Warehouse software is supposed to be the answer to all (or most) of your warehouse concerns. If you are struggling with vast amounts of paperwork, not getting accurate data on delivery statuses and finding it hard to optimise floor space or keep track of product distribution and barcodes, your warehouse software might not be working for you….or you might not have a warehouse system in place… or you’re just not using it correctly.
Applying warehouse software comprises more than just clicking a download button, sitting back and watching as parcels magically get distributed on time by the right fleet via an optimised route. When installing a warehouse software system, your warehouse software supplier needs to be on-site to ensure that your system will be configured to meet your unique requirements and to ensure your warehouse system will provide you with a sustainable competitive advantage.
Warehouse Software can help companies tackle all of the main challenges experienced in a warehousing environment.
Here is a checklist to ensure your Warehouse System is working for you… not for your competitors!
- Data Integration and an increase in accuracy should be a benefit provided by a warehouse management software system: Owing to the use of RFID technology as well as handheld scanners or barcode scanners, product and parcel information can automatically be captured, fed into your software systems and calculated to display the required data via dashboards. This will enable you to know exactly what enters the warehouse, when it enters and when it exits. To further enable easier document management and record archiving, companies also have the option of supplementing a warehouse software system with a document management system for easier document distribution and archiving.
- Increased Efficiency: Warehouse software systems are supposed to make your life easier and your warehouse more efficient. The main aim of a warehouse system is to optimise your supply chain processes to the point where late deliveries and inaccurate information are an exception, not a rule.
- Reduced Costs and Increased Control: One of the main reasons why businesses fail is a lack of control and visibility over spending. This is not always due to expected circumstances but owes to unexpected nasty surprises such as ongoing late deliveries, continuous breakdowns, system failures which leads to warehouse standstills, inaccurate data which causes managers to make decisions based on the wrong information. All of this can cause major financial losses and, ultimately, business closure. Therefore, warehouse software should be applied and configured to ensure automation, increased efficiencies, accurate data visibility and reduced costs through an increase in on-time deliveries, scheduled fleet maintenance, integrated data management, route optimisation and optimised supply chains.