A smart approach to the key supply chain hub

It is the hub of supply chain operations as the location for distribution, returns, packaging and storage, and so warehouses shoulder much of the responsibility in terms of customer satisfaction, reputation and ultimately, revenue. Therefore, investment into warehouse productivity should be made a priority.

When a problem arises, the warehouse often has a lot to answer for – from insufficient inventory to delayed deliveries – and it isn’t being helped by extraneous factors such as ever-increasing customer expectations of fast, flexible delivery or the shrinking labour market. As such, we will undoubtedly see more businesses adopt automated solutions to work in collaboration with staff in order to maximise productivity and keep customers happy. 

Optimising staff productivity

Automated technologies such as collaborative robots (cobots) are engineered to complete arduous and monotonous tasks including pick and place, helping to alleviate the human workforce. The introduction of cobots into the warehouse can enable employees to redeploy their time and focus on tasks that will have the biggest impact on the business and are more rewarding for staff, such as transforming warehouse processes or taking away the need to complete physically draining tasks.

The discussion around the use of augmented reality (AR) within warehouses is also beginning to heat up. These systems can help workers perform their tasks quickly and easily, by adding a new dimension to the picking process. Head-mounted displays or smart glasses can be integrated with AR technology to show a warehouse employee the most direct route to the product they are looking for or point out which bin the item is located in. 

The use of these types of technology will crucially optimise warehouse operations and maximise productivity, keeping customers happy as their orders arrive correct and on time. As well as helping to increase daily efficiency, collaborative technology can help warehouse staff cope with an unexpected surge in orders. However, with the correct warehouse management system (WMS) and order management system (OMS) integration, businesses should have the tools to analyse and accurately forecast demand and act accordingly. 

Maximising space

Enabling employees to work as effectively as possible is one step towards solving the problem of warehouse productivity, but if staff are working in inefficient environments then the benefit of this investment will be stunted. Warehouse space is notoriously limited and in demand, an issue which has been magnified in the UK by Brexit. Fortunately, businesses can employ innovative technologies to make the most of the space available to them. 

As research and development into tools such as robotic pickers or movable shelving increases, businesses may soon be able to make use of empty vertical space that was previously inaccessible to the human workforce. And investment into drones can help occupiers of mega-warehouses work in these spaces more effectively, without spending endless hours trekking up and down the aisles. Utilising technology that can bring the product to the picker, rather than the other way around, will greatly cut down the time required to fill each order, meaning more can be fulfilled within the same time and without adding extra headcount. 

On the software side, taking heed of the insights garnered from OMS and WMS technologies allows businesses to ensure that shelves are not stacked with items that are no longer popular with consumers, and that forecasting information is used when deciding which goods to order and in which quantities, so valuable shelf space isn’t wasted. 

The warehouse is central to the efficient functioning of the supply chain, and businesses must invest in technology to maximise its productivity. Devices, such as cobots and drones, can work alongside warehouse pickers and software solutions to optimise warehouse activity and make full use of the space and resources available. Being able to undertake these developments without the need to intrude or invest in host system changes is making the ‘smart warehouse’ more of a reality than ever.

Marcus Jeffery, Territory Manager – UK and Ireland, Ivanti Supply Chain