It appears that the application of modern technologies in the growing warehouse and e-commerce continues to rise. And, there are no signs of slowing down. So, it is evident that innovation and design play an important role in reshaping the future of warehouse management.
The newest technologies and designs help in reducing costs and effective in the long run. Let’s find out how modern innovation and design are helping the warehouses in moving ahead.
1. Sustainability
Technologies help companies to lessen emissions, reduce energy consumption, and cut down on waste products. Replacing fluorescent lighting with alternatives like LED reduces power utilization and saves money.
Warehouses are designed smartly so that they can become energy efficient by preventing energy sources to draw power when not in use. Therefore, the latest improvements in technologies are helping warehouses to become more sustainable.
2. Cloud-based management systems
In today’s logistics industry, the application of warehouse management systems (WMS) is very important. However, most of the warehouses limit their productivity because of its absence. They need a team of IT professionals to work on that. So, how does cloud-based WMS software work?
In general, it is a kind of advanced software that creates a system where workers can integrate and sustain seamlessly with less time. Also, it is cost-effective because you don’t need to buy dedicated hardware. As a result, it saves the warehouse a lot of money in the long run.
3. Revamped warehouse design
Properly utilizing space is more important than stuffing every space with the inventory. Using the newest technologies helps companies like JDE to find optimal warehouse layout. As such, it maximizes outboard and inbound operations, the scope for product storage, and different value-added processes a company might use.
4. Internet of Things
It is a term used to encompass all kinds of networked or smart devices. If you have a smart appliance or Amazon Echo in your home, you might know what the Internet of Things (IoT) is all about. A warehouse equipped with IoT makes packaging and picking more effective by decreasing the workload on the employees.
There is no need to send a human worker to pull a list of things. Smart shelves can communicate with the robotic pickers and let them know where the item is. So, IoT plays a big role in packing, labeling, and taking care of everything that falls in the logistics process.
5. Handheld devices
Barcode scanners have been an important part of logistics for a very long time. However, recent developments have helped these handheld devices to become more useful and efficient than ever before.
Therefore, warehouses that depend much on physical paperwork should consider shifting to handheld devices that are equipped with GPS and RFID scanners. That way, warehouses can prevent inventory loss, reduce theft, and increase efficiency.
6. Big Data
The term refers to all kinds of information that a company collects. In terms of warehouse management, Big Data sums up everything from inventory, to productivity numbers, to sales, and everything in between.
The system collects data and the algorithm navigates through it. The algorithm identifies the patterns and predicts future changes with accuracy.
7. Robotics
Many big companies are following the robotics bandwagon. These picking robots are installed in distribution centers across the world. The robots can pick, pack, and ship orders without interference from human workers.
However, they need a little human oversight. So, robots and drones are the future of logistics and distribution.
8. Pick by voice
Many warehouses like JDE employ advanced barcode scanners to assist their team in picking up the items needed for packing and shipping. With pick by voice technology, a worker can speak the name of the item into a microphone.
And, the warehouse management system processes the order and removes the item. This innovative technology makes the picker’s hand free. In short, they make the job more efficient and easy.
9. Cartonization
Of all the time-consuming steps occurring during the packaging process, choosing the right carton size ahead of the list. The process becomes more complicated is the warehouse contains a variety of products of different sizes.
Cartonization can reduce the time drastically. The system assigns individual carton sizes for every product. That way, it eliminates guesswork and saves you plenty of time.
