Visibility 101: Helpful Tips to Improve Warehouse Visibility

Mar 18, 2024

The automated warehouse is the solution to the rising demands for operational efficiency—from maximizing accuracy to effectively managing labor. With Heartland’s experience with automated warehouse systems, we present a much-needed lesson in Visibility 101: Helpful Tips to Improve Warehouse Visibility.

You can’t manage what you can’t see. Luckily, technological advances enable warehouse managers a clear view of the entire operation: Receiving, Putaway, Picking, Packing, Shipping, and Storage. Inventory levels are visible in real-time, along with labor performance, processed order volume and speed, and equipment issues, to name just a few. Automated warehouse systems create an unmatched level of efficiency. Today’s connected warehouse replaces labor-intensive, error-ridden processes with more sustainable practices. Maintaining warehouse visibility prevents costly errors in picking and shipping, optimizes the use of warehouse space, increases worker productivity, reduces employee onboarding time, and supports a healthier bottom line.

Let’s look at helpful tips to improve warehouse visibility.

Tip #1: Switch to voice picking

Voice-directed picking—or voice picking—uses a wireless headset and wearable computer to communicate voice demands to the picker. With hands free and eyes focused on the picking location (not papers), warehouse workers follow the commands to pick and confirm each item.

One of the most effective automated warehouse solutions, voice-picking delivers strong ROI:

Achieve accuracy up to 99%: Eliminate the human error that not only leads to waste in inventory and shipping costs but also customer satisfaction.
Faster picking and processing: The ease of automated warehouse picking expedites the process, reducing travel and searching in the warehouse and leading to higher order throughput without an increase in labor costs.
Shorter onboarding time: New warehouse workers adapt quickly to the ease of voice-directed picking, which reduces the time it takes to train them by AS MUCH AS 85%, often cutting the time from weeks or days to just one or two shifts.

Tip #2: Pay attention to real-time reports

Warehouse automation solutions provide a wealth of data. But you need to study the actionable data you’re receiving and put that business intelligence into practice. With real-time reporting from automated warehouse systems, you can check numbers at any time and gain crystal clear warehouse visibility.

For example:

Inventory counts are instantly updated. You can automatically receive alerts to replenish inventory and see changes in product demand, particularly useful for seasonal shifts. At any moment, look at possible overstocks and adapt your buying to fit the demand.
Using artificial intelligence (AI), follow equipment use and proactively schedule routine maintenance that prevents downtime from machine failure.
Look at employee productivity and movement in the warehouse to identify your strengths and find opportunities to improve.
Check parcel movement and order throughput numbers.

Real-time reporting means faster resolution based on facts, not guesses.

Tip #3: Allocate tasks based on skills

An automated warehouse system is essential for managing labor. By using voice-picking (see Tip #1), you increase productivity. You can also allocate certain workers to other tasks where their time is a better investment. Use the AI algorithm to match workers to tasks that match their skills, based on performance data. You gain even greater productivity. When you put your best workers in situations that benefit from their specific skills you also give them greater satisfaction, leading to more employee retention.

Tip #4: Manage storage solutions for greater efficiency

Replace manual warehouse planning with an automated version that uses analytics and machine learning to identify the best placement. Reduce the time to plan, adapt to inventory shifts in demand and volume, and optimize vertical spaces. The automated warehouse systems analyze your space, product movement, and other data related to efficient storage, which enables efficient putaway and picking.

Tip #5: Use predictive analytics for accurate forecasting

To remain profitable, warehouses need to balance inventory to the best accurate degree possible. Warehouse visibility makes that task simple. The system stores sales data, identifies trends, and provides predictive analytics to guide your inventory management decisions. Use this real-time knowledge to avoid costly overstocks and prevent unhappy customers due to OOS.

Tip #6: Conduct performance reviews based on actual data

Labor management benefits from warehouse automation. Your system collects performance data on every worker. Your managers don’t need to have eyes on every worker on every shift. The system automatically tracks their performance metrics. When it comes time to conduct a performance review, you have accurate information to support your actions, which can include providing them with KPIs.

Tip #7: Establish consistent processes

Standardize the workflow by developing Standard Operating Procedures, leaving nothing up to interpretation. The SOP Manual provides consistency in processes, an important factor when bringing in new warehouse workers.

Tip #8: Find and eliminate bottlenecks

Count on your choice of automated warehouse solutions to identify bottlenecks in your operation. From people to processes, the real-time insights alert you to areas that need your attention, while also offering solutions. Don’t let gridlock squeeze your operational profitability.

Tip #9: Easily maintain compliance

Are you working in an industry that must adhere to compliance regulations? Use warehouse automation to ensure compliance and quickly provide the data and reports required. AI can assess and alert you to possible risks and steps for mitigation. Metrics measure your performance against compliance standards so you can adjust quickly. And when you need it, you can provide reliable data to support your efforts and success.

Tip #10: Keep improving

No business is static, but a warehouse is probably one of the most dynamic operations. The steady flow of traffic can be difficult to track, unless you’ve invested in being an automated warehouse. The system will show you areas that need change and improvement. With this reliable data and possible solutions, you have the agility you need to respond quickly with the right actions.

As a leader in automated warehouse solutions, Heartland can help you implement and maintain the most effective approach for your business. We tailor our warehouse management solutions to each operation and provide the support you need to deploy and maintain it for maximum effectiveness. Let Heartland automate your warehouse. Contact Heartland to discuss your warehouse challenges and explore opportunities with the strongest ROI.