Planning Your Warehouse Layout

The first step to designing an effective warehouse layout is clearly outlining the objectives. These objectives must be in sync with the overall supply chain strategy of the company. The two major considerations that should form the base while defining warehouse objectives are customer satisfaction and cost effectiveness. These objectives also need to be efficiency-centric, which means that they should help to make maximum possible utilization of the available space, attain optimal efficiency with the available resources, and accommodate enough scope for future expansion.

Once the objectives of the warehouse are laid down, the next thing that needs to be done is gathering all the necessary details about the warehouse. This includes referring to architectural drawings of the warehouse, with an aim of enlisting all details that might affect material handling and storage in any way. You might consider using a 3D design simulation tool to get a clear picture of what to expect from your warehouse layout. Before planning the layout, it is very important to have a clear picture of height restrictions, doorways, columns, storage racks, docks, etc. In addition to these design specifications, the external factors that are likely to affect shipment, receiving, etc., must also be carefully noted.

With the analysis of details completed, the warehouse plan should not be carefully created, highlighting the major changes that need to be brought about, and breaking them down into smaller tasks. Based on the availability of contractors to execute the plan, a time limit during which the layout is to be implemented should be decided. Ideally, the warehouse layout should be worked upon at a time when there is no additional movement of materials, such as on a weekend, or after the plant is shutdown. If the regular working of the warehouse must be carried out simultaneously, additional warehouse resources might need to be employed.

Once the plan is implemented, it is important to incorporate all changes that have been made into the warehouse management system, so as to facilitate easy location of all products when needed. It is also a good idea to carry out a physical inventory of the warehouse after the implementation of the warehouse plan, to make sure that the system accurately depicts the current warehouse.  Be sure to conduct regular post-implementation checks and follow-ups, to make sure that the warehouse is being operated as per the devised plan, and that there are no operational problems being caused by the new layout.

McLane Logistics Technology provides customized warehouse management software system for businesses to effectively control their warehouse processes. To know more about the services provided, visit them at 4001 Central Ponte, Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call at 1-800-989-7568.

Tips To Avoid Warehousing Mistakes

The smallest mistakes in your warehouse management plan can cost you more heavily than you can imagine. If we had to point the single biggest mistake that you can make in managing the warehousing and logistics of your company, it would have to be not hiring a professional to guide you on the latest developments in logistics. Relying on guesswork or on past experiences will not suffice, especially considering the dynamic advancements being made in warehouse management technologies. 

A major faux pas committed by small businesses is overlooking the need to effectively streamline the inventory, and identify fast-moving products from slow-moving ones. If your inventory is overstuffed with products that have been lying for a long time, and are not expected to move anytime soon, you are losing on valuable space and need to take action immediately. Using upgraded technology to identify the goods that are taking up space can help you to boost the efficiency of your inventory up to 99%.

If you are still among those companies that are relying on paper records to document various stages of the warehouse management process, it’s high time you made a switch to digital data. Replacing humans with machines will not just help you to cut down on labor costs and work force management, but will also boost the efficiency of your warehouse by several notches. You can track processes as they take place in real time, and can instantly tally data to identify any loopholes in your strategy.

Considering that transport and material handling figure among the top costs of the complete warehouse management system, you need to make an effort to cut down on these costs. The easiest way to do this is to ensure that the central warehouse and distribution center is as close to your main stores as possible. For this, it is important for the warehouse distribution center to have multiple locations, which shall translate into shorter shipping distances, and hence lower transportation costs.

Finally, not having sufficient inventory space can be detrimental to the growth of your business. This can happen due to the storage space being taken up by seasonal items, or due to the need for sudden expansion. In any case, a warehouse management company that is equipped with sufficient space resources to meet your needs will be an asset to your company. Even if you do not plan to expand any time in the future, this is a factor that you should consider right from the word- go.

For more tips contact McLane Logistics Technology. It is renowned to provide customized Warehouse Management Software solutions to various large as well as medium business firms. For more details visit them at 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call at 1-800-989-7568.

Warehouse Management System - WMS For AX

Planning Your Warehouse Layout

Planning a layout for your warehouse is a task that requires skillful planning. A lot has to be kept in mind when chalking out a warehouse layout. The final layout has to conform to accepted warehouse standards. One must adhere to the local fire code and the working areas should be kept clear. The design of the warehouse is also very important as it will determine the success or failure of the warehouse. A warehouse may be a company’s largest capital investment. While deciding its layout, one must be very clear about the goals and objectives to be achieved by the warehouse. The layout should be such that will help in minimizing the overall costs and maximizing the productivity.

The steps involved in planning the layout are:

• Collect all the necessary information that may be relevant to this project.
• Conduct interviews with the staff dedicated to major functional areas.
• While designing the layout, ensure that there should be no building constraints.
• Collect relevant product information pertaining to the stock and their dimensional measurements, weights and order history.
• Next create a project plan including the major projects to be undertaken, the resources needed and the time required for implementation.
• Follow the implementation of the plan. This is when the layout is converted into reality. The delivery of the products is coordinated so as to arrive at the right time on completion of the project.
• The last and most crucial step is to schedule a close out meeting. This includes a discussion with the implementation team as to whether the final layout was implemented as planned. It’s an important step for future project planning.

While sizing the warehouse, size it from the inside. This will ensure that all the space is used and you are not paying for unused space. Your space requirements depend on the forecasts, previous usage patterns and projected changes. You have to consider short and long range sizing of the racks, shelves, automated systems, docks, staging, offices and support. Also keep in mind the workflow requirements.

The warehouse should be planned in such a way that there is minimal product handling and minimal resource requirements while moving the products to the consumer. Check on your warehouse layout on a regular basis. This will prevent work related injuries, product losses and decreased efficiency. A warehouse layout that works for your business will definitely contribute to your success.

For more information about warehouse layout, designing and management, visit McLane Logistics Technology, located at 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504. You can also call them at 1-800-989-7568.

Warehouse Management System - WMS For AX

Elements Of Warehouse Management System

A warehouse management system is a group of computer programs which are designed to help a distributor perform warehouse operations efficiently with few errors. It is the key element in a supply chain which makes it much easier to control processes such as shipping, reception, storage, movement and picking of goods. The goal of a warehouse management system is to provide the management with the information it needs to effectively control the movement of materials within a warehouse.

Warehouse management solutions are designed to merge computer hardware, software and peripheral equipment for managing the inventory, space, labor and capital equipment in warehouses and distribution centers. Implementing warehouse management solutions goes a long way in reducing the labor costs, improving customer services and increasing the inventory accuracy. It enables a company to manage inventory in real time and lets the company have the latest information like the current order, shipment, receipt or any movement in between.

There are two key elements of an efficient warehouse management system. The first one is that the warehouse employees use portable computer terminals to record work performed in real time. Any activity performed by an operator is recorded by a computer immediately. One can easily do away with writing the information on a paper or recording it in a computer later. A portable terminal is connected to the host computer. This terminal could be a radio frequency terminal or a device operating over a wireless network. Barcodes are also an important element of warehouse management systems. They reduce the amount of information that has to be entered directly into the terminal. The barcode technology in real time enables the computer to keep track of the work being performed by the operator. It even gives the operator information on the tasks in progress and any errors.

A warehouse management system greatly benefits a company as it provides 99% inventory accuracy which reduces the need for safety stock. Reduction of safety stock leads to more space in the warehouse and a consequent reduction in the inventory holding cost. This increases the inventory turnover and utilization of working capital. There is also a significant reduction in the paperwork which ensures timely and accurate flow of inventory and information. The dependency on warehouse personnel is also minimized and this reduces the training costs and rate of errors. When all processes from order to delivery are streamlined, customer services are enhanced as companies can easily determine the product availability and delivery dates.

To know more about Warehouse Management, visit McLane Logistics Technology, 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call them at 1-800-989-7568.

Warehouse Management System - WMS For AX

Warehouse Management For Small Business

Warehouse management brings together inventory control with the advanced IT methodologies, which makes it an indispensable part of logistics. The basic role of a warehouse manager is to ensure that every step and procedure within the warehouse, right from the storage of materials to their movement, is taken care of with precision and expertise. The entire process involved needs to be systemized and documented, which would be impossible to do without a computerized based system dedicated to the purpose.

By using the services of a warehouse management company, small businesses can benefit greatly, as it saves them the hassle of having to monitor the movements of products within the warehouse on their own. The physical warehouse infrastructure, despite being the backbone of any warehouse management system, is the mere basic requirement, with a lot more going into the entire process. This includes tracking systems, handling of material, and the establishment of an efficient communication line between different product stations.

The three basic stages involved in warehouse management are receipt, storage and movement, each of which is equally important in the overall process. The process begins with the supervision, pickup and recording of deliveries to the warehouse. It also includes loading and unloading of materials, as well as inventory control, which is amongst the most essential aspects of warehouse management. Mathematical principles are applied at various stages of the process, to adjust inventory levels, which helps in the effective filling, as well as tracking of different items.

Warehouse management for small business enterprises helps in developing strategies for product placement, by giving a clear insight into the measurements of demand as well as supply. The end result is enhanced logistics efficiency, which helps at each stage of the item life cycle. Warehouse management also helps in determining the best places for storage, depending on whether the products are slow-moving or fast-moving, and also taking into account other factors like whether the product is a risky one.

With a warehouse management system in place for your small business, you shall be able to streamline orders with the help of reorder points created on the basis of average lead time and other aspects like the previous history of demand and supply on a particular product, as well as seasonal surges and dips in demand. The end result will be flawless tracking of items, without any effort whatsoever on your part!

McLane Logistics Technology provides customized Warehouse Management Software solutions to various large as well as medium business firms. For more details visit McLane Logistics Technology, 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call at 1-800-989-7568.

Warehouse Management System - WMS For AX

What Is The Need For Distribution Management In Business?

About DMS
Distribution management systems, popularly known as DMS, are the software applications that are used for managing the business activities. It includes sales order processing, purchasing, inventory management and also financial accounting. DMS software application has its roots in distribution, which provides higher degree of functionality, specific to the needs of distribution companies.

Benefits of DMS
DMS software application caters to the needs of different specific businesses, providing more efficiency and reliability. Each business industry has certain functional requirements that are precisely based upon the products, moved in by the industry in the market. Some of the benefits of DMS software are:

• Improve electronic collaboration with the trading partner.
• Manage complex tasks with ease.
• Computerized control.
• Effective communication.
• Improving efficiency and reliability.
• Task scheduling.
• Project management.
• Automate information flow processes.
• Data flow management.

Need for DMS in Business
The need for DMS application has been felt due to the business requirements of the distribution centric companies. These requirements are so precise and specific that it becomes necessary for DMS software to counter the challenges faced by the business, due to the market verticals and competition to other businesses. Some of the distribution centric industries which immensely need the DMS software application are:  

• Automotive industry. The distributors in this industry require the DMS system which enables them to identify the make/model/ year of the specific products.  
• Apparel industry. The customer places order for apparels in the matrix of color/ style/ size and thus, this industry needs a DMS which can cater to its requirements.
• Health care industry. The real requirement of this industry deals with the unique serial number tracking of individual shipping entities, throughout the supply chain, as the companies handle millions of shipments daily.
• Food manufacturers and distributors. The product specific code date is the most important requirement for this industry, as the inventory should never be shipped to the customer once it reaches the specific age. Thus it needs a DMS which caters to the complicated needs and requirements of the industry.
• Wholesale distributors. There is a myriad of customer-specific requirements which must be satisfied through an appropriate DMS. The EDI file formats should be developed and maintained according to their needs.
• Industrial distributors. They have a massive catalogs of products and one of the fundamental business requirement for them includes the value added services, which creates adequate competitive differentiation. Thus, they need a DMS to compile to their needs.
• Retailers. The retailers need a DMS which can cater to the complex storage of orders and inventory management, which should be addressed seasonally according to their respective requirements.

DMS software by McLane Logistics Technology
McLane Logistics Technology provides you with “The MDS Enterprise Advantage”, the system which has been designed to fulfill the needs of the grocery and food and beverage vertical markets. MDS Enterprise is a fully integrated, real-time distribution system offering wholesalers and retailers, a complete end-to-end supply chain management solution. It allows you to increase sales, gross margins, and profitability and also reduces the inventory and investment and transportation costs.

WMS for AX - Dynamics AX 2012

Most Common Mistakes In Logistic Management

Logistics management consists of several important elements like proper information inter change between the proper supply chain groups, sound inventory management, transportation, warehousing, packaging, having appropriate installation networks in place, etc. Without these aspects in place, effective and efficient logistics management is not possible. There are several common mistakes that managers can end up making in the process of logistics management. Some of them have been listed below:

• The first mistake is trying to proceed with this important process without formulating concrete goals. If there is no planning and no goals have been set, it may result in a state where the employees do not see any task as challenging. They are likely to be satisfied with their current performance levels and cannot move forward to work to the best of their abilities. Setting up of goals in clear and concise terms can help your workers attain them effectively thus leading to better logistics management as well as business success.

• Another problem that may arise is the failure to delegate certain tasks to employees who work below you in the organizational hierarchy. Attaining the goals associated with logistics management usually comprises of team work that is only possible when employees at all level get a chance to prove themselves. Everyone needs to be involved in the process in their own capacities that should be decided by the manager responsible for logistics management. Moreover, delegating certain tasks to other people is likely to leave you with more time to apply your creative abilities in coming up with new ways of doing things or solving existing problems.

• Another important aspect the absence of which may result in a failure of the logistics process is a failure to communicate with the employees during all the steps. There needs to be proper information exchange between the managers and the employees so that effective control can be exercised on all activities related to supply chain management. It becomes all the more important to keep all communication channels open with your employees when you wish to implement certain necessary changes in the process logistics management.

• Not utilizing full-fledged software for managing logistics. For big organizations, you cannot rely on manual processes to manage logistics. There are many elements that are part of logistics management and manual procedures can prove to be ineffective and troublesome.

McLane Logistics Technology provides complete Logistic Management solutions for businesses to effectively manage their business operations.

WMS for AX - Dynamics AX 2012