Save Time and Money With A Warehouse Management System
Large industrial warehouses have been around as long as there have been roads and lorries large enough to transport the goods to and from in bulk. Managing a very large warehouse, whether it is in Europe, the British Isles, or anywhere else; is a complex task requiring a highly disciplined team and an even more organized logging system. With the rise of electronic scanning devices and computers, an entire new level of efficiency is possible. An integrated network of electronics designed to save money and time is called a warehouse management system.
The old way of doing things was to write notes by hand and compare to a master ledger. One to several employees were required just to keep track of everything. Pulling files and checking on crates by hand was doable but tedious work. With computerized bookkeeping, this alone eliminates so much sorting and bookkeeping. Filing cabinets are reduced to redundant pieces, soon to become museum antiques. The future marches on, with every device on the floor connected to a wireless local area network and then to a centralized computer.
Warehouse management systems can be built piecemeal by a skilled technician, or can be purchased as a complete package from a commercial provider. While the later option is expensive, it saves the company a lot of time and the complexity of hiring a programmer or network technician to put it all together. Software in the commercial packages ties it all together for a smooth and flowing ride. Hundreds and possibly thousands of man hours are eliminated from bookkeeping task, and this reduces costs and therefore increases the profitability of the warehouse.
The true beauty of a warehouse management system is that it automatically stores the expiration date for perishable goods and also the shipping dates for many things. It automatically alerts the supervisor when something important is due. Before, it was necessary to check everything routinely, and there was a significant chance of delivering late or missing a package. Electronic automation has reduced mishandling risk to next to nothing.
Many large corporations own their own warehouses. For them, being accurate with shipping and time management is not simply about avoiding costs and delays, but represents the larger strategy of product management. Some products are destined for a market during an important premier, such as a movie release, or are shipped out on demand, such as in a perishable commodity trade. By restocking retailers in an instant, an efficient balance between overstocking and shortage is maintained, for maximum revenue.
