Warehouse automation technology is developing rapidly, which is good news for business owners who want to increase productivity and profitability. However, you'll need to be aware of the latest trends if you want to maintain an edge over your competitors. If you work with us, we'll keep you up to date with what's happening in the industry and tell you which new technologies could work for you.

Let's look at some of the automation processes and tools that are making waves at the moment:

Today's logistics directors and operations managers will almost certainly be familiar with the term 'warehouse automation', but people sometimes interpret the phrase in different ways. Here's a brief guide to what the concept involves, both theoretically and in practical terms.

A warehouse will only be efficient if its operations function seamlessly, so it's crucial to attempt to minimise the chances of anything going wrong. There are a number of steps you can take in order to increase efficiency, so that your business continues to develop in a positive manner.

Call it what you will; after sales service, customer relations, or post-purchase marketing. Research shows that using automated post-purchase platforms (PPP), you have a 60/70% chance of converting a satisfied existing customer, and just a 5/20% chance of converting a new customer. Although all research points to large gains for retailers and brands, what are the benefits for a 3PL carrier who embraces post-purchase platforms in partnership with the suppliers?

The use of automated systems within warehouses can positively impact performance, but to ascertain whether this is a suitable option for your business, you'll need to calculate your likely return on investment (ROI). Here are some of the factors you'll need to take into account.

 

Transportation management is no longer a simple strategy for moving products at the lowest possible price. Today, shippers must use resources that aren’t part of their traditional core competencies. Outsourcing, inventory flow, and predictive analytics all play a starring role in a transportation strategy that meets rising buyer expectations. Your customer should be at the peak of every supply chain, no matter which industry or business model you fall into. Your products’ value is no longer limited to the item inside the box. Customer experience has become a critical component, and that means your supply chain should be governed by buyer loyalty.

If you're considering automating your warehouse operations, it's vital to think your decision through carefully before committing to anything. Here are six things to investigate before you take the plunge:

Popular with owners of contemporary warehouses attempting to automate their procedures, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) are designed to enable companies to store goods in a compact and logical manner, and retrieve them with ease. These computer-controlled systems come in a number of different forms, but here are five ways in which your business could benefit if you install one of these practical systems.

Increasing efficiency within the supply chain has many benefits. It reduces wastage, improves productivity, and enables a faster and leaner system. Controlling a supply chain involves controlling visibility, and software is increasingly the best way forwards. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) technology takes over primary administrative roles, meaning fewer errors and greater speed. Here are some of the ways that the latest supply chain efficiency techniques can help.

If you don’t believe there is a place in social media for how you conduct your supply chain management, perhaps it’s time to reconsider.

Twenty years ago you might have been right. The only thing people would have been concerned about was the quality of the products they bought in the shops and yes, that was before social media as we know it today was born. In today’s world, people are more aware, more focused on reducing their carbon footprint. They want to know if raw materials come from sustainable sources, whether foodstuffs are factory farmed or free range, and whether their clothes are produced in unregulated sweat-shops. If that doesn’t provide food for thought, perhaps the fact that a large number of your competitors and partners are already using social media will. So what can social media really do for your business?