So easily overlooked, yet such an integral part of the warehousing business is the distribution sortation systems. Having the right sortation system conveys improved cost and customer service by increasing efficiency. Take into consideration the automation of order picking integrated with material handling via a conveyor system. Commodities are categorized by conveyable and non-conveyable. Conveyable goods move along the distribution center at various speeds depending upon the product and processing requirements. The packages move at a high volume to their destination, to truck docks, and routs.
Sortation Techniques
Low rate sortation typically moves items at about 15 to 20 items per minute and includes the use of a diverter arm that comes across the conveyer to divert the produce onto another conveyor. It can be either manual or automatic. Included in this category is the right angel transfer sorter, which moves the product onto another conveyor at a 90-degree angle.
The medium speed sorter moves approximately 30 to 100 items per minute and typically includes sorters like pop-up wheel sorters for smaller, uniform packages, or multi-belt sorters for sorts at 30 degrees or 90 degrees.
High-speed sortation is available in a variety of configurations. The carousel is used to sort products that are a variety of sizes, and SKUs to be sorted to various locations. A high-speed sorter can accommodate up to 500 SKUs.
There are sorters than can move product at 10,000 items per minute. Sortation systems play a fundamental roll in the distribution industry, so it is imperative to work with a consultant in the field to choose the appropriate system for your warehouse.
Sources:
Diamond Pheonix
bnet.com
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Investing In Warehouse Technology
There is so much to an automated storage and retrieval system that a blog can only scratch the surface of a topic, so I strive to give you basic knowledge about a topic but endeavor to try to inform as much as possible effectively but as concise as possible. In this spirit, I will write about the benefits of an automated system, which lowers labor costs, order time and increases pick and pack accuracy.
New technology allows warehouse facilities to take advantage of the huge strides in warehouse distribution methods in the endeavor to reduce costs and improve accuracy. Warehouse distribution centers have turned to the automation of many of the practices. Part of the goal of automation is to increase accuracy of put away and replenishment as well as many other functions to an astounding 99% accuracy rate. How? By investing in new technology.
For instance, pick to light and voice is the use of voice directed order picking, sortation, retrieval, picking, sorting, and retrieval process. The goal is to work fast and efficiently, by reducing error and as well as reduce labor costs while increasing return on investment.
An automated system is not cheap but there are studies to demonstrate that the implementation of the right system will reduce costs over the long term while increasing productivity. Research the options thoroughly and work with a consultant to make sure that the system you invest in is right for your business.
Source:
Automation drives warehouse profits
New technology allows warehouse facilities to take advantage of the huge strides in warehouse distribution methods in the endeavor to reduce costs and improve accuracy. Warehouse distribution centers have turned to the automation of many of the practices. Part of the goal of automation is to increase accuracy of put away and replenishment as well as many other functions to an astounding 99% accuracy rate. How? By investing in new technology.
For instance, pick to light and voice is the use of voice directed order picking, sortation, retrieval, picking, sorting, and retrieval process. The goal is to work fast and efficiently, by reducing error and as well as reduce labor costs while increasing return on investment.
An automated system is not cheap but there are studies to demonstrate that the implementation of the right system will reduce costs over the long term while increasing productivity. Research the options thoroughly and work with a consultant to make sure that the system you invest in is right for your business.
Source:
Automation drives warehouse profits
Automated Guided Vehicles - AGV
A concern for many warehouse facilities is saving costs, in part because of labor cost, and workers ’ compensation claims due to injuries. The two are indelibly intertwined. Although warehouse companies take appropriate measures such as safety training, safety gear, and reward systems for low or no injuries. Inevitably, someone will file a claim because of taking a wrong step, bumping into something, or worse. Automated guided vehicles have become an integral part of a large manufacturing and distribution plants. Both by providing a safe and efficient method of transport and picking and packing but also lowering labor costs and fewer workers’ compensation costs.
Fewer workers mean fewer incidents of accidents and reduced labor and material costs. However, what does this entail? Not just a forklift, but also a major integrated system. Robotic cars that have a pre-defined path using either of three methods that follow a path throughout the distribution center. The robotic carts follow these paths using buried inductive wires, surface mounted magnetic or optical stripes, or laser guidance. These vehicles are highly sophisticated integrated systems that allow large operations to perform the same duties as forklift operators, which do pick up and deliver of pallet loads.
Another benefit is that it allows large operations to perform at high capacity through 24-hour shift operations. It is possible for distribution centers to use hundreds of these vehicles at a time. They can be coordinated on the floor to provide instant reporting to track stock and interface with the order department as well at the integration with robotic palletizers and wrappers.
This new technology has become a boon in the industry as a major roll for warehouses to work efficiently and effectively.
Sources:
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16137369.html
Fewer workers mean fewer incidents of accidents and reduced labor and material costs. However, what does this entail? Not just a forklift, but also a major integrated system. Robotic cars that have a pre-defined path using either of three methods that follow a path throughout the distribution center. The robotic carts follow these paths using buried inductive wires, surface mounted magnetic or optical stripes, or laser guidance. These vehicles are highly sophisticated integrated systems that allow large operations to perform the same duties as forklift operators, which do pick up and deliver of pallet loads.
Another benefit is that it allows large operations to perform at high capacity through 24-hour shift operations. It is possible for distribution centers to use hundreds of these vehicles at a time. They can be coordinated on the floor to provide instant reporting to track stock and interface with the order department as well at the integration with robotic palletizers and wrappers.
This new technology has become a boon in the industry as a major roll for warehouses to work efficiently and effectively.
Sources:
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16137369.html
Choosing a Warehouse Forklift
The selection of forklifts for warehouse facilities is phenomenal, so when you need one which do you need? Warehouses move thousands of products a day that range in size and weight from several thousand pounds to light items that require assembly. Warehouse facilities utilize automated guided vehicle systems (AGVS) that range from simple manual controlled vehicles like forklifts to sophisticated computer integrated systems.
One type of automated vehicle is the forklifts. There are several determining factors to consider when choosing a forklift.
Will it be for indoor or outdoor use and the type of combustion process are you interested in using. For instance, are you interested in going the “green” route by purchasing an electric forklift that is clean burning and typically quieter. The other option is a gas or diesel burning vehicle, which is less expensive.
Another consideration is the type of product that you will be moving. Weight and height requirements are very important. Will the product weight several hundred or several thousand pounds? Will the item or pallet be five feet or twenty feet tall? Center of gravity will also be a determining factor, which will affect the load capacity of the vehicle.
Think about the aisle space you have and maneuverability that will be required by the vehicle. A stock picker is designed for both pallet handling and picking product at tall heights. A rider pallet truck and tow truck is for low-level order picking, high-speed transport, or dock work. A turret truck is used for very narrow aisle and is designed for pallet handling and case picking.
First step first: Determine what is the main purpose or job for which the forklift is needed?
Source:
Forklift Comparisons
MHIA.org Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems
One type of automated vehicle is the forklifts. There are several determining factors to consider when choosing a forklift.
Will it be for indoor or outdoor use and the type of combustion process are you interested in using. For instance, are you interested in going the “green” route by purchasing an electric forklift that is clean burning and typically quieter. The other option is a gas or diesel burning vehicle, which is less expensive.
Another consideration is the type of product that you will be moving. Weight and height requirements are very important. Will the product weight several hundred or several thousand pounds? Will the item or pallet be five feet or twenty feet tall? Center of gravity will also be a determining factor, which will affect the load capacity of the vehicle.
Think about the aisle space you have and maneuverability that will be required by the vehicle. A stock picker is designed for both pallet handling and picking product at tall heights. A rider pallet truck and tow truck is for low-level order picking, high-speed transport, or dock work. A turret truck is used for very narrow aisle and is designed for pallet handling and case picking.
First step first: Determine what is the main purpose or job for which the forklift is needed?
Source:
Forklift Comparisons
MHIA.org Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Why Warehouses Use Credit Card Processing Systems
Today’s society is incredibility busy yet with inflation, consumers want to find ways to save money. Consumers are comparing prices by researching catalogs and the Internet for the best deals or sales on potential purchases. Individuals are finding deals, saving money in gas and time by purchasing gifts online, and having them delivered to the receiver. Warehouse facilities that offer credit card processing primarily help increase profitability.
To increase sales, warehouses can assist retailers to promote 90 day same as cash bill me later options that offers point-of-sales-credit to on-line customers. This gives customers an alternative to credit card use. It also speeds transactions, because consumers are accustomed to using their ATM.
Warehouses that offer credit card processing provide order-processing streamlining, deliver the funds directly to the retailers account, track rejected transactions for exception reporting, and provide it both for direct orders and web stores. The warehouse can accept credit, debit, country cards, PayPal, bill me later, and bank transfers, which gives consumers an abundance of payment options. Warehouses can also accept global payment types for multi-currency, recurring payments, and payment security.
Companies such as The Golf Warehouse offer the use of a system like GERS Retail Systems, which is simple to use and simple to teach employees. It allows the warehouse to provide immediate inventory look-up and reservation with quick check out. This system offers benefits like higher productivity, a higher incidence of repeat customers because of order accuracy, higher customer satisfaction, managing deliveries and customer pick-ups, and it integrates with the warehouse management systems.
Sources:
Gogetagrip.com
cybersource.com
businesswire
To increase sales, warehouses can assist retailers to promote 90 day same as cash bill me later options that offers point-of-sales-credit to on-line customers. This gives customers an alternative to credit card use. It also speeds transactions, because consumers are accustomed to using their ATM.
Warehouses that offer credit card processing provide order-processing streamlining, deliver the funds directly to the retailers account, track rejected transactions for exception reporting, and provide it both for direct orders and web stores. The warehouse can accept credit, debit, country cards, PayPal, bill me later, and bank transfers, which gives consumers an abundance of payment options. Warehouses can also accept global payment types for multi-currency, recurring payments, and payment security.
Companies such as The Golf Warehouse offer the use of a system like GERS Retail Systems, which is simple to use and simple to teach employees. It allows the warehouse to provide immediate inventory look-up and reservation with quick check out. This system offers benefits like higher productivity, a higher incidence of repeat customers because of order accuracy, higher customer satisfaction, managing deliveries and customer pick-ups, and it integrates with the warehouse management systems.
Sources:
Gogetagrip.com
cybersource.com
businesswire
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Warehouse Slotting
A warehouse manager must keep track of not only how much inventory passes through the warehouse for retailers but also the placement of that inventory to maintain an efficient operation. This includes monitoring the location the items are placed within the warehouse, time it takes for the merchandise to be picked, assembled, and packed as well as the height of the inventory on the shelves.
There is an abundance of forethought that must go into determining placement of the incoming product to avoid waste. If you have a high volume fulfillment facility, you will need to maximize storage space, oversee shipping errors, and productivity. The best approach is to conduct a slotting analysis.
What is slotting?
In the most basic sense, it is the optimization of materials handling by strategic placement of inventory. The benefits include:
There is an abundance of forethought that must go into determining placement of the incoming product to avoid waste. If you have a high volume fulfillment facility, you will need to maximize storage space, oversee shipping errors, and productivity. The best approach is to conduct a slotting analysis.
What is slotting?
In the most basic sense, it is the optimization of materials handling by strategic placement of inventory. The benefits include:
- Increased picking and packing productivity by reducing travel time for the workers
- Reducing labor required to replenish inventory by maximizing space. i.e. pre-selected space for specific palletized items
- Reducing labor required to pick and pack by streamlining processes
- Improving material flow by reducing response time to batch items
- Shelving items according to weight so that heavy items are on the bottom and lighter on top thus reducing injuries
- Increasing accuracy by separating similar items
What has been mentioned is only a fraction of the benefits of slotting inventory appropriately. By the use of software planning tools via a warehouse management system, you will increase space, reduce shipping errors, and increasing productivity
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Why Use a Warehouse?
Have a great product to send to market, but you do not have the resources to receive, store, and distribute those goods? Then a warehouse facility may be the best method of distribution for your company. Warehousing provides an enormous advantage for industries that do not have the capital resources to establish a warehouse facility. Here are some of the benefits of warehousing.
Warehouses do not just offer a place to store products. They also offer services like:
Warehouses do not just offer a place to store products. They also offer services like:
- Customer service personnel to manage orders, customer issues, and problem resolution
- Inventory management to track just in time production and inventory movement
- They track the movement of the inventory by monitoring when the merchandise arrives to the facility, where it is stored, how much of it is transported
- A warehouse facility also offer a pass through for inventory that needs a drop off and pick up point for products that are on their way to a destination
Transportation plays a major role for warehouse facilities. Because of the sheer volume of goods that flow through warehouse facilities, the warehouse is able to negotiate transpiration costs and ultimately save money for the retailer
Warehouses specialize in different types of product services. Some warehouses may have the facility to store and transport frozen foods. Another may deal in soft goods such as clothing and offer steaming and pressing services, which prepare the product for display at the department store. Another warehouse may deal in the particular storage and transport of produce. It is critical to understand the maintenance requirements of your product, and how the warehouse will keep those products safe and viable through storage and transport.
Source:
Fulfillment Services
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