Streamlining Warehouse Operations: A Guide to Purchasing New Hardware

No one will argue that automation belongs in the modern warehouse, but when evaluating multiple hardware options, it can be hard to decide which solution is best for you. Customers demand fast, accurate service, which in turn has pressured warehouses to adopt modern visibility technologies like barcode scanning and RFID tracking to keep up. Researchers found that 73% of decision-makers intend to speed up their modernization plans to stay ahead of consumer demands. In other words, failure to assess and upgrade hardware can set businesses back. As a dedicated solution provider, Heartland empowers you with not just hardware but also thorough expertise to simplify the upgrade process. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a purchasing guide covering:

• Signs It's Time for a Hardware Refresh
• Four Factors to Consider Before Technology Procurement
• Choosing the Right Hardware
• Hardware Vendor Evaluation
  
  

Signs It's Time for a Hardware Refresh

• High Error Rates

When error rates are high, upgraded IT equipment may be vital to maintain dependable accuracy. If left unmitigated, errors can contribute to:

• • Lost revenue
  • Missed compliance codes
  • Frustrated workers
  • Broken trust within business relations
  • Increasing correctional costs

If you find any of these in your daily Supply Chain Management operations, it is more than likely time to revisit your technology systems and trace data transactions for blind spots and miscommunications. By working with a solution provider, businesses can analyze errors to create a preventive plan with automation tools that adjust to changing workloads. This ultimately reduces the likelihood of errors and improves accuracy rates.

• Consistent Bottlenecks in Your Mainstream Tasks

Whether it be at the printing station or the quality checkpoint, bottlenecks delay order rates, enabling long lead times and frequent stockouts. When demand spikes happen, bottlenecks become particularly common in vital workflows such as:

• • Tagging inventory at the receiving dock
  • Storing products on the warehouse shelf
  • Picking orders in a complicated pick route
  • Manual quality checks
  • Manual data reporting and cycle counting

A careful overview of your facility’s throughput patterns can reveal common bottlenecks, providing you with a general idea of which workflows need to be upgraded first.

• Lack of Real-Time Visibility

Studies show that 44% of warehouses are still looking to implement real-time inventory visibility in their facilities. Many warehouses still rely on a combination of manual and automated inventory control systems, potentially compromising accuracy and speed. In today's fast-paced business environment, it's essential to have access to up-to-the-minute information on crucial information such as:

• • Inventory levels
  • Order statuses
  • Delivery timeframes
  • Incoming orders
  • Available team members

Reliable visibility technologies empower managers to make informed decisions and respond quickly to changes in the market.

• Limited Scalability During Growth Periods

Rigid technology systems will slow down expansion plans if they cannot incorporate new opportunities. As companies expand and new customers come on board, your systems need to grow and accommodate change. Outdated systems may not be able to handle increasing demands if they rely on unsupported operating systems and manual input. For this reason, it is highly recommended that businesses work with qualified solution providers like Heartland to create a modernization strategy that meets today’s needs while ensuring future adaptability.

Related: Check out four more tell-tale signs it’s time to upgrade your warehouse.

Four Factors to Consider Before Technology Procurement

You work with a solution provider. They assist you in targeting underlying hardware issues. The next step will be to target and resolve common roadblocks in the upgrade process before procurement. Your solution provider will help you consider the following common factors to properly match your operations to a scalable hardware system:

1. Network Capacity – Instead of simply adding more devices to a lagging network, it may be best to consolidate tasks into one modern, versatile device, freeing up your network for faster connections.
2. Your Workforce's Comfort Level – Switching from manual systems to an RFID tracking solution is a large jump. To streamline rollouts, your solution provider will help you outline a training process while deploying user-friendly technologies that match your workforce’s comfort level.
3. Upfront Costs Compared to ROI – Although consumer-grade technologies may seem more cost-effective in the beginning, they are more likely to diminish ROI over time. A knowledgeable team with OEM partnerships provides you with durable hardware options that match your budget and maximize future profitability.
4. Worker Safety – Lastly, technology should empower teams, not hinder them. Therefore, consider where workers need automation to ensure new technology doesn’t become distracting. For example, forklift operators may be safer using hands-free scanning as opposed to handheld devices that distract from proper driving.
   
   

Choosing the Right Hardware

After working with your solution provider to identify issues and resolve challenges comes the fun part: technology procurement. Today’s OEMs have developed a vast array of options, which is why it’s beneficial to narrow down your goals to find a system that fits your budget and addresses concrete needs. Of the many available technology solutions around the world, the following six have become hallmarks of the modern warehouse:

1. Intelligent barcode solutions empower teams to communicate with vendors and logistics by uploading scanned data into your management systems instantly.
2. Mobile computers and tablets consolidate scanning, reporting, and communication in one ergonomic device so you can free up your network with easy-to-use handhelds.
3. RFID tracking goes beyond traditional barcoding by enabling real-time stock monitoring and in-motion tracking.
4. Voice technologies decrease training times while keeping workers’ eyes straight ahead for safer pick routes.
5. Enterprise printers alleviate bottlenecks with faster printing speeds and mobile options.
6. Warehouse robotics can triple productivity rates and take on straining workflows to further support worker safety.
   
   

Hardware Vendor Evaluation

Working with an experienced solution provider not only helps identify the obstacles discussed today but also supports ongoing efficiency and productivity with assisted support during deployment and beyond. When evaluating your solution provider, look for:

• A long experience in the industry – A qualified solution provider should have a proven track record of success in deploying similar solutions. This will help ensure that they understand the unique challenges and requirements of your business.
• A wider range of provided services - From device configuration to training and maintenance, the provider should be able to handle all aspects of your solution. This helps to ensure seamless integration and ongoing support in the event your systems need adjusting.
• Connections with leading OEMs – Partnerships with both hardware and software providers will help consolidate communications between you and OEMs through your solution provider. Your provider should also be able to offer customized technology solutions that fit the specific needs of your business.
• Dependable cybersecurity parameters - Along with technology, the provider should also prioritize data security. Your warehouse is home to valuable inventory, therefore, look for a provider who understands the importance of cybersecurity in the Digital Age.
  
  

Related: Check out 5 ways your tech support team can empower your hardware refresh process

Dedicated solution providers like Heartland take it a step further in combining the criteria above with on-site assistance and customer support, so you can count on experienced help at any point of your refresh journey.

To see how you can start exploring your purchase options before the end of the year, contact us for a quick discussion about your modernization goals.