Boost the Efficiency of Your Business with a Warehouse Management System
In most operations where lots of different types of stock and products are warehoused and dispensed, it is vital to have an effective means to manage the storage, customer orders, incoming stock, and shipping. These processes can be very time-consuming and labour-intensive when done manually. With recent technological developments, warehousing has become a lot easier to manage. Barcoding has been introduced, software has improved, and database technology has grown to the extent that all these processes can be managed with a good warehouse management system. This helps the business to optimise the storage and distribution of stock, and record transactions like intakes and shipping with much greater accuracy. A good warehouse management system also reduces the need for manual labour and makes the business more competitive in the marketplace.
Traditionally, employees were needed in the warehouse to record everything coming in and going out during certain times of day. Often, these processes required a full-time employee (or several) who would monitor these movements during the entire day. Their responsibilities also included ensuring that the goods are stored in the right areas and can be easily located, that product is stored under the correct conditions, that stock is distributed before it becomes obsolete or expired, and that customers receive the correct stock allocations for their orders. These were very labour-intense operations and due to the repetitive nature of these jobs, occasional human error was inevitable, reducing efficiency and accuracy.
What is a warehouse management system?
Modern warehouse management systems provide software solutions that automate many of the processes that would otherwise be done manually. It manages and supports the operational processes required in a warehouse, and accurately manages information and stock. Certain tasks are centralised by the warehouse management system and this makes the management of the whole operation a lot more efficient and error-free.
A warehouse management system introduces a method whereby employees can employ a barcode scanner to record the movement of the stock and move the stock to wherever it needs to go. Usually, the barcodes are read automatically and the compiled shipping lists can be picked and distributed with a conveyor system. The scanned data is then sent to a central computerised system, which monitors the movement of the stock. This way, it is possible to keep tabs on everything going in and out of the warehouse, and the locations the stock is going to, via an automated system. Factors that influence storage, such as expiry dates, storages conditions, and arrival of incoming new stock are also recorded and dealt with accordingly. This means that stock about to expire will be picked first for use or distribution and in this way, loss due to expired stock is avoided.
Today’s warehouse management systems are based on very advanced technologies that can fulfil a number of additional tasks. A warehouse management system can be implemented as an independent or isolated system, or it can form part of a comprehensive software solution that support a whole range of additional functionalities spread across other departments of the business. This makes the warehouse management solution scalable across the business, and the system can grow alongside the business to meet its evolving needs.
There are other hardware and software systems that make the work of a warehouse management system even easier, such as an electronic shelf labelling system that can detect and manage things that would normally be difficult to manage manually, such as price changes. This is particularly effective in large warehouses where products and prices tend to change on a regular basis when specials or promotional offers are introduced as part of a marketing strategy or to boost sales. All the information gathered by the warehouse management system also enables the company to get a clearer picture of the overall management and performance of the business when used as part of an ERP solution.
If you need to boost your productivity, minimise waste, and increase the earning potential of your warehouse, it is well worth it to invest in a good warehouse management system. Lupus Consulting can help with this! We have a team of experts that specialises in helping businesses compile and implement the best warehouse management solutions for their particular business needs. No matter how great or small, we can find the right system for you to boost your warehouse’s effectiveness.