Challenges in Warehouse Management
02 March 2023
Warehouses
can be tough environments to work in, with many intricate moving parts and
several processes working together. These complications present challenges within
the operational management of the warehouses that their workforce face,
including wasting time and money on inaccurate inventory and outdated
processes.
With
technology such as warehouse management systems (WMS) and rugged devices
becoming more advanced, it’s possible to overcome these challenges to
streamline operations. In this blog, we discuss challenges in the warehouse
environment and how to beat them.
Low traceability
Before introducing technology, there was sometimes a lack of
understanding surrounding the supply chain and the exact route from raw
materials to customer delivery. The manual process to record each step and
obtain the relevant data was inconvenient and lengthy, making some of the
supply chain untraceable. This resulted in some loss of control over the goods
and the continuity of the stock.
Software, apps, tools and devices allow for connectivity and
traceability throughout the supply chain, including inside a warehouse
environment. Integrating technology, such as warehouse management systems and
rugged devices, can make the order fulfilment process more transparent,
traceable and easier to follow for all involved.
To note, a warehouse management system, or a WMS, is a software
or set of processes that allow businesses to organise and manage their
warehouse or distribution centre operations efficiently from the moment goods
enter the premise to when they leave. Alongside this, a rugged device is a
computerised device connected to your core system to capture process data. Whatsmore,
rugged devices are also specifically built to withstand harsh environments and
drops without being damaged, ensuring they are both reliable and durable. A WMS and rugged device,
therefore, allows for better traceability throughout your warehouse as they
work in tandem to better tracks the process and ensure all goods go where
they’re supposed to.
Inaccurate stock
Inaccurate
stock and inventory management can cause multiple problems including improper
stock levels, inaccurate information and obsolete inventory building up. In
addition, the manual process of updating stock levels can lead to lower work
productivity, increased expenses on time and inventory, and an overall loss of
revenue.
In these
suboptimal conditions, time and money can be wasted. Incorporating rugged
devices, such as TouchStar’s, enables immediate efficiency and accuracy
benefits as our devices integrate directly into your core systems. In addition,
barcode scanners help ensure precise data capture through scanning products and
this information is also sent directly into the system providing real time
operational visibility. Errors associated with manual processes are removed
with specific product information reliability saved and double data entry
prevented.
Outdated processes
Warehouses manage multiple workflows and several operations
at the same time, often operating at capacity. Within this, there are potentially
unnecessary steps or processes such as reprocessing and needless product
handling which can be time-consuming and increase staff time and labour costs.
By removing these unnecessary tasks, whether through
automation or barcode scanners, you can streamline processes and become more
agile. Overall, staying up-to-date with evolving software to reduce outdated
processes will help enhance the end user experience i.e. ensuring accurate
fulfilments of orders with the integration of real time scanning. . It will
also help increase your profit margins and income which will better support
your business and its growth moving forward.
Poor quality control
Any busy
warehouse can have hundreds of orders passing through every day and, therefore,
quality control can sometimes take a blow. There can be a lot of pressure on
workers to fulfil orders quickly which can lead customers to receive incorrect
products and not look to repeat their business. This issue became a particular
concern for e-commerce businesses during the pandemic as warehouses were trying
to keep up with customer demand, with fewer staff available.
Rugged
devices and barcode scanners can help with this. By providing real-time
instructions from the WMS to the rugged handset, your workforce will be
directed to the correct location and will only be able to scan the specific
product, therefore increasing efficiency. This will also help with quality
control and ensure customers receive what they ordered promptly.
Poor warehouse layout and
lack of space
Ensuring efficient use of space in a warehouse is critical
to success, and inadequate planning and storage are often caused by a poor
facility layout. Many problems can be caused by not having enough space to keep
goods: the accumulating goods can potentially cause accidents at work, loss of
productivity as it takes time to locate the goods and the products getting
damaged by being incorrectly stored.
To make the most of a warehouse and its available floor
space, proper design plans need to be considered, including storage systems,
selection routes and the layout of the shelves and other storage facilities. A
WMS is ideal for ensuring the efficient design of your warehouse as it can
provide data such as where products for picking should be positioned based on
popularity and how long order fulfilment takes. This data can then be analysed
and recommendations made based on layout and storage allocation to streamline
operations.
How we can help
At TouchStar, we have been working in rugged mobile
computers for the warehousing industry for over 30 years, including rugged
handhelds, truck mounts, and barcode scanners. We have a wide range of
high-performance products that seamlessly integrate with your existing systems
to increase inventory accuracy, streamline operations and reduce costs within
your warehouse. Get in touch today to find out more.