Warehouse managers are under constant pressure to cut costs without compromising quality of service. Technologies such as automation, robotics and software have contributed to the evolution of warehouses with the promise of greater efficiency and effectiveness. However, the sheer diversity of warehouse operations globally has made the effective use of technology challenging. Managers understand that warehouse operations are about tradeoffs such as cost versus service, speed versus accuracy, efficiency versus responsiveness, or volume buying versus storage cost and availability. Various processes within the warehouse provide opportunities to reduce costs through the use of advanced techniques and technology.
A real-time warehouse management system (WMS) is essential to stay competitive. These systems can be standalone or part of an enterprise resource planning system and support modern WMS technology advancements such as automation, RFID, and speech recognition. Real-time systems allow effective control, accurate verification, and efficient data recording. Gwynne Richards, author of ‘Warehouse Management’, says that WMS provide benefits including accurate stock, accurate reporting, automatic replenishment, stock visibility and traceability, remote data visibility, reduction of picking errors, reduction of returns, and better service to the client. Jeroen Van Den Berg, author of ‘Integral Warehouse Management’, says that flexibility is a great advantage that outweighs all other advantages. For example, it is relatively easy to reconfigure the parameters if the business demand process is redesigned from time to time.
Cloud computing has made software as a service (SaaS) affordable for even those with the smallest budgets. Companies can rent warehouse management systems on a monthly basis by subscribing only to the functionality they need. The choice of WMS should be based on key business requirements: important considerations such as improved stock accuracy, the potential for higher productivity and cost savings, better traceability, and better customer and customer service. The decision to buy or rent must also include the return on investment.
Good Warehouse Management System software allows easy control of activities such as warehousing, order picking, replenishment, or other value-added functions. The system makes use of barcodes and wireless technology to capture relevant data about shipments, inventory and the warehouse itself to automate functions in the warehouse. It must also have radio connection to radio frequency (RF) terminals to display commands, and operators can respond by typing a response or scanning a barcode. Another great option would be for you to assign tasks to organize warehouse operations, keep track of products to be shipped or tracked, and remind managers or automated systems to execute them. It should also allow real-time updates on activities in the warehouse and minimize errors when verifying tasks in real time.
References:
Richards, G. (2011). Warehouse management. United States: Kogan Page Ltd.
Van Den Berg, J. (2007). Comprehensive Warehouse Management. Netherlands: Management Outlook Publications.