Not knowing where each item is stashed amounts to taking risks in the warehouse. Warehouse location systems keep track of every item, allowing workers to go right to what they need without wasting time or resources. Pickers are guided by the system to the precise product and place that they require. Saving workers from wasteful searches makes productivity skyrocket.
How the System Works
The system groups shelves and pallets into numbered sub-areas. Locations for shipments are predetermined based on factors such as size, how often they need to be accessed, and how long they should be stored. Items are given unique barcodes when delivered. The WMS identifies an ideal slot and tracks the item there with a label. Pickers then use the in-hand displays to navigate directly to the product they need. No struggling to recall specific locations, nor carrying around stacks of reference lists. With demand shifts, the WMS can quickly move fast-selling items closer to the loading dock, allowing for improved throughput in the existing storage space.
Payoffs You Can Measure
Choosing a location system is all about achieving tangible benefits for your business. It is about complex numbers:
- Gaining space without expansion. Intelligent slotting makes the most out of every inch of available space.
- Faster picking. Linear directions reduce walking and conserve energy.
- Fewer mistakes. Errors are flagged at the time they happen, preventing shipments from going out with the wrong inventory.
- Cleaner counts. Constant, accurate information eliminates the risk of missing what is on hand and the frustration of having too much.
- Built-in growth room. Are you preparing to launch a new line of products? The system can easily make space for additional items.
As efficiency increases, order fulfillment time decreases. You can see those improvements in the business’s bottom line.
Getting Everything in Place the Right Way
- Choose a WMS system that is compatible with your scanners and robotics equipment. You must use the same operating platforms across all of your systems.
- Take the time to correctly identify all storage locations the first time around. Clearly labeled item locations reduce the risk of mismatched inventory later on.
- Make sure that your workers understand and use the system properly. Staff should have a brief practice with the barcodes and user interface before starting work on the system.
- Re-slot on a schedule. Review fast movers monthly; Transfer them if demand changes up or down.
- Audit the data. Ongoing cycle counts ensure the WMS continually reflects the actual warehouse setup.
Failing to follow these procedures undermines worker trust and leads staff to continue using tried and tested methods instead.
A Realistic Look at Prices and Possible Issues
Investing in warehouse location software will save you money compared to expanding your building, yet there is still a cost involved. Be prepared for extra tools, software costs, and some hours offline while you implement it. Poor data quality in your warehouse will only lead to increased mistakes when using a location system. Fix the basics first. Make sure to have tech support available at all times after go-live. A technical issue with the scanner creates a delay in the entire day.
The Bottom Line
In the logistics sector, speed, accuracy, and adaptability are essential for success. Supply chain software streamlines operations, replacing a jumble of bays and piles with a streamlined flow of goods. Installing these systems correctly and maintaining consistently accurate data will help you increase your shipping and eliminate the need to build out additional warehouse space.
