BusinessHABStrategy For Warehouse Business : Whether you have a large or a small business,
a new company or an establishment that has been around for decades,
if you are shipping products it is essential to have a logistics system in place that safely
And efficiently gets those products from point A to point B.
With the number of variables involved in shipping products,
this is not always the easiest task to get accomplished.
Logistics involves several different people from various departments and industries,
and it can also involve knowledge of multiple systems throughout the delivery process.
But implementing some fairly simple strategies can make the process much more straightforward.
And effective for everyone involved.
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Strategy For Warehouse Business
What Is a Logistics Strategy?
A logistics strategy is the means of finding the most efficient manner.
Of distributing goods and maintaining a high level of service.
What’s important to keep in mind is that there may be several logistics strategies.
These strategies can be specific to the product, to the country, or even to the customer.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
Why Implement a Logistics Strategy?
A formal logistics strategy provides a foundation for the constantly changing nature of the supply chain.
Companies are better prepared to be flexible and adapt to the changes with a logistics strategy in place.
Not having one in place means companies will not be prepared to gauge the impact.
Any change in the supply chain has on its operations.
This negligence can significantly impact customer service.
How to Improve Logistics Strategy
1. Getting Your KPIs in Order
Before you even begin to restructure (or structure) your logistics strategy,
you need to identify your key performance indicators (KPI).
This should include customer order cycles,
dock-to-stock cycles, pick-to-ship cycles, the accuracy of your inventory,
and, of course, the total cost of the entire process.
If you haven’t been accurately tracking those numbers,
you need to start doing so right away so you have a barometer.
For how your logistics strategy is actually performing right now.
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Strategy For Warehouse Business
2. Automate Everything Possible
We’ve already mentioned how the logistics process.
Can be drawn out with multiple platforms and multiple industries involved.
With those amounts of variables, the chance of human error is inevitable at some point.
Businesses that do the best job of handling their logistics recognize this reality
And continually invest in automation.
This goes for small businesses as well;
there are plenty of tools available at low cost that can help automate many of the processes.
Involved in your logistics strategy.
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Strategy For Warehouse Business
3. Scale Accordingly
This tip is specifically geared to small businesses.
You are presumably at a phase in your company’s development where not everything you want to do is possible.
That’s okay. Although this may sound counterintuitive,
think small first when it comes to logistics and setting up a strategy.
As your business begins to grow, you can always add tools and systems to help streamline the process.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
4. Keep Everything Portable
This is aimed at all businesses. Space is not infinite,
and you’ll need to move things around frequently,
and sometimes change locations entirely.
Keeping things portable means less hassle
and more efficiency with much less disruption to your operations.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
5. Utilize Outsourcing to Boost Efficiency
Businesses shouldn’t be hesitant to outsource their logistics.
There comes a point when demand has increased.
or companies simply need to increase their efficiency,
And that is not possible with an in-house logistics team.
Outsourcing your logistics can be a long-term partnership with
A third-party logistics (3PL) provider that understands how to manage your specific products.
Here are some tips on logistic strategies that you should consider for your business.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
6. Optimize Freight Spend
Finding ways to manage your transportation budget is an important means to increasing efficiency.
Finding the right mode of travel, investing in proper packaging,
And consistently reviewing contracts as your frequency changes are.
Just some ways to ensure your freight spend is managed well.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
7. Choose the Best Shipping Partners
What’s important to remember is that your customers do not differentiate between you.
As a logistics company and the actual carrier that is delivering the packages.
So, essentially, with whom you decide to partner becomes even more significant.
Price should always be near the top of what makes your decision,
but you should do your due diligence on how effective your partners have been at delivering packages.
On time without damages, and on their customer satisfaction rates.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
8. Be Transparent on Shipping Prices and Conditions
It’s always a good idea to be upfront with your customers right from the start.
What frustrates customers more than anything else is not knowing or not having the right information.
As a logistics company, being completely transparent in your pricing and in the terms.
And conditions of your charges gives your customers peace of mind.
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Strategy For Warehouse Business
9. Choosing a Warehouse Management System
You have to know your company’s needs and goals.
Before knowing which warehouse management system will work best for you.
So, you’ll need to assess your needs, assemble a team from the necessary departments,
And then create a warehouse model that is flexible and scalable.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
10. Focus on Customer Satisfaction
Nothing is more important than your customers.
Your systems should reflect your commitment to making your customers’
interactions as simple as possible.
Everything you strategize should be done with the end user in mind.
This takes being flexible enough to adjust as demands begin to change.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
11. Space/Layout
Real estate is a tremendous asset.
Used in the best possible way, it will ensure that you can do more with all of the space you have on-hand.
This means enhancing storage systems, as well as racking and pallet patterns.
Make sure that receiving areas have the necessary space for speedy operations.
Create pre-decided pick paths to move things through your warehouse more effectively.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
12. Communication
Lack of communication is a huge challenge within the logistical chain.
Effective communication maximizes productivity.
If everyone involved in making supply chain decisions is on the same page,
a warehouse is going to be able to plan and execute shipments that much more quickly.
This can be achieved through using the right applications, software, and other tools.
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Strategy For Warehouse Business
13. Time Management
This is an important consideration that comes down to having procedures ready to fulfill orders
And ship them out. Order picking should not take so much time that it costs your business money.
To effectively manage time, guesswork in the location of stock must be eliminated.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
14. Inventory Accuracy/Tracking
Stock should always be stored in its correct place, in properly identified areas.
A breakdown in accuracy or tracking of goods can be traced to several areas.
There might be incorrect receipts and purchase orders.
If information is recorded via manual tracking system,
it should always be verified for accuracy.
Your warehouse staff must also be properly trained in,
Order to handle errors from other departments.
More useful online-based cloud management software ,
can bring greater accuracy and transparency to your entire warehouse operation.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
15. Customer Expectations
Today, customers have learned to expect more than ever before,
including shorter shipping times, perfect order accuracy, and amazing customer service.
When you get specific requests from customers, you must give them exactly what they want.
To do otherwise means risking disaster.
An effective warehouse is going to account for individual customer preferences.
By automatically creating the right type of labels.
If your inventory isn’t accurate, that could lead to shortages, delays in fulfillment,
and out-of-stocks that are going to diminish the satisfaction of your customers.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
16. Redundant Processes
Repeating the same processes ends up increasing your labor costs.
See the example of how documents like pick tickets sometimes have to pass through many channels;
this can all be eliminated by using barcode technology,
which is found in warehouses that use modern automated systems.
Cut down on the time it takes to fulfill an order by using a system.
To manage purchase orders that gives you all the relevant information,
(pick list, SKU number, and location) to increase efficiency.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
17. Product Diversification
What are your most popular products? Generally,
every business operates on the 80/20 rule where 20 percent of your inventory generates 80 percent of your sales.
Look closely at the other 20 percent of products to see what else customers are demanding.
Being able to continually meet their needs,
while eliminating stock that isn’t in demand,
will make your business a winner each and every time.
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Strategy For Warehouse Business
18. Product Picking Optimization
To speed up the process of picking orders,
avoid manually entering SKU’s, and instead, use a scanner.
Or image capture on your smartphone.
Or tablet in order to get the most up-to-date reading of your inventory.
Beware that shrink wrapping, lamination,
Is well as certain color combinations can cause a barcode to not scan properly.
Automated processes and set picking routes will allow you to optimize your warehouse management.
Also consider changing the aisle width based on your forklift configuration.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
19. Inaccurate Purchase Orders
It is critical that invoices match what is received on purchase orders.
A business that is growing can have a lot of things happening that are unseen.
Or not scrutinized enough because purchase orders will be larger and more complex.
Having accurate information helps remedy issues much more easily.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
20. Handling Product Damages
In warehousing operations, whenever items are broken, it becomes expensive.
While some damage is inevitable,
it can be greatly reduced through proper warehouse management.
Always look for pallets that have broken planks,
stringers, or nails because they can break.
Pallets also have to be stacked, loaded and wrapped correctly.
An efficient warehouse is going to be properly lit, clean,
And one that avoids overloading shelves and racks.
Rack safety netting, pallet rack column protectors, accumulation conveyors,
low clearance warning bars,
And steel guarding are all also important to install to protect both product and people.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
21. Managing Fluctuations in Demand
Seasonality, changes in the economy,
weather, and many other factors play a role in volatility of demand.
For example, a global financial crisis will result in decreased consumer confidence,
and therefore, more products sitting in warehouses.
Warehouses must always use timely and accurate information in order to forecast demand.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
22. Globalization
The net result of globalization has been a massive influx of competition from abroad.
Products from certain countries don’t always provide the same level of workmanship.
That you might take personal pride in offering,
but their lower production costs can kill your business.
Effective warehouse management will save you both time
And money through automated processes and greater accuracy in delivering orders.
That’s something that those abroad may not be able to do nearly as well.
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Strategy For Warehouse Business
23. Get Warehouse Management Systems
Are you looking for the most effective solution to any challenges you’re experiencing in warehouse management?
If so, then APS Fulfillment Inc.’s warehouse management systems can help your business grow while lowering costs.
We’re experts at managing warehouses because we know so much about the process.
Strategy For Warehouse Business
Conclusion:
These are all great starting points to help build your businesses logistics strategy.
Many businesses simply prefer working with a third-party logistics company such as APS Fulfillment, Inc.
We have all of the experience and technical knowledge needed to implement and execute a logistics strategy that will work for your company.
Visit our website today for more information on how we can help streamline your logistics strategy.
BusinessHAB