A vital part of your business supply chain, an efficient warehouse takes effort and consistency, and clearly defined processes, irrespective of the size or number of your warehouses. Warehouse Management Software (WMS) can help, although that in itself can be a challenge to find the right one.
1. Think Customers
Before you start, you’ll need to bear in mind your three key groups of people who will be affected by how you work: your internal customers – colleagues, other departments within the business – your trading partners, and thirdly your consumers. Whatever your sector, the success of the business relies on the warehouse getting the right goods to the right place at the right time.
2. Speed and clean
Time is money in any business and having up to date software means you can keep your systems at the forefront of technology with minimal impact on the wider company.
You will also want to keep a tidy and clean environment, especially if it’s a warehouse with lots of machinery being used. A great way to keep an eye on the levels of dirt being created is a Dust Monitor that can be sourced from links including www.mattsmonitors.co.uk/construction-dust-monitors.html.
3. Options
How we shop is changing faster than at any time before. We have more options as consumers, and we’re increasingly impatient. We expect things immediately and few people have any patience any more. That means extra pressure for warehouse managers, but some of that can be alleviated by choosing a WMS that will anticipate future peaks and troughs.
4. Accuracy
Some companies will target 90+% accuracy for deliveries, but those that will grow and achieve recommendation and repeat business will accept nothing less than 100%. Anything below ‘all of them’ means that some customers are not having their expectations met. The right WMS should be able to improve your accuracy percentage so that no-one is disappointed.
5. Keep Them Posted
Customers want to know that they will receive the right product, when they’re expecting it, and that is the most important measure when it comes to satisfied customers. A good WMS will be able to keep your customers informed of their order’s progress.
Your own warehouse set-up can also play an important part, with well organised, clearly labelled shelving.
Read some more suggestions on winning at warehousing from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Links.
There are lots of WMS options available to you, often with a monthly or annual subscription. Do your research to understand who will be best placed to supply that.