Supply chains are facing multiple challenges and complexities in the current economic environment. The inflation is impacting energy costs, e-commerce customers expect faster shipping, warehouse space is under pressure and labour is in short supply. Keeping up with current trends while trying to achieve cost savings is becoming more difficult every day.
If managing day-to-day operations is taking up all your time and energy, when do you find time to review your operations? The main questions we get asked are:
How do I…
The answers may lie somewhere between making some simple workflow changes to redesigning your warehouse layout, automating picking and packing processes, or implementing a technology solution. Where can you reduce your energy usage?
The challenges a business is facing can come from changes to customer requirements, limited storage space, ineffective inventory management, low productivity, and/or outdated technologies.
Here are some practical steps that can be used to improve warehouse utilisation and save costs.
Consider outsourcing all or part of the warehousing needs. The warehousing costs depend on many factors, it may be more cost-effective to use a third-party logistics (3PL) provider.
Many important trends that are driving warehouse management efficiency involve the use of technology.
The development of automated and electric vehicles and their application in the warehouse will continue. Mobile technology tools that use IoT and AI techniques can improve inventory tracking and automate picking and packing processes.
WMS solutions typically provide similar core functionality but products vary greatly in their scope, ease of implementation, and the ability of the solution to match a particular industry or operation. Choosing the right WMS for you will reduce your operating expenses.
Data visibility means transparency, i.e., being able to track and trace shipments throughout the warehouse from receipt to delivery. Error-prone manual methods limit immediate access to reliable fresh data.
Companies are under pressure to reduce their environmental footprint inside and outside their facilities. Issues include carbon emissions, eliminating waste, reusable packaging and conserving water and energy.
A supply chain consultancy that specialises in warehouse design and layout provides a range of services based on applying industry best practices, including some or all of these:
Any major project starts with a strategic review of operations. This is essential when you need to:
Professional warehouse consultants can identify sustainable ways of improving supply chain performance, boosting productivity, and driving savings through re-engineering processes.
In an existing facility there are inevitably some inefficient processes. It may be that the technology is outdated, the utilisation of space is poor, or routine tasks take too long. An experienced warehouse consultant focuses on improving workflow and processes and automating or eliminating routine tasks. These can include:
Advances in cloud-based solutions have made technology a powerful enabler in the warehouse. But how do you choose the best solution for your situation? Our consultants have access to the latest technologies and achieve success by applying industry best practices to all functions from receiving goods to picking, packing, and dispatching.
Our warehouse consultants can assist with:
Consultants that specialise in optimising distribution centre and warehouse operations have problem-solving abilities and good communication skills as well as technical knowledge. They are up-to-date with the latest trends and bring a fresh perspective. They work with you to answer questions like these:
A professional consultancy will show broad expertise across industry sectors and project types. SCCG consultants have wide expertise and are independent of third-party vendors of materials handling equipment and of software solutions.