Feb 20, 2024

Warehouses today are overtly aware that what used to work is now falling behind and costing money. This is the outcome of businesses that don’t adapt to how the world changes; they can’t compete. But what works today? And how do businesses modernize?

The solution is prioritizing mobility through supply chains. Many warehouses think they are on top of mobility but often lack automation or crucial systems that manage every facet of their operation. These systems may have worked fine pre-pandemic, but supply chains are hurt without proper mobilization in our post-pandemic world.  

During the COVID pandemic in 2020, supply chains faced a once-in-a-generation experience where everything, almost all at once, shut down. Because of the need for more mobility solutions and planning, warehouses worldwide struggled with delays, unemployment, and higher costs. While warehouses aren't to be blamed, as the whole system was in ruins, some steps could be taken to help ease the burden.    

It wasn't until 2021 that researchers saw the true effects supply chain disruption had on the population. The most difficult challenges faced by companies were consumers demanding faster response times, growing out-of-stock situations, and retaining workers.

Without mobility and automation, these issues only grow using traditional paper methods, which lack insight. This includes tracking where a package is, when it will arrive, and any delays that come into play. Conventional methods also lack management systems that offer logistics on distribution and supply chains.

Results of not prioritizing mobility:

• Stressful Work Environment: Employees not equipped with the tools needed help to ease the burden are unsatisfied with their work environment. This can result in workers leaving and businesses being left understaffed. The lack of support for the remaining crew can lead to slower productivity and loss in revenue.
• Inability to Track: Pen and paper methods lack insight into inventory. It cannot tell an employee where supplies or packages are located. Additionally, traditional methods cannot automatically inform workers of delivery dates, delays, environmental requirements, expiration dates, or optimal usage.  
• Slow and Inaccurate Data: Workers can track crates and packages as they move locations using mobile computers and RFID tags. RFID can quickly report every barcode linked to it from anywhere in the area. Using traditional barcode scanners and paper for data entry leads to human error and requires line-of-sight. Mobile computers can automatically input data received, resulting in 99% inventory accuracy and help avoid out-of-stock situations.
• Lost Customers: As mentioned above, customers and consumers want fast response times. While warehouses worldwide upgrade their equipment, competitors will grow due to customer satisfaction. 61% of customers have abandoned doing business with companies because of poor customer experience; some just after one bad experience. Businesses risk losing loyal customers when they lack the tools to provide fast and accurate response times.
  

But this wasn't just a problem created by COVID, as researchers found that pre-pandemic, companies would face disruptions of 2 months every 3.7 years. This leads to declining customer/employee satisfaction, revenue, and a stressful work environment.

So, while companies may not be able to control world events or outcomes, they can control their knowledge of what works for their business. This is why 77% of warehouse decision-makers want to modernize their operations with mobile automation, but only 35% understand how to start automating their process.

Companies that don’t modernize through mobility face the consequences of falling behind and losing revenue and customers in the process. Businesses that want a bright future without disruptions should talk to a Heartland supply chain specialist to understand how to integrate automation. Avoid falling behind the competition. With dependable mobility solutions, you can modernize your business today.    

Related: Is it Time to Perform a Supply Chain Vulnerability Assessment?

Importance of Mobility

Mobilization is simply more than moving a product or package from one location to another; only in its most basic definition. The problem with that interpretation is that it needs to come closer to conveying how important mobility is for a warehouse.

Mobile warehouses don’t store and send packages without thought; instead, they track, monitor, locate, and connect all products in one system. These products can range from small devices to whole networks, like:

• Warehouse Management Software and related applications
• Upgraded connectivity
• Barcode scanners
• RFID scanners
• Forklifts

Through mobility, warehouses can collect data analytics and receive real-time visualization on everything from when a package arrives to when it reaches its destination.

For example, shipments of certain products, such as perishable goods, may need to be stored at specific temperatures or humidities. Traceability software can accurately relay data to companies as it moves through the shipment process, ensuring the environments are consistent until they receive visible supply chain fulfillment. Traditional methods lack that insight, and businesses are unaware of what is happening until it's too late.

We can also look into the timeless example of employees struggling to find packages and products in large warehouses, wasting time and decreasing productivity. With hands-free voice-directed headsets, workers can quickly find any product with voice commands, eliminating traditional data entry and cutting back on look-up times.

Now that we know the consequences of not having a mobile warehouse and the importance of it let’s examine what solutions there are. Understanding each portion of mobility is vital to improving operations.

What does mobility look like?

Knowing where to begin for systems that seem too complex and challenging to integrate can be tricky. However, these solutions are simple and easy to incorporate when working with one of our supply chain specialists. Warehouse mobility involves a stable wireless internet connection, management systems, and hardware solutions for barcodes and RFID.

• Always Stay Connected - Having a reliable, wireless network is the first step before even considering setting up new systems. Without a good network, the rest of the systems won't function properly if they experience dead zones, overlapping signals, or IT interference. Businesses can begin their journey to becoming mobile warehouses by working with a Heartland networking

Not only can you rest easy knowing that WiFi will never be an issue, but it also lays the foundation for the rest of the systems and devices to build off of. Think of a wireless internet connection as the tree on which all other branches rely to grow and bloom.

• Tracing Inventory - Following inventory and materials has never been more important than in today's world. Consumers and customers want to know where and when a package arrives or how long it will be delayed. However, traceability is more than seeing a package arrive at a facility or in a port; it’s also how the package is treated. As mentioned above, different packages require specific temperatures, humidities, and light or must be checked for expiration dates or optimal usage.

Traceability also improves how workers locate and navigate their way through warehouses. It’s a waste of time trying to find every item, and wasted time means wasted revenue. With hands-free voice-picking solutions, teams can be led by automated software on where a product is stored and easily input data without sitting at a laptop. Once inventory is found, using mobile computers and scanners can quickly help enter products into data bases, that can be tracked with RFID.  

There is no need to be left in the dark, as supply chain visibility solutions exist. Talking with one of our supply chain specialists can pave the way for modernized tracking, response times, and improved customer satisfaction. These solutions have been proven to improve efficiency, accuracy, and viability, all while lowering costs.

• Streamline Management - A sound management system is vital for any successful business. Bringing in automation doesn't mean losing control; operations will improve while lowering costs. Having complete oversight of the logistics of your warehouse leads to many benefits, including automating routines for stock rotation and picking while reducing space requirements. An expert can help meet your pricing needs while knowing the right combinations of distribution solutions.

Related: Let’s Get a Clear Picture of Your Supply Chain in 2024

Supply chains will always have ups and downs, but that doesn't mean your operations must suffer. In the Age of Automation, warehouses must adapt and learn how mobility through technology is the most excellent solution. Contact our experts today for more information on improving and upgrading your performance and mobility.