We are living amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and technology is changing and advancing almost faster than we can keep up. If you want to help your business move into the 21st century, here are some tips and tricks to make digitizing your warehouse as painless as possible.
We are living amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution,Opens a new window and technology is changing and advancing almost faster than we can keep up. In the middle of all of this, there are still warehouses that choose to rely on outdated and even archaic practices during their daily operations. If you want to help your business move into the 21st century, here are some tips and tricks to make digitizing your warehouse as painless as possible.
Say Goodbye to Paper
This step is both the simplest and most complicated one you can take — say goodbye to paper. If you still keep physical records, print extra shipping manifests that you don’t necessarily need or hand-write your inventory counts, it’s time to save a few trees and transition to digital data storage.
Relying on paper puts you at a disadvantage if you compare yourself to other warehouses that have already made the transition to digital. Paper records and inventories are susceptible to fires and other disasters, and might also be vulnerable to theft or human error. It can be misplaced, accidentally shredded or have coffee spilled on it.
There are some things you can’t replace with digital alternatives, such as signed contracts, but for the majority of your operation, stop relying on paper and switch to new digital technologies.
Implement New Technologies
What digital technologies can you look into to help move your company into the 21st century? Here are a few examples, but this is not a comprehensive list by any means:
- RFID or barcode scanners
- Robotic automation
- Bluetooth communication
- 3D printers
- Track and trace technology
Many of these technologies are still in their infancy 3D printers, for example, are just starting to make their way into the manufacturing industries, but their applications in a warehouse or logistics setting are nearly unlimited. Pairing RFID scanners with tagged inventory can help reduce picking and packing errors, saving costly shipping problems and returns.
It will require some preparation, but it can be a great way to improve efficiency, increase productivity and reduce errors and waste. If you can’t implement trackers or automation across the board, start by identifying the top 20 percent most picked items in your inventory. Considering over 50 percent of your labor timeOpens a new window comes from order picking, it’s crucial that managers prioritize efficiency. Take a close look at your current processes and consult with an IT company to see how you can implement these new technologies.
Don’t Be Afraid of Robotic Automation
Robotic automation has earned itself a bad reputation. People are afraid of losing their jobs to robots, but these automated assistants can help improve efficiency and reduce errors. Amazon has already jumped on the robotics bandwagon. In 2012, Amazon purchased Kiva Systems, a small robotics startup, for $775 million. Since then, Amazon has deployed more than 30,000 picking robotsOpens a new window in its distribution centers across the country. These little robots have cut Amazon’s operating costs by 20 percent in these centers, reducing cycle time from 75 minutes to 15, and improved inventory space management by 50 percent.
While you might not have the capital to purchase a robotics startup, implementing new robotics automation systems can help improve efficiency while reducing waste and preventing pack and shipment errors.
Invest in Cloud-Based Warehouse Management Systems
Warehouse management systems are inherently digital, but many of them have a basis in in-house hardware, which requires on-hand information technology teams for maintenance and upgrades. Cloud-based WMS is easy to implement, requires less maintenance and ends up being more cost-effective than in-house systems.
These systems are also much more user-friendly, even for companies that don’t have IT professionals on staff.
Streamline Customer Communication
In the digital age, a single dedicated customer service phone line isn’t good enough anymore, especially with many younger consumers who prefer to chat, email or text rather than pick up the phone if they have a question or want to voice a concern. One of the most critical steps you can take to move into the digital age is to streamline your customer communication.
Set up a social media presence. Offer chat and email options for customers who want to communicate with you directly. Have a team dedicated exclusively to customer service, so your clients don’t have to wait a long time for a response.
Streamlining your customer service experience can help build relationships that will last a lifetime.
Don’t Get Discouraged
If you rely on outdated technologies, it’s time to make the switch and digitize your warehouse. Don’t give up if it takes you a while to fully adopt these new technologies. If you’re used to different techniques or older technologies, it can require plenty of practice and support to get the most out of them, but once you do, you may find you can’t keep up with how efficient your warehouse becomes.