May 17, 2023
Do you know that having access to one-day delivery would make 69% of consumers more likely to buy products online? Moreover, about 80% of customers are willing to pay extra for same-day delivery services. However, 77% of warehouses require assistance in achieving their same-day shipping objectives. Enhancing supply chain speed, accuracy, and efficiency is a top priority, and 80% of decision-makers acknowledge that labour optimisation is key to achieving these objectives.
By implementing a smart warehouse management system, you can maximise operational efficiency, meet dynamic customer expectations, and stay competitive. You can have smartphone-based inventory management at your disposal.
While smartphone apps can offer several benefits, they also require resources to operate. For any phone app to work stably, the smartphone must have enough memory and RAM. You can clear memory using Cleaner, here is the link to the App Store. You need to run a search and select unnecessary files from those that it finds. To free up RAM, just close background processes.
You gain real-time visibility into warehouse operations. You can actively monitor inventory levels, track goods in transit, and instantly identify slow-moving items. This real-time data helps you maintain optimal inventory levels, preventing overstocking or understocking situations.
They eliminate the need for manual data entry, saving you time and reducing the likelihood of errors. You can use these apps to scan barcodes, update inventory records, and even generate reports, all from your mobile device. This not only speeds up the process but also allows for more accurate inventory tracking.
As your business grows, you can easily upgrade your app to handle more data and users. This flexibility makes mobile inventory management apps a sustainable solution for businesses of all sizes.
You can enhance your picking processes by utilising various tools, such as voice-automated order picking, robotic order picking, and pick-to-light. Automated picking tools are renowned for their ability to reduce picking time. For instance, pick-to-light solutions aid workers in locating goods swiftly. First, you scan the barcode attached to the transport box. Then, the system illuminates the path, guiding you to the specified storage location. Once you retrieve the required products and load them into the container, simply press the confirm picking button.
Another example of smart warehouse technology is voice-picking. These tools direct warehouse operators to the designated areas and provide them with picking tasks. Each manager carries a headset with a microphone, a mobile device, and, in some cases, a barcode scanner.
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) are systems controlled by software that automatically place and retrieve stock within your warehouse with accuracy and speed. These systems increase your throughput, minimise waste, and can be used for various warehouse activities like knitting, order picking, storage, assembly, and production.
For example, Unit Load AS/RS Systems are machines that are 100 feet tall and store and retrieve large loads weighing over a thousand pounds. Vertical lift modules consist of a column of trays with an automatic insert or extractor to retrieve items stacked vertically.
Why should you use RFID for stock management? RFID helps you arrange and manage stocks efficiently. It uses radio waves to transmit data between digital tags and an automated scanning system, recording the information of goods. The process is fast and accurate as tags can be read at a distance, eliminating the need to bring scanners to the packages.
To obtain a smart warehouse management system that is focused on warehouses and flexible, you need to integrate it with your own Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. When talking about integrating ERP and WMS, it's important to note that they operate on different platforms and have different functions. However, both systems work together to ensure a seamless flow of information.
Therefore, ERP surpasses WMS in these types of activities. However, when it comes to tasks like product receiving and order shipping, WMS plays a leading role by informing ERP and updating stock data. Hence, WMS is not an ERP module but rather software designed specifically for warehouse operations.
You need a reliable warehouse management system (WMS) as the foundation for implementing your innovative technology. The WMS optimises daily operations in your warehouse, providing a centralised location for managing tasks such as receiving goods, organising inventory, selecting picking routes, and more. Smart WMS solutions automate stock rotation, picking processes, and efficient positioning of goods in receiving, assembly, packing, and dispatch areas. Furthermore, these solutions collect real-time data, generate custom reports, and enable dynamic data analysis.
A smartphone is a compact computer that can manage inventory with you. There are enough applications that control the receipt of goods, systematise data and allow you to plan deliveries. Does this mean you should give up other kinds of tools? No, but it would be smart to complement your existing software with mobile apps.
