Warehouses are crucial to running product based businesses. They are the guts of the operation. They house products, act as shipping points, and ensure that customers get what they ordered. With all the moving parts and pieces in a warehouse, there are plenty of ways to lose efficiency and get things wrong. That means that warehouses need practical solutions for right now, and options to look to in the future. Here are some best practices that help create efficiencies in warehouses to help them stay accurate and effective.
Pay Attention to the Machines
Machines can multiply human effort in significant ways. From machines that pick products from high places, to conveyor belts, and even basic forklifts, great warehouses rely on machines to get the job done. One of the ways businesses can fall behind is by neglecting regular maintenance.
While it may seem like an inconvenience, doing regular lift truck maintenance, tending to all the different conveyor belts, and even setting aside regular times to check on your other machines can save you from major problems. A broken machine will be out of service far longer than a maintained machine. Maintenance can find worn out belts, increase the amount of use out of a part, and more. You can then pre order parts that look like they are going bad so you can have them on hand the moment it needs to be replaced.
Manage Your Inventory With Ease
Modern warehouses that manage thousands of pieces of inventory or more need efficient systems to track everything. That’s why the best companies rely on powerful inventory management solutions to get accurate counts of on hand stock, track costs, and even handle returns getting into the system the right way every single time.
Having too many apps that are all disconnected can create challenges in your inventory management processes. When you use a single connected product, especially ones that sync online, you can track your stock from anywhere. This helps you track products, prevent overstocking, and even be more proactive with your approach. A great inventory tool will also help you notice patterns and bottlenecks that might be creating problems in your business.
Rethink the Layout
Where things are located in your warehouse can impact your efficiency and accuracy. So before you go getting a new robot or other high tech solution, consider if your layout is creating unnecessary challenges. Think about areas where there are traffic jams, bottlenecks, or even if common items are placed too far away.
Reorganizing your warehouse takes some strategic thinking, but it’s far more effective than just throwing more machines at the problem. The pace of business can change over the years and your customer buying habits can shift. If your warehouse layout hasn’t changed with it, you could be losing a lot of time and efficiency. By making some adjustments including shelf heights and lane widths, you could mitigate many of the challenges that are hurting your effectiveness.
Automate Wisely
Some businesses think that automation is the solution to every single problem. But in a warehouse focused business, automation should be a partner to human effort and ingenuity. Good automation allows people to focus on more complex tasks, and tasks that need some human touch. Automating things like labeling and sorting can be just what you need, especially if thousands of orders are going out daily.
There are great tools out there like AI driven software solutions that track inventory demands in real time and also conveyor belts that can sort your products more easily. For high traffic warehouses, these tools can be a tremendous help to the people who work there. It’s important to look at automation as a way to reduce repetitive tasks and not as a vehicle to replace all the people.
Train Staff and Consider Futuristic Smart Technology
A well trained workforce is a huge asset in the warehouse world. Staff members who know their roles, how to use the machines, safety protocols, and tools required for their job, and continue to receive training are better equipped to handle challenges. Training staff should not be rushed. It should be methodical and use just the right approach.
Warehouses can now use many different tools for training including augmented reality, and other virtual training tools to ensure safety on the job. Plus, with futuristic technology like robots that can lift hundreds of pounds, and AR pickers that help employees locate the right products more quickly, modern warehouses can learn to survive and thrive in the future.
Maintaining an effective, efficient, and accurate warehouse takes a blend of good staff training, excellent use of technology, and an eye for the future. Businesses that want to excel can leverage these tips to keep their product warehouses running smoothly now and in the future.
