With technological advances being integrated into multiple facilities globally, warehousing and inventory management systems are booming. A manager must be willing to learn new programs and skills that come along with the technological advances introduced. Warehouse Managers are responsible for managing the inbound and outbound of inventory in a safe and efficient manner. Often, the warehouse and logistics around it are the backbones of an organization. It is vital that a Warehouse Manager follows these five best practices to ensure that the quality and efficiency of the warehouse remains high. Read through these best practices and learn some of the ways that the latest advancements in technology are improving a manager’s ability to act them out.
Technology is now getting smarter, machinery like AGVs and ASRS can be connected to give managers insights of their warehouse and make jobs more efficient. So, the fact that 67% of warehouses plan to use mobile devices to manage inventory shouldn’t be surprising (source). Many warehouse managers see the value of this machinery, but may be slow to implement due to costs. Increased turnover and operational efficiency can outweigh the initial costs. Mobile robotics enabled with wireless connectivity shorten logistical processes and drive higher inventory turnover. Warehouse managers have instant access to more metrics than ever before, thanks to the wide use of automation and cloud-based software. It is important to begin your machinery journey step by step before falling behind. Maintenance personnel using remote access can troubleshoot and capture diagnostics from automated equipment. Cloud-based services that manage the connectivity reduce the need for expensive infrastructure needed to integrate into existing networks. Learn how to maximize the data availability in AGVs in this short on demand webinar here.
Performing cycle counts is an important way to ensure that products remain at a high quality and to protect against product loss. It is vital as a Warehouse Manager to have knowledge of the inventory and be accountable for everything in the warehouse. The number of companies without a robust inventory management system in place is shocking. For example, 46% of Small and Midsize Businesses either don’t track inventory or use a manual method (source). This creates a competitive advantage for the companies that choose to implement these systems. On example of how to improve your tracking is with RFID tagging, they can make this job more manageable and at your fingertips. RFID tagging allow users to see when inventory needs to be replenished, if anything is damaged or missing instantly. This helps reduces downtime, errors, and utilization of the equipment.
If inventory is not processed correctly and must be pulled from the shelves, or returned, this can cause stress and losses for a company. It is an important job for a Warehouse Manager to ensure that they are compliant with chain-of-custody regulations, especially for sensitive cargo. Facilities that are fully integrated allow products to be tracked and reviewed to ensure 100% trust.
Proper calculation is very important for a warehouse manager. By pulling data from machines, these managers can make easier and faster decisions with full visibility. For example, if a warehouse is designed to deliver 2,000 order boxes per hour, but a warehouse manager discovers that they are under performing they can make adjusts. IIoT edge gateways increase visualization of automated warehouses, as information can be presented transparently across multiple platforms. Data from automated equipment can be more effectively adapted to information models. Learn more about remote data and the possibilities here: Remote Data
It’s the jobs of a good warehouse manager to keep their people safe and well trained. By providing informative training that is specific and fully outlines, helps the people on the warehouse floor stay safe and able. We can now add wireless solutions to help people control the machinery without being put at risk. Wireless solutions such as the Anybus Bolt and Bridge can provide full coverage so that you can access all of your devices from a safe distance. This can protect against common warehouse accidents such as machine malfunction, falls, and arc flash. The simplest way to reduce the number of safety incidents is to reduce the number of people who physically interact with equipment or work in active production areas. Wireless products help to add distance between staff and the machinery they work with.
Shipping and receiving is one of the largest portions of the job. The goal of any warehouse it to have a steady stream of circular motion that spirals material in and out at a predictable, steady, and most of all, quick rate. Once the proper metrics are compiled, it is possible to know whether the receiving time is, in fact, dragging down the numbers. These systems are a much better alternative to a manual system as they increase accuracy and speed. Facilitating integration between systems enables a more seamless supply chain. It allows a streamlined process between warehouse operations and logistics providers, so they can be better aware of any issues and communicate. Simple to use edge gateways combined with platform independent applications allow for manual processes to become automated, enabling faster inventory turnover and delivery at lower costs.
As the internet begins to change how companies plan, it is the job of every good Warehouse Manager to be aware of this technology and learn if it is a good fit for the warehouse and the companies needs. As roles evolve it is important for a Warehouse manager to evolve as well and to accept new ways of doing business..
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