Feb 19, 2024

In our ever-evolving and relentlessly moving world, there is a common goal, among us all, to go through this one attempt at life as perfectly as possible. The same—on a smaller scale, of course—is true in the worlds of warehousing and logistics, too. As a business, warehouse optimization should be of top priority. Addressing such a priority, oftentimes, begins with developing some sort of warehouse strategy. On average, this process begins with looking over the efficiency of your warehouse layout for workflow. At Heartland, our teams have years of valuable experience in the realms of warehousing and logistics that are at our disposal when working to reconstruct the way your business operates. With the premier warehouse technology, our experts’ first step is to assist you in fine-tuning your warehouse management systems (WMS). Using our WMS will bring you more visibility, efficient workflows, and a proper hold of your distribution and warehousing processes. Our experts are adept at finding the most effective solutions for distribution to ensure all your needs are met. Improving your warehouse management comes with several benefits, such as: 

• Decreased warehousing costs
• Enhanced service
• Improved accuracy and productivity
• Increased scalability and flexibility 
• More transparent inventory
• Revamped compliance and much less risk

As 2024 continues to kick off, it is important to get ahead of the game in warehouse optimization. On average, a challenge faced by many companies is finding a way to gain maximal visibility into the supply chain. As a pivotal factor, guaranteeing a seamless operation is the goal that many struggle to accomplish. Having fully precise visibility over the performance of suppliers, inventory levels, and statuses of transportation allows a company to be able to identify and eliminate all shortcomings within their warehouse strategy and distribution process. Because of this, many companies are promptly phasing out manual reporting within their warehouses. Thanks to automated solutions participating in scanning barcodes and other warehouse technology, companies now have a way to record product statuses, guarantee quality standards are met, and replace pen-and-paper labeling and reporting—eliminating opportunities for human error to take place. Beginning your warehouse optimization journey can be daunting, but do not fret; Heartland is here to help, every step of the way.

To sustain sustainability in a newly modernized warehouse, Heartland experts suggest starting with all of the central workflows within any contemporary warehouse.

1. Locating Inventory – As distributors continue to move closer to potential clients and into metropolitan areas, warehouse optimization continues to demand RFID technology. Using RFID warehouse management, companies can rapidly and accurately capture and analyze data while precisely tracking products, in real-time, from the moment they leave the warehouse to when they arrive at their respective destinations. In an RFID warehouse, keeping track of products is as easy as it’s ever been. For example, using RFID technology within a reliable network ensures that precise data is distributed to multiple teams in an instant—guaranteeing more timely responses. Along with this, for example, inventory counts and their locations are updated and tracked instantly—so that order picking is sped up, providing faster service and completing more orders. Heartland’s handheld and mobile RFID readers are equipped for quick distribution processes and are there to assist you in obtaining immediate visibility over your entire operation while connecting you with your database for prompt updates.

  RELATED: REDEFINE INVENTORY TRACKING IN THE AGE OF DIVERSIFICATION

2. Ensuring Sustainability – About 70% of distributors feel pressured by clients to establish sustainable warehouse management processes. While traversing a multitude of intricacies, ensuring warehouse sustainability provides opportunities to cut down on wasteful labor, diminish paper-based mistakes, and conserve the environment through energy-efficient technology. When constructing a sustainable structure, a good start would be to optimize the warehouse location, how systems are designed, and the maintenance and technological update schedules. Then, in prioritizing visibility systems, warehouses can track and display their sustainable practices with their customers to meet demands for sustainability. At the end of the day, every change matters.

3. Forecast Demand– To maximize production, manage inventory, and increase profitability, you must be able to forecast demand. Essentially, demand forecasting is predicting the demand for a service or product at a later point in time. Doing this not only allows your teams to be better prepared but also helps them distribute necessary resources as efficiently as possible. By using mobile computing to analyze past data, overall trends and seasonality can be identified to help create as precise of predictions as possible. 

Related: How to Master Accurate Demand Forecasting 

4. Scheduling Maintenance– Maintenance workflows are a critical aspect of ensuring the reliable performance of equipment, machinery, or systems. Maintenance workflows also play an important role in ensuring compliance with safety regulations. By regularly inspecting and maintaining equipment, businesses can prevent accidents or injuries that could result from equipment malfunctions—which maintains productive workflow. This approach not only protects employees and customers but also helps businesses avoid legal liability. 

Related: How to Enhance Maintenance Workflows with Voice Technology

5. Data Analysis and Reporting– Data analysis and reporting are crucial for continual warehouse optimization. By analyzing data such as order volume, inventory levels, and labor productivity, businesses can identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions. Strategies for optimizing data analysis and reporting include implementing a warehouse management system (WMS) and using key performance indicators (KPIs). 
6. Processing Returns – This process involves handling customer returns and restocking returned items. An efficient returns processing workflow is essential for customer satisfaction and cost savings. Strategies for optimizing the returns processing workflow include automated processing and restocking procedures. Automated returns processing uses warehouse technology such as RFID barcode scanning and automated sorting machines to streamline the returns process. Restocking procedures, of course, are about quickly returning items to inventory to reduce the time required to fulfill future orders.
7. Communicating with Staff – In any team environment, it is vital that there is consistent and dependable communication, connectivity, and support among all members. Having strong, relentless signals will ensure constant productivity among team members. Nobody likes lagging networks. Save time and money and reevaluate your company’s connectivity. With enhanced network connection, your employees will be able to seamlessly communicate with each other, regardless of busy workflows or short timelines.

Related: 3 Reasons Why You Should Reevaluate Your Connectivity Infrastructure

Overall, the process of warehouse optimization is layered and requires genuine attention and effort. That said, thanks to Heartland, it is not impossible. If you are looking to optimize your warehouse to its fullest potential and maximize your business’ profits, contact our team to get the process going. No matter where you’re at, Heartland’s here.