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 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.
