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 time of the foreman walking around the warehouse with a clipboard in hand, cigarette in mouth shouting out orders are long gone. Before you start putting up your hand to say "we don't allow smoking in the workplace anymore", let's talk about the foreman with the clipboard.

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

Is there anything wrong with this image? If you haven't guessed by now - it's that almost dirty word of "manual". It may not be four letters but it is a dreaded swear word in today's warehouse and fulfilment world. Customers complain about missing items, clients go elsewhere, or worse, the swear word can be used to describe your facility.

We are seeing more retailers and brands investing in artificial intelligence (AI), robots, and other technologies. Science fiction? No, nightmare for those not moving in the same direction.

My friends in the warehousing industry and fulfilment business are talking about automation. We don't mean the drinks vending machines.

If you're not automated, this is the time to consider it seriously. You should catch up fast, just like your customers, such as distributors, retailers, and brands, who are moving up in the technology chain.

Customer portal

First, let's look at keeping your customers updated; in real-time, anytime. This is what's known as 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. It is essential to have accurate and real-time information about all of this. With consumers trends changing in the blink of an eye - accuracy and speed is the most important thing.

Mobile barcode scanning

Using an electronic device that registers a whole range of data by merely scanning the SKU is infinitely 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 to pull out data on demand or sharing it with customers instantly - the machine helps you do that.

Billing automation

Have you ever heard someone say, "Have you billed company X?" A bill not made is not charging for services rendered. Time cost added to not receiving payment equals to losing money. 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. If business is strong, an increase in order processing will strain your 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. You'll be grinning from ear-to-ear when the money rushes in - rather than pulling your hair out just trying to cope.

Like the Dutch building levees in anticipation of the big floods, you too should get digital help to prevent being drowned by the "big event".

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