority form. The first view is used to select and prioritize applicable criteria; while the second view is used to specify and sequence sub-criteria.  FIG. 8B  shows two views of a defining solutions form. The first view is used to define solutions; while the second view is used to sort the solutions.  FIG. 8C  is a strategy form. The strategy form is used to define strategies and associate the defined solutions with the defined strategies.  FIG. 8D  is a strategy assignment form. The strategy assignment form is used to assign the defined strategies to the selected criteria. Furthermore, the rule creation function illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8D  corresponds to the picking rule in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0052]    First, criteria priority form,  FIG. 8A , is used to specify criteria and their priority for each rule type. The rule type is specified  800 , then the specific criteria may be selected from a list of criteria, or may be defined in the Name and Description columns  810 . Priority is assigned to each criterion in the Priority column of the form  820 . The priority numbers need not be consecutive. The criteria with the lowest priority number will be examined first, the criteria with the next lowest priority number will be examined next, and so forth. Multiples of ten can be used at first to allow easy insertion of criteria in the future without having to reassign all the priority numbers. It is also possible to specify sub-criteria for each selected criteria. 
         [0053]      FIG. 8A  illustrates the selection and sequencing of the criteria for picking of strawberries. The Customer criteria is selected and given highest priority. The Organization is also selected, from the list of available criteria, and assigned lowest priority. The Restaurant &amp; Retailers and Jam Manufacturers sub-criteria for the Customer criterion are also specified. 
         [0054]    Next the various solutions are created using the defining solutions form,  FIG. 8B . The rule type is specified  800 , then a solution name and a description of the solution is designated  830 ,  840 . The body of the solution is then entered  900 . Each row corresponds to an element, and multiple rows can be joined with AND and OR operators  915 . By entering opening and closing parentheses at the beginning and ending of lines  920   970 , complex compound statements can be formed. The sequence column  910  is used to specify the sequence in which the elements are linked together. The sequence numbers need not be consecutive. The element with the lowest sequence number will be examined first, the element with the next lowest sequence number will be examined next, and so forth. Multiples of ten can be used at first to allow easy insertion of elements in the future without have to reassign all the element numbers. 
         [0055]    Objects  930  and parameters  940  form the heart of each line, and may be based on any field in a database. The objects  930 , parameters  940 , and their value fields  960  are context sensitive, so that only parameters particular to the selected object can be selected, and the user will only be prompted for a value if it is necessary. A quantity function  965  is specified for picking and put away rules, or a return value is specified for cost group, task, and label format rules. 
         [0056]    The sort tab  890  allows the list of locators, for a pick or put away task, to be sorted. The objects and parameters that can be used to specify sortation are a subset of those for which restrictions can be specified. Multiple sort criteria, such as FIFO and FEFO, can be used to break ties at lower levels. 
         [0057]    The rules engine comes preconfigured with several basic solutions. These solutions will not have the user defined checkbox  860  checked, and they cannot be edited. Solutions that are user defined can be edited, as long as they are not enabled 850, and the user defined checkbox cannot be unchecked. When solutions are enabled via the checkbox, they can be assigned to strategies, but enabled solutions cannot be edited. Upon enabling the solution, the solution will be checked for correct syntax. 
         [0058]    Solutions can be either entity (i.e. warehouses and the like) specific, or shared between entities by checking the common for all entities checkbox  880 . For pick, put away, and cost group rules, making solutions common to all entities does not necessarily mean that all entities use that solution, only that it is possible for a strategy in another entity to use that solution. However, for task type and label format rules, making solutions common to all entities means that all entities use that solution, as there are no strategies or criteria assignment for these types of solutions. 
         [0059]    The minimum pick task button  870 , available only for a picking task solution, attempts to minimize the number of picks required for a task, subject to the restrictions, but regardless of the sort criteria. Units of measure and unit of measure conversions are defined in the units of measure form, and assigned to the subinventory as the pick unit of measure. 
         [0060]      FIG. 8B  illustrates the defining of the Excellent &amp; FEFO solution for the strawberry example. 
         [0061]    Third, strategies are constructed from one or more solutions. Strategies are a sequence of solutions that will be tried to allocate material or space to fulfill a request. Solutions can be reused for multiple strategies. Solutions can also be valid only during specific period of time. 
         [0062]    As illustrated in the strategies form,  FIG. 8C , the rule type  800  is specified along with specifying the strategy  980  and a description of the strategy  990 . The applicable previously defined solution names are then specified  1030 . The sequence number  1040  specifies the order in which the solutions are executed. The sequence numbers need not be consecutive. The solution with the lowest sequence number will be examined first, the solution with the next lowest sequence number will be examined next, and so forth. Multiples of ten can be used at first to allow easy insertion of solutions in the future without have to reassign all the sequence numbers. 
         [0063]    The solutions available to be assigned to the particular strategy are only those solutions that are of the same rule type as the strategy, and are further limited by the current organization. 
         [0064]    Solutions can also be valid only during specific period of time  1020 . Always is also an option for the effective date. The user defined check box  1000  is identical to the one in the solutions form. Preconfigured strategies cannot be modified. When a strategy is enabled 1010, it cannot be changed. Furthermore, solutions that are used in an enabled strategy cannot be disabled. All strategies that used a particular solution must be disabled before the solution is disabled, this prevents potential data corruption problems. 
         [0065]      FIG. 8C , illustrates the defining of the excellent/good solution, and the assigning of the Excellent &amp; FEFO pick and Good &amp; FEFO pick to the solution. 
         [0066]    Finally, strategies are assigned to criteria using the strategy assignment form,  FIG. 8D . A criteria selected in the criteria priority form is specified  1060 , along with the sub-criteria if applicable  1070 . As before, sequence numbers  1080  are used to order the strategies. Strategies of different types can be assigned to the same criteria. However, the rules engine stops searching for a strategy when it comes to the first applicable strategy. Therefore, if multiple strategies of the same type are effective during the same period, only the one with the lowest sequence number will be selected. 
         [0067]      FIG. 8D , illustrates the assigning of the Excellent/Good strategy to the Restaurants &amp; Retailers sub-criteria of the customer criteria. 
         [0068]    The implementation of translating the above specified logic into code for use by the rules engine is well know to persons in the art, and therefore will not be described. 
         [0069]    In another embodiment of the invention, a rules execution function is capable of utilizing a user defined rule in response to a requested action to manipulate a warehouse database. The rules execution function is then able to provide an intelligent solution. 
         [0070]    The rules execution function processes the requested action, by comparing the attributes of the requests to the criteria of an applicable rule. The rules execution function starts at the highest priority criteria, and continues searching in the order of priority until a criterion matching an attribute is found or until it reaches the lowest priority criteria. Additional attributes and strategy sequence determine which strategy is selected for the matching criterion. The rules execution function then searches the solutions associated with the matching strategy using additional attributes and solution sequence. The solution selected is one or more solutions that satisfy all the restrictions of the rule. 
         [0071]    In an alternative feature, if a “Partial Success Allowed” box on the strategy is checked, then the rules execution function goes through all the solutions in a strategy in sequence until it allocates the entire request. For example, the rules execution function will go through all the solutions in a strategy until enough material is found in the locators to fulfill the pick request. Similarly, the rules execution function will go through all the solutions in a strategy until enough capacity is found for the put away task. 
         [0072]    Using the strawberry example, of  FIG. 7 , the warehouse receives a request for 3 cases of strawberries from a restaurant. The warehouse actually has 8 cases of excellent strawberries, 6 cases of good strawberries, and 10 cases of average strawberries as indicated in the database. For this example, the rules execution function finds a match between the restaurant attribute of the request and the Customer  610  criterion, Restaurants &amp; Retailers sub-criterion  620  of the rule. Therefore, the rules execution function proceeds to the Excellent/Good strategy  670 . The strategy specifies that excellent strawberries will be picked first based upon the FEFO requirement of the warehouse  710 . The rules execution function will output a pick request for the 3 of the 8 cases of excellent strawberries that will expire first. 
         [0073]    Next the warehouse receives a request for 14 cases of strawberries from a jam producer. The rules execution function starts with the Customer criterion  610 , first looking at the Restaurants &amp; Retailers sub-criteria  620 . Because the Restaurants &amp; Retailers sub-criteria  620  does not match the jam producer attribute of the request, it will proceed to the next sequenced sub-criteria, Jam Manufacturer  630 . A match is found and the Average/Default strategy  680  is selected. The Average &amp; FEFO pick solution  730  will be used first to fill the order. However, there are only 10 cases of—Average strawberries. Therefore, the rules execution function will also use the Default FEFO pick  740  to satisfy the order. The four cases of good strawberries that expire first will be selected to complete the order. 
         [0074]    For pick and put away tasks, the rules execution function stops going through additional solutions as soon as the entire task has been allocated. If a pick or put away task cannot be fully allocated within a solution, partial success will allow a task to be allocated across several solutions. 
         [0075]    In the case of a cost group assignment rule, the rules execution function returns a value as soon as the rules execution function comes to a solution where all the restrictions pass. For task type and label format assignments, the rules execution function goes through all solutions available under the criteria, in the specified sequence. 
         [0076]    The rules execution function stops searching for a strategy when it comes to the first applicable strategy. Therefore if multiple strategies of the same type are affective during the same period, only the one with the lowest sequence number will be selected. 
         [0077]    For the assignment type rules, the rules execution function returns a single value which is the type of label to be used, type of resource required for the task, or the cost group to be assigned to the transaction. 
         [0078]    For any move request, there must be applicable picking and put away rules. The rule execution function requires both picking and put away rules for every move order in order to ensure that a suggestion is never made to pick material that is unavailable or to place material in an area without adequate capacity. 
         [0079]    Unless the request should fail if specific restrictions are not met, and the task to unallocated or unassigned, a general default solution should always be the last solutions in the strategy or criteria. 
         [0080]      FIG. 9  shows another embodiment of the warehouse management system. A rules creation function  1110  receives user defined logic  1100  for implementing various warehouse processes. The rules creation function  1110  creates user defined rules  1120  from the user defined logic  1100 . The warehouse management system also comes preconfigured with system defined rules  1120 . A rules execution function  1140  manipulates a database  1150  in response to a requested action  1130  and an applicable user defined rule or system defined rule  1120 . The rules execution function  1140  outputs an intelligent solution as a result of manipulating the database  1150 . The requested action  1130  can be any of a pick request, put away request, cost group request, move request, or any other action to be performed in the warehouse. While the intelligent solution  1160  can be one or more pick suggestions, put away suggestions, task type assignments, cost group assignments, label format assignments, or any other action performed in the warehouse. 
         [0081]    Thus the warehouse management system provides for intelligent: picking; putting away; assigning transactions to cost groups; ensuring internal, carrier, and customer compliant labeling; assigning tasks to a resource with appropriate training or equipment; or any other process necessary to the operation of a warehouse. 
         [0082]    For example, the rules engine provides for intelligent solutions for put away location of new material, based upon virtually any user defined logic. Some possibilities include: minimizing item fragmentation, requiring no lot commingling in a locator, directing hazardous materials to a corresponding hazardous storage location, or placing season items in a sub-inventory department depending on time or year. 
         [0083]    Picking rules can also be created to factor any user defined logic. Some examples are to ensure stock rotation, or to meet customer requirements such as stock condition or quality, lot expiration date, or country of origin. Other logic examples include: first in first out (FIFO), first expired first out (FEFO), picking to deplete a location in order to free up additional warehouse space, or by cost group ownership, customer requirements that an entire order be filled by a single lot, or warehouse preferences that an item be picked from a single location can also be factored. 
         [0084]    Some examples of task type assignment logic that can be factored include: personnel skill sets, equipment requirements and capacity. For instance, hazardous tasks can be assigned only to personnel with the appropriate training received to work with hazardous goods, while put away to the top rack can be limited to personnel who operate high-reach forklifts. 
         [0085]    Cost group assignments can be based upon: sales channels such as internet order and in-store orders, vendor site, item categories such as refurbished, consigned, and company owned inventor, or even by item. 
         [0086]    User defined logic can also be used to select the appropriate label format, type, and printer, based on customer, carrier, item category, or transportation method. Other criteria may include: barcode symbologies, label durability, and lot control. 
         [0087]      FIG. 10  shows another embodiment of the warehouse management system. The warehouse management system comprises a user interface and repository module  1110 , a code generation module  1120 , and a run-time code execution module  1130 . The user interface and repository module  1110  supports the definition and storage of business rules. The code generation module  1120  supports the automated generation of code based upon the business rule. The run-time code execution module  1130  executes the generated code during the operation of the warehouse management system. 
         [0088]    The user interface and repository module  1110  allows the user to define and record business rules, using common business terms, into an organized set of logical conditions, preferences, measurements and effectivities. Once defined by the user, the organized set of logical conditions, preferences, measurements and effectivities, are automatically translated and implemented by the code generation module  1120  into an efficient set of code and operations to execute the process embodied in the business rule. The set of code and operations can then be automatically invoked by the warehouse management system whenever a transaction  1150  (such as a request to find the optimal inventory holding to satisfy an order) is processed. When invoked by the warehouse management system, the run-time execution module  1130  selects an appropriate business rule embodied in the code for a particular requested transaction. The run-time execution module  1130  then combines data from a warehouse database  1140  with the business rule embodied in the code in order to determine an intelligent result  1160 . 
         [0089]    Hence, embodiment of the present invention provide for a highly flexible way of defining and then implementing business rules, without having to resort to customization by the warehouse management system vendor or a third party software programmer. 
         [0090]    The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.