WMS Benefit Categories
Numerous benefit categories result from successfully using a warehouse management system (WMS). The categories have varying levels of savings associated with each and can be characterized as tangible or intangible. A tangible savings is a quantitative dollar figure directly related to a specific action or process impacted by the WMS. For example, hardware for a […]
The Road Ahead: Justifying a WMS
A successful warehouse management system (WMS) implementation can provide an 18-24 month return on investment. A WMS also serves as a foundation for instituting a continuous improvement culture and facilitates on-going annual benefits ranging from 5-10%. For some companies, justification in a WMS is a matter of survival. Having the right material available at the […]
Boom Room. Sometimes being lean simply means being simple.
On a tour of the home improvement company distribution center, I observed a simple, and generally low-cost solutions to improving warehouse performance and safety. Many warehouses have flammable type products requiring special handling and storage in a controlled environment. Generally, the area will have an early suppression fast response (ESFR) system and will be easily […]
Storing Small Items – Part 2
Last month we introduced a few ways to store small items including custom made dividers, plastic dividers on small beam racking, traditional small bin shelving and rotabins. This month we provide a few more small items storage ideas and end with a general comparison. Straw/pencil dispensers are a very out of the box concept but […]
Storing Small Items – Part 1
On a recent facility tour I observed a unique approach to storing individual cigars. This neat diamond rack configuration was designed to easily store various types and sizes of cigars in a small area. During a discussion with the rack designer we mentioned the pro’s and con’s of the design: Pro’s: Good density, ease of […]
The Golden Zone
In August 2020, we discussed the concept of slotting using ABC profiling to help improve productivity in the warehouse (Know Your ABCs). The example provided focused on reducing pick travel distance and time by keeping the fast moving “A” items near the shipping dock, “B” items in the middle of the building, and “C” items […]
What is Carrying Cost?
As a warehouse manager you might see many storage locations full of the same product. From your experience you know it might take months to sell that much inventory. But you don’t have much input. Your job is to get product checked in, keep it safe while in your stead and get it picked and […]
Online Learning Opportunities
The COVID pandemic has changed the way business is done. More working from home and less professional interaction, but you still want to network and continue learning. A positive coming out of the shift in socializing is the numerous online professional development opportunities available. The Association for Supply Chain Management, Atlanta Chapter, has been collecting […]
Get Involved
Over the past eleven months we reviewed several low-hanging fruit process improvement concepts to help improve your warehouse performance. You can read more about these concepts here. While there are many more ideas we could discuss for consideration in your facility, the final item on our list is Get Involved. More specifically, get involved with learning and […]
Pass the White Glove Test
You can randomly look around for inventory that appears to have been around for a while. If the inventory has excess dust on the boxes chances are it has been there too long. Alternatively, if you plan to come back to the warehouse you can mark one of the cases then when you return (maybe […]