Task Interface

Concept

• The Task Interface offers integration at a higher level of abstraction than the Bin Interface.
• The Task Interface uses concepts such as tasks, categories, and shipments.
• When using the Task Interface, the WMS maintains a queue of picking lists (task groups), and AutoStore handles the Bin preparation and plans the jobs for each Port.
• The WMS sets the properties of the task groups and Ports to specify priorities and requirements.- The Task Interface offers integration at a higher level of abstraction than the Bin Interface.

In Practice

The WMS maintains a queue of picking lists (task groups). A task group specifies a collection of Bins (tasks)
that should be picked together. A task specifies the delivery of one specific Bin. Tasks are always grouped into
a task group structure.

A task group has a set of properties that specify its priority and requirements. It is possible to restrict which
Ports may handle the task group (by its category), and multiple task groups can be grouped together (by the
shipment property). The sequence and grouping within a task group may be specified by properties on the
tasks. The properties of task group and task are further explained in the task interface section.

AutoStore decides the task group sequence at the Ports. AutoStore will usually follow the priorities of the task
groups. AutoStore will always aim to optimize the total throughput, and may therefore occasionally choose
lower priority jobs. If Bins with a high priority are busy or blocked by other jobs, AutoStore will select other task
groups in order to avoid waiting time in the Ports.

Bin Preparation

In Task Interface Bins/Tasks are automatically prepared by AutoStore. Once a Taskgroup is created in AutoStore the Tasks within it will automatically start being prepared regardless of the Taskgroup parameters or status. If a taskgroup exists in AS, the system will expend resources to dig it up even if the taskgroup in suspended or belonging to a category which is not being used at any port. The overall priority for taskgroup preparation is dictated by the request time and priority parameters of the taskgroup.

Task Interface Flow To Ports

In Task Interface taskgroups flow to specific ports based on the category parameter set on the taskgroup itself. Taskgroups will go to ports which are assigned to work on the specific matching category.