What you’ll learn
How CRIBWISE connects to an existing Kardex Shuttle or Megamat storage solution: what CRIBWISE delivers, what Kardex and your own IT must deliver, and what has to be in place before the storage device can be set up.
Kardex units work through the normal Shop Floor Interface (SFI). You set them up by selecting Kardex as the storage device solution, and the integration supports Kardex accessories such as laser pointers and the confirm and cancel buttons on the physical device.
Who delivers what
| CRIBWISE | Customer or Kardex | |
| Physical storage unit | Not sold by CRIBWISE | Supplied and installed by Kardex or its reseller |
| JMIF server (Java Machine Interface) | Not sold or supported by CRIBWISE | Installed and configured by Kardex or its reseller |
| SFI and the connection to JMIF | Delivered and supported by CRIBWISE | – |
| Network between units, JMIF and SFI | Not part of any CRIBWISE installation service | Customer IT |
| Installation service | Offered for any Kardex storage device, on an hourly rate | Prerequisites must be in place on arrival |
| Ongoing device support | Not included in basic or premium support – a separate yearly add-on per device | Kardex supports JMIF and the unit itself |
How the connection works
Three links have to work for a Kardex unit to be operated from CRIBWISE:
- Kardex storage solution → JMIF server – the JMIF server must reach the physical devices.
- JMIF server → CRIBWISE SFI – JMIF must also be reachable from the PC where the Shop Floor Interface is installed.
- CRIBWISE SFI → Admin Portal in the cloud – the SFI PC needs internet access for its regular synchronisation.
One JMIF server on site manages up to four openings (Megamat and/or Shuttle) by default, so four SFIs can connect to the same JMIF. Extending the JMIF server licence allows more devices.
When Kardex configures the JMIF server, the configuration file (jmif.properties) must be adapted for CRIBWISE. Request that file when you order JMIF.
Important: Setting up the servers and the network is where Kardex integrations usually stall. It requires customer IT with good control over the network, and it is not covered by CRIBWISE installation service or its partners.
Warning: Installing the JMIF server on the CRIBWISE SFI PC is technically possible but not recommended. CRIBWISE support does not support JMIF, and Kardex support struggles to close the SFI and reach JMIF when the SFI is running on top.
Prerequisites
The customer must have a Kardex Megamat or Shuttle lift solution installed on site, with the JMIF server installed and configured by Kardex or its reseller.
When CRIBWISE performs the SFI installation or onboarding, all of the following must be in place before the installer arrives:
- JMIF server installed, with the network open to the SFI computer.
- IP address and port to the JMIF server available – written with a colon between them.
- Opening address for the place where the SFI is installed and will control the Kardex solution – the name of the opening in the Kardex configuration file.
- Number of trays in the Shuttle or Megamat.
- Tray dimensions in millimetres, needed to build the stock location structure in the SFI and for the laser pointer.
- Network access from the SFI computer to the cloud for regular synchronisation with the Admin Portal.
Important: A failed prerequisite that delays or blocks an installation by a CRIBWISE installation partner already on site is invoiced, and a new installation must be ordered.
Limitations
A Kardex solution can be configured with multiple openings on the same storage unit – for example one opening per floor, or a Shuttle with an opening at the front and another at the back of the same lift.
CRIBWISE does not support this. Only one opening per storage unit can be controlled by the CRIBWISE SFI.
Common confusion
| People often think… | But actually… |
| CRIBWISE supplies the Kardex solution. | CRIBWISE sells neither the physical unit nor the JMIF server software. It connects to a JMIF server that Kardex or the customer configures for CRIBWISE. |
| Kardex device support is part of basic or premium support. | It is a separate recurring add-on, charged yearly per device. |
| All openings of a unit can be used from CRIBWISE. | Only one opening per storage unit is supported. |
| The JMIF server can share the SFI PC. | It is possible but not recommended, and it makes support from both sides harder. |
| One JMIF server handles any number of devices. | Four openings by default. More requires an extended JMIF server licence. |
Take action
Prerequisites in place? Create the device and storage device in the Admin Portal – see How to configure storage devices – then check the model-specific settings for Kardex Shuttle XP or Kardex Megamat RS.
Related articles
- How to configure storage devices – create and configure the storage device in the Admin Portal.
- Kardex Shuttle XP – storage device setup – settings, module and location structure for the Shuttle XP.
- Kardex Megamat RS – storage device setup – settings, module and location structure for the Megamat RS.
- How to use lift machines (Kardex, Modula, Hänel) – daily picking and restocking on a lift.
- How to create and manage devices – the device that the storage device belongs to.