The tasks and practices involved in running a warehouse are referred to as warehouse management. This form of management includes the day-to-day tasks of receiving and organising space, scheduling personnel, keeping on top of inventory, and completing customer or outlet orders. The processes at hand are used in order to boost productivity, save expenses and improve efficiency. This management system is used across the globe and in a wide range of different industries. In every warehouse, you’ll find warehouse management.
Benefits of Warehouse Management
The advantages of efficient warehouse management are endless.
One of the biggest roles that warehouse management plays is the effects it has on successful delivery. Good warehouse management can lead to maximising warehouse space, inventory storage, adequate staffing, fulfilling orders, and communication between providers and transportation companies.
The advantages of efficient warehouse management are endless and offer similar benefits no matter the industry. These management techniques can lead to great feedback from customers, high work satisfaction, organisation and an overall well-run warehouse.
Warehouse Management Processes
No matter what the goods are, these processes help to create successful warehouse management.
Whilst each business and industry will have its own way of running things, there are six main procedures which make up warehouse management. No matter what the goods are, these processes help to create successful warehouse management and are the way in which a warehouse operates.
Receiving: Retrieving goods from suppliers and keeping track of the products that arrive. Information such as the stock amount and the condition of goods is recorded at this stage.
Put-away: Moving items from the receiving dock to their designated storage areas in the warehouse.
Storage: Store and organise inventory so that it may be picked quickly and located easily.
Picking: Collect the products required to complete customer orders.
Packing: Preparing goods ready for dispatch. All items must be wrapped in the appropriate packaging and accompanied by an address slip.
Shipping: Send out the finished orders and send them off with the correct vehicle and courier.
What Is a Warehouse Management System?
A warehouse management system (WMS) is a software solution created to make warehouse management easy sailing.
A warehouse management system (WMS) is a software solution created to make warehouse management easy sailing. These systems are primarily used to assist and optimise each element of warehouse management and provide sufficient support to each stage.
Warehouse management systems can help with elements such as :
- Establish daily operational plans and sales
- Record inventory location and quantity
- Share data including transportation management systems and accounting software
- Monitor and report productivity
- Provide step-by-step instructions for tasks such as receiving, selecting, and packaging
- Updating customers
Benefits of a Warehouse Management System
Advanced techniques are now being used throughout warehouses to help build a successful business.
Although the two come hand in hand, warehouse management and warehouse management systems provide different advantages to both the company and customers. Thanks to innovative developments in technology, advanced techniques are now being used throughout warehouses to help build a successful business.
Here are the 6 key benefits of a warehouse management system:
Improved customer service:
Through streamlining processes, starting from order to delivery, product availability can be recorded, delivery dates can be predicted and customer complaints are kept at a minimum. These systems enable customers to know exactly what stage their products are at and communication is improved.
Faster inventory turnover:
Having a WMS in place, can help to reduce lead times and the need for safety stock.
Warehouse personnel:
A WMS works by standardising inventory movements, including picking methods and inventory locations. This results in limiting error and reducing training costs. It can also help to optimise stock-flow via an automated system.
Improved stock control:
A warehouse management system allows you to specifically locate goods in a matter of seconds. Using a portal also allows businesses to view product information such as stock amounts and orders.
Warehouse space:
Having enough storage space is pivotal in any warehouse. Correctly organising a warehouse can maximise the number of products stored and utilise the area provided. A warehouse management system is then used to locate items in line with sell-by dates, receiving, assembly, packing and shipping times.
Labour productivity
To help increase efficiency, it’s important to invest in modern systems and techniques. A slow and unproductive warehousing operation can be caused by a number of issues such as outdated processes and lack of staff motivation, having these systems available offers a business a reliable and constant process.
About the author:
Stacey O’Neill, Director, Nationwide Same Day Courier Service
Stacey had been leading the Nationwide Courier team for years and over that time she’s developed a service that many can’t live without. Whether it's an emergency, you have a supply chain interruption or you’re in need of materials quickly, same-day courier services like Nationwide can help.
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