Zebra Technologies recently conducted a survey to analyze the state of the warehousing market. The resulting report, Building the Smarter Warehouse: Warehousing 2020 Vision Report, highlights their findings in detail.
Choosing a barcode scanner can be confusing given all the various features and options. The task of determining which model to choose can be a difficult one unless you understand the application requirements. Customers often will come to us after purchasing a “value” scanner from another vendor, only to find that the device would not scan reliably for them. Once we inquire further, we realize that the scanner they chose was not designed to meet the demands of their environment or their application.
If you are reading this, chances are you are a warehouse professional, or have an intimate knowledge of what a manufacturing, distribution center or warehouse environment is like. That said, you probably also understand how challenging this type of space can be – particularly when workers are trying to get from point A to point B safely and effectively.
With the continuing growth of the manufacturing industry comes orders of greater volume—that customers expect to be completed in the usual turnaround times. So how can you can be prepared to meet this higher demand? With the newest technologies in place, you can increase your operational efficiency, finish orders quickly, boost your profit margins, and reduce errors.
Over the last 15 years, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of organizations adopting automated processes to increase efficiency in the warehouse, factory floor and distribution centers. Most recently, the Internet of Things (IoT) has encouraged the same organizations to adopt the use of smart phones and other connected technology to maximize their capabilities across the enterprise.
Problem: SIMPLE mistakes—ones that can be avoided—can be costly. Shipping the wrong item, sending the wrong volume, or misplacing a label can all lead to chargebacks.
Solution: By investing in the right technologies, processes, and training, you can eliminate chargebacks for good. The following are excellent examples of chargeback-stopping strategies you can implement right now:
You finished putting all the pieces together and have shipped out the order. Everything that was supposed to be in it was there….right? Wait, where does this item go? Can we catch the truck before it hits the gate?
Unfortunately, it happens. For whatever reason, something was missed despite all the planning and paperwork that listed everything that was supposed to be in the order.
Mobile solutions are rapidly becoming prevalent in the warehouse as companies are looking to replace outdated systems with new technology in order to increase operational performance. New devices like mobile scanners, rugged handhelds, and mobile printers provide warehouse and distribution center managers with the tools they need to streamline and increase accuracy and productivity.
As the use of mobile technology in manufacturing increases, so too does the risk of critical data becoming compromised. With the sheer number of mobile devices in the warehouse and on the shop floor today, mobile device management (MDM) is more necessary than ever.
In our previous blog post, we discussed some of the many benefits of mobile applications in manufacturing. Mobility helps manufacturers become more agile, efficient, and profitable, but incorporating mobile applications into established processes is no small task. The costs can outweigh the benefits if you aren’t adequately prepared. Before implementing any changes, you must make sure that you have an effective mobility strategy in place.
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