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Jennie Miller 2021-06-04

You need to keep up with it because it will help you maintain your warehouse as a well-organized business asset.

Material handling automation has made it easier for manufacturers to manage and use the desired level of right material or raw goods at the right time.Conventional Vs. Modern Material Handling Systems:Materials handling can be simply defined as the movement and stocking of raw goods from storage locations to the point of use – manufacturing process.

Now, this all depends on the nature and scale of your business.In previously used, material handling systems raw goods were usually managed as single units and that also in a discontinuous manner and without proper tracking.

This often led to inefficiencies and inaccuracies both in warehouse management and thereby in production planning and execution.

The early material handling methods involved three stages including, material collection, manufacturing process and product delivery.

Raw and finished goods are usually moved from their native sites to the shop floor and logistics unit through the cranes, conveyor belts and other equipment.

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Jennie Miller 2021-05-20

Demarcation:Material handling equipment is the term specifically used for the machine tools and equipment used for controlling, storing, protecting, moving, lifting, shipping, and transporting the products and goods during the whole supply chain process cycle.

All the phases of manufacturing, development, shipment, disposal, deployment, and consumption in the Material Handling System do require some sort of material handling equipment.Classification of Material handling equipment:Material handling equipment is of various kinds and forms.

Based on their utility domains all the equipment are classified into the following 5 basic sorts of categories:• Storage EquipmentAll the material handling equipment that is solely used for protecting and storing the goods and products developed falls under this particular category.• Unit Load Formation EquipmentEvery kind of equipment that facilitates the division, classification, and manufacturing of the products, they are collectively classified as unit load formation equipment.• Positioning EquipmentThe tools and equipment that are used for positioning the product while production and handling other material equipment in their workplaces are classified under positioning equipment.• Lifting EquipmentAll the tools and machines that are required to lift up the heavy loads of goods during production, transportation, and deployment, are gathered under lifting equipment.• Transporting EquipmentAll the equipment classified under the tag of transporting equipment are responsible for the shipment and moving the goods within the warehouse and even outside for disposal and delivery,Importance of Material Handling Equipment:Material handling equipment including the small tools to the gigantic automated machines has revolutionized the whole process of product development life cycle, from manufacturing till disposal and consumption.

Due to the material handling equipment, the efficiency and productivity of the whole supply chain management workflow have been increased 10 thousand times when compared with the work that was done without tools in the past.Types of Material handling equipment:Based on the specified utility in their own particular domain the material handling equipment are divided into the following 4 basic types:1.

Material Handling industrial trucksEngineered Systems:All the automated equipment i.e.

machines and tools that follow a defined set of instructions given to them and perform their tasks as they are designed and programmed to do, all fall under the engineered systems.

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Jennie Miller 2021-05-20

There are hundreds of various kinds of warehouse control software deployed all around the globe in almost all kinds of organizations that involve some sort of warehouse for keeping up with their supply chain and logistics needs.

An organization based on its size and overall functionality needs to choose from the bunch of available warehouse control software available in the market.Quality warehouse control software that needs to be efficient in all ways and needs to check to mark some of the quality standards that are overall common among all kinds of material handling systems deployed.

The basic functionality includes the monitoring of the automation systems working in the warehouse-like the machinery etc.

and the other important feature to look for is the ability to work in coordination with other management software working and play a vital role as a bridge among the high and low-level domains.Warehouse Control System ProcessThe warehouse control system process has some particular steps that need to be followed accordingly and a hierarchy to achieve the desired result.Following are the important steps and their particular working inside a warehouse control system process.Planning:This is the first and most important phase of the whole warehouse control system process.

Full-fledged working warehouse control software should possess such programming algorithms that can do the automated planning, to enhance the working flow of the whole warehouse and other concerned departments coordinating with it.Automation:After everything is planned, the next important step is initializing the automation process.

Automation here does not only refer to the machinery and tools but the work done via human resources and commands given to them needs to be generated automatically as per the need of the logistics that have the warehouse control.The warehouse control system automating the functionality of the warehouse is the need of the hour.

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Jennie Miller 2021-05-20

A warehouse control system is an important part of the complete material handling system that incorporates the whole supply chain management cycle.

A warehouse control system is a full-fledged software that helps in the automation of the process from manufacturing, storekeeping, inventory management to dispatch and disposal.A full-fledged warehouse control system works as a bridge between the warehouse facilities and the disposal system.

A particular product stored in a warehouse after the production and testing are then sent to the distribution center for delivery.

A warehouse control system is not only responsible for just managing the data and stuff included and relating to the warehouse only but it also has to deal with almost every domain residing inside the supply chain logistics process.How Does A Warehouse Control System Work?A warehouse control system as discussed earlier works as a bridge between the warehouse management software and the good distribution system.

These laws or rules could be relating to the human resource working inside the warehouse, the machinery installed for the automation process and even the delivery process technical graph is monitored and handled by a warehouse control system.

It is a software system installed to gain control over the automation within and activities being performed outside the warehouse.Functions of Warehouse Control SystemThe main function and responsibility of a warehouse control software are to monitor all the actions and things going around in the warehouse and to ensure the achievement of set standards and protocols.

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Jennie Miller 2021-06-18

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have established a pattern of congestion that practically every sector of the international supply chain predicts will endure at least through the summer — and maybe longer — if second-half volumes do not decline.According to industry insiders, recent figures on trucker wait times, container stay times, the number of ships in the harbor, and chassis availability have all plateaued, indicating that things aren’t improving significantly but aren’t getting much worse either.

Several executives from ports, ocean carriers, intermodal equipment providers (IEPs), non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOs), third-party logistics providers (3PLs), terminal operators, waterfront employers, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have met and discussed the issues multiple times.Material handling systems optimized connections, effective technology, good information sharing, and simplified infrastructure are all essential components of a successful supply chain.

Although there are many things that businesses can do to avoid delays and maintain accuracy in their own shipping, receiving, and transportation infrastructure, one important area that can be difficult to manage is ports.Why Is There Congestion on the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach?The elements below depict the impact of record imports and port congestion in Southern California.Operational IssuesThere is still a chassis shortageThe chassis rental system requires more time and moves per delivery, further reducing daily dray capacityNew Clean Air program requirements have reduced the number of available trucksDriver compensation has been reduced due to congestion, making hiring additional drivers difficult Lines at the port, on the train, and at the pickup points for chassisCarrier Issues• A 5% increase in volume due to larger vessels arriving with more cargo to load/unload at onceConfusion about where to pick up and deliver containers due to alliances delivering freight on terminals throughout the portDespite the coalition’s efforts to reduce the amount of ships, they prefer to arrive all at once rather than over the course of a weekTerminal IssuesThe union is not providing enough crews to efficiently manage the larger vessels Worker productivity in terms of containers handled per hour has reduced dramatically Restricted gate hoursThe union is fighting automation of port tasks because it threatens worker jobsThe union is conducting additional safety checks on vehicles and chassis arriving at the port, which slows down the operation even furtherSteps to Take to Mitigate Port CongestionTo restore West Coast port efficiency, four major steps must be taken:The issue of labor must be resolved.A chassis “gray pool” must be constructed.To enhance overall unloading/loading volume, the port must enhance dockside capacity.To transport vehicles through gates at a faster rate, automation must be used at all chokepoints.This congestion can be mitigated by accurate inventory management.

Inventory tracking and stock control allow you to readily notice sales trends, track recalled products, and track expiration dates.Planning for Seamless TransportationTo eliminate duplication and inefficiency, profile your company’s global carriage activities across distinct trade lanes and strategic business units.

For West Coast port owners and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, 2008 is a new contract year.The Impact of Supply Chain Management on the Port CongestionWithin global supply chains and global manufacturing networks, seaports serve as platforms.

As global trade patterns, consumer preferences, and improvements in supply chain management, material handling equipment and information technology alter, these supply networks become more dynamic.

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Jennie Miller 2021-05-19

We often think of how these warehouses and factories have well-organized product management systems?The diverse process of transportation, controlling, storing, loading, and unloading smallest to most complex products fall under the general structure of a ‘material handling systems.’ This manifolds equipment, tools, vehicles, storage units, and appliances to run the entire system.Use of Material Handling Equipment :Material handling equipment has a broad usage scope in production houses like industries and warehouses.

These play a vital role in the crucial tasks of lifting and transporting heavy materials.

Apprehension of all the complex techniques is difficult, but the four broad equipment types areBulk product handling equipmentStorage and handling equipmentEngineered systemsIndustrial material trucksApplication of Material Handling Equipment :Each category has a diverse range of equipment with helpful functionality.

These are long buildings that carry and elevate out of the container when sent for processing.Stackers piles up stock, moving between two points or aisles.

These also includeStacking frames in the warehouse helps safely crush products such as liquid containers to be secured without damage.Bins are used to stock material when not in use.

It is adjusted according to the material dimension.Mezzanines help create more elevated floors in a warehouse to provide additional storage for a brief time.Pallet racks help explicitly to store product vertically which consume less space.

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Jennie Miller 2021-05-19

Material handling automation referrers to the phenomena of moving heavy products into and out to the different domains in a supply chain management workflow atmosphere.

In other words, we can say that reducing the requirement of manpower and human workers in the manufacturing and moving of the products is termed as material handling automation.Various types of material handling methods and techniques have been used worldwide by different companies and organizations to fulfill their supply chain needs.

Most of the large-scale businesses and companies have switched to the material handling automation system in the recent past and many more are shifting every passing day.This dramatic shift in the material handling approach is due to the benefits of material handling automation and various advantages of material handling automation over the regular orthodox approaches used in the past.

The three common types of material handling system approach used all around the globe include the following:Manual Material HandlingThe manual material handling approach includes all the heavy working and lifting either it is in the manufacturing department or shipment phase, everything is done and controlled by the human laborers working in shifts.

Still, most of the small-scale industries completely rely on manual material handling systems as in such industries there is no heavy product lifting and movement is involved and everything can be easily catered by the human workers on their own.

Many companies and industry does not want to leave the material handling just due to lack of establishment of the trust factor on the machines developed for such purpose and moreover being old school.

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Jennie Miller 2021-06-02

An Inventory Management Software refers to the system that enables a company to meet its supply chain management process goals assisting in tracking the orders, sales, managing deliveries, tracking inventories, etc.Every business involved in the supply chain process usually has to go for inventory management software to maximize their productivity and maximize efficiency.

There are basically two types of Inventory management software to choose from other than few customized solutions being provided by some material handling solutions providers like MWI.Salient Features:Some prominent and common features that are a must in every kind of inventory management software system are listed down below:Asset TrackingProducts stored in the warehouse as inventories or on their way to the shipping destinations can be classified and tracked via their barcodes or special serial number assigned to them after being manufactured.Product IdentificationRadio frequency identification tags are used for identifying a product and sorting out a particular product from the whole inventory.

Various other wireless identification methods are also used for this purpose by inventory management software.Service ManagementApart from being useful in terms of physical goods and products, an inventory management system can also be used by firms that are providing services as their products.

There is a whole separate module for catering to such needs of a particular firm.Inventory OptimizationIt helps in optimizing the whole inventory managing process by automated forecasting algorithms to gain the maximum quality metrics.Reorder PointA company cannot run out of products with the ability of inventory management software to keep a record of products so that they can be immediately prepared to meet the selling curve.Types of Inventory Management Software:ERP Inventory Management SoftwareCloud Inventory Management SoftwareAdvantages of ERP Inventory Management System:Enhanced EfficacyIt automates most of the tasks and jobs inside a warehouse that maximize the productivity of the whole supply chain process.Cost-effectiveIt helps in cutting costs from extra deployed workforce labor and even machinery that is of no use despite its presence and cost.Data HandlingEnable a firm to deal with real-time data and manipulate it according to usage.

It enables monitoring and accessing data graphs from multiple devices at the same time.Trends insightFuture forecasting and trend analysis are made so easy with an attractive graphical representation of data and are optimized too accordingly.Data SecurityA good inventory management system helps in securing important data from leaking out and even prevents various kinds of data loss.Warehouse OrganizationIt is responsible for all the tasks carried out inside a warehouse directly or indirectly related to the inventory, workforce, and others.Disadvantages of ERP Inventory Management System:ComplexityERP systems are complex in nature and are hard to handle sometimes.

One needs to efficient and professional to deal with them.Hard to debugERP systems are hard to debug due to their complex coding and interlinked algorithms coordinating together at the same time.Hardware IssuesOften has to face hardware breakdown and failures that cause the whole system to halt and working is affected for some time.Benefits of Cloud Inventory Management System:Live Tracking InventoryNo Hardware ExpenseNo Hardware FailureEasy MaintenanceEnhanced EfficacyEnhanced Control and CoordinationThe downside of Cloud Inventory Management System:Difficulty in IntegrationLess FlexibilitySecurity and Privacy IssueDependencyHow MWI resolve it for you?MWI Solutions got your back when it comes to choosing a suitable inventory management system for your business.

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Jennie Miller 2021-05-31

In this competitive environment, starting a company is stressful, time-consuming, and difficult.

Several factors combine to aid in the selection of the right inventory management tools.This guide will assist you in determining your business needs and selecting the appropriate software for the success of your business.What Factors to Consider When Selecting A Warehouse Management SoftwareYou must choose the right warehouse management software to get the best out of it.

A successful warehouse management software allows you to keep track of all of your inventory, including raw materials and finished goods.

It also includes functions for forecasting inventory levels in order to best support customers.Barcode scanning capabilities are included in successful inventory applications to eliminate data entry errors and provide automation.

The most critical consideration is whether the program is flexible and integrates seamlessly with other systems, such as accounting software.Is Inventory & Warehouse Control System Important to A Business’s Success?Inventory is classified as an asset and is reported on a company’s balance sheet as such.

As part of their enforcement activities, companies must demonstrate well-documented, well-understood, and well-controlled supply chain processes.

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Jennie Miller 2021-05-17

Every company regardless of the kind of product they are producing and selling in the market, at some stage need to get material handling solutions to apply in the overall supply chain process.

Material handling system cannot stand alone until and unless it is facilitated along with material handling solutions too.

As material handling systems analysis and design do require a lot of attention before the final system to have opted, similarly when coming towards the material handling problems and solutions, a company needs to know everything about applying the material handling solution.

When it comes to the industry usually the small to mid-size companies that do not possess a gigantic number of warehouses usually deploy manual functionalities along with few automated material handling solutions, whereas the big giants that cannot even think of manufacturing and shipping a product without even properly adopting the material handling solutions.

Here is the step-by-step guide that will let you know how you can apply the material handling solutions and how this guide enables MWI solutions to be on top of their game.

of the warehouse.After all the assessments relating to the warehouse done, we need to focus on the operational assessments that involved all the actions and physical work taking place during the whole supply chain cycle.Afterward, the solution mainly focuses upon the smooth workflow along with maximum production and high-level efficacy.The next step is minimizing the steps and intervals to complete the whole process from manufacturing to delivering and consuming.After all above the utmost focus is on the reduction of the cost either it is the manufacturing material cost, shipping/handling cost, labor cost, etc.It is very much necessary to track the expenses and the cost to insure the reduction and maintain the record for future forecasting.Automate the maximum tasks possible.

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Jennie Miller 2021-06-11

The supply chain for consumer products, which are sold to end customers, is extensive, large, and complex.

The consumer products supply chain faces certain particular issues due to the large range of inventories, various buying channels, and the demand for quality, speed, and reliability.In this article, we’ll look at some of the most prevalent software solution providers in the consumer goods supply chain, as well as some strategies for streamlining the warehouse automation process, increasing visibility, controlling inventory, and increasing income.

Let’s get started!Top Five Warehouse Management Software ProvidersYou’ll also discover get to know how the software improves the efficiency of your retail supply chain for food, beverages, clothes, home care, consumer electronics, and related items.OPEX: Perfect Pick to Solve Your ProblemsOPEX Perfect Pick is a completely self-contained, standalone point solution, unlike more traditional goods-to-person options on the market today.

This direct interaction avoids the need for elaborate conveyor systems or transfer equipment, which would otherwise take up valuable office space.KNAPP: Warehouse Control SoftwareKNAPP covers all software levels with smart software solutions, from warehouse administration to individual optical sensor control, ensuring performance, productivity, and transparency across the supply chain.Immerse in virtual software worlds and develop 2D or 3D models with a detailed depiction of the system, KNAPP uses simulation and emulation models.

Before any installation work begins, the warehouse comes to life, displaying the system’s capacity.

They can keep costs down and pass them on to retailers if they can mass-produce a specific SKU (Stock keeping unit) with just minor variations, making them a more appealing partner and garnering more business.Retailers are looking for a good value proposition as well as eye-catching branding.

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Jennie Miller 2021-06-28

Well-versed delivery management software cannot only help business owners to gain a competitive advantage over other businesses but can also enable them to establish a long-term loyal customer base.

It facilitates the company to keep a record of customers and their needs, the database management ability of a WMS assists in forecasting the future market trends according to the customer needs so they can never go anywhere else.

To achieve all the desired goals, it is very much necessary to choose suitable warehouse management software, MWI Solutions do provide quality services in this domain with enabling the customers to customize the warehouse management and control system all in one.What To Look for While Choosing:A good WMS must need to be the pivot between all the supply chain operations and manufacturing/production.

There are varieties of features an organization looks into while choosing a suitable WMS for their users based on their particular requirements.

Some organizations do hire specialized professionals to handle warehouse management software but most of the time normal human resource from the vigilance department is asked to use it.

It should be easy to change its size and utility as per the usage.Efficient FunctionalityA well-versed WMS has to be efficient in its day-to-day work.

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Jennie Miller 2021-05-21

OverviewLeading athletic footwear company receives inbound ocean containers from Port of Long Beach and struggles with cost per piece due to limitations in fulfillment capacity, inventory control, and storage capabilities.

With a need to ship 80,000+ lines per day across retail store, wholesale, and direct to consumer, lines per order ranged from 100+ lines down to a single line order- all from the same DC.Challenge200 associates in 500,000 sqft4 to 5 day order turnaroundInventory capacity limited to 2,000,000 unitsHeavily manual pick process with associates pushing cartsManually intensive cartonizing,labeling, and manifesting processes in different areasHighly dynamic and challenging SKU mixHigher cost per piece handled and processed100 associates in 230,000 giftResolutionSame day / next day shippingInventory capacity expanded to 3,000,000 unitsAutomated delivery process of orders to the pickersAutomated carton sizing, labeling, weighing, and manifestingAutomated sortation of parcels and LTL shipmentsLower cost per piece handled, with capital investment ROI of 13 months Source: https://mwi.solutions/shoe-distribution/

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Jennie Miller 2021-06-09

The world is changing, whether you’re concerned about the costs or unsure about the benefits that automation might offer to your firm.

This post entails two of the most efficient conveyors that will allow you to experiment with basic sortation automation without incurring excessive fees.Let’s get started.Things to Consider When Choosing Sortation Automation OptionsAutomation allows you to keep up with or even outperform the competition.

There are many ways to include entry-level sortation automation into your packaging strategy regardless of the size of your firm.

As a result, your product’s size, shape, and weight, as well as its fragility and rigidity, will all play a role in limiting down your sortation alternatives.Throughput RequirementsRegardless of your throughput requirements, there is virtually likely a sorter that can help you get there.

How many different places do you need to go to?Though some outbound shipping applications only require a few locations, store distributions may require hundreds of chutes to branch out of a single sorter.

This dimension will influence your ultimate choices because certain sorters require more room than others.Consider the following questions: What is the overall square footage of your operation?What is the size of the available floor space?Are you making the best use of your facility’s vertical space?Is the system going to be looped or linear?The flexibility of The SystemHow certain are you that the products and packages handled by your organization today will be the same products and packages handled five, ten, or fifteen years from now?

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Jennie Miller 2021-05-25

The process of supply chain management (SCM) is an essential aspect of business management.

Inefficiencies in supply chain processes cause problems in the supply chain network (SCN), which can influence profits at a variety of key points in supply chain operations.

Supply chain administrators are in charge of ensuring that it gets to the end user as easily and effectively as possible.In this article, we’ll look at supply chain processes that can be significantly enhanced and accelerated with the right tech tools to improve distribution.

WCS also helps to drive an array of automated fulfillment technologies such as Goods to Person (GTP), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and paperless picking technologies (Pick to Light).Set A StandardAny supply chain strategy’s effectiveness hinges on process standardization.

This will help ensure orders are consistently prioritized and delivered on time, to the right place, and to the right customer.Cost AwarenessWith supply chain management, there are several uncontrollable factors and variables.

This would promote cost-related collaboration as well as cost-cutting and process-streamlining initiatives.Obtain Data IntelligenceYour supply chain plan relies on reliable and timely data and knowledge to make decisions.

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Jennie Miller 2021-06-25

A Warehouse Management System is a software solution that is used by companies and businesses dealing with logistics and supply chain operations.

A good WMS with professional-level functionality enables the warehouse managers and other authoritative persons to optimize all the processes in and out of the warehouse to enhance the efficacy and maximize the productivity of the company.The warehouse management Software has numerous benefits and a gigantically influential impact that helps in speeding up all the processes and making the workflow totally unstoppable and hurdle-free.Top 8 benefits of Warehouse Management System¡ Enhancing Asset UtilizationEnhancing asset utilization refers to the optimization of resources like machines and software used in all the phases of the product development life cycle.

All the progress and success of a product or service is directly proportional to the working of human resources including both white and blue-collar officials.

WMS enables the higher cadre to monitor the performance of the labor deployed inside the warehouse and in other domains as well so that they can take effective measures to improve their performances.¡ Maximization of ProductivityWMS helps in locating and removing all the hurdles in the supply chain management process and enables the higher management to make full use of optimized solutions to make the workflow more smooth and productive.

Productivity is enhanced by concentrating on small attributes of all the systems and process interlinked, and that’s what WMS do manages and optimizes all of them collectively.· Increased SecurityWith the ability in-depth monitoring and evaluation a WMS does not only provide the warehouse managers with extra eyes to be aware of the happenings in the warehouse and its surroundings but also enhances the overall security system of a warehouse.

As all the data and every minute detail are being stored and managed inside a WMS so there is no need to worry about the security of the stock and inventory present inside the warehouse.¡ Reduction in the CostAnother vital benefit of having a quality WMS deployed in the warehouse is its immense ability in cost reduction.

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Jennie Miller 2021-06-04

You need to keep up with it because it will help you maintain your warehouse as a well-organized business asset.

Material handling automation has made it easier for manufacturers to manage and use the desired level of right material or raw goods at the right time.Conventional Vs. Modern Material Handling Systems:Materials handling can be simply defined as the movement and stocking of raw goods from storage locations to the point of use – manufacturing process.

Now, this all depends on the nature and scale of your business.In previously used, material handling systems raw goods were usually managed as single units and that also in a discontinuous manner and without proper tracking.

This often led to inefficiencies and inaccuracies both in warehouse management and thereby in production planning and execution.

The early material handling methods involved three stages including, material collection, manufacturing process and product delivery.

Raw and finished goods are usually moved from their native sites to the shop floor and logistics unit through the cranes, conveyor belts and other equipment.

Jennie Miller 2021-05-20

There are hundreds of various kinds of warehouse control software deployed all around the globe in almost all kinds of organizations that involve some sort of warehouse for keeping up with their supply chain and logistics needs.

An organization based on its size and overall functionality needs to choose from the bunch of available warehouse control software available in the market.Quality warehouse control software that needs to be efficient in all ways and needs to check to mark some of the quality standards that are overall common among all kinds of material handling systems deployed.

The basic functionality includes the monitoring of the automation systems working in the warehouse-like the machinery etc.

and the other important feature to look for is the ability to work in coordination with other management software working and play a vital role as a bridge among the high and low-level domains.Warehouse Control System ProcessThe warehouse control system process has some particular steps that need to be followed accordingly and a hierarchy to achieve the desired result.Following are the important steps and their particular working inside a warehouse control system process.Planning:This is the first and most important phase of the whole warehouse control system process.

Full-fledged working warehouse control software should possess such programming algorithms that can do the automated planning, to enhance the working flow of the whole warehouse and other concerned departments coordinating with it.Automation:After everything is planned, the next important step is initializing the automation process.

Automation here does not only refer to the machinery and tools but the work done via human resources and commands given to them needs to be generated automatically as per the need of the logistics that have the warehouse control.The warehouse control system automating the functionality of the warehouse is the need of the hour.

Jennie Miller 2021-06-18

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have established a pattern of congestion that practically every sector of the international supply chain predicts will endure at least through the summer — and maybe longer — if second-half volumes do not decline.According to industry insiders, recent figures on trucker wait times, container stay times, the number of ships in the harbor, and chassis availability have all plateaued, indicating that things aren’t improving significantly but aren’t getting much worse either.

Several executives from ports, ocean carriers, intermodal equipment providers (IEPs), non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOs), third-party logistics providers (3PLs), terminal operators, waterfront employers, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have met and discussed the issues multiple times.Material handling systems optimized connections, effective technology, good information sharing, and simplified infrastructure are all essential components of a successful supply chain.

Although there are many things that businesses can do to avoid delays and maintain accuracy in their own shipping, receiving, and transportation infrastructure, one important area that can be difficult to manage is ports.Why Is There Congestion on the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach?The elements below depict the impact of record imports and port congestion in Southern California.Operational IssuesThere is still a chassis shortageThe chassis rental system requires more time and moves per delivery, further reducing daily dray capacityNew Clean Air program requirements have reduced the number of available trucksDriver compensation has been reduced due to congestion, making hiring additional drivers difficult Lines at the port, on the train, and at the pickup points for chassisCarrier Issues• A 5% increase in volume due to larger vessels arriving with more cargo to load/unload at onceConfusion about where to pick up and deliver containers due to alliances delivering freight on terminals throughout the portDespite the coalition’s efforts to reduce the amount of ships, they prefer to arrive all at once rather than over the course of a weekTerminal IssuesThe union is not providing enough crews to efficiently manage the larger vessels Worker productivity in terms of containers handled per hour has reduced dramatically Restricted gate hoursThe union is fighting automation of port tasks because it threatens worker jobsThe union is conducting additional safety checks on vehicles and chassis arriving at the port, which slows down the operation even furtherSteps to Take to Mitigate Port CongestionTo restore West Coast port efficiency, four major steps must be taken:The issue of labor must be resolved.A chassis “gray pool” must be constructed.To enhance overall unloading/loading volume, the port must enhance dockside capacity.To transport vehicles through gates at a faster rate, automation must be used at all chokepoints.This congestion can be mitigated by accurate inventory management.

Inventory tracking and stock control allow you to readily notice sales trends, track recalled products, and track expiration dates.Planning for Seamless TransportationTo eliminate duplication and inefficiency, profile your company’s global carriage activities across distinct trade lanes and strategic business units.

For West Coast port owners and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, 2008 is a new contract year.The Impact of Supply Chain Management on the Port CongestionWithin global supply chains and global manufacturing networks, seaports serve as platforms.

As global trade patterns, consumer preferences, and improvements in supply chain management, material handling equipment and information technology alter, these supply networks become more dynamic.

Jennie Miller 2021-05-19

Material handling automation referrers to the phenomena of moving heavy products into and out to the different domains in a supply chain management workflow atmosphere.

In other words, we can say that reducing the requirement of manpower and human workers in the manufacturing and moving of the products is termed as material handling automation.Various types of material handling methods and techniques have been used worldwide by different companies and organizations to fulfill their supply chain needs.

Most of the large-scale businesses and companies have switched to the material handling automation system in the recent past and many more are shifting every passing day.This dramatic shift in the material handling approach is due to the benefits of material handling automation and various advantages of material handling automation over the regular orthodox approaches used in the past.

The three common types of material handling system approach used all around the globe include the following:Manual Material HandlingThe manual material handling approach includes all the heavy working and lifting either it is in the manufacturing department or shipment phase, everything is done and controlled by the human laborers working in shifts.

Still, most of the small-scale industries completely rely on manual material handling systems as in such industries there is no heavy product lifting and movement is involved and everything can be easily catered by the human workers on their own.

Many companies and industry does not want to leave the material handling just due to lack of establishment of the trust factor on the machines developed for such purpose and moreover being old school.

Jennie Miller 2021-05-31

In this competitive environment, starting a company is stressful, time-consuming, and difficult.

Several factors combine to aid in the selection of the right inventory management tools.This guide will assist you in determining your business needs and selecting the appropriate software for the success of your business.What Factors to Consider When Selecting A Warehouse Management SoftwareYou must choose the right warehouse management software to get the best out of it.

A successful warehouse management software allows you to keep track of all of your inventory, including raw materials and finished goods.

It also includes functions for forecasting inventory levels in order to best support customers.Barcode scanning capabilities are included in successful inventory applications to eliminate data entry errors and provide automation.

The most critical consideration is whether the program is flexible and integrates seamlessly with other systems, such as accounting software.Is Inventory & Warehouse Control System Important to A Business’s Success?Inventory is classified as an asset and is reported on a company’s balance sheet as such.

As part of their enforcement activities, companies must demonstrate well-documented, well-understood, and well-controlled supply chain processes.

Jennie Miller 2021-06-11

The supply chain for consumer products, which are sold to end customers, is extensive, large, and complex.

The consumer products supply chain faces certain particular issues due to the large range of inventories, various buying channels, and the demand for quality, speed, and reliability.In this article, we’ll look at some of the most prevalent software solution providers in the consumer goods supply chain, as well as some strategies for streamlining the warehouse automation process, increasing visibility, controlling inventory, and increasing income.

Let’s get started!Top Five Warehouse Management Software ProvidersYou’ll also discover get to know how the software improves the efficiency of your retail supply chain for food, beverages, clothes, home care, consumer electronics, and related items.OPEX: Perfect Pick to Solve Your ProblemsOPEX Perfect Pick is a completely self-contained, standalone point solution, unlike more traditional goods-to-person options on the market today.

This direct interaction avoids the need for elaborate conveyor systems or transfer equipment, which would otherwise take up valuable office space.KNAPP: Warehouse Control SoftwareKNAPP covers all software levels with smart software solutions, from warehouse administration to individual optical sensor control, ensuring performance, productivity, and transparency across the supply chain.Immerse in virtual software worlds and develop 2D or 3D models with a detailed depiction of the system, KNAPP uses simulation and emulation models.

Before any installation work begins, the warehouse comes to life, displaying the system’s capacity.

They can keep costs down and pass them on to retailers if they can mass-produce a specific SKU (Stock keeping unit) with just minor variations, making them a more appealing partner and garnering more business.Retailers are looking for a good value proposition as well as eye-catching branding.

Jennie Miller 2021-05-21

OverviewLeading athletic footwear company receives inbound ocean containers from Port of Long Beach and struggles with cost per piece due to limitations in fulfillment capacity, inventory control, and storage capabilities.

With a need to ship 80,000+ lines per day across retail store, wholesale, and direct to consumer, lines per order ranged from 100+ lines down to a single line order- all from the same DC.Challenge200 associates in 500,000 sqft4 to 5 day order turnaroundInventory capacity limited to 2,000,000 unitsHeavily manual pick process with associates pushing cartsManually intensive cartonizing,labeling, and manifesting processes in different areasHighly dynamic and challenging SKU mixHigher cost per piece handled and processed100 associates in 230,000 giftResolutionSame day / next day shippingInventory capacity expanded to 3,000,000 unitsAutomated delivery process of orders to the pickersAutomated carton sizing, labeling, weighing, and manifestingAutomated sortation of parcels and LTL shipmentsLower cost per piece handled, with capital investment ROI of 13 months Source: https://mwi.solutions/shoe-distribution/

Jennie Miller 2021-05-25

The process of supply chain management (SCM) is an essential aspect of business management.

Inefficiencies in supply chain processes cause problems in the supply chain network (SCN), which can influence profits at a variety of key points in supply chain operations.

Supply chain administrators are in charge of ensuring that it gets to the end user as easily and effectively as possible.In this article, we’ll look at supply chain processes that can be significantly enhanced and accelerated with the right tech tools to improve distribution.

WCS also helps to drive an array of automated fulfillment technologies such as Goods to Person (GTP), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and paperless picking technologies (Pick to Light).Set A StandardAny supply chain strategy’s effectiveness hinges on process standardization.

This will help ensure orders are consistently prioritized and delivered on time, to the right place, and to the right customer.Cost AwarenessWith supply chain management, there are several uncontrollable factors and variables.

This would promote cost-related collaboration as well as cost-cutting and process-streamlining initiatives.Obtain Data IntelligenceYour supply chain plan relies on reliable and timely data and knowledge to make decisions.

Jennie Miller 2021-05-20

Demarcation:Material handling equipment is the term specifically used for the machine tools and equipment used for controlling, storing, protecting, moving, lifting, shipping, and transporting the products and goods during the whole supply chain process cycle.

All the phases of manufacturing, development, shipment, disposal, deployment, and consumption in the Material Handling System do require some sort of material handling equipment.Classification of Material handling equipment:Material handling equipment is of various kinds and forms.

Based on their utility domains all the equipment are classified into the following 5 basic sorts of categories:• Storage EquipmentAll the material handling equipment that is solely used for protecting and storing the goods and products developed falls under this particular category.• Unit Load Formation EquipmentEvery kind of equipment that facilitates the division, classification, and manufacturing of the products, they are collectively classified as unit load formation equipment.• Positioning EquipmentThe tools and equipment that are used for positioning the product while production and handling other material equipment in their workplaces are classified under positioning equipment.• Lifting EquipmentAll the tools and machines that are required to lift up the heavy loads of goods during production, transportation, and deployment, are gathered under lifting equipment.• Transporting EquipmentAll the equipment classified under the tag of transporting equipment are responsible for the shipment and moving the goods within the warehouse and even outside for disposal and delivery,Importance of Material Handling Equipment:Material handling equipment including the small tools to the gigantic automated machines has revolutionized the whole process of product development life cycle, from manufacturing till disposal and consumption.

Due to the material handling equipment, the efficiency and productivity of the whole supply chain management workflow have been increased 10 thousand times when compared with the work that was done without tools in the past.Types of Material handling equipment:Based on the specified utility in their own particular domain the material handling equipment are divided into the following 4 basic types:1.

Material Handling industrial trucksEngineered Systems:All the automated equipment i.e.

machines and tools that follow a defined set of instructions given to them and perform their tasks as they are designed and programmed to do, all fall under the engineered systems.

Jennie Miller 2021-05-20

A warehouse control system is an important part of the complete material handling system that incorporates the whole supply chain management cycle.

A warehouse control system is a full-fledged software that helps in the automation of the process from manufacturing, storekeeping, inventory management to dispatch and disposal.A full-fledged warehouse control system works as a bridge between the warehouse facilities and the disposal system.

A particular product stored in a warehouse after the production and testing are then sent to the distribution center for delivery.

A warehouse control system is not only responsible for just managing the data and stuff included and relating to the warehouse only but it also has to deal with almost every domain residing inside the supply chain logistics process.How Does A Warehouse Control System Work?A warehouse control system as discussed earlier works as a bridge between the warehouse management software and the good distribution system.

These laws or rules could be relating to the human resource working inside the warehouse, the machinery installed for the automation process and even the delivery process technical graph is monitored and handled by a warehouse control system.

It is a software system installed to gain control over the automation within and activities being performed outside the warehouse.Functions of Warehouse Control SystemThe main function and responsibility of a warehouse control software are to monitor all the actions and things going around in the warehouse and to ensure the achievement of set standards and protocols.

Jennie Miller 2021-05-19

We often think of how these warehouses and factories have well-organized product management systems?The diverse process of transportation, controlling, storing, loading, and unloading smallest to most complex products fall under the general structure of a ‘material handling systems.’ This manifolds equipment, tools, vehicles, storage units, and appliances to run the entire system.Use of Material Handling Equipment :Material handling equipment has a broad usage scope in production houses like industries and warehouses.

These play a vital role in the crucial tasks of lifting and transporting heavy materials.

Apprehension of all the complex techniques is difficult, but the four broad equipment types areBulk product handling equipmentStorage and handling equipmentEngineered systemsIndustrial material trucksApplication of Material Handling Equipment :Each category has a diverse range of equipment with helpful functionality.

These are long buildings that carry and elevate out of the container when sent for processing.Stackers piles up stock, moving between two points or aisles.

These also includeStacking frames in the warehouse helps safely crush products such as liquid containers to be secured without damage.Bins are used to stock material when not in use.

It is adjusted according to the material dimension.Mezzanines help create more elevated floors in a warehouse to provide additional storage for a brief time.Pallet racks help explicitly to store product vertically which consume less space.

Jennie Miller 2021-06-02

An Inventory Management Software refers to the system that enables a company to meet its supply chain management process goals assisting in tracking the orders, sales, managing deliveries, tracking inventories, etc.Every business involved in the supply chain process usually has to go for inventory management software to maximize their productivity and maximize efficiency.

There are basically two types of Inventory management software to choose from other than few customized solutions being provided by some material handling solutions providers like MWI.Salient Features:Some prominent and common features that are a must in every kind of inventory management software system are listed down below:Asset TrackingProducts stored in the warehouse as inventories or on their way to the shipping destinations can be classified and tracked via their barcodes or special serial number assigned to them after being manufactured.Product IdentificationRadio frequency identification tags are used for identifying a product and sorting out a particular product from the whole inventory.

Various other wireless identification methods are also used for this purpose by inventory management software.Service ManagementApart from being useful in terms of physical goods and products, an inventory management system can also be used by firms that are providing services as their products.

There is a whole separate module for catering to such needs of a particular firm.Inventory OptimizationIt helps in optimizing the whole inventory managing process by automated forecasting algorithms to gain the maximum quality metrics.Reorder PointA company cannot run out of products with the ability of inventory management software to keep a record of products so that they can be immediately prepared to meet the selling curve.Types of Inventory Management Software:ERP Inventory Management SoftwareCloud Inventory Management SoftwareAdvantages of ERP Inventory Management System:Enhanced EfficacyIt automates most of the tasks and jobs inside a warehouse that maximize the productivity of the whole supply chain process.Cost-effectiveIt helps in cutting costs from extra deployed workforce labor and even machinery that is of no use despite its presence and cost.Data HandlingEnable a firm to deal with real-time data and manipulate it according to usage.

It enables monitoring and accessing data graphs from multiple devices at the same time.Trends insightFuture forecasting and trend analysis are made so easy with an attractive graphical representation of data and are optimized too accordingly.Data SecurityA good inventory management system helps in securing important data from leaking out and even prevents various kinds of data loss.Warehouse OrganizationIt is responsible for all the tasks carried out inside a warehouse directly or indirectly related to the inventory, workforce, and others.Disadvantages of ERP Inventory Management System:ComplexityERP systems are complex in nature and are hard to handle sometimes.

One needs to efficient and professional to deal with them.Hard to debugERP systems are hard to debug due to their complex coding and interlinked algorithms coordinating together at the same time.Hardware IssuesOften has to face hardware breakdown and failures that cause the whole system to halt and working is affected for some time.Benefits of Cloud Inventory Management System:Live Tracking InventoryNo Hardware ExpenseNo Hardware FailureEasy MaintenanceEnhanced EfficacyEnhanced Control and CoordinationThe downside of Cloud Inventory Management System:Difficulty in IntegrationLess FlexibilitySecurity and Privacy IssueDependencyHow MWI resolve it for you?MWI Solutions got your back when it comes to choosing a suitable inventory management system for your business.

Jennie Miller 2021-05-17

Every company regardless of the kind of product they are producing and selling in the market, at some stage need to get material handling solutions to apply in the overall supply chain process.

Material handling system cannot stand alone until and unless it is facilitated along with material handling solutions too.

As material handling systems analysis and design do require a lot of attention before the final system to have opted, similarly when coming towards the material handling problems and solutions, a company needs to know everything about applying the material handling solution.

When it comes to the industry usually the small to mid-size companies that do not possess a gigantic number of warehouses usually deploy manual functionalities along with few automated material handling solutions, whereas the big giants that cannot even think of manufacturing and shipping a product without even properly adopting the material handling solutions.

Here is the step-by-step guide that will let you know how you can apply the material handling solutions and how this guide enables MWI solutions to be on top of their game.

of the warehouse.After all the assessments relating to the warehouse done, we need to focus on the operational assessments that involved all the actions and physical work taking place during the whole supply chain cycle.Afterward, the solution mainly focuses upon the smooth workflow along with maximum production and high-level efficacy.The next step is minimizing the steps and intervals to complete the whole process from manufacturing to delivering and consuming.After all above the utmost focus is on the reduction of the cost either it is the manufacturing material cost, shipping/handling cost, labor cost, etc.It is very much necessary to track the expenses and the cost to insure the reduction and maintain the record for future forecasting.Automate the maximum tasks possible.

Jennie Miller 2021-06-28

Well-versed delivery management software cannot only help business owners to gain a competitive advantage over other businesses but can also enable them to establish a long-term loyal customer base.

It facilitates the company to keep a record of customers and their needs, the database management ability of a WMS assists in forecasting the future market trends according to the customer needs so they can never go anywhere else.

To achieve all the desired goals, it is very much necessary to choose suitable warehouse management software, MWI Solutions do provide quality services in this domain with enabling the customers to customize the warehouse management and control system all in one.What To Look for While Choosing:A good WMS must need to be the pivot between all the supply chain operations and manufacturing/production.

There are varieties of features an organization looks into while choosing a suitable WMS for their users based on their particular requirements.

Some organizations do hire specialized professionals to handle warehouse management software but most of the time normal human resource from the vigilance department is asked to use it.

It should be easy to change its size and utility as per the usage.Efficient FunctionalityA well-versed WMS has to be efficient in its day-to-day work.

Jennie Miller 2021-06-09

The world is changing, whether you’re concerned about the costs or unsure about the benefits that automation might offer to your firm.

This post entails two of the most efficient conveyors that will allow you to experiment with basic sortation automation without incurring excessive fees.Let’s get started.Things to Consider When Choosing Sortation Automation OptionsAutomation allows you to keep up with or even outperform the competition.

There are many ways to include entry-level sortation automation into your packaging strategy regardless of the size of your firm.

As a result, your product’s size, shape, and weight, as well as its fragility and rigidity, will all play a role in limiting down your sortation alternatives.Throughput RequirementsRegardless of your throughput requirements, there is virtually likely a sorter that can help you get there.

How many different places do you need to go to?Though some outbound shipping applications only require a few locations, store distributions may require hundreds of chutes to branch out of a single sorter.

This dimension will influence your ultimate choices because certain sorters require more room than others.Consider the following questions: What is the overall square footage of your operation?What is the size of the available floor space?Are you making the best use of your facility’s vertical space?Is the system going to be looped or linear?The flexibility of The SystemHow certain are you that the products and packages handled by your organization today will be the same products and packages handled five, ten, or fifteen years from now?

Jennie Miller 2021-06-25

A Warehouse Management System is a software solution that is used by companies and businesses dealing with logistics and supply chain operations.

A good WMS with professional-level functionality enables the warehouse managers and other authoritative persons to optimize all the processes in and out of the warehouse to enhance the efficacy and maximize the productivity of the company.The warehouse management Software has numerous benefits and a gigantically influential impact that helps in speeding up all the processes and making the workflow totally unstoppable and hurdle-free.Top 8 benefits of Warehouse Management System¡ Enhancing Asset UtilizationEnhancing asset utilization refers to the optimization of resources like machines and software used in all the phases of the product development life cycle.

All the progress and success of a product or service is directly proportional to the working of human resources including both white and blue-collar officials.

WMS enables the higher cadre to monitor the performance of the labor deployed inside the warehouse and in other domains as well so that they can take effective measures to improve their performances.¡ Maximization of ProductivityWMS helps in locating and removing all the hurdles in the supply chain management process and enables the higher management to make full use of optimized solutions to make the workflow more smooth and productive.

Productivity is enhanced by concentrating on small attributes of all the systems and process interlinked, and that’s what WMS do manages and optimizes all of them collectively.· Increased SecurityWith the ability in-depth monitoring and evaluation a WMS does not only provide the warehouse managers with extra eyes to be aware of the happenings in the warehouse and its surroundings but also enhances the overall security system of a warehouse.

As all the data and every minute detail are being stored and managed inside a WMS so there is no need to worry about the security of the stock and inventory present inside the warehouse.¡ Reduction in the CostAnother vital benefit of having a quality WMS deployed in the warehouse is its immense ability in cost reduction.

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