Steps to Flawless Fulfilment Guide Part 2

August 15, 2019

Step 5 – Upgrade inbound handling operations

Receiving and sortation points of pain

The paper chase
Pen-and-paper and other manual and fragmented processes of technology lead to lost time, reduced precision, decreased productivity and lower ROI.

Poor visibility
Slow and incorrect receiving and put-away are obstacles to visibility and control of inventories in real-time, as well as efficient cross-docking, interleaving tasks, traceability and monitoring processes.

Slow dock-to-stock
Delays triggered by methods of pen and paper and isolated technological solutions decrease inventory control, result in false out-of-stocks and loss of sales.

Many unhappy returns

Increasing return rates and inefficient reverse logistics lead in slow product return to inventory, delayed processing of client credit and decreased customer satisfaction.
Receiving and sortation mobile and data capture solutions
At the receiving dock, mobile processes enable employees to be more precise and productive. A straightforward barcode, RFID tag or RMA label scan allows incoming shipments to be identified and verified in real-time. Real-time visibility in the order system also allows for more effective cross-docking, decreasing incoming shipment handling time and expenses. If an item is received with a damaged barcode or without a barcode then it is possible to use a fixed or mobile printer to print the required label and provide visibility through the supply chain.

Put-away and replenishment points of pain

Inventory on idle
Product sitting on a dock or misplaced in stock is more than just idle; it is also inaccessible, which can mean lost revenues and unhappy clients.

False out-of-stocks
Inventory inaccuracies can be caused by put-away mistakes and delays, which can lead to erroneous OOS scenarios, excessive cost of replacing the item, and lost revenues.

Clogged aisles
Slow, incorrect manual procedures and the limited performance of older technology can lead to congestion in your aisles, wasting time and reducing productivity.

Equipment misuse
Poor visibility and inefficient material handling equipment (MHE) management such as forklifts and crawlers decreases the accessibility and productivity of MHE and increases the cost of maintenance.

Put-away and replenishment mobile and data capture solutions
Workers can scan a barcode or shelf tag (or read an RFID tag) rapidly with instant access to the WMS, ensuring that the item is placed in the right location and via the most effective path. This helps to reduce OOS situations and allows warehouse employees to boost their performance by being able to process more put-away orders every hour. Visibility in real-time can also support and automate techniques for lean replenishment. Material flow replenishment can eliminate the need for manual and labour intensive procedures by providing real-time data from the factory.

Step 6 – Turnaround outbound handling performance

Packing and shipping points of pain

Sluggish turnaround
In last-mile activities, turnaround times are slower and can trigger important shipping delays and lead to carrier fines fees when checking to verify that the correct products are in the shipment must be performed manually.

Change resistance
Manual procedures often lead to the inability of dynamically modify shipping orders to accommodate last-minute modifications and customers ‘ emergency orders.

Impacting packaging
Lack of real-time pre-packing information in the packing functionality can simply result in incomplete, incorrect and packed orders in the incorrect size boxes or containers.

Inefficiency ripples
Inefficiencies in processing while paperwork and data are entered manually in the system trigger delays and mistakes in the development and shipping of manifests which can easily lead to client dissatisfaction.

Packing, loading and shipping mobile data capture solutions
By tightly integrating real-time information into your staging and delivery tasks in the warehouse packing function, you can realize significant benefits in your shipping and delivery operations.

Mobility can streamline these final stages of order fulfilment, ensuring that the right order contains the right products and is shipped to the right client at the right moment using the correct shipping technique.

It is also possible to control the cost of packaging materials. Shipping and delivery times are improved, as is the use of vehicles as trucks are fully loaded with the right content. And because more clients are likely to receive deliveries within the promised time frame, customer satisfaction and retention are maximized.

Yard Management Systems are intended to optimize yard activities, particularly for fast-through put yards. The combination of efficient planning and exceptional handling enables the Yard Management System to guide the correct trailer at the correct time to the correct gate.

The negative impact of the fragmented warehouse

Whether you are a manufacturer, retailer or distributor, your warehouse activities play a crucial role in the success of your company. It is no wonder. Warehouse activities affect nearly every business-critical problem, including inventory management, the productivity of workers, the accuracy of shipments, timeliness, and eventually customer satisfaction and ROI. The truth is that too many operations in the warehouse are still based on pen-and-paper. Just as difficult is technical fragmentation, with technology only available in a few activities. The reality is that perfect fulfilment involves technical and operational integration throughout all your workflows and procedures.

High-level operational issues

Inaccurate information	The ‘ double-touch ‘ of data, such as collecting information by hand and re-entering into the computer, results in a high level of information mistakes.
Reduced productivity	Employees waste an excessive amount of time completing documentation, locating information on labels and re-entering data into the WMS, making it hard for them to work at peak productivity.
Lack of visibility	Slower data movement in and out of your business systems leads to reduced inventory visibility and accessibility throughout warehouse activities.
Increased cost	The lack of real-time inventory visibility can lead to enhanced capital expenditure due to the need to retain greater stock rates to avoid out-of-stock circumstances.
Reduced customer satisfaction	Reduced rates of customer service due to incorrect and late arrival shipments result in lower customer satisfaction and loss of revenues
Longer cash-to-cash cycles	The slow circulation of data resulting from inefficient operations and fragmented technology leads to enhanced cash-to-cash cycle times.

Conclusion
The warehouse is at the core of your company operations. Poorly managed warehouses can effectively become prohibitive costs, having a significant impact on company costs–and overall profitability. In short, leveraging mobility in and beyond the warehouse can produce extremely useful outcomes, including lower expenses, enhanced quality, better client service, higher margins, and greater profitability – delivering real business advantage as your warehouse solutions.

ADC Barcode is involved in the supply of barcode scanners, barcode label printers, barcode verifiers and label applicators. We also provide custom software, EPOS systems & hardware, RFID and wireless networking technology amongst other professional services. Get in touch now and obtain more information.