One of the fundamental elements of a smoothly-running business is efficient warehouse logistics and management. A poorly-run warehouse can cause delays and impediments in shipping and receiving, adversely impacting business operations overall.
Several key components are essential to ensuring that warehouse logistics remain streamlined and productive.
DO Keep on Top of Supply Chain Management
Supply chain problems can bleed over into warehouse logistics. Too much inventory, too little inventory, unpredictable receiving times – all of these can cause problems with scheduling and organization in your warehouse.
Practice responsible supply chain communication to ensure the least disruption possible to your warehouse operations.
DO Organize for Efficiency and Expediency
Poor warehouse layout and organization can end up costing significantly in terms of time and efficiency, especially if your warehouse is large. Employees who have to run from one end to the other multiple times per day could be using those minutes for other, more useful purposes.
Insufficient labeling and identification of products can also waste valuable time. Workers will have to spend a significant amount of their day hunting for products if it isn’t known exactly where those products are located and stored.
Maximizing your warehouse’s layout for optimal efficiency and expediency will ultimately prove to be enormous savings in terms of time and money.
DO Utilize New Technology
It’s important to stay abreast of new technological advances in warehouse logistics and supply chain management. The advent of computerized inventory systems as well as stock-keeping unit (SKU) and radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags revolutionized inventory tracking systems and proved to be significantly more efficient than manual tracking systems subject to human error.
For example, in terms of supply chain software, CloudLogix’s supply chain management platform has simplified the supply chain by helping companies centralize supply chain data and communication, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions in real-time.
Don’t fall into the trap of complacency, assuming that your current system for managing your warehouse logistics is sufficient. There may be new technology that could further improve your systems and the efficiency of your warehouse management.
DON’T Hoard Excess Inventory
In these days of supply chain change and disruption, it may be tempting to keep large amounts of inventory on hand.
However, this can prevent you from efficiently organizing your warehouse, especially if you do not have ample space to store extra items. More inventory than available storage can be both a safety and a fire hazard.
In addition, it can tie up your cash flow by preventing you from purchasing other inventory that may be in higher demand. Having excess inventory is even more of a problem if the items in question are perishable and have an expiration date, as you may end up needing to cut your losses and dispose of the items, representing both a loss of profit as well as new disposal expenses.
DON’T Neglect Training and Development
Just as it’s important to keep abreast of the latest technological advances in warehouse logistics, it’s equally necessary to expend the time and effort to train your employees on the use of the new technology, as well as ensuring that new employees are brought up to speed in warehouse operations as quickly and expediently as possible. Untutored and untrained workers are less efficient and more prone to error.
Additionally, employees feel valued and recognized when they are given the opportunity to train in different aspects of the company’s functions, which can lead to increased productivity and retention.
DON’T Ignore Routine Maintenance
The age-old proverb “For want of a nail, the kingdom was lost” can also apply to warehouse logistics. If routine maintenance on equipment and systems is ignored or neglected, it can lead to costly breakdowns, delays, and safety concerns.
Your warehouse maintenance manager should have daily, weekly, and monthly checklists for all warehouse equipment and systems, and any safety concerns or equipment issues should be brought to the attention of the appropriate parties immediately. Don’t delay fixing faulty equipment in an attempt to save costs, as safety violations, accidents, or breakdowns could end up costing you more in the long run.
If you’re struggling with warehouse logistics issues and aren’t sure of a solution, we can help with our centralized supply chain software. It can help you manage inventory and ensure that your warehouse is humming like a well-oiled machine. Contact us today to schedule a demo of our CloudLogix platform.
