Why You Should Look To Data To Futureproof The Warehouse
07 January 2021
It feels as though the
rate of technological progress has never been faster than it is right now. Since
Intel co-founder Gordon Moore coined ‘Moore’s Law’ in 1965 – the theory that
the number of transistors that can fit on a computer chip will double every
year – he’s been proven right. Computing power is continuing to grow at an
astonishing pace, enabling ever-more advanced applications all the time.
But does this mean
every business has to implement every new technological trend as soon as it’s
launched? Just because a technology is available, will it automatically improve
a warehousing business’s operations?
Here’s why we believe
it makes better business sense to focus on data to give a warehousing operation
an edge, rather than the latest cutting-edge innovation.
Robots in the warehouse?
As the undisputed
leaders in warehouse tech, Amazon famously uses robots and other automation
technologies to keep its monumental operation running smoothly and efficiently.
Robots move pallets and stock around its enormous warehouses, while its Prime Air drone delivery trial is said to be close to launch. It’s an
impressive use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation at
the forefront of logistics technology, but should other warehousing businesses
try and keep up?
For most businesses in
the warehousing industry, investment in technology is a careful consideration,
and any new innovation has to come with a robust business case before it’s
seriously discussed. Physical automation for the warehouse includes autonomous
carousels, storage and retrieval systems and load-carrying vehicles, but the
capital necessary to invest in this kind of tech is significant. This makes it
not only out of reach for the majority of operations, but an incredibly costly
error when it’s implemented in the wrong way.
In the US, a mid-sized
industrial distributor spent $3 million on an automated carousel system, only
to abandon its use due to poor performance and reliability. Not only did the
business take a financial hit on the investment, the system saved just $300,000
a year in staff wages, making the ROI after five years -19 percent. It’s a
stark example of the risk and implications involved in investing in the latest
technology when it may not be suitable or indeed, necessary.
Data holds the key to futureproofing
operations
Rather than stretching
budgets to implement hi-tech solutions that won’t create meaningful benefit,
the means to achieving a futureproof operation for most warehousing businesses,
lies in data and its analysis within a warehouse management system (WMS).
When the entire stock
journey from goods in to dispatch is recorded in a warehouse via a team’s rugged mobile devices, this data can be fed back into a connected
WMS. With all operational warehouse data digitally recorded in one place as
goods move through the supply chain – such as inventory levels, batch numbers,
processing dates etc – a WMS becomes a source of detailed performance analysis.
Yet, even when warehouse
operations already have a WMS in place, most are underutilising the data it
collects. Within many businesses, there’s scope for unlocking new data insight
from within existing systems before the consideration of investing in any new
technology.
To demonstrate this further, consider the Elastic Warehouse. This concept enables
organisations the flexibility to bend, grow or shrink in accordance with
fluctuations to demands of the supply chain at short notice. The Elastic
Warehouse allows for warehouse operations to become more agile, efficient and
stable.
The
Elastic Warehouse is a four-model concept. By suggesting a best fit model, it takes
account of each operation together with its existing infrastructure and
recommends approaches that can be implemented to optimise existing operations.
Each
model is designed for a distinct type of operation and relies on supporting technology, including a
WMS and its data. The four models are:
- Elastic
Overheads: optimisation of existing resources such as
tech, workforce and warehouse space.
- Elastic
Outsource: optimisation of warehousing outsourcing and
distribution of key seasonal lines.
- Elastic
Tech: increasing efficiencies by implementing
technology across the whole supply chain to bridge any gaps.
- Elastic
Blend: utilising elements of the first three
approaches to optimise existing operations.
The Elastic Overheads
model consists of optimising existing resources at a business’s disposal, such
as people, warehouse space and tech. As part of this type of approach, a
business would review its existing hardware, applications and work management
tools to assess whether they can respond quickly to peaks and troughs in
demand.
Management teams
looking to implement the Elastic Overheads model may examine the speed of
warehouse workflows, analyse stock levels against demand and assess how long
goods spend in inventory, revealing invaluable business insight when combined
with integrated data from other systems. Through WMS data and its analysis, a
warehousing management team can spot operational areas ripe for improvement,
such as goods that routinely take up precious warehouse space for too long, or particular
processes or shifts that could be made more efficient.
The Elastic Outsource model enables operations
the ability to remain focused on the core lines, by using a third-party to take
on the seasonal demand during peak periods, such as Christmas. This model is
useful to management teams when day-to-day demand for core lines is at full
capacity and extra assistance is needed.
The technology is integrated with the
third-party provider to ensure management teams have access to key information,
regardless of who is managing that stock.
Elastic Tech works to utilise the existing
footprint of the operation more efficiently by implementing the necessary
technology across the supply chain to bridge any gaps. From handheld data
capture to utilising WMS and integrating all enterprise systems used by both
retailer and supplier, Elastic Tech is ideal for larger operations managing
large volumes of goods or those operating across several different warehouses
and distribution centres.
The Elastic Blend
model combines elements of the other three models (optimising existing
resources, outsourcing and new tech investment) according to the unique needs
of the business in question. This approach best suits larger warehousing
operations, those with capacity for 24 hour inbound deliveries and numerous
stringent SLAs in place. With a new WMS or via better use of an existing one,
such a business could begin to make use of predictive data analytics and demand
forecasting for example – applying artificial intelligence (AI) to historical
operational data to predict trends in consumer demand and streamline ways of
working accordingly. Subsequent actions might include rotating or regrouping
stock within the warehouse to maximise picking efficiency, or preparing
replenishment workflows just before current stock is due to be shipped.
Capturing warehouse data on devices
tough enough for the job
As we mentioned above,
the way to gather the operational warehouse data needed for such actionable
business intelligence, is the right hardware. In theory, any mobile computer,
handheld device or scanner could record the data necessary, but only rugged
devices can maintain performance in the challenging warehouse environment.
Built to withstand
drops, shocks and the heavy vibrations that come from being mounted on forklifts and other warehouse vehicles, rugged mobile
devices enable a warehouse team to digitise their workflows and capture data
easily and instantly, sending everything through to a connected WMS. This
ultra-tough tech won’t succumb to extremes of temperature, dust, ingress or
moisture, and boast extra-long battery life to see them through even the most
demanding shift.
Equip your warehouse
team with the rugged devices they need to optimise their tasks and capture
vital operational data. To find out more about our rugged mobile solutions,
please get in touch.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - PETER MARSH
Peter joined TouchStar (formally Belgravium) in a sales manager role in 2001. Prior to joining the company, Peter held Partner and National Sales Manager roles within the parcel and logistics industries.
In 2011 Peter was promoted to Sales Director and is now actively involved in promoting the value of TouchStar’s Rugged Mobile Computing solutions to the warehouse, logistics, manufacturing and field service industries. When not involved in the business, Peter is a keen and enthusiastic football and cricket fan.