Apr 7, 2023 | Blog, Warehouse Management Software
As technology expands, mobile commerce, or mCommerce, is becoming an ever more integral part of a modern business owner’s toolkit. In this blog post, we will dive into the fundamentals of mCommerce and discuss its rapid growth in recent years, along with the advantages of incorporating this type of technology into your eCommerce strategy. By understanding what mCommerce means to the future of shopping, you can adapt and ensure your business remains at the top.
Importance of Keeping Up with mCommerce
Mobile commerce volume is expected to hit $620.97 billion by 2024. This means nearly half (42.9%) of all eCommerce purchases will be made via a mobile device.
Keeping up with mCommerce cannot be overstated; it offers many benefits for consumers and businesses. For instance, mobile-friendly websites enable faster purchases, streamlining the shopping experience and leading to higher conversion rates.Â
This improved connection to customers allows businesses to provide more personalized content and targeted promotions, fostering loyalty and engagement.Â
Embracing mCommerce opens up avenues for increased scalability, enabling your business to adapt and grow in the fast-paced digital landscape.
Understanding mCommerce
What is mCommerce?
mCommerce is an evolution of commerce that has revolutionized how we engage in commercial transactions. Simply put, mCommerce refers to any transaction made on a mobile device, from purchasing your favorite pair of shoes to sending money to a friend for that delicious meal you shared. As the world becomes more connected through technology, it’s no wonder our mobile devices have become powerful tools, allowing us to enjoy a seamless shopping and banking experience at our fingertips.
Types of mCommerce
- Mobile Shopping: When you shop on your phone, tablet, or other mobile devices.
- Mobile Banking: Making financial transactions on a phone, tablet, or other mobile devices.
- Mobile Payments: Transferring funds to a person, business, or merchant using a phone, tablet, or other mobile devices.
Benefits of mCommerce
- Mobility
- Better Customer Experience
- Growth Potential
- Omnichannel Experience
- Variety of Payment Options
Read more about the benefits mCommerce provides on our blog, How is mCommerce Different from eCommerce and Why Does it Matter?
Key Strategies for Keeping Up with mCommerce
Creating a Mobile-Friendly Website
One major component for success in mCommerce is to create a user-friendly, mobile-responsive website. Implementing responsive web design allows your site to adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes, making it a breeze for customers to browse and shop on their smartphones and tablets.Â
Consider simplifying your website’s navigation to help users quickly locate the products or information they’re searching for.Â
Then, pay close attention to your website’s loading time, ensuring each page loads swiftly and efficiently.Â
By incorporating these essential tactics into your mCommerce strategy, you’ll be well on your way to creating a shopping experience that keeps customers returning for more.
Embracing Mobile Payments
For buyers’ journeys to be as efficient as possible, seamless integration of mobile payments into a business platform is another factor to consider. Businesses can offer their customers a frictionless shopping experience by accepting various mobile payment methods, such as digital wallets, smartphone apps, contactless cards, and buy now, pay later programs.
Plus, incorporating mobile payments into your operations can unlock a myriad of benefits, like faster checkout processes, better customer engagement, and improved loyalty programs.Â
But remember, paying attention to security is crucial, as customers entrust sensitive financial information to your business. Taking precautions to ensure the data’s safety can bolster customer trust, create a more enjoyable mobile shopping experience, and ultimately help your business flourish in the age of mCommerce.
Leveraging Social Media
Did you know TikTok, the most downloaded app in Apple’s app store, with almost 85 million users, triggers users to spend $50.4 million annually?Â
Social media platforms have global audiences in the billions – you have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Given social media’s enormous role in people’s lives, harnessing this vital tool can significantly boost your mCommerce game.Â
However, it’s not just about creating an account on every platform; it’s about choosing the right ones that align with your target audience and brand image. For instance, a clothing brand can immensely benefit from visually-driven platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest, while a tech company might succeed more on Twitter or LinkedIn.Â
Foster a genuine connection with your customers by engaging in conversations, providing valuable content, and offering dynamic promotions. When implemented correctly, using social media for customer engagement and promotions can be a game-changer and elevate your mCommerce experience to greater heights.
Utilizing Mobile Marketing
Mobile marketing, the art of promoting products and services via smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices, has emerged as a vital component in reaching and engaging customers.Â
By developing and implementing robust mobile marketing strategies, you can boost brand awareness and foster more personalized interactions with your target audience.Â
Personalization in mobile marketing plays a significant role in fostering customer loyalty and driving sales. Personalization can achieve this through tailored messaging, customized product recommendations, and location-based promotions.Â
Ultimately, embracing mobile marketing and personalization techniques can help businesses stay ahead in the mCommerce game and lead to an enhanced overall user experience.
Embrace mCommerce
The rise of mCommerce presents a tremendous opportunity for businesses and industry leaders. Now is the perfect time to start implementing these strategies and deploying best practices to stay current and capitalize on this eCommerce growth trend for years to come!
With ShipHero’s warehouse management software, you can stay competitive in this ever-evolving digital landscape without stressing about manual labor, customer experience issues, or inventory discrepancies.Â
Not only will our WMS help drive productivity and lower labor costs, but it also ensures your business keeps up with today’s modern shopping demands. Contact us today to meet your mobile and eCommerce needs – our team is ready to get you where you need to be.Â

Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO – ShipHeroÂ
About the author: Aaron Rubin is the Founder & CEO of ShipHero. He is responsible for planning and executing the overall vision and strategy of the organization. Rubin’s greatest strengths are leadership, change management, strategic planning, and a passion for progression. He is known for having his finger on the pulse of ShipHero’s significant initiatives, entrepreneurial spirit, and keen business acumen. His leadership of ShipHero is grounded in providing excellent customer service that drives improved business operations. His passion for ShipHero comes from the culture and his ability to impact the lives of employees, customers, partners, and investors.
Follow Aaron on Twitter & LinkedIn.
Mar 31, 2023 | Blog, Fulfillment, Warehouse Management Software
So, should you keep returns in-house or say good riddance? Keeping returns in-house can be costly, and thinking carefully about how best to handle this crucial part of your business is essential. Outsourcing returns can be a great option — but is it always the correct answer? Weighing the pros and cons ahead of time will help you decide if outsourcing returns is worth it for your eCommerce business. Let’s explore both sides of this debate so you can make an informed decision!
What is Outsourced Returns Management?
Navigating the world of returns management can feel like solving a complex puzzle, but when executed effectively, it can transform a potentially negative customer experience into a positive one. As an integral aspect of the supply chain and fulfillment process – returns management relies on the principles of reverse logistics to ensure that goods make their way back from customers to retailers smoothly and efficiently.
This dynamic workflow goes beyond simply receiving the returned product; it seamlessly integrates every step, from shipping and storing to updating stock levels in real time. When handled with finesse, accuracy, and a touch of tech magic, a well-coordinated returns ecosystem benefits not only the customer making the return but also potential new clients, stock managers, and payment operators.
By developing and implementing strategies to minimize the occurrence of returns, businesses can save valuable resources while ensuring maximum customer satisfaction. Remember, a well-oiled returns management machine makes the whole process more cost-effective. It fosters loyalty from customers who can trust that your business will address their concerns in a timely and friendly manner.
Advantages and Disadvantages of In-House Returns
Advantages
In-house returns can be both a blessing and a challenge for businesses, depending on the situation. One of the most significant benefits is the level of control it offers organizations over their operations, allowing them to tailor every aspect of the process to ensure the utmost customer satisfaction. This means that every returned item is handled efficiently and effectively, maintaining the trust and loyalty of the clientele.
The improved communication resulting from an in-house team’s deeper understanding of the company’s values and systems greatly benefits the organization. Since they are better equipped to represent the brand, there is a reduced risk of losing vital information due to miscommunication.Â
Disadvantages
Managing in-house reverse logistics programs can be challenging for businesses, particularly regarding scalability and customer expectations. Reverse logistics necessitate a diverse array of resources, which can sometimes be limited within a company. As various departments and teams compete for these resources, the efficiency and effectiveness of reverse logistics processes can be compromised.Â
Moreover, with giants like Amazon setting the bar high in terms of hassle-free return experiences, customers have come to expect a smooth and streamlined process when it comes to returns. Failing to meet these expectations can significantly impact customer satisfaction and brand image, making it imperative for businesses to invest in and prioritize a robust in-house reverse logistics program. Solidifying these crucial aspects of your business can help ensure long-term success and a loyal customer base.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Outsourcing Returns
Advantages
- Intelligent Automation
Embracing the advantages of outsourcing to a 3PL with intelligent automation can significantly impact an eCommerce business’s growth and success. Imagine no longer having to spend countless hours logging into various seller portals like eBay, Amazon, or Walmart.com to manage each return and refund request on your own laboriously.
Instead, cutting-edge software takes the reins, seamlessly integrating with those very portals, while the market-driven logic works tirelessly to automate your returns management. This results in faster refunds for your customers and reduced freight costs for your business.
- End-to-End Returns Management
By connecting their returns gateway to a reputable third-party returns management provider, sellers can benefit from comprehensive end-to-end management, ensuring a smooth and efficient process for handling returned items.
Partnering with a 3PL guarantees the highest possible recoveries, enabling sellers to resell returned goods at optimal value, thereby minimizing losses. A reliable 3PL can offer robust fraud protection measures, further safeguarding sellers from scams and fraudulent activities.
- Cost-Effective Shipping and Handling
Outsourcing returns management is a favorable decision for businesses because it leads to cost-effective shipping and handling and can help boost customer confidence. Companies can reduce operational costs and manage returns more efficiently by delegating this important aspect of the supply chain process to experts who deeply understand local and international customs. They also ensure that all returns are correctly tracked, regardless of destination, which can be essential in protecting a company’s bottom line.
- Â Access to Experience
One of the most significant benefits lies in gaining access to a wealth of experience through a 3PL. Having an expert team handling return logistics eliminates the daunting upfront costs associated with establishing an in-house returns center and ensures that seasoned professionals manage the entire process.
The knowledge and expertise of these experienced staff members can greatly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of your return operations, fostering stronger customer relations and promoting a seamless overall experience. A close partnership with a reliable returns management provider can be an invaluable asset for businesses of all sizes.
- Reporting Capabilities
Migrating this process into expert hands provides the reassurance of relying on their robust reporting capabilities and well-established protocols. This essential collaboration allows for seamless tracking of returned items and a clear understanding of the costs involved. As a result, you gain valuable insights, enabling you to make well-informed decisions and optimize your business processes for better performance.
Disadvantages
- No Control of the Returns Process
One of the most prominent concerns is losing control over this aspect of the business, which might leave you uncertain about the future. Even though most logistics providers go the extra mile to adopt your brand’s identity, ensuring a seamless experience for your customers, it’s understandable that handing over this responsibility might be unsettling.
The key is to weigh the pros and cons carefully, evaluate the expertise and experience of the third-party company, and remember that building a robust and transparent partnership can help alleviate some of the challenges associated with outsourcing returns management.
- Integrating Technology
One significant challenge that arises with outsourcing is integrating technology smoothly between partners. This issue becomes critical as data must flow seamlessly between systems, and all parties involved need to have profound visibility to manage and optimize their shared networks effectively.
To achieve this, customers must be prepared to adapt to new systems and technological platforms, which can sometimes be daunting. Moreover, a lack of support and commitment from a company’s internal IT department can jeopardize the partnership’s success.
- Up-Front Costs
It’s important to appreciate that upfront costs, while seemingly daunting, are only part of the journey of unlocking value and potential growth for your business. When forming a partnership with a logistics provider, clients must be aware of the monetary implications and work towards establishing a shared strategic vision complemented by jointly determined KPIs. An outsourcing relationship should not be viewed as merely an expense but rather an investment in a strategic alliance that fosters innovation and contributes to a competitive advantage.
Does Outsourcing Really Save Money?
The concept of reverse outsourcing logistics might strike some as questionable when aiming to save money. It’s easy to wonder just how much reverse logistics costs can impact a company’s bottom line.Â
However, when we consider that approximately 15% of all goods are returned, and around 30% of those end up in landfills, it becomes evident that a staggering 4.5% of goods sold are essentially a lost cause from the get-go.Â
Imagine transforming this seemingly grim picture by enabling retailers to swiftly handle returns, repackage, relabel, and liquidate products. This potential twist in the narrative is precisely why many retailers are turning to third-party logistics (3PL) providers.Â
Through their collaborations with these providers, retailers are discovering innovative ways of making the returns process more sustainable, ultimately leading to substantial cost savings in the long run.
Make Returns Hassle-Free With ShipHero
In conclusion, the eCommerce returns process can be a complex undertaking. It may seem like a difficult decision to make when deciding between keeping returns in-house or outsourced. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of both solutions, you are better prepared to decide for your business and customers’ needs. When staying in-house can help create more efficient processes and an enhanced customer experience.Â
On the other hand, outsourcing offers total peace of mind that all returns will be handled expertly and efficiently. Regardless of your business’s route, if you’re looking for easy access to a network of service specialists and solutions tailored to your fulfillment needs, consider taking advantage of what outsourced returns management offers. Are you ready to outsource? Call us today, and we’ll walk you through the process!
Subscribe to our blog to learn more, or click HERE to schedule a meeting today!

Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO – ShipHeroÂ
About the author: Aaron Rubin is the Founder & CEO of ShipHero. He is responsible for planning and executing the overall vision and strategy of the organization. Rubin’s greatest strengths are leadership, change management, strategic planning, and a passion for progression. He is known for having his finger on the pulse of ShipHero’s significant initiatives, entrepreneurial spirit, and keen business acumen. His leadership of ShipHero is grounded in providing excellent customer service that drives improved business operations. His passion for ShipHero comes from the culture and his ability to impact the lives of employees, customers, partners, and investors.
Follow Aaron on Twitter & LinkedIn.
Mar 29, 2023 | Blog
The Objective of Warehouse Managers
Warehouse managers strive to fulfill customer orders promptly while ensuring the safety of their employees. Efficiently utilizing the warehouse area and available tools is paramount. For example, while technology plays a significant role, sometimes the hands-on approach, using one’s own hand, is needed. At times, the old-fashioned way of organizing can be just as effective. Although many emphasize the importance of warehouse management software and technology for optimizing tasks like packing and picking, the putaway process is equally significant. By enhancing your putaway strategies, you can optimize storage areas and streamline the flow of products from the manufacturer to the customer. An effective putaway process offers a solution to various other warehouse processes challenges. There are times when the need for manual intervention arises, and understanding these moments is crucial.
Understanding Putaway in Warehouse Management
Putaway is a crucial part of warehouse operations. It involves moving newly received products to their final locations in designated storage areas within the warehouse, preparing them for the picking process and subsequent order fulfillment. Some warehouses use a staging method, temporarily holding new shipments before organizing them in the designated areas or shelves. The difference in product size and weight can dictate the putaway criteria. For some products, the final destination elsewhere within the warehouse might be predetermined based on their demand. An example of this would be high-demand products being placed closer to the picking area.
Diving into the Putaway Process
When trucks laden with shipments arrive, the putaway process begins. Each warehouse has its distinct workflow, which includes the movement and verification of goods, and tracking their storage locations. This might involve scanning product labels, labeling items, or manually noting each product upon arrival using one’s hand. Essential steps include loading and unloading goods, stacking, palletizing, sorting, and organizing. The criteria for storing items can differ based on product type, its size, and available storage or warehouse space. Errors in this process can lead to significant delays, so it’s crucial to have a robust system in place.
Exploring Putaway Methods
There are three main putaway methods, and the best way to choose depends on your specific needs:
Direct Putaway:
Products are immediately moved to their final location or long-term storage area upon arrival. This method is ideal for smaller warehouses with high order turnover, ensuring efficient handling and storage inbound inventory.
Dynamic Putaway:
A warehouse management software assigns a unique storage location for each product before the shipment arrives. The warehouse efficiency software updates the storage requirements and space availability in real-time using data analytics.
Fixed-Location Putaway:
Warehouse managers set a predetermined layout, allocating areas to specific product types or brands. The number of products, their weight, and available space determine optimal storage location decisions for warehouse workers, reducing the risk of errors.
The Significance of Warehouse Putaway
While putaway might seem like a minor part of warehouse operations, its importance in increasing warehouse efficiency cannot be overstated. Proper planning and task delegation can virtually eliminate confusion regarding product locations. Investing in a Warehouse Management System (WMS) with optimized putaway process optimization offers numerous benefits:
- Optimizing Warehouse Layout: Efficient putaway practices can streamline the warehouse layout, minimizing the distance employees travel to retrieve frequently ordered items. Data from the WMS can guide these decisions.
- Accurate Inventory Management: A significant challenge in warehouse operations is tracking stock quantities. Efficient putaway ensures products are stored correctly, reducing errors.
- Enhancing the Picking Process: A well-organized putaway process ensures employees can quickly locate items, expediting order fulfillment.
- Prioritizing High-Value Stock: An organized warehouse provides more space for valuable inventory. Effective putaway processes can drive business growth by ensuring optimal stock availability.
Factors Influencing the Putaway Process
Several elements impact the putaway process, including the volume of merchandise, shipment frequency, and available storage equipment. The number of employees, the technology used for tracking and labeling, and the type optimal location of products stored can also affect the efficiency of the putaway process. It’s essential to recognize the difference between various storage methods and select the best solution for your business needs.
Best Practices for Putaway
For an efficient putaway process, consider the following best practices:
- Stick to a timeline: Maintain a consistent schedule for shipments, recurring orders, and stock checks.
- Utilize data and analytics: Opt for a WMS with robust data analytics capabilities.
- Minimize travel time: An efficient putaway process reduces the distance covered during product storage.
- Upgrade your WMS: A modern WMS is vital for managing putaway processes, especially in larger warehouses.
- Reduce errors: A streamlined putaway process, aided by WMS, minimizes risks across all warehouse operations.
Key Takeaways
Optimizing the warehouse putaway process is a pivotal step towards enhancing order fulfillment and supply chain logistics. Various warehouse processes and software solutions can assist businesses in this endeavor. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all way to optimize the warehouse putaway itself, and sometimes, a combination of ways can be the most effective.
Warehouse Putaway FAQs
What is Putaway in Inventory?
Putaway refers to staging phase of the warehouse process where warehouse employees store newly arrived stock in its designated area.
What are the Putaway Steps in a Warehouse?
The process starts with recording the incoming inventory, often termed as warehouse staging. After taking stock of all the differences in shipment, items are organized in their order volume and respective locations.
What are the Putaway Strategies?
The primary strategies are direct putaway, dynamic putaway, and fixed location putaway.
For more insights on warehouse management, explore articles on warehouse bin storage system best practices, types of storage availability, dynamic locations of warehouses in supply chain management, and warehouse automation costs.

Mar 29, 2023 | Article
One person’s capacity to fulfill orders is limited. As you bring more employees on board to handle packaging and delivery tasks, the complexity of e-commerce, order and inventory management increases. The demands of eCommerce shipping can quickly consume all your time, especially with the intricacies of shipping labels and slips.
What Is Automated Shipping?
Automated shipping leverages software solutions to streamline fulfillment services. It encompasses tracking products ordered by customers throughout the shipping journey. As businesses aim to expand, shipping automation becomes crucial. The choice of automation systems varies based on your business size. For instance, if you’re operating with an external warehouse, it’s imperative to automate your shipping operations.Â
Why Should You Automate Shipping?
Automating shipping processes can significantly cut down costs associated with picking, packing, and delivering products. It not only saves time but also enhances efficiency. Many eCommerce platforms offer features that allow businesses to automate shipping across multiple warehouses. With the right automated shipping solutions and technology, your team can operate more efficiently, boosting the number of orders processed daily and improving order accuracy.
What Are The Advantages of Automated Shipping?
Time equates to money. As an eCommerce business owner, your time is invaluable. Spending it on tasks like packing and tracking, which can be handled by entry-level employees or even AI, isn’t cost-effective. Focus on value-added activities like content creation or market research. If a task doesn’t demand strategic planning, consider automating it. Automation not only saves time and money but also alleviates stress, ultimately driving sales growth and customer satisfaction.
Improve Efficiency
Automated shipping harnesses software capable of instant data analysis. Such software keeps track of product locations, shipping times and reorder points, ensuring optimal inventory levels. It provides real-time insights into order statuses. Through the online portal of your shipping software, you can monitor operations and rectify errors promptly.
Optimize Your Supply Chain
Shipping automation offers dual benefits: managing both incoming and outgoing facets of shipping rules and your supply chain. Software excels in analyzing vast data sets, determining delivery durations via carriers like USPS, and ensuring packages adhere to weight guidelines.
Provides Real-Time Analytics
Automated shipping software doesn’t just analyze existing data; it generates and evaluates new data. This information aids in decision-making regarding reorder points or selecting transportation and freight carriers. Instead of the shipping cost or incurring additional costs for analytics, opt for a shipping software that integrates these features.
Spend Less Money
Shipping automation software comes in various packages. Opt for one that meets your needs without overburdening you with unnecessary features. The right, automated shipping solution software can perform tasks in moments that would otherwise take a team a full day.
Reduces Human Error
While machines aren’t infallible, software tends to make fewer errors than humans and can rectify them faster. If an issue arises, your automated shipping software can help identify and resolve it swiftly and save money.
Repurpose Resources
Automation’s goal isn’t to replace humans but to optimize their roles. By automating mundane tasks, you can save time and assign more engaging and valuable tasks to your team, maximizing productivity without downsizing.
How to Successfully Start Automating eCommerce
Begin by automating your shipping processes. Opt for a software suite with integrated automated shipping features. As your business grows, enhance your software to have shipping automation rules encompass advanced inventory management features.
Ways to Automate Your eCommerce Shipping
Consider partnering with a warehouse management company to handle your shipping operations. Such companies offer comprehensive services, from full automated shipping systems to supply chain logistics. If you have an in-house warehouse, select software compatible with your warehousing system.
What Are Automation Rules?
Automation rules are predefined tasks for automated programs. They can range from adding prospects to lists to tracking information and assigning them to specific users. Each automation task comprises triggers, conditions, and actions, guiding the software’s responses.
Challenges of The eCommerce Shipping Process
In the absence of automation, eCommerce shipping is labor-intensive. This can lead to delays, hindering your business growth. Automation streamlines the process, enhancing efficiency and improving customer satisfaction.
Best Practices For Utilizing Automated Shipping
To maximize the benefits of shipping automation technology, have a clear vision of your long-term objectives and inventory management process. These goals should guide your software choices and configurations.
Key Takeaways
- Automated shipping is essential for growing eCommerce businesses.
- It minimizes errors and disruptions in the supply chain.
- Automation enhances customer and employee experiences, optimizes costs, and boosts efficiency.
Automatic Shipping FAQs
Before diving into shipping automation, it’s natural to have questions. Here are some common queries:
What Is Automated Order Fulfillment?
Automated order fulfillment leverages technology and data to oversee most aspects of the fulfillment process. AI can manage manual tasks, like warehouse picking, packing, labeling, stock reordering, and package tracking.
How Do I Start Automated Shipping?
To embark on automated shipping, reach out to ShipHero and discuss your options. The right shipping automation package ensures optimal customer experience and returns on investment.
Can Shipping Be Fully Automated?
While a completely automated warehouse is a future prospect, many automated shipping processes can be automated today.

Mar 29, 2023 | Blog
Keeping track of inventory levels is an important part of successful order fulfillment. By tracking inventory, you can avoid supply chain disruptions. To ensure accuracy in your fulfillment processes, you must know which products you have in stock, and in what amount in each of your warehouse locations. This requires a streamlined and more efficient inventory management and control strategy. The best way to accomplish this is with inventory management software. The right inventory tracking software can help you avoid errors and other issues and keep up with customer demand.
What Is Inventory Tracking?
Inventory tracking is the systematic approach to monitoring and managing products or items as they move through the supply chain. While smaller businesses might rely on traditional methods like pen and paper or spreadsheets, larger enterprises with multiple warehouse locations often turn to more advanced solutions. These solutions, such as various inventory management systems and software, Â offer real-time tracking capabilities, ensuring that businesses have up-to-date data on their stock levels.
What is Being Tracked?
Inventory tracking encompasses a wide range of products, from raw materials to finished goods ready for shipment. By monitoring the flow of these items, businesses can gain insights into sales trends and make informed decisions about restocking and resource allocation.
Who Uses Inventory Tracking?
Businesses in every industry and in every place in the world use inventory forecasting. It is one of the most efficient tools to help companies and customers of every size save money by avoiding delays and using your company’s resources wisely. Any company that deals with sales and purchases can learn a lot from inventory tracking and can make better decisions about optimization of resources.
What Is an Inventory Tracking System?
An inventory tracking system is an example of a software application or group of software applications that use data reporting and analysis to help businesses know where the items in their inventory are, how long they have been there, and when it is time to order more. Some inventory systems involve scanning codes or SKU numbers on boxes of inventory and updating their locations.
Inventory Tracking Benefits
The advantages of inventory tracking are manifold. Automated systems reduce labor costs, minimize errors, and enhance a business operations overall efficiency. Moreover, with a comprehensive system in place, businesses can also integrate their inventory data with accounting tools, ensuring financial accuracy.
Inventory Tracking Challenges
Inventory tracking is challenging because there are so many moving parts in the supply chain. You must keep track of when to order new parts or supplies and account for how long it will take the suppliers to fulfill your order. Their answer may depend on factors like weather, labor shortages, or availability of raw materials. Likewise, inventory control can only be error-proof if you use a sufficiently sophisticated inventory tracking option. If you keep all of your records with pen and paper, you always run the risk that coworkers will misunderstand your record-keeping system. Likewise, if you manage multiple warehouses, you will need an integrated and automated inventory management system to meet your inventory tracking needs. However, with the right inventory management processes and tracking software, many of these challenges can be mitigated.
Inventory Tracking Process
The inventory tracking process at a warehouse begins when the warehouse receives a new shipment of raw materials, partially assembled product components, or finished products ready for retail sale. The warehouse employees scan the SKU on each item or container or record its identifying data manually. They then follow the instructions, which were set by a manager or by data analytics, about where in the warehouse to store each item. As orders come in, visibility inventory management software the warehouse employees fulfill the order according to the warehouse’s system, whether it is first in first out, last in first out, or some other system.
How to Streamline your Inventory Tracking Process
Automation and data analytics are the keys to success to optimizing the inventory tracking process. By reducing manual interventions, businesses can minimize errors and enhance efficiency. Training staff on the software’s functionalities is also crucial to ensure smooth operations.
Manual vs. Automated Tracking
While manual tracking might suffice for smaller businesses, automation is becoming the industry norm. Automated warehouse management systems offer real-time updates, reduce errors, and are more scalable, making them ideal for growing businesses.
Inventory Tracking Methods
Choosing the best two inventory management methods for your company is an important business decision. Without accurate inventory tracking, errors in order fulfillment can lead to mixups, delays, customer complaints, and financial losses. The best inventory tracking methods rely on automation to update their reorder formulas in real-time. They are the inventory tracking equivalent of navigation apps that know when traffic jams and bad weather are likely to affect your commute and therefore suggest alternate routes.
Inventory Tracking Examples
Analyzing past inventory tracking strategies can offer valuable insights for future planning. By understanding the journey of different products through the supply chain, businesses can also identify trends and areas of improvement and optimize their strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Inventory tracking is essential for businesses of all sizes.
- The choice of tracking method should align with the business’s size and needs.
- Automation is becoming the industry standard, offering real-time updates and enhanced efficiency.
Inventory Tracking FAQs
What Are the Types of Inventory Tracking?
There are several methods, ranging from manual tracking with pen and paper, spreadsheets, to advanced automated systems using inventory tracking software.Â
What Is the Easiest Way to Keep Track of Inventory?
For small businesses, manual methods might be sufficient. However, as the business grows, investing in an automated system becomes crucial.
What Is the Best Program to Keep Track of Inventory?
While there are several options available, ShipHero stands out as a comprehensive solution catering to diverse business needs.
