What is a Warehouse Management System (WMS)? A Plain-English Guide
In the last few years, the logistics landscape has changed dramatically. Explosive e-commerce growth, rising customer expectations, and a growing shortage of skilled warehouse labor have pushed fulfillment operations to their limits. At the center of this shift is the Warehouse Management System (WMS), once a simple inventory tracking tool, now the backbone of modern […]
Using a WMS to Stay Competitive in a New Tariff Landscape
Whether your warehouse is part of a hyper-regional operation, just one link in a global supply chain, or somewhere in-between, the shift in recent international trade policies affects every corner of the industry. The implementation of new tariffs will redefine the supply chain management for years to come. For forward-thinking organizations, this new landscape can […]
How WMS Reduces Errors and Mis-Shipments
With the exponential growth of e-commerce, everyone’s customer-base is used to fast and accurate deliveries. With rising customer expectations, the margin of error for a warehouse has never been closer to zero. As warehouse managers navigate this new reality, it is critical to know how WMS helps reduce errors and mis-shipments to customers. How WMS […]
Benefits of Real-Time Warehouse Visibility
Between surging labor costs, a shortage of workers, and facility rents climbing across North America, there’s not a warehousing operation today that isn’t operating with ever shrinking margins. Fortunately, a warehouse manager can harness the benefits of real-time visibility that can have a dramatic effect on the bottom line. Benefits of Real-Time Warehouse Visibility Simply […]
Gamification of Your Warehouse
Playing games at work might not be what you immediately think of when it comes to improving productivity and engagement amongst your employees, yet that is exactly what is fast becoming an industry go-to. It is a technology known as as gamifying, and the gamification of your warehouse can not only improve your employees’ output […]
What is a Cycle Count?
Your warehouse is full of inventory, but how do you get an accurate picture of what is on any given shelf tomorrow? Next week? Later this afternoon? You could get your warehouse staff to conduct a physical inventory, auditing your entire facility’s stock. But unless you are running a small operation with limited SKUs, a […]
Inventory Management to Optimize Your Warehouse
Your inventory is the backbone of your business. As we discussed in a recent post, shortages erode customer loyalty and retention. At the same time, without proper inventory management, those same products on your shelf carry hidden liabilities. Heavily stocking your shelves for any eventuality can lead to a product sitting for a prolonged period of […]
The Costliest Warehousing Mistakes
There has never been a more demanding or challenging time to run a warehouse. Staying competitive means navigating supply chain issues, the demand of a booming online sales market, and expectations of speedy delivery. Each operation has unique quirks, however, there are a few costly warehousing mistakes that every facility risks falling prey to. Avoiding […]
Five Ways a WMS Improves Customer Service
A product’s journey might start with sales and marketing, but it is quickly in the hands of your warehouse. Ensuring that your customer has a hassle-free, convenient experience goes well beyond the point of sale. A warehouse management system is not just a crucial tool for operating your facility day-to-day. Let’s look at five ways […]
What is Cross-Docking
Last week we looked at how cross-docking can improve your productivity and reduce delivery lead times. But you may be asking, what is cross-docking? In its purest form, it is the process of moving inventory direct from a truck in receiving to an awaiting truck at shipping: You may already practice cross-docking when you take inventory […]