Digitalize your warehouse operations and ride the tech revolution

Retailers, Distributors, small businesses are looking at building automation that allow for functions such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, heatmaps, and intelligent routing, etc. Looks like you're playing catchup with them. It's time to make a change.

The days of the foreman walking through a warehouse holding a clipboard and smoking cigarettes, shouting orders are gone. Let's not start with you putting your hand up to say, "We don't allow smoking at work anymore."

At least a decade ago, this would be the quintessential warehouse operator's daily scene. It was even considered "romantic" for those who miss it.

Is there anything wrong with this image? If you haven't guessed by now - it's that almost dirty word of "manual". Sure, it may not be four letters, but in today's warehousing and fulfilment landscape - the dreaded swear word may be doing its rounds in your facility when things go missing, customers start complaining or worse still - clients start going elsewhere.

Coming back to the (less romantic) reality of today, we are seeing many retailers and brands equipping themselves with artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and the like. Science fiction? No, nightmare for those not moving in the same direction.

We are, my friends from the warehousing and fulfilment business, talking about automation - and we don't mean the drinks vending machine.

Automating your business is a serious consideration. Just like how your customers such as the distributors, the retailers and the brands are moving up the technology chain, you should at least catch up quickly.

Customer portal

First, let's look at keeping your customers updated; in real-time, anytime. This means setting up what is called a customer portal. They pay good money to use your space and look forward to the next shipment out when orders come in. As organizations running a living, breathing business, they need to know how much inventory they have and where it's stored. So, knowing all this with accuracy and in real-time is crucial. With consumers trends changing in the blink of an eye - accuracy and speed is the most important thing.

Mobile barcode scanning

An electronic device can register a wide range of data simply by scanning the SKU. This is extremely useful. It is immediately stored in the system, unlike old-school paper recording where errors by the person recording it and losing the sheets of paper is a real thing. Imagine being able instantly to access data or share it with customers. The machine does that.

Billing automation

Have you ever heard someone say, "Have you billed company X?" A bill not made is not charging for services rendered. Paying in cash is more expensive than not getting paid. Automated billing ensures that the machine does not forget and sends reminders to you if payment is not received.

Prepare for the flood of orders

Your customers are swiftly moving into omnichannel or multi-channel distribution. When business is good, a rise in order processing will have stretched your limited resources. All hell probably breaks loose when orders go up by two or three hundred percent.

WMS will help you prepare for large volumes and inventory allocations. WMS will help you to smile from ear to ear as the money comes in, rather than trying desperately to keep up.

You can also get digital assistance to avoid being overwhelmed by the "big event" like the Dutch built levees to protect themselves from the flood waters.

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