THE PERFECT ORDER:
nine steps to optimise warehouse efficiency and accuracy
Perfect order fulfilment means the right product, delivered to the right place at the right time, in the right quantity with the right documentation and packaging. But with the potential for delays and errors at every step along the journey from order placement to shipment, how can warehouses help achieve the perfect order?
Here are nine simple steps to boost efficiency and accuracy in your warehouse:
1
Place items by popularity in your warehouse:
Are your most popular items closest to the front of the picking area?
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Are your least popular items placed at the back?
Are items that are commonly ordered together placed near each other?
Sorting according to popularity and grouping like items together will ensure that pickers can reach the items they need more quickly, speeding up order fulfilment.
2
Organise items into zones:
Do you have similar items grouped together?
Does your warehouse management system (WMS) automatically split and assign work into zones?
Does your WMS allow you to effectively ship items across multiple zones, either by virtual or physical consolidation?
Zone picking allows workers to spend less time travelling around the warehouse resulting in faster, more accurate picking.
3
Create picking paths:
Do you have an optimised picking strategy—e.g. batch or wave picking?
Have you planned the shortest-possible picking route?
Are there easy-to-read signs in the warehouse to direct pickers to locations?
Do your pickers know in what order to collect items?
Having clear picking paths will help workers avoid backtracking and minimise the time it takes to complete orders.
4
Set up barcode scanning for products and locations:
Are barcode labels easy to reach and scan?
Do all workers know when barcode scanning happens in your workflow?
Are you scanning items both in and out?
By replacing manual data entry, barcodes save time and eliminate human error, making sure the correct product is being shipped out.
5
Take control of inventory:
Do you have inventory management software that suits your needs?
Do you conduct regular cycle counts to identify and correct any problems early?
Do you have a strong stock exception management process?
Maintaining strong inventory control is crucial to keeping your warehouse organised and reducing errors.
6
Check you have the right tools:
Do your workers have the equipment they need for lifting and conveying items?
Can they access appropriate packing materials, such as boxes and tape?
Does the warehouse have technology such as barcode readers and label printers?
Are your workers properly trained in using equipment and systems to maximise effectiveness?
While each warehouse will vary, certain tools can help create an accurate and efficient workplace.
7
Automate as much as possible:
Do you have a WMS that fits your needs?
Is your WMS integrated with other software you use?
Does your WMS minimise the number of human touchpoints required for each despatch?
Can you use automation such as conveyors, autonomous mobile robots, or palletisation?
Software and robotics can effectively replace repetitive manual or administrative tasks, ensuring speed and accuracy in fulfilment.
8
Maintain master data quality:
Do you have guidelines for how master data is captured and entered?
Are you conducting regular data reviews?
Do you have processes in place to ensure data is correct?
Do you have processes in place to ensure data is correct?
The item master is the source of all product information, so it’s critical that data is accurate and kept up to date.
9
Learn from your mistakes:
Do you provide feedback to your staff?
Are you using data to track performance?
Do you regularly review your processes to identify and correct bottlenecks?
Do you encourage staff to identify and suggest opportunities to optimise and improve warehouse efficiency?
Remember, every mistake is a new opportunity to improve the way your warehouse operates.
Streamlining your processes will help you maximise efficiency and accuracy in fulfilment—but you’ll also need to be flexible enough to adapt to new challenges as they arise.
Thomax Technology is a leading software company specialising in industry-leading warehouse management systems. Operating internationally since 2005, Thomax develops and delivers tailored solutions for warehouses to drive efficiency and reduce costs through its end-to-end processes. Thomax’s integrated, cloud-based platforms are designed to scale from a handful of orders right through to major operations across multiple facilities.
To speak to a dedicated warehouse management system specialist, contact us