Reading gives you superpowers

If you've ever wondered how your online orders arrive at your doorstep quickly and efficiently, it's all thanks to the warehouse packing station. Packing stations are the places at the end of your shipment chain where orders are carefully packed and prepared. An effective packing station can reduce your labor costs, shipping expenses, and order errors and helps to meet your customer's satisfaction. It's a well-oiled machine that helps to ensure that your orders arrive on time and in perfect condition. In this blog, we go over the basics of a warehouse packing station and why they’re so important.

What is a Packing Station?

A packing station is a space in a warehouse where products are checked, packed, and labeled for shipping. In addition to being ergonomically efficient, it is equipped with all the packing materials necessary within easy reach. And a well-designed packing station can greatly improve the order fulfillment process.

What Does a Packing Station Consist Of?

Order fulfillment is only as fast as its slowest function, and packing–often the last stop before shipping–can be a bottleneck. But a well-designed warehouse packing station will ensure a place for everything. Modular and ergonomic packing stations can increase productivity by eliminating the need for workers to bend, reach, or leave the packing area to retrieve supplies.

Packing stations can be outfitted with various accessories. They usually consist of a workbench with shelves or gravity flow tracks designed to store the materials used to prepare orders for packing and shipping. Packing supplies such as boxes, envelopes, packing paper, and tape can be stored on packing stations in easy-to-reach locations. Tools like scanners, scissors, tape measures, utility knives, and tape guns are often organized and hung on the packing station for quick and easy access.

Connecting your packing and shipping areas with a simple gravity conveyor system can reduce bottlenecks and eliminate worker travel time. Thus creating a seamless integration between order picking, packaging, and the loading dock.

How to Make your Packing Station More Efficient

When it comes to efficiency, your packing station is key. But all too often, people focus solely on storage when designing their packing workstations. In order to maximize efficiency, your packing station needs to be integrated with the company's warehouse management system. As a result, you will be able to organize the most important packing materials and supplies logically. If you're looking to make your packing station even more efficient, you can do a few things.

Warehouse Organization for Efficient Packing Stations

A well-organized warehouse is very important for an efficient packing station. A perpetual inventory management system will keep track of stock levels and help avoid surprises. The workstation should be arranged so that all the tasks required to pack a shipment can be carried out smoothly and uninterrupted. It should also be tidy and well-stocked with all the supplies needed to safely and securely pack items for shipment. Creating a lean warehouse will save you time and money in the long run.

Streamline Your Packing Workflow

The packing process is one of the most important steps in getting products ready for shipping. A well-designed packing workflow can help improve efficiency and reduce errors. When creating a packing workflow, it is important to consider the type of products being packed, the volume of products, and the space available.

Packing stations that deal with high-volume small packages need to be more compact so that the worker has enough space to pack products quickly with all the packing materials within reach. Whereas packing stations that handle large and bulky products need to be spacious and include lifting equipment to help workers pack heavy items. Also, extra space can accommodate automation later on.

We have even gone one step further and included a YouTube video that walks you through the processes that go on at the packing station. You can watch the full video HERE

Create a Workstation That Delivers Orders

In a busy warehouse, time is of the essence. That's why it's important to have an efficient system for bringing orders to the packing workstation. Whether it's boxes, totes, skids, carts, or conveyors, the goal is to deliver the orders in batches, so the packer doesn't have to move from his workstation. The delivery system should be located next to the table, and the packer should always be within easy reach of a new order.

Whenever possible, staging systems should be next to the table so the packer can avoid lifting, carrying, and walking the carton to the staging location. The best solutions allow the packer to simply push the packed carton onto the staging area which helps to keep the packing station running smoothly and efficiently.

The Gaming Community's Answer to Warehouse Packing

Remember those old handheld barcode scanners that revolutionized warehouse picking and packing? Well, there's always been a bit of a lag between picking up the scanner, scanning the barcode, and then placing the scanner down to continue working. Maybe it's one or two seconds, but shave those few seconds off every order, and you've accumulated a lot of time.

One of our ShipHeroes found our solution in the gaming community. Xbox® released an adaptive game controller meant for gamers with limited mobility. We discovered that this device could work for packing stations at ShipHero. The cost to make this upgrade is nominal. It’s cheaper than a mobile socket scanner, which most clients use in their warehouses. Not only that, but workers love it because it’s more fun and less time consuming. They literally push buttons, no time is lost scanning or using a mouse and keyboard.  

Frequent Packing Process Evaluation Pays Off

If you're looking to keep your packing operation productive, it's important to frequently observe and upgrade the process as business factors change around it. You can be more accurate and faster with the right combination of processes, equipment, technology, and training. By frequently evaluating the packing process, you can ensure that your operation is always running smoothly.

Establishing Packing Procedures

An efficient warehouse packing station is critical to a successful order fulfillment process. That's because it helps you ship the right goods to your customers quickly and in good condition. It can reduce your labor costs, shipping expenses, and order errors and helps to meet your customer's satisfaction. After all, the success of any eCommerce business comes down to happy customers, and efficient packing stations are necessary to achieve this. Late orders, high shipping fees, and order inaccuracies won’t keep your customers coming back for more. Sometimes, you need a third party with a team of experts to handle the logistics while you focus on growing your business.

This is where a warehouse management solution like ShipHero can help you out. With ShipHero, you can automate your warehouse packing stations and get real-time insights into your fulfillment process so that you can make informed decisions about how to improve your operation. As a result, you can keep your customers happy and grow your business. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you take your warehouse packing station to the next level!

—

For More Information About ShipHero

Whether you want to let go of running your own warehouse or run your warehouse better, you can do both – and so much more – with ShipHero.

Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting with Our Sales Team.

Follow us today on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Product bundling is one of the oldest retail tricks in the book, and for a good reason. Why go a long way around when you can get multiple products in one easy package? Companies have realized bundling is a great way to offer customers more value for their money and drive up their average order value. Just look at the success of the Happy Meal! The classic combination of a burger, soda, and french fries has been popularized by bundling them together, making it easier than ever to enjoy a complete meal. It may be an old trick, but bundling remains one that businesses everywhere swear by to this day. So what is the meaning of bundling, and how does it benefit business? Well, stay right here and “bundle” up for this blog.

What is Product Bundling?

Product bundling is bundling multiple items to get customers to buy them together for one price instead of individually. This bundling gives customers an incentive to purchase more than they normally would at one time, resulting in an extra benefit for businesses. It's also a great way to encourage items that might be overlooked if purchased on their own, boost sales, and combat price-gouging. Bundling can be done through various mediums depending on the industry and the target audience.

Get More for Your Money With Upsells and Cross-sells

Businesses can leverage upsells and cross-sells to move more products while simultaneously providing customers with added value.

• The purpose of an upsell is to convince the customer to upgrade or purchase a slightly more expensive version of what they originally intended to purchase.
• Similarly, cross-sells promote similar products within the same group; "would you like fries with that?"

Benefits of Product Bundling

Bundling helps you do much more with your existing stock. Let’s look at the advantages of product bundling and how it can benefit your business.

1. Increase Sales and AOV
   ‍A bundling strategy can be a great way for businesses to increase their profits and the amount sold over time. As demonstrated by studies from Harvard Business School, bundling products can help businesses get customers to buy more than one item during a single purchase while still offering them discounts. This means they’ll get more value for each order while you keep your average order value high. 
   ‍
   For example, an electronics store might offer discounts when customers bundle televisions and soundbars together - a win-win situation! Not only do customers enjoy the convenience of making fewer purchases, but they end up with the best deal possible.
2. Decreases Marketing and Distribution Costs
   Not only do bundling strategies enable you to sell more of your products together and get more bang for your buck, but it also leads to decreased costs in marketing and distributing. Instead of promoting each product separately, bundling multiple items together removes the need to market each item individually. And with only one warehouse bin taking up less storage space, distribution costs are also lowered.
3. Reduce Inventory Waste
   Inventory waste can be a major problem for businesses, causing money to be spent on holding costs without receiving any return. But with a bit of bundling magic, you can help reduce it! By bundling slow-moving or stagnant items with popular ones, customers will see the bundle as an amazing bargain and snatch it up. This helps clear out your dead stock before it becomes a problem, frees up your warehouse space, and decreases the amount of money you would have to spend on inventory holding costs. Bundling isn’t just an opportunity for thrifty shoppers; it’s also an important tool for reducing surplus inventory and keeping your business running smoothly. So if your shelves are cluttered with products that won’t move, bundling is the solution you’ve been looking for.
4. Increase Product Awareness
   Product bundling is one of the best strategies for increasing product awareness. By bundling items together, you are giving customers more value with every purchase and encouraging them to become familiar with additional products they wouldn’t have otherwise considered. For example, bundling items in themed sets or offering discounts on popular pairs makes it easier for customers to try something new while recognizing a good deal.
   
   Furthermore, bundling introduces customers to different product lines they might not have been aware of and encourages them to try items outside their comfort zone, potentially leading to higher sales returns in the long run. In short, bundling can be a great way to increase product exposure for both businesses and consumers alike.
5. Boost Customer Loyalty
   Offering bundles is a great way to increase customer loyalty, as bundling creates more opportunities for shoppers to find something they love (and then return for more). As a bonus, bundling helps ensure that customers get their money’s worth – by bundling multiple items together, buyers can save money and still receive high-quality goods and services. So why not bundle up your bestsellers into one convenient package and reap the rewards with increased customer loyalty?

Types and Examples of Product Bundles

Several different bundling techniques are used to group products:

• Mixed bundling

A mixed bundling strategy involves offering customers the option of buying a bundle as well as the option of buying individual items. Offering mixed bundling at a lower price than if the items were sold separately will incentivize users to purchase the bundle.
‍
Fast food combos are examples of mixed bundling – you can purchase each item individually or as part of the combo for a single price.

• Pure bundling

Pure bundling refers to grouping products that are only available when sold together.
‍
For example, whenever you purchase cough syrup, you also get a small plastic cup, which you would never buy separately.

• Same products

When a customer orders multiple of the same product, bundling is a smart way to offer a discount. Customers are encouraged to buy in bulk upfront by same-product bundling, similar to a subscription model.
‍
For example, many direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands that sell essential or personal care products (e.g., toothpaste, paper towels, or hand soap) do well with this bundling strategy.

• Excess inventory

In addition to being an effective marketing strategy, product bundling is a convenient way to eliminate old, unwanted inventory and make room for new items. Your bottom line can be negatively affected by slow-moving products. So pairing a popular item with a product that isn't performing as well can entice customers with the prospect of a good deal.
‍
For example, bundling a last-season computer mouse with brand-new keyboard is easy because customers need both to use a computer.

Popular Examples of Product Bundling

1. Gifting product bundles: Gift bundles are aimed at shoppers who want to give a bundle of complementary products together to a loved one.  
2. Subscription boxes: Subscription bundles provide complementary value by adding products or services that enhance an existing subscription.  
3. Build your own bundles: With custom bundles, you can choose from a wide range of products, as well as single items.

Product Bundling Best Practices

• Offer a discount on the bundle so that customers can see the value.
• Show the cost of a bundle side-by-side with the cost of individual products.
• Analyze where bundles fall within the customer journey.
• Use holiday emails to highlight bundles.
• Observe vertical industries - how are they priced and what's included?
• Examine other websites' upselling tactics.

Get the Most out of Bundling with ShipHero's WMS

When it comes to bundling meaningfully in your eCommerce business, understanding what bundling is and how to integrate bundling into your warehouse management system is key. With bundling strategies like pick kit and build-kit, you can customize how you store and manage the pieces of your bundles or kits.
ShipHero's warehouse management system provides a comprehensive solution for integrating bundling goals into your inventory management strategy, giving you powerful automation tools with one-click integrations and dedicated client support. Put simply, ShipHero is here to make sure that your kits and bundles add up!

Product Bundling: Your Secret to a Better Bottom Line

Product bundling is one of the oldest and simplest tricks in retail, yet so often overlooked by customers. However, bundling your products can be a powerful way to boost sales, increase customer loyalty, and earn extra revenue - if done right. With bundling, you can create custom product packages tailored to individual customers’ needs and promotions that reward shoppers for bundling multiple items together. In addition, bundling can help draw attention to slow-moving stock or be used for product awareness initiatives.

All these strategies can help to make your store stand out from the crowd and give you an edge in today's competitive market. So why not put bundling at the center of your selling strategy? With these tips in hand, you can create custom bundles that will increase sales, loyalty, and awareness for your store – and, who knows, maybe even earn you an extra buck. Thanks for reading!

—

For More Information About ShipHero

Whether you want to let go of running your own warehouse or run your warehouse better, you can do both – and so much more – with ShipHero.

Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting with Our Sales Team.

Follow us today on Twitter and LinkedIn.

A lot goes on in a warehouse beyond just shelving products and loading them onto trucks. One important process is order picking, which happens when employees select the items that go into order. It's an essential part of making sure customers get the products they need, and it's a job that takes precision and care. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at what order picking is and some of the factors that go into it. We'll also explore how technology changes how orders are picked in warehouses today.

What Is Order Picking in a Warehouse?

Order picking is the crucial activity that pulls individual items from a fulfillment center to create an order. It's a labor-intensive and costly operation that accounts for over 50% of total warehouse costs—so it pays off to get picking right! That being said, with customer satisfaction, business reputation, and profitability all hanging in the balance, managing picking operations effectively can be no laughing matter.

Picking Methods

When it comes to picking in the warehouse, there are several picking methods to consider. The four top picking strategies for order picking are batch picking, zone picking, discrete picking, and wave picking. All four strategies have advantages and strategies tailored to optimize performance and reduce bottlenecks at different supply chain stages.

1. Batch Picking

Many different order picking methods can be used in a warehouse, but batch picking is often the best option when fulfilling multiple orders that use the same SKUs. This way, pickers only have to travel once to a location for a SKU to fulfill multiple customer orders. Batch picking aims to improve productivity as it reduces repeated trips, steps, and time. In addition, it is often more accurate than other picking methods since pickers are less likely to make mistakes when picking items for multiple orders simultaneously.

2. Zone Picking

Zone picking is an order picking method used in warehouses where pickers are each assigned to a physical area, or zone, of the warehouse. It is only responsible for picking the SKUs from that area. This strategy is often used for complex or multi-item orders to improve efficiency. To fulfill customers’ orders, the picker(s) assigned to a zone is responsible for picking all the SKUs from that zone.

This means if an order has items in another zone, a different picker will pick that portion of the order, working like an assembly line. Zone picking is best suited for warehouses that fulfill complicated orders with many units or at least a combination of complicated and simple orders. The warehouse itself must be organized and optimized to make this model work. An order picking method like this can help save time and money while improving accuracy and order fulfillment rates.

3. Wave Picking

Wave picking leverages scheduling windows to group and prioritize orders based on time and importance. This picking method is a variation of zone or batch picking that is best for warehouses with large numbers of SKUs. Rather than picking orders chronologically, wave picking allows businesses to evaluate all orders together to determine an optimal picking strategy. By considering factors such as labor, delivery times, and ship dates, businesses can ensure that orders are fulfilled promptly and efficiently. This picking method is ideal for businesses that must quickly and efficiently fulfill many orders.

4. Piece Picking

If you're running a small business with limited SKUs, piece picking or discrete picking is the way to go. This picking strategy refers to when a picker works on one order at a time, retrieving all the necessary SKUs before moving on to the next order. This method is best for small businesses with low SKU counts and/or small warehouses or storage facilities.

While piece picking requires a lot more movement than other picking strategies, it makes sense to use it until a business hits a certain scale that warrants one of the picking methods above. This strategy makes it easy to track order picker accuracy and enables rapid response time for order fulfillment.

Warehouse Picking Optimization With Technology

Warehouses are a critical part of the supply chain, and optimizing them can significantly impact your business. There are many factors to consider when optimizing your warehouse, from the layout of your storage shelves to the route your picking staff takes. Introducing new technologies can also help to optimize your warehouse, such as automated order picking systems. By constantly evaluating and improving your warehouse operations, you can ensure that your business is as efficient and effective as possible.

1. Barcode Scanners: Barcode scanners are a simple way to improve warehouse operations. They allow for accurate identification of products, locations, and more while speeding up the process with near-zero errors!
2. Wearable Computers: Wearable computers are a must-have for any warehouse, with the ability to provide real-time feedback and orders while picking. The small screen, keyboard docks, or gloves allow pickers hands-free access, reducing accidents and product damage because they can work from anywhere in your store without having an assistant around!
3. Voice Picking: Voice Picking is an invaluable tool for operators. With voice picking, they're equipped with a headset and microphone connected to the WMS over local wireless warehouse networks! They also interact verbally through commands which provide detailed instructions about where products need to be picked up or what kind of inventory you have available.
4. Collaborative Mobile Robots: In the past, workers had to move their picking carts manually, but now mobile collaborative robots have been introduced to supplement the work done by human warehouse associates and automate movements throughout facilities.

Some of the benefits of doing this include increased accuracy and productivity, multi-language capabilities, reduction of data entry errors, improved safety through hand and eye-free technology operation, and increased availability of picker time.

Warehouse Efficiency Hacks

Nothing is more frustrating than searching through a warehouse for a particular item. That's why it's important to have a good picking strategy in place. The best strategies minimize picking times by making the most frequently picked items more accessible. Doing so will save time and money in the long run.

Implement a WMS like ShipHero

Implementing warehouse management software can improve picking methods and picking in the warehouse. This allows your team to pick and pack more in the same amount of time and train recruits faster. ShipHero’s Warehouse Management System simplifies eCommerce picking, packing, and shipping. By auto-generating pick lists, accurately displaying product availability, providing real-time insight into order status, forecasting when to replenish inventory through reorder point notifications, and even assisting with planning staff labor, a WMS like ShipHero can take your warehouse to the next level.

Use the Right Equipment

If you're looking for ways to improve picking methods in the warehouse, you'll need to invest in the right tools and equipment. There are many types of picking carts available, each with its own benefits. For example, some picking carts are designed for conveyor systems, while others are specifically for barcodes and inventory scanners. But no matter what picking system you use, the most important thing is ensuring you have the right equipment for the job.

Track Your Warehouse Productivity

If you're running a warehouse, keeping track of your productivity is important. You need to know how long it takes to ship an order, how many units are in storage, and how accurate your pickers are. You should also monitor your inventory turnover and average warehouse capacity used. By understanding these metrics, you can help your pickers be more productive.

For example, suppose you know that it takes your pickers an average of two minutes to find a unit in storage. In that case, you can improve their productivity by ensuring that the units are stored in a more easily accessible location to them.

Why Warehouse Picking is Important

Warehouse picking is selecting individual items from a fulfillment center to fill customers' orders. It might not sound glamorous, but it's essential for any e-commerce or retail business that wants to thrive. That's because picking directly impacts customer satisfaction, business reputation, and profitability. In other words, your business will likely suffer if your picking operation isn't running smoothly. So how can you optimize your picking operation and ensure it runs like a well-oiled machine? Following these tips ensures that your picking operation is efficient, accurate, and cost-effective.

How ShipHero Can Help

As anyone who has ever worked in a warehouse knows, picking is one of the most important, and also one of the most tedious, tasks. It's also crucial to the success of any eCommerce business. That's why ShipHero created a Warehouse Management System (WMS) specifically designed to make picking faster, easier, and more accurate. Our barcode scanning system cuts error rates by 99.9%, and our built-in reporting features cover everything from COGS to Picker/Packer Efficiency to Replenishment. Best of all, ShipHero is easy to use and integrate, so you can be up and running in no time. So if you're looking for a picking solution that will save you time and money, ShipHero is the answer.

—

For More Information About ShipHero

Whether you want to let go of running your own warehouse or run your warehouse better, you can do both – and so much more – with ShipHero.

Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting with Our Sales Team.

Follow us today on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Maintaining an organized warehouse and storage area is a fundamental element for any company, especially when handling substantial quantities of material. This article will delve into the sequence of methods that will optimize your warehouse bin storage system, with a focus on layout, shelving, aisles, and more.

What is a Warehouse Bin Storage System?

A warehouse bin storage system is a method of arranging inventory in specific spaces within a warehouse, aiding in efficient inventory management. Correct identification and labeling bin warehouse systems play a vital role in preventing errors and make it easier for your team to search for items in your own warehouse management system. Discover more about warehouse bin storage systems here.

Understanding the Layout of Your Warehouse

The layout of storage rooms in your warehouse, including the floor space planning, directly impacts the efficiency of your operations. Well-organized aisles, zones, and areas, marked with clear arrows, ensure a smooth pick path for workers. The use of devices like a phone for material tracking can also enhance the effectiveness of your layout, improving service for customers. Since there are 6 different types of warehouses, it’s important to factor in that bin layouts vastly differ from one another.

Naming Convention and Labeling System

Adopting a consistent naming convention and labeling system is crucial. A common method includes a combination of letters and characters to denote different elements, such as racks, shelves, and bins. Additionally, a location numbering scheme can be implemented to ease and further streamline the inventory process. A properly maintained warehouse labeling system can greatly reduce errors and confusion among workers.

Choosing the Right Inventory Management System

The right inventory management software and system can revolutionize your store and warehouse operations. Tools like Shiphero can help manage your stores efficiently by providing real-time inventory updates, enabling you to position your inventory in the most effective way.

Organizing Your Warehouse with Zones and Aisles

Zones and aisles in your warehouse design should be designed with the flow of people and materials in mind. Effective sequencing of these areas in your warehouse layout can help minimize unnecessary movements and maximize efficiency.

Warehouse Labeling and Identification

Warehouse labeling and identification are not just about sticking names to bins. They are about creating a system where every position of available space, every unit, every rack, and every shelf has a unique identifier. This system aids workers in quickly finding and storing items, reducing errors and boosting customer satisfaction.

Implementing Automation in Bin Storage System

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) are computer-controlled systems that can significantly improve the efficiency of bin storage systems. They are designed to increase the speed of retrieval, decrease manual labor, and minimize human error at rates. Besides, automated systems can help optimize warehouse space due to their ability to support higher and denser storage.

Inventory Turnover Rate

Inventory turnover rate is a metric that shows the number of times a business has sold and replaced inventory during a specific period. A high turnover rate indicates effective selling and replenishing. This means less capital tied up and reduced storage costs. A well-organized bin storage system can significantly increase this rate by ensuring faster retrieval times and reducing instances of misplaced items.

Seasonal Variation in Inventory

Seasonal demands can cause fluctuations in inventory volumes in warehouses. An optimized bin storage system should have a flexible layout that can be easily reconfigured. During peak seasons, your ideal warehouse layout should be able to accommodate larger inventories without compromising on organization or retrieval times.

Temperature-Controlled Bin Storage

Certain items, like perishable foods or sensitive electronic components, need specific temperature conditions to maintain their quality. Temperature-controlled areas can be included in optimized bin storage systems. Advanced systems can even offer varying temperature zones within the same warehouse floor.

Sustainability in Bin Storage System

An environmentally friendly warehouse is a critical requirement in today's world. Using recyclable bins, optimizing energy usage, and incorporating natural light where possible are ways to make your bin storage system more sustainable. Additionally, an efficient warehouse layout optimization minimizes unnecessary movements, thereby saving energy.

Regulations and Compliance

Compliance with safety and inventory management regulations is crucial for maintaining your warehouse's credibility. This includes guidelines for stacking height, aisle width, and hazardous material handling equipment storage, among others. An optimized bin storage system ensures these regulations are met, thereby reducing the risk of legal issues.

Bin Storage System Software

A wide range of warehouse management software is available today that can help manage your bin storage system more efficiently. The features include real-time inventory tracking, automated data collection, and advanced analytics that provide insights into warehouse operations.

Employee Training for Bin Storage System

Despite having an optimized bin storage system, it won't be effective unless your staff is well-trained in how to use it properly. Regular training ensures that all employees are familiar with the system, can locate items quickly, and know how to handle any issues that may arise. This not only enhances efficiency but also improves workplace safety.

Warehouse Safety and Efficiency: The Essentials

Ensure Safety Protocols in Warehouse Storage Rooms

The best warehouses put safety first. Clear aisles and effective labels help reduce accidents. Warehouse signs can highlight hazards, while safety training teaches staff to handle materials correctly. So, your warehouse becomes a safe place to work, not just an efficient one.

Tech Boosts Warehouse Efficiency

Efficient warehouses use the right technology. Adding RFID tags, barcode scanners, and warehouse management software (WMS) to your setup boosts real-time tracking and cuts down errors. To make these tech tools work, staff need training—a step you can't skip.

Staff Training Matters

You need well-trained staff for a top-notch warehouse. Regular move reviews and training updates on the storage system, new tech, and safety processes are vital. So, if your staff knows their stuff, your entire warehouse will work better.

Layouts that Cut Costs

A smart, efficient warehouse layout design does more than just organize and keep things smooth—it saves money. Fewer unnecessary movements mean less time wasted, and fewer errors mean less money spent on fixing them. It's the secret to running a warehouse that's cost-effective, not just operational.

Regular Audits Keep Things Running Smoothly

You can't forget about regular audits. They check that everything's working as it should and spot areas for improvement. With regular audits, your whole warehouse operation will always be at its best, delivering top efficiency and productivity all the time.

Efficient Bin Storage System Setup Tips

Grouping Items: ABC Way

Group your items based on their traits, such as size, weight, and how often they're used in existing warehouses. The ABC analysis is your best friend here. 'A' items are popular, 'B' items are less so, and 'C' items are the wallflowers. The outcome? Picking processes are streamlined, and workers cut down on their cardio in the warehouse.

Smart Placement

Think of usage patterns. Your fast-moving items should be neighbors with the dispatch areas, slashing retrieval times. Meanwhile, slow movers can chill in the less accessible spots. This "product slotting" tactic ensures every inch of your warehouse floor plan works hard and your productivity is on point.

Labels: A Necessity

Labels on your bin locations are the tour guides of your warehouse. Workers find items quicker when labels on storage bins are readable and packed with info such as product name, SKU, and bin location. So, time spent on the "Where's Waldo" of items? Significantly reduced.

Vertical Space: Use it

Don't ignore your vertical wall space - it's a hidden gem of storage space and capacity. Stack those bins and use taller storage units. But remember, safety first - no heavy or oft-used items in the stratosphere.

Layout Design: The Fishbone Advantage

Design your bin rows' layout to put Usain Bolt to shame - minimize travel time. A method to swear by is the "fishbone" aisle design, a straight-line path perfect for item retrieval.

Choose the Right Type of Storage Bins

Bigger isn't always better. Choose the right bin for your items. Some items need bins with dividers; others demand larger, robust bins. The right bin not only keeps your items snug and safe but makes accessing them a breeze.With these elements, you're on track to add up to a bin storage system that takes your warehouse layout from good to great.

Final Thoughts on Warehouse Bin Storage System Best Practices

Every company has a reason to keep their warehouse organized. Whether it's for inventory system efficiency, error reduction, or simply to maintain a well-organized warehouse, implementing these best practices can enhance your operations. A well-structured warehouse layout design, consistent naming conventions, and easy and effective labeling systems all contribute to a more efficient and productive warehouse.

—

For More Information About ShipHero

Whether you want to let go of running your warehouse or run your warehouse better, you can do both – and so much more – with ShipHero.

Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting with Our Sales Team.

Follow us today on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Do you know how to select the right warehouse for your business and maximize savings? Warehousing is a necessary component of the customer journey and can be interpreted as an investment. If you're looking to save on costs and boost your productivity, know that a well-run warehouse can give you better control over your inventory and ensure customers receive their orders on time.

But when it comes to selecting the right warehouse for your business, no one size fits all, so you need to consider factors such as proximity to suppliers and customers, cost optimization, technological capabilities, space utilization, and scalability, to name a few. With careful planning – which often requires help from external logistics specialists – you'll have more success determining the right warehouse for your needs.

Choosing a Warehouse Location

How to select the right warehouse location for your business can be quite a puzzle. You want to find one close to major highways, convenient for customers, employees, suppliers, and vendors— yet cost remains a key factor. Do you opt for the warehouse near a densely populated area or the one further away with cheaper real estate? And don't forget about labor costs—will you be able to find qualified staff in this location? Luckily, you have all the tools at hand to solve this logistics riddle of success!

Where Are Your Customers?

Before you can assume your spot as an industry titan, you must understand where your potential and current customers are. Ask yourself the tough questions: Do our sales primarily target people within a specific region? Are we selling all over the world? Taking an inventory of the customer landscape is vital for maximizing efficiency—setting up a shop near your customers helps keep transportation costs down, streamlines delivery, and saves resources in the long run. Ready, set, map!

Are You Getting Value For Your Money?

When selecting the ideal location for a warehouse, the cost is always at the top of the list. But to get a true sense of value for money, it's essential not to overlook hidden charges — a factor that can offset any savings you make on cheaper rental rates.

Luckily, there's more than meets the eye when making your decision; tax structure and incentives are also vital considerations. Certain areas may be subject to special government programs designed to boost particular industries. All in all, weighing up all this information is an absolute must if you're looking to get the most bang for your buck!

What Are the Utility Costs?

Whether you're growing or shrinking, it pays to do your research to avoid making a potentially costly mistake. When planning your move, remember to factor in all the utilities necessary for smooth operation: electricity, water, and sewage are standard, but what about the internet? Before you move, double-check the availability and cost of the internet; after all, fast and reliable service is essential in this day and age!

What is the Structure and Layout of the Building?

Choosing a suitable warehouse building for your business requires a lot of thought and consideration; after all, it might be challenging to adjust specific equipment to an old building that cannot sustain a proper flow of raw materials. It could also result in needing to modify an existing warehouse and that could lead to additional costs.

Thinking about ceiling heights, column spacing, and other factors is key in ensuring that you will avoid any issues with inward and outward flows. Do you sell perishables that need to be refrigerated? Be sure to look at refrigerated warehouses to ensure frozen or perishable goods are stored correctly and arrive in top condition!

To guarantee your buildings are fit-for-purpose, put as much time and effort into the structural planning as you would the other aspects of planning - otherwise, you may discover too late that essential elements have been missed or overlooked.

What is the Workforce Availability in the Area?

Despite the great potential for cost savings, it's important to remember that workforce availability means more than hiring bodies at low wages. You must look at the big picture regarding supply and demand and consider whether these workers have the desired skills to meet your business's needs. If not, you could find yourself with a team lacking in drive to give your customers the service they deserve while wondering how much money you wasted in the process.

Is the Warehouse Close to Airports, Railways, or Ports?

Regarding transportation costs, there's a lot to consider – from where your business is located in relation to roads, highways, and airports to the volume of local traffic. If trucking is your primary mode of getting products around, accessibility and easy access are key. It pays well then to be mindful of proximity when selecting warehousing facilities - ideally as close as possible to the airports, railway stations, and ports for maximum drayage cost control and high-velocity levels.

What are Some Local Environment Factors?

When considering an optimal location for a new warehouse, you'd be wise to look at two key factors: proximity to major suppliers, producers, and/or customers, plus local environmental considerations. Logistics pros and cons can quickly outweigh each other based on these locality choices, so getting it right is vital.

Make sure you pay attention to weather risks just because the building looks great - would you want a hurricane tearing through your new facility? When it comes to markets and local environmental factors, go the extra mile in your due diligence!

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Warehouse

It takes significant research and internal evaluation of company priorities to select the correct warehouse. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing your next warehouse.  

Special Features  

It is not uncommon for warehouse features to be as unique as the inventory. Ensure your warehouse has everything you need for storing your products, like dock doors, levelers, fire suppression systems, refrigeration or air conditioning, power requirements, and floor loading capabilities.  

Technology  

Typically, warehouses are not equipped with technology before leasing or purchasing; the tenant's needs determine it.

When selecting a warehouse, consider the following questions related to warehousing technology:

• How will the new warehouse integrate with your company's existing supply chain and processing systems?
• Does the warehouse already have any tech?
• Does the warehouse have the capacity to handle new technologies such as drones, pick-by-vision systems, and electronic data exchange?

Flexibility    

The COVID-19 pandemic clearly illustrates that eCommerce services need to be more flexible. It would help if you chose a warehouse that will be flexible enough to expand and meet the logistics requirements of the future (and those of your customers).

Pick Your Warehouse Like You'd Pick a Date

With eCommerce playing a more significant role in the consumer market than ever, an efficient warehouse solution is essential. Don't just click and go when selecting your warehouse logistics; read up on implementation strategies, scalability potential, and reporting capabilities for that extra peace of mind. After all, your warehouse may be the basis for your eCommerce business, so don't view it as an afterthought - treat it with respect! Pick the best service that fits your future goals and overall branding strategy, and watch it become the groundwork for success. Don't let yourself be overwhelmed by making hasty decisions; take time to find what fits you best.

—

For More Information About ShipHero

Whether you want to let go of running your own warehouse or run your warehouse better, you can do both – and so much more – with ShipHero.

Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting with Our Sales Team.

Follow us today on Twitter and LinkedIn.

It's that time of year again! The leaves are changing, the air is getting crisp, and eCommerce and 3PL businesses worldwide are preparing for peak season. For many of us, peak season is both the most wonderful and most stressful time of the year. That's why we've brought in our resident peak expert, Alex from ShipHero, to share some wisdom on how to make it through peak season without losing your mind. From personal experience, Alex can attest that peak can often be a bit of a "wild west," but having a peak plan in place helps to keep things under control. So tune in for some peak wisdom and maybe a horror story! It's all happening on this episode of PalletSide Chat.

What is Peak Season?

As peak season approaches, you may feel like a football coach preparing for the big game. But instead of designing plays, you're strategizing how to navigate the influx of shipments and rising freight rates. It's no wonder peak season is often referred to as the Super Bowl of logistics. Between mid-August and Thanksgiving, markets see high demand and increased goods on the road. And while we might spend all year optimizing our supply chain processes, peak season can still bring significant challenges for retailers and those managing logistics. So buckle up because peak season is officially here.

“What is peak? It's the Super Bowl of logistics.” -Alex Lewkowict

Prepping for Peak

As any online business owner knows, peak season can make or break your year. That's why it's important to start preparing as early as possible - analyzing past inventory levels and sales numbers to forecast volume accurately and determine staffing needs. Trust us - we know from experience the mayhem that can happen during peak. Parking lot overflowing, surprise visits from the fire inspector, and throw in a visit from the USPS guy, and you've got the perfect storm (just ask Alex!). But having a plan in place, including cross-trained staff ready to handle any task thrown at them, will set you up for success during this chaotic time. Prepping for peak season may take extra effort and forethought, but trust us - it's worth it in the long run.

“I feel like that's like the peak-est peak season story I've heard so far.” -Dan Van Meer.

Overcoming Operational Challenges

Alex understands navigating peak season can be a headache for their clients. So, he strives to make it feel like an in-house operation without stress. Overcoming operational challenges is critical, and he prioritizes communication to understand each brand's needs and timelines. For all of One23 Fulfillment's clients, his ultimate goal is to ensure a smooth and successful experience.

Even with the best-laid plans, things can still go wrong—and they often do during peak season. Operational challenges can still arise during peak, even with clear communication and solid preparation. That's why you need a strategy for overcoming any bumps in the road, whether it's longer-than-expected lead times from vendors or unexpected employee absences. It's important to know how to anticipate and adapt to any situation that might come your way.

“Ultimately, the playbook is lead a great team, build great relationships with customers and vendors and execute well.” -Dan Van Meer.

Customer Service Success

Let's face it - the warehouse is a total madhouse during peak seasons. Orders are flying in left and right, and the team's main priority is getting them out as fast and accurately as possible. However, that doesn't mean your customers should be left to wait for solutions to their potential problems.

Alex recognizes the importance of providing excellent customer service even during the busiest times. That's why he decided to have a few team members whose sole focus is ensuring their clients and customers receive quick responses to their inquiries and swift resolutions to any issues that arise. Customer satisfaction is at the heart of success, so it's essential to prioritize it no matter how hectic things get.

“You're the 3PL, you're supposed to be the logistics expert. [For] brands, it's their biggest time of the year.” -Alex Lewkowict

Keeping Your Team Motivated

Building a great team is crucial for success during peak season, but it's important to remember that your team needs motivation all year round. As a business owner, it's important to filter through employees and build a group of dedicated individuals who are excited about the challenge peak brings.

Keeping an enjoyable work environment with perks like music in the warehouse and a family-friendly atmosphere helps keep morale high and boosts loyalty among employees. It's also important to ensure your team understands their role's importance during peak season and knows what to expect regarding increased workload. You'll be fully prepared for peak season successes by maintaining a motivated team throughout the year.

“We talk about peak all year round. Everybody who works for us knows what's coming.” -Alex Lewkowict.

You May Be Stressed … but You Can Handle It!

As Alex so eloquently stated, peak season success boils down to a simple concept: just be a decent human being. Sounds easy enough, right? But there's a catch - the devil is in the details. So, treat your colleagues, partners, and customers with kindness and respect. Be sure to start prepping for the high volume before peak season - stay organized and proactive throughout the year. And when things inevitably become chaotic - take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee, and remember that it will all be over soon.

Together, we can conquer peak like pros! Reach out with questions and feedback at podcast@shiphero.com. Happy peak season!

–

‍About the Hosts: As VP of marketing, Dan Van Meer is always on the go. From overseeing project management and data analytics, he has his hands in a little bit of everything. Most importantly, he ensures that all creative work - from graphic design to digital marketing - is high quality and on-brand. Co-host Alex Lewkowict is quite the renaissance man. He's been an adolescent entrepreneur, successful CEO, and Founder of a men's skincare line, and he created One23 Fulfillment. Did we mention he made the Forbes 30 under 30 list?

Peak season is here, and ShipHero is here to help you through it! Our ShipHEROs at the warehouses are moving at light speed to keep up with demand. We wanted to check in and give you an update on some early  trends that we’ve spotted.

Peak Season is Full of Surprises

Due to the fact that the ocean container peak season is from July through September, we can gauge the way other transportation peaks will function during the remainder of the holiday season. Because of this estimation, FreightWaves says, with certainty, that the rest of the season will be incredibly weak. The effects of the Coronavirus have been far-reaching, and peak season is no exception. We've seen a significant decrease in demand for all modes of transportation. As a result, peak season shipments are expected to be down significantly this year.

Shipping Rates are Declining

There's a little something extra in the air... deflation! That's right, prices are falling during the shipping peak season in 2022. Rates dropped early this year, but in May, they began falling dramatically – presumably because of lowered demand due to inflation and the Shanghai lockdown limiting the availability of goods.

• According to Freight Os, In late July, Asia-US West Coast rates were 55% lower than at the start of the year and 64% lower than at the same time in 2021.
• Asia-US East Coast rates also fell 38% between January and July, reaching costs 50% lower than last year's.
• Rates from Europe to the US fell about 25% between January and May.

The dramatic drop of May-June has slowed, moving into a leveling-off, but we have yet to see the spike we normally see this time of year.

One factor that has contributed to this trend is falling demand. Retailers report that shoppers are simply buying less than they have in previous years. Another factor is advance orders. Many retailers have already filled their holiday inventory based on advance orders from suppliers, so they may not need to order as much during the peak season.

However, this trend doesn’t apply close to home. National and regional U.S. carriers have still instituted carrier and gas surcharges to keep up with the extra domestic demand they see during peak.

Carrier Updates: Demand Declines, but Congestion Persists

It's the peak season for shipping, but carriers struggle to keep up with the demand. Rather than the traditional busy peak season, this year has been marked by falling demand and congestion. Excess inventory has meant more congestion than ever, at least in the short term: since new inventory has been arriving before old inventory has emptied, warehouse space is tight.

Containers continue clogging up ports as they wait for a place to go. Retailers have all of the products they need in their distribution networks for the holidays (and then some), so there won’t be a lot of freight demand as we head into the last month of the year. As a result, carriers struggle to keep up with the seasonal shipping trends.

The current situation for freight carriers can be best summed up with one word: peaky. While peak season is typically a time of high demand and increased congestion, this year has been anything but typical. Retailers were carrying bloated inventories and focused on burning them down, which meant fewer load opportunities for carriers. And with firms getting more nervous about the broader economy heading into 2023, there is little incentive to replenish inventories. This could mean more disruptions to seasonal shipping trends and carrier updates in the coming months.

Spot Rates have Fallen, but Contract Rates are High

Contract rates may not be falling as quickly as spot rates, but that doesn't mean businesses are ready to give up their contracts. Many companies are splitting their shipments, using spot rates for some goods while retaining contracts for others. This strategy allows businesses to take advantage of lower rates without sacrificing the stability of a long-term contract.

While ocean spot rates and imports have declined sharply this year, contract rates have remained relatively steady. This makes sense when you consider that peak season typically begins in the year’s second half. So even though spot rates are lower than they were a few months ago, businesses are still willing to pay a premium for the predictability of a long-term contract.

The Chinese Zero-Covid Policy Uncertainty

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the global economy, and the peak shopping season is about to get even more chaotic. According to reports, China is considering lifting its zero-Covid policy to keep peak season on track. However, this could lead to even more disruption as merchants worldwide scramble to get their orders in. If the restrictions are lifted, manufacturers could be overwhelmed by the sudden surge in demand, leading to product shortages and delays. However, if things stay as they are, sellers could be left dealing with serious shortages during high demand.

Tips for Avoid Issues During Peak Season 2022

1. The only thing you can be certain of is that things will keep changing and developing. There are many moving parts, and things can change quickly, so it's important to stay as informed as possible. This might mean choosing an industry-informed blog to check every couple of days or getting push alerts about the situation sent to your phone. It's hard to account for changes and developments you don't know are happening.

2. While the holiday rush can be a boom for sales, it can also be stressful if you're not prepared. Fortunately, demand forecasting can help take some guesswork out of holiday planning. By looking at historical sales data, retailers can get a good idea of how much customer demand there will be for their products or services during the holidays. Demand forecasting can then use this information to plan inventory and production levels so that businesses can meet customer demand during the peak season.

3. As peak season marches on, many retailers feel the pressure. Will they have enough inventory to meet customer demand? Will their suppliers be able to keep up with orders? These are valid concerns, but sourcing products from local manufacturers is one way to help shield yourself from supply chain shocks.

Of course, no manufacturer is immune from issues, but if you're sourcing products from within your own country, you're more likely to be shielded from international disruptions. And if your manufacturer runs into difficulties, only a small portion of your intended selling range will likely be affected. So, explore local manufacturing options for your peak season needs - it's good for the environment and can help you avoid potential disasters down the road.

We're All in This Together

It's been a long, hard road for everyone in the manufacturing, shipping, and e-commerce industries since the Covid-19 pandemic hit. And unfortunately, there's still no end in sight. Every year brings new challenges and uncertainties, making it difficult to predict whether things will get better or worse. However, there is one thing sellers and freighters can do to help ensure they're operating on the best possible information: stay up to date on the latest industry news. This way, they can be ready for whatever peak season throws their way. With determination and a commitment to keeping informed, sellers and freighters can weather any storm. After all, we've been through a lot these past few years. But together, we'll make it through to the other side.

Peak season is here, and ShipHero wants to help you get through it with only a few scratches! We have everything you need to ensure it goes smoothly. With important updates, notifications, and general advice, you can be sure that you're rocking peak season in 2022.

Stay informed during Peak by following ShipHero on LinkedIn and subscribing to our newest blogs and updates.

Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO

‍ShipHero

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.

Warehouse automation is the use of technology to improve and optimize the handling of goods in a warehouse. It can refer to the use of robotics and conveyor belts, improved picking and packing, or installing applications that can predict the most efficient routes and delivery schedules for each package.

The goal of warehouse automation is to improve accuracy, speed and efficiency in the warehouse and cut down on operational costs in the process. Read on for an overview of the different types of automation, the benefits they offer, and some best practices to keep in mind.

What is Warehouse Automation?

Warehouse automation involves finding labor-intensive and repetitive tasks related to receiving, storing and moving inventory in a warehouse and creating systems that reduce the need for manual labor and data entry.

Some examples of warehouse automation include conveyors and sortation systems and shuttle systems that utilize mobile robots to retrieve and deliver products across different levels. However, modern warehouse automation is not limited to robotics. One of the most popular and practical ways to employ automation in the warehouse is with a warehouse management system (WMS), a software that allows warehouse managers to monitor things like inventory levels, workers' schedules, productivity, the order fulfillment process, and delivery schedules in real-time from one central dashboard.

How Does Warehouse Automation Work?

Warehouse automation works by combining warehouse automation software systems, robotic systems and artificial intelligence to simplify complex tasks and improve speed and efficiency on the warehouse floor. The goal, ultimately, is to meet customer demand and achieve customer satisfaction and retention. After all, in this fast-paced world where people expect to receive their packages in a matter of days, the businesses that can prepare and deliver their products the fastest retain more customers.

Most businesses start with warehouse management systems first. Eventually, they integrate their chosen systems with other tools so they can manage a wide range of tasks. There are several different categories of warehouse automation, including:

• Basic warehouse automation: These are simple tools that assist workers with manual tasks, such as conveyor belts or carousels that take packages from one point to another.
• Warehouse system automation: This includes WMS programs, data analytics, and machine learning tools that collect and organize data, as well as allow managers to create more efficient systems for storage and order fulfillment.
• Mechanized warehouse automation: These are robotic equipment that helps warehouse workers with tasks and processes that may be too time-consuming or labor-intensive to perform alone. For example, shelf loader bots can lift entire racks of items and bring them to a sorting station.
• Advanced warehouse automation: This makes use of both basic tools and robotics with automation systems. In most modern warehouses, automation equipment and systems are not standalone tools but rather integrated parts of a larger system for improving efficiency in the warehouse.

What Warehouse Processes Can Be Automated?

The following warehouse processes can be improved by automation:

• Receiving
• Returns
• Putaway
• Picking
• Sorting
• Replenishing
• Packaging
• Shipping

Types of Warehouse Automation Technology

There are many different types of warehouse automation technology, each with unique benefits, including:

• Goods-to-Person (GTP) solutions: This utilizes machines that pick up materials and take them to workers in the warehouse. The workers are then in charge of assembling and packing the products. GTP includes solutions like conveyors, vertical lift systems, and Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AR/RS). The latter is a type of fulfillment technology that makes use of material-carrying vehicles like shuttles to retrieve and store items for production.
• Pick-to-Light and Put-to-Light Systems: These types of systems use mobile barcode scanners to guide warehouse pickers on where to pick up and put down certain items. The scanners are synced with digital displays that light up and reduce the amount of time spent walking and searching for items. This is especially useful for high-volume warehouses.
• Voice Picking and Tasking: Using speech recognition software and wireless headsets, warehouse workers can "pick-by-voice" and eliminate their reliance on handheld scanners.
• Sortation Systems: This involves automatically identifying items on a conveyer and sending them to the right location using sensors and scanners. This helps speed up processes involved in order fulfillment, including receiving packages, packing them, and shipping them off to their respective buyers.
• Auto-Guided Vehicles (AGVs): Using magnetic strips, sensors, or wires, these vehicles travel through the warehouse on a fixed path, taking loads from point A to point B without the need for human guidance. AGVs work best in large, open warehouses with minimal foot traffic.
• Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs): Like AGVs, these travel around the warehouse carrying items from one area to another. However, unlike AGVs, these make use of GPS systems to navigate their environment and avoid obstacles.

When to Automate Your Warehouse?

You should automate your warehouse when you find yourself struggling with the following:

• You experience order delays due to limited warehouse employees
• Your day-to-day warehouse operations are labor-intensive and take up too much time and energy to fulfill
• You find that you can no longer keep up with the number of work orders that come in every day
• You can no longer keep track of your inventory
• Finding important information causes delays
• Your customer satisfaction and retention numbers start to dwindle

Benefits of Warehouse Automation

The aforementioned issues in your warehouse performance can all be traced back to manual processing. Though you may feel that you should get by with tried and tested methods, oftentimes, outdated processes can no longer keep up with the demands of the modern world. In turn, you experience delays and errors that don't just hassle your workers but tarnish your reputation as a reliable business or service provider.

If you need more reasons to make the switch to warehouse automation systems, consider the following benefits:

Reduces Operating Costs

Automation is a game-changing technology that will help you reduce operational costs and make your business more efficient. This is done by eliminating human error and giving workers more time to focus on more important tasks.

Boosts Productivity

Even amid a labor shortage, you can maintain a lean team of warehouse workers by equipping them with tools and processes to make their jobs easier. When tasks require less time and effort to complete, workers can do more in a day. On top of this, warehouse automation can reduce safety risks associated with workers rushing, and, as a result, keep workers healthy and happy.

Enhances Inventory Management

When you can monitor your products' every movement, you can reduce the risk of losing and misplacing items as well as relay accurate information to your customers. This helps to improve customer service and satisfaction as well.

Maximizes Warehouse Space

A lot of warehouse space goes underutilized. By implementing autonomous vehicles and conveyor systems, you can improve the flow of operations in your warehouse and allocate more space for new products, workstations, and the like.

Improves Sustainability

When you can create more efficient workflows, you end up using less energy to keep your facilities up and running. You also minimize wastage, take up less space to run your operations, and lower your operating costs.

The Drawbacks of Warehouse Automation

As helpful as warehouse automation systems are in streamlining operations, they also come with some considerable implementation costs. You'll have to be prepared to cover the upfront costs of installing machines and software applications, as well as onboarding all your staff. Maintenance and repairs of your robotics and other equipment may also put a dent in your budget, stall your operations for a few hours and cause delays in processing orders.

How to Automate Your Warehouse

To prepare yourself for a warehouse automation solution, follow these steps:

Determine Your Objectives

What do you want to get out of implementing automation? Make a timeline of milestones you want to reach, KPIs to measure, and business goals you want to accomplish by adopting automation for your business.

Put Together an Implementation Committee

Get in touch with all relevant stakeholders, including your operations managers and engineers. You'll want to know what your warehouse's capabilities are, what challenges you face and what areas can be improved by introducing new technology. This step will help you identify what kinds of systems will work best for you.

Review Your Inventory Control Systems

Inventory control is a crucial and necessary component of warehouse operations. Before introducing automation into your business, make sure to review and rectify all standard operating procedures related to inventory management, including purchasing materials from vendors, receiving shipments and measuring customer satisfaction.

Implement a Warehouse Management System

A warehouse management system is a software used for monitoring and managing inventory levels, warehouse team productivity, order fulfillment progress and shipping progress. These systems provide managers with real-time updates on the warehouse and their employees' work performance, as well as important data that can aid them in making more informed business decisions!

Find the Right Warehouse Automation for You

Now, it's time to put all the information you've gathered and figure out the best warehouse solutions for you. Make sure the automation systems you choose align with your customers' demands and your business goals.

Warehouse Automation Best Practices

To make the most out of your warehouse automation systems, make sure to keep the following warehouse automation trends and best practices in mind:

1. Don't skimp on workforce training. You'll want to make sure your staff knows how to use your new automation systems, otherwise, what's the point? Spend a considerable amount of time training them to understand how each system works and how they can make their tasks easier.
2. Prioritize finding the right WMS. Don't underestimate the power of a good, user-friendly, and easy-to-integrate WMS. A good system doesn't just streamline workflows and centralize data, it also integrates with third-party apps and systems for a more seamless workflow.
3. Optimize your warehouse with the Internet of Things. The IoT is a network that connects multiple smart devices within your facility, including sensors, RFID tags, trackers, and the like. By utilizing IoT, you can more easily collect data from your systems and improve your inventory control. Doing so also gives you a constant, real-time view of all operations in your warehouse.
4. Take advantage of voice assistants. Help your employees do more by keeping their hands free as they move around your facility. Voice assistants and wireless headpieces make it easier for staff to navigate your warehouse and find everything they need to do their job.
5. Consider replacing conveyors with mobile robots. Conveyors are a staple in any warehouse. But new technology is looking to replace or supplement this age-old automation technique. Today, there are mobile robots that can transport goods faster and more efficiently than conveyors, especially since they have more mobility across the entire warehouse floor.

How Much Does It Cost to Automate Your Warehouse?

The cost of automating a warehouse depends on the size and complexity of the project. Generally, though, warehouse automation can cost anywhere between several thousand to millions of dollars.

Key Takeaways

Warehouse automation technology is a great way to improve your warehouse operations. By automating tasks such as order picking, packing, and shipping, you can save time and money while improving your accuracy and efficiency. We’ve outlined the different types of warehouse automation technology and how to automate your warehouse in this post.

Warehouse Automation FAQs

How do I start warehouse automation?

You can start automating your warehouse by implementing a warehouse management system.

What technology do warehouses use?

Warehouses utilize a wide variety of technologies to automate and streamline tasks, including conveyors, shuttles, voice recognition software, autonomous robots, drones, and smart devices.

Will warehouses ever be fully automated?

There is no telling when all warehouses will become fully automated. While the world's first fully-automated warehouse was introduced in China in 2021, a report showed that over 80 percent of warehouses today do not use any kind of automation at all.

Are you a DTC founder or eCommerce pro looking for insights on leveling your game? Then look no further than the inaugural episode of PalletSide Chat! In this episode, Co-Founder of Black Wolf Nation and One23 Fulfillment, Alex Lewkowict, takes us on his rollercoaster journey as a high-touch 3PL and DTC founder. He discusses everything from launching (and failing) his first product line to leveraging customer feedback for growth. Whether you're just starting or have years of experience under your belt, this episode is chock-full of actionable advice that will take your brand to the next level.

Launching, Failing and Re-Launching His First Product Line

Who knew that reselling baseball caps in high school could be the start of a successful entrepreneurship journey? But that's precisely how it went for Alex and his brother Sam. Their credit card allowed them to provide a valuable service to their classmates and they quickly learned the satisfaction of solving other people's problems. That business acumen only grew when they were presented with the opportunity to sell razor bump creams. Instead of looking at it as just another product, they saw the potential to solve a problem for their customers.

The old saying "If at first, you don't succeed, try, try again" really rings true for Alex and his brother.  They realized their inferior razor bump cream just wasn't selling. Despite trying to rebrand and enlist a designer's help, the associate they were selling for didn't share in their vision. So, they ditched it all and decided to start their own skincare line.

After launching their initial product to crickets, these brothers didn't let a lack of initial success stop them from following their dreams and creating a successful grooming brand. Undeterred, they made it their mission to become more than just a "one-hit wonder" and diversified their offerings by developing new products and streamlining their systems.

After finally teaching himself how to navigate Facebook ads, Alex launched ten separate ads for Black Wolf Nation. While nine may not have performed as well as hoped, all it took was one successful ad to bring in those sales. This experience taught them the importance of analytics, testing, and setting small goals to reach big successes.

"We don't need to change men's grooming forever. We don't need to revolutionize anything. Let's get one sale every single day." - Sam Lewkowict.

Expanding Revenue Streams by Launching a 3PL

Alex and Sam hit another roadblock - shipping and fulfillment. While BlackWolf Nation's needs were tricky, they required a provider capable of handling their growing volume. Rather than settling for an inadequate third-party logistics company, they launched One23 Fulfillment.

It's always a gamble when starting a new business, but for Alex, the risk paid off big time. When he convinced his hesitant brother to rent a small warehouse for their 3PL company, One23 Fulfillment, he had no way of knowing how quickly they would outgrow it. But thanks to his passion for logistics, Alex could find creative solutions and make them work – even during the challenges of COVID.

When the perfect opportunity came in the form of a 35,000 sq ft warehouse, he didn't hesitate to snatch it up. The result was a significant boost in their shipping capabilities, going from 20,000 orders to almost 300,000 in eight months. It may be scary, but it's clear that following his passion has led to success for Alex and One23 Fulfillment.

“35,000 square feet, we took a big risk. [It was] very scary, but the best decision I ever made.” - Alex Lewkowict

Leveraging Customer Feedback as a Growth Accelerator

Forget the adage about the customer always being right - their customers are essential when it comes to BlackWolf Nation. The personal care company credits its growth and product innovation to customer feedback. Imagine emailing that a particular face wash is drying, only for the company to promptly create a dry skin formula - now that's impressive customer service!

And by continuously monitoring what products are flying off the shelves, BlackWolf Nation can consistently improve and expand its offerings. This close relationship with customers allows them room to grow and make mistakes, making every purchaser feel like they're on this journey alongside the company.

“I think a big part of the success of Black Wolf Nation was how close we were to our customers.” - Alex Lewkowict.

Learn From the Best in eCommerce Fulfillment

It's been a wild ride for Alex Lewkowict, Co-Founder of Black Wolf Nation and One23 Fulfillment. In the inaugural episode of PalletSide Chat, we've unpacked his journey as a high-touch 3PL and DTC founder. If you're curious about what it takes to make it in the world of eCommerce or just want a good laugh, check out the full episode here.

Stay tuned for future episodes where we'll bring other founders and people from within ShipHero to share their stories. And if there's anything you want us to cover or if you have questions for Alex, feel free to reach out to us at podcast@shiphero.com. We'd love to hear your feedback!

—

‍Listen to PalletSide Chat HERE

‍About the Hosts:

As VP of marketing, Dan Van Meer is always on the go. From overseeing project management and data analytics, he has his hands in a little bit of everything. Most importantly, he ensures that all creative work - from graphic design to digital marketing - is high quality and on-brand. Co-host Alex Lewkowict is quite the renaissance man. He's been an adolescent entrepreneur, successful CEO, and Founder of a men's skincare line, and he created One23 Fulfillment. Did we mention he made the Forbes 30 under 30 list?

With today’s customers demanding fast fulfillment times and one or two-day shipping, manual warehouse operations just won’t cut it anymore. These days, you need to automate warehouse operations if you want to satisfy customers and grow your eCommerce business.

What is warehouse automation and what do you need to implement it in your business? Read on to learn more.

What is Warehouse Automation?

Warehouse automation is the process of automating your daily warehouse processes with minimal human involvement. Businesses generally implement warehouse automation to eliminate labor-intensive work that requires a lot of time and effort. It also minimizes the number of manual tasks required, reducing the chance of human error.

When you hear “automation,” you may think of workers loading products into robots and drones. However, warehouse automation doesn’t necessarily need robots or other physical hardware. Sometimes, warehouse automation starts with implementing a warehouse management system or similar software.

What is Warehouse Automation Software?

Warehouse automation software is a tool used to automate modern warehouse operations. These tools reduce the manual tasks necessary in daily warehouse operations, increasing efficiency and reducing human error.

Warehouse automation software and tools include, but aren’t limited to:

• Automated data entry software
• Warehouse management systems
• Inventory management software
• Robotic solutions
• Warehouse management mobile apps

How Does Warehouse Automation Work?

Warehouse automation works differently depending on which software or tool you implement. Here’s a quick look at some example warehouse automation tools and how they work:

Warehouse Management System

A warehouse management system (WMS) provides tools to help you manage all aspects of day-to-day warehouse operations. It especially assists in the main warehousing flow of:

1. Stock receiving
2. Stock arranging
3. Picking and packing products
4. Shipping products to customers
5. Tracking shipping progress
6. Handling product returns

Warehouse management software also provides regular reports on your warehouse’s key metrics. This helps you identify improvement areas and make informed decisions on what to do next.

Automated Data Entry Software

Manual data entry is one of the most common work processes to automate because they’re often highly repetitive tasks.

Employees will enter information into the spreadsheet, highlight another cell, enter more information and repeat the process until everything is filled. It’s boring work and distracted workers often lose focus and enter the wrong thing in the wrong spots.

Automated data entry software helps you reduce the workload by automatically extracting data from documents and digitizing paperwork. In addition to preventing human error and saving time, you can assign your warehouse team to work on other important tasks that need a human touch.

Inventory Management Software

Inventory management software gives you real-time visibility into your entire stock, meaning you don’t have to do physical inventory checks as often. It also monitors your stock levels to notify you when you’re running out of a certain product, keeping your products from running out of stock.

In more advanced cases, inventory management software can forecast consumer demand based on historical sales and notify you to order more products in preparation for high-demand seasons.

Benefits of Using Warehouse Automation Software

When implemented right, warehouse automation software can improve your warehousing operations in many ways. Here are several examples of warehouse automation software’s benefits:

Reduce Human Error

There’s always the potential for human error in manual processes. Depending on the significance of the mistake, human error can lead to costly item replacement or significant shipping delays that reduce customer satisfaction.

Automated warehouse solutions reduce the chances of human error by automating certain warehousing tasks. For instance, pallet dimensioning systems help your warehouse crew accurately measure a pallet's dimensions without using manual methods like tape measures.

Drive Operational Costs Down

Warehouse automation systems aren’t cheap but usually have a fast return on investment. Warehouse automation reduces your operational costs by minimizing:

• Manual labor costs
• Inventory and stocking errors
• The risk of product mishandling
• The cost of product handling

Increase Productivity and Lighten Workload

In addition to reducing human error, automated warehouse solutions reduce the time necessary to do key warehousing tasks. Using the pallet dimensioning system example above, warehouse workers can measure the dimension of a pallet and plug it into the system in minutes or even seconds instead of spending time measuring the pallet manually.

Automating warehousing tasks also reduces your employees’ workload, allowing them to skip over parts of the job they may find boring or frustrating. This improves staff satisfaction and can even increase retention rates.

Improve Safety

Warehousing operations are often high-risk because there are lots of people moving lots of goods from here to there at any given time. If an accident happens, people may get injured and hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise may be damaged.

Warehouse automation through automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) or autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) helps your staff move products safely. These autonomous vehicles and robots reduce human traffic throughout your warehouses, reducing the chance of accidents and ensuring your workers are safe.

Optimize Warehouse Space

Warehouse space isn’t cheap and you need to use every cubic foot of it to get your money’s worth. However, you can only stack products so tight and high before it becomes dangerous for people to grab them.

This is where warehouse automation comes in. Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) and drones take care of the picking process for your team, so they don’t even have to leave the ground – no matter how high and tightly packed your products are.

Using every cubic foot of your warehouse available also means you won't have to purchase or lease extra storage space as often.

Increase Customer Experience and Satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is the goal of every business, and yours is no exception. Warehousing might not have a direct link to customers, but they can feel it when your warehouse operations are subpar. If your staff are slow to process products, customers won’t receive their goods on time, leading to lost sales and complaints.

The main goal of warehouse automation is to ensure products are fulfilled and shipped on time, increasing your daily operation’s efficiency. When you deliver everything punctually, your business reputation and customer retention will improve, giving you an edge over the competition.

Why Should You Automate Your Warehouse?

You should automate your warehouse to ensure your business can keep up with customer expectations while keeping costs down. Here are some reasons why you should automate warehousing operations:

Customizable Solutions

There’s no one-size-fits-all warehouse automation solution. Every solution is customized to your warehousing operations, meaning everything you implement is created to address your issues and requirements.

Cost-Effectiveness

Implementing warehouse automation is usually a large financial commitment, but you’ll immediately feel the effects. With warehouse automation solutions, you can save a lot of money on labor, equipment and maintenance costs.

Demand Forecasting

You don’t want to run out of your most popular product in high-demand seasons because that means giving up lots of sales.

Inventory management software helps you predict customer demand based on past sales so you can order more of a product. This ensures you won’t run out before the high-demand season rolls around.

Product Safety

Human error can result in damaged products or inventory loss, hurting your bottom line. Automating key warehouse processes means:

• Reducing human contact with your goods
• Lowering the likelihood of accidents that cause damaged products and inventory loss

Order Fulfillment Optimization

Warehouse automation tools show you the best way to fulfill customer orders. This means you can promise accurate fulfillment and fast delivery times to customers and deliver on it. You’ll build brand loyalty and gain an edge over your competitors by combining great products and punctual delivery.

When to Automate Your Warehouse

You should automate your warehouse after a thorough study of your warehouse operations. Implementing these tools is costly, so blindly following warehouse automation trends and current technologies without knowing what you really need will just waste your money.

If you can’t determine what aspects of your warehouse operations you should automate, hire a consultant to examine your business and identify what areas can be improved.

Types of Warehouse Automation Tools

There’s a wide variety of warehouse automation tools available for businesses to implement. Here’s an overview of the four most popular options in the warehouse automation market:

Inventory Management Software

Inventory management software is a tool that grants real-time visibility of your entire warehouse stock. This means you can stock enough goods to keep selling without holding too much of a certain product type.

This warehouse automation tool gives you greater inventory control and notifies you whenever something is about to run out, ensuring you’re always well-stocked.

Warehouse Robotic Solutions

Warehouse robotic solutions like AMRs and AGVs do various tasks around the warehouse. For instance, AGVs replace manual forklifts, collaborative robots (cobots) follow workers around as mobile storage bins and AS/RS systems pick items from high shelves.

In addition to increasing efficiency and reducing human error, warehouse robots reduce workplace accidents by removing the human element from often dangerous tasks.

Warehouse Management System

A warehouse management system is a holistic solution that offers inventory visibility and control over the entire supply chain fulfillment operations. A WMS helps you through the entire warehousing process, from when products enter the warehouse until they arrive at the customer’s doorstep.

Your WMS also lets you handle returns, generate performance reports and make informed warehousing decisions.

Warehouse Management Mobile Apps

Warehouse management mobile apps are like tiny warehouse management systems you can carry around. These apps help you through most of the warehousing workflow, from scanning products to labeling goods for shipment. Some of these tools are standalone, but others may require a WMS subscription.

How to Choose the Best Warehouse Automation Software

Implementing warehouse automation isn’t cheap, so you must ensure you implement the perfect solution for your company’s warehousing issues. Here’s a guide to choosing the best warehouse automation technology:

1. Analyze your current warehousing situation to determine if you need to implement automation.
2. Identify what you need out of the warehouse automation software.
3. Examine your current business and determine whether you must connect other software or tools to your automation software.
4. Define a budget and ideal ROI.
5. Shop around for vendors that fulfill your business requirements.
6. Negotiate for the best deal.
7. Implement the automation software.
8. Review and identify areas of improvement after implementation.

Key Takeaways

Warehouse automation software can be costly, but it’s a great way to improve your warehousing operations and meet increasing customer demands. Different warehouse automation solutions (e.g., WMS, inventory management systems and robotics solutions) fulfill different needs.

Before implementing warehouse automation software, you should identify your warehousing needs and find the automation tool or software that fulfills your needs at a reasonable cost.

Warehouse Automation Software FAQs

How is automation used in warehouses?

Automation is used in warehouses to reduce human error and prevent costly mistakes. Some examples of automation in a warehouse are using mobile robots to pick and pack goods, measuring pallet sizes automatically and forecasting customer demand.

What is a fully automated warehouse?

A fully automated warehouse is a logistic facility that primarily uses automatic cranes and other handling equipment in its day-to-day operations. A fully automated warehouse typically doesn’t use standard forklifts and has a minimal human presence.

What is smart warehousing?

Smart warehousing is the pinnacle of warehouse automation, where most of its operations are done automatically through robots and automated cranes. The main benefit of smart warehousing is that it prevents human error that may cause costly accidents.