4 Easy & Necessary Warehouse Efficiency Tips
Running a warehouse requires utmost efficiency. Otherwise, you will be incurring huge losses in terms of wastage and inefficiency in operations. Fortunately, achieving efficiency in warehouse management is easy when you have the right know-how and tools.
Here is an overview of four tested and proven tips to help you make your warehouse operations more efficient:
1. Maximize All Available Space
Lack of space is one of the biggest challenges in many warehouses. However, this shouldn’t be a challenge until you have utilized all available space, including vertical space.
You can utilize vertical space by installing taller storage units. You will also need rising platforms to get to the upper storage units. Consequently, it is also important to enroll employees tasked with operating these platforms in an IPAF training course – it will equip them with the skills they need to operate the machinery efficiently and safely.
You can also maximize space by arranging your warehouse’s layout. Arranging the stock based on size, urgency, and other logistics can also have significant benefit on operations and space management.
2. Use WMS Technology
Managing a warehouse becomes easy when you have a dedicated assistant with all the solutions to your problems. Fortunately, that is what a warehouse management system (WMS) is designed to do.
WMS programs offer features such as inventory management. For example, you can track, allocate, plan and schedule product moves, receipts, and inventory storage. Work creation and execution are also standard features in WMS software. These features offer services such as directing inbound and outbound tasks and planning detailed warehouse operations by area and task. Other important features include reporting and analytics, which help measure performance and labor productivity.
It is also advisable to add new updates to your WMS program. You can also use complementary management programs, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) – RFID technology has been shown to improve inventory accuracy by as much as 27%. Finally, don’t forget that your workforce is essential for enforcing the WMS’s recommendations.
3. Adopt a Lean Inventory
Space is a challenge in most warehouses, as mentioned. As such, you cannot afford to have precious space tied up by stock that will not move anytime soon. This is why it is advisable to adopt a lean inventory.
Adopting a lean technology essentially implies only stocking on what is necessary. It also helps to get into an arrangement with the supplier, whereby they deliver stock in lower quantities and more frequently to free up as much space as possible, as large deliveries can overwhelm your resources.
4. Keep Workstations Organised
Your workforce is one of your most important resources. However, it can also be an obstacle to operations, especially where there is too disorganized foot traffic. As such, it is important to keep your workers’ workstations organized, consequently keeping operations organized.
It is recommendable to observe the 5S strategy when organizing your workstations. This strategy highlights sorting, setting in order, shining, standardizing, and sustaining.
Final Thoughts
Warehouse management is easy when you leverage the right tools and strategies. These four tips are practiced in many warehouses, and they will have an immediate positive impact on your warehouse’s operations.