If you’re consistently finding that your warehouse has poor inventory visibility and stock-outs, there are many steps you can take to improve your inventory management right away. With warehouse and DC operations evolving rapidly, pairing technology and practical methods for inventory management is essential.
Drones
If you’re hesitant to incorporate too much technology into your inventory logistics, take another look. These days, more companies are using drones for inventory management. Studies have shown that drone usage is beneficial because it can read RFID tags easily and can continuously monitor your stock to prevent inventory mismatch. Drones can also significantly reduce human error and help workers keep better track of orders.
When it comes to warehouse logistics services, drones can be very useful for keeping track of inventory. But there’s more than one way to keep track of inventory.
Take Stock of Your Systems
If you’re looking to improve your logistics services and inventory management, one of the best places to start is examining your current systems. It’s estimated that about 12 million cars, locomotives, trucks, rail cars, and other vessels make up the national transportation network. If your company uses any or all of these methods, you should know that inventory management doesn’t have to be difficult.
It could be that your current systems just need an upgrade. You can speed up your processes, for example, by investing in software packages that incorporate bar coding or enterprise resource planning. In this way, a little tweak can make a big difference.
Make Use of GPS
One of the biggest advances in warehouse logistics in recent years has been the use of satellite-based navigation systems, more commonly known as GPS. With the use of GPS, a warehouse chain can easily keep track of inventory, get reports on the performance of inventory, and increase inventory visibility.
Use Scanners
Many logistics professionals today are making use of wearable scanners to improve inventory management. With wearable scanners or tablets, workers suddenly become more mobile, more accurate, and can use their hands more frequently. Bottom line: wearable scanners help with control and with accuracy. With scanners, companies eliminate the clunkiness of handheld devices and the errors some of them can create.
Don’t Be Afraid of AI
It’s true that machines powered by artificial intelligence can perform human tasks over and over again without error. Companies today would do well to embrace the benefits of AI and improve their logistics systems. AI can read endless amounts of SKUs, track inventory, and is yet another way to reduce human error.
With the world constantly changing and evolving, any company that deals with a high volume of inventory as part of fulfillment and logistics services needs to operate at peak efficiency. If your company is looking to improve its warehouse logistics, distribution services, third party fulfillment services, or transportation installation, call the staff at American Western Distribution. The professionals at AWD provide logistics services all over the country and can improve your company’s bottom line, no matter what your needs are.
