Effective Shipping Management For Successful Business

Shipping of products and goods implies the transfer of these goods from one place to the other. Shipping management covers the entire process of transportation of products to the purchaser of these products. The need for an effective shipping management system arises as it has to be made sure that right products reach the right customers and on time.

Shipping of goods can be done in three ways:

• Road ways: Road ways shipping implies the transportation of goods and services via road. It is comparatively cheap for shorter distances.
• Air ways: This form of transportation or shipping is an expensive one and involves the transportation of goods via airplanes. It is generally opted for long distance shipments.
• Through sea: When the goods and products are transported via the sea it is known as sea transportation. This is the cheapest mode of transportation.

An effective shipping management system is required in order to ensure smooth functioning of a business. Proper management, recording and follow ups are required so that the products reach the desired location on time.

A business can be termed a s successful only when all the projects are completed well on time. From manufacturing to shipping, every process has its won significance. Some people believe that manufacturing is the only important process involved in a business plan. However shipping too is as important as manufacturing.

Managing shipping process manually would require a lot of document management and record keeping. At the same time you will have to devise proper channel for timely delivery of products. Commercial transport of multiple goods to be sent at multiple destinations can take place only when we have an efficient shipping management.

McLane Logistics Technology provides effective shipping management software solutions for businesses. For more details contact McLane Logistics Technology, 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call at 1-800-989-7568.

Warehouse Management Systems - Inventory Management Software

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

Vendor Compliance Management with Logistic Software

For all those who wish to run a successful business of manufacturing and supplying their goods, one major aspect that they need to consider is the presence of adequate vendor compliance management. The term vendor compliance refers to the manner in which a consumer wants to obtain products from a seller. These are basically standardized formats in which customers wish to receive the goods. The ways in which business is to be conducted may turn out to be high-cost in some cases. The group of customers or clients that are the biggest consumers of products generally require more time from the vendors so that their demands are adequately met.

Another major element that needs to be considered in the process of vendor compliance management is that of shipping logistics. This is because the method in which a shipment of a product is received is directly related to the way in which customers receive goods from vendors. The requirements of packaging, labeling, etc. all need to be taken into account during the process of shipping. Shipping methods that are cheap as well as efficient and effective are usually the preferred means for most vendors. In case there is an absence of the shipping logistics function during the process of compliance management, the customer may not be satisfied with the way in which the products are delivered to him and may choose to switch to another vendor. This can be disastrous for the manufacturing concern especially if the client is one who consumes a vast quantity of goods on a regular basis.
Usually, when a customer chooses an alternative source of obtaining the same goods, he is likely to find another suitable seller forming a part of the same industry. If the consumer doing so is one of the biggest consumers of the company, there can be a rapid decline in terms of the market edge earlier enjoyed by the vendor who has been dropped. In order to ensure that such problems do not occur, it is necessary for a business concern to employ a suitable logistics department to oversee all shipment related tasks in a manner acceptable to customers.
McLane Logistics Technology provide complete logistics management solutions. Contact them at 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504. or call at 1-800-989-7568.

Dynamics AX 2012 - Warehouse Management System

Know About Physical Inventory Tracking

Physical inventory tracking systems are vital for all companies and distributors who wish to keep a proper record and exercise control over their inventory. Keeping an accurate track of the inventory is required in order to organize the proper management of stock levels and to predict future demand trends pertaining to a particular product. It can also be used to pinpoint the exact location of a certain item in the distribution process thus helping fix responsibility to distribution channels. There are several additional elements or tools that can be used to conduct successful inventory tracking like tags identifying the products, barcodes fitted on items, etc. Scanners can be used for speedy identification of diverse products.

Radio Frequency Identification devices can also be used for shipments that are delivered directly to the places from where they have to be sold to the ultimate consumers. RFID devices are basically scanners that can help generate a proof that a certain item has been delivered. Such information can be communicated to the original place of production. This scanner examines the bar code that is affixed on each product. The bar code on each product is completely tamper proof and cannot be read by individuals. It can only be read and understood by a computer system consisting of the necessary software to be able to do so. This kind of scanner can help reduce any errors in the distribution systems that are bound to creep in if human beings are personally responsible for the tracking process and if checking is conducted by hand.

Such software can also aid in several other processes and ensure that they are conducted smoothly and completed without any hassle. Some of these processes include receipt of goods, shipment of items, etc. Bar code scanners are unique identification devices that can be effectively used to recognize all kinds of items including processed foods, industrial tools, consumer durables, etc. The coding information is automatically generated by a computer system and is placed as a sticker on each product. There is a distinctive code that is accorded to each item that forms a part of the distribution system.

McLane Logistics Technology provides customized Inventory Management Software system for businesses to effectively manage their inventory functions.

Inventory Management Systems - Physical Inventory Systems

The Process Of Shipping Management

Shipping management forms an important part of the distribution process of companies that supply goods to near and far off locations. It is a vital process for organizations that wish to ship their consignment of goods from one place to another over large distances on a regular basis. Shipping is generally concerned with the transfer of goods by the sea route. There may be special ships designated by the company for carrying their consignment while some companies may even rent space on a vessel for transferring a limited quantity of goods. These days, the term shipping is sometimes also used by organizations that deliver goods via the land route.

From the business point of view, shipping management is a detailed and step by step process that consists of mainly the following steps:

• First of all, the market for a certain product needs to be determined. The company needs to assess whether a particular region or area can consume certain good types or not. When the region where the product has to be shipped to has been determined, the process of shipping management starts.
• This process also consists of deciding the prices at which the goods are going to be transported to the consumers or retail stores. Sometimes, the entire cost of transport including the land routes from retail locations to ultimate consumers is borne by the company itself while at other times, this cost may be split.
• Several possible options are considered by the company regarding the kind of vessels and shipping companies to use or whether to hire its own ship or invest in one. This decision is taken after weighing all the pros and cons of each company.
• There are comprehensive checks at each stage of shipping. The entire stock is counted thoroughly on departure as well as on arrival. This is the responsibility of the team assigned with the task of shipping management. They can be held accountable for any discrepancies.
• A certain percentage of the goods are also estimated as losses that may occur as pilferage. Pilferage means when the goods are destroyed or spoiled due to certain reasons. 

McLane Logistics Technology provides Shipping Management Software solutions for businesses to effectively manage their shipping functions.

Shipping Management Software - Shipping Management System

Features To Look For In Inventory Management Software

Inventory management is a necessary step in the sales process of business organizations. The stock of goods needs to be checked at all stages so that losses, pilferage, and movement of products is properly accounted for. There are many different companies these days that are selling inventory management software consisting of different features. However, it is essential to choose one that is appropriate for your particular business and that consists of all elements required to keep a proper track of inventory.

Some of the features that you should check for before purchasing or downloading inventory management software have been listed below:

• Good inventory management software have divisions for the different levels at which stock needs to be tracked along with a central database that helps track the movement of stock from one step to the next. This way the stock is accounted for at all times and one look at the records can reveal the stage that the inventory is currently at.

• It is also essential that your inventory management software consists of clear distinctions to differentiate between different kinds of goods being produced especially if your organization is dealing in the production or supply of more than one variety of goods.

• Inventory management software should also have automated reporting systems that alert the user whenever supply is falling short in any market. Such software consists of mechanisms to assess customer demand and accordingly decides the levels at which inventory should be maintained for sales purposes. Employees can be informed of low inventory as soon as it starts to decrease so that timely intervention can help maintain the quantity of goods required at all times.

• Another important feature that inventory management software should have is a user-friendly and readable format that is easy to navigate. It should also be easy to adapt to for employees and workers in the organization. If there is too much technical knowledge required in the use of the software, only a few skilled or highly trained persons will be able to use it thus reducing its effectiveness as an inventory management tool.

McLane Logistics Technology provides customized Inventory Management Software system for businesses to effectively manage their inventory functions.

Inventory Management Software – Inventory Management System

Warehouse Management Tips

An effective ware house management puts forward with it an improvement in the overall supply chain. Improvement in the supply chain takes account of efficiency in delivering goods to the customers, and that too with higher profit margins for you. The only means to attain this is smart warehouse management.

Given here are some important ware house management tips that will help you to lower your labor costs as well as increase the productivity.

• Proper training of the employees will considerably increase your productivity. In that case, the ware house manager can completely center its attention towards the improvement of the system, in place of supervising the work of the employees.
  
• Using the proper tools for ware house management is another simple way to increase the productivity. For this purpose, make sure that you have provided your employees with the right tools and in sufficient quantity.
• It is advisable that you perform preventive maintenance on the machinery and tools, to make sure that they are in proper and safe working condition. Apart from increasing the productivity of your ware house, the employees will also consider it as a safe and secure working environment.
• Take benefit of the smart planning with ware house slotting. A majority of the full time employees of the ware house spend most of their time just in wandering around the ware house itself. With proper slotting, this wandering time can be reduced by ten per cent. Also, the labor costs can be cut down by ten per cent.
• Consider the software that helps you to track the ware house data more efficiently, facilitating you to make better decisions about the stock. Making use of computers to perform calculations and track the ware house supplies can provide you with an accurate feedback.
• You can also use specialized technology that is suitable to the size of your ware house. These technologies help you to incorporate different aspects of the supply chain and the business in single convenient software.

As a concluding point, these are the general and simple steps that you can follow to improve your ware house management.

McLane Logistics Technology provides customized warehouse management software system for businesses to effectively control their warehouse processes.

Warehouse Management Software – Warehouse Management System