Improve order fulfilment speed with best practices for warehouse optimisation
Smooth and efficient order fulfilment is the most essential requirement for sustaining business profitability in the long term. It impacts customer satisfaction, operational costs, and profitability. One strategy that can play a significant role in streamlining this process is longspan shelving. With robust and modular designs, it optimises space and provides easy access to items to improve order fulfilment speed.
Understanding longspan shelving
Longspan shelving helps to maximise warehouse space in a way that saves time. It is strong, versatile and ideal for supporting any inventory. It offers direct access to items without the need for forklifts. Longspan shelving in Melbourne is also very advantageous for businesses with fluctuating inventories. Unlike pallet racking, it is more accessible, easier to adjust and can accommodate different-sized products. Its customisable layouts and adjustable beams make it ideal for enhancing the order picking process.
The layout of a warehouse directly impacts the order fulfilment process. A proper plan minimises the distance travelled by pickers, hence an increase in the number of orders that could be processed within a given time. Longspan shelving near the packing and shipping areas is practical. High-turnover products should be stored in these zones. Lower-picked items should be located higher or further from the central path. This strategic layout cuts out unnecessary movement and maximises picking speed.
Clear-picking routes also contribute to the effective design of a warehouse layout. Organise shelving by product category, size, or, where practical, by order frequency, in other words, to route pickers around the warehouse in a logical manner. Serpentine or U-shaped routes are especially good for keeping the flow intact through the warehouse.
The "Golden Zone" is the area that must be used to maximise picking efficiency. The areas that are most accessible in the shelving system and, in general, waist-to-shoulder high can be defined as the "Golden Zone." It minimises bending or stretching when handling those high-demand items, thereby accelerating the picking operation and reducing the possibility of injuries.
Effective shelf organisation
Shelf organisation is also vital for a seamless order fulfilment process. The right shelving enables companies to alter heights and layouts perfectly to fit their products. Grouping similar products in respective sections significantly reduces pickers' time searching for items. Systematic cataloguing ensures that everything is accessible and visible, making the collection process much easier.
Clear and consistent labelling is also imperative besides categorising items. Large, clear labels should be placed on all shelves, bins, and any product location. A consistent labelling scheme - alphanumeric codes corresponding to your inventory management software can help reduce confusion and enable the picker to locate items immediately. This reduces errors and increases overall picking accuracy.
FIFO, which means First In, First Out, is the best option for products that require specific rotation. Shelving can be altered to create FIFO lanes so that older stock is picked first. This helps to reduce waste, avoid spoilage and maintain product freshness, especially for perishable goods or products with expiry dates.
Inventory access enhancement
An accessible inventory delivers quick order fulfilment. The right shelving permits adjustment of design and by fitting shelves as per the products' height, you can reduce dead space and improve access to items. This is more helpful to warehouses with a wide range of product sizes.
Picking bins and dividers can also make it easier to access smaller products. Small items can be organised and separated, avoiding mixing with other products, which allows quicker and more accurate picking. Mobile longspan shelving units are good for facilities whose inventory is constantly being changed or subject to fluctuations due to seasonal changes. It is also easy to shift units across different parts of the warehouse. So, during peak situations, you can juggle all the high-demand products closer to packing stations.
Technology enhancements
The integration of technology can make your order fulfilment process even more efficient. Barcode scanning and RFID systems are very potent tools. Attach them to shelves and the products being picked to verify in real-time whether the correct selection was made or not, thus reducing errors and increasing pickers' accuracy. This integration makes it easy to manage stock levels and reordering of the items.
For high-volume warehouses, the implementation of a pick-to-light system improves efficiency further. Lights installed in shelving point out which items are to be picked. Thus, using lights as visual guidance, the picker spends less time on search tasks. The process results in a faster and more precise process since the picker can easily locate the items.
Inventory management software that integrates with a shelving system is another valuable tool. It provides real-time updates on stock levels, helps plan replenishment, and even suggests optimal picking routes based on order data. This software can streamline the entire process, from order placement to dispatch, ensuring that your warehouse operates at peak efficiency.
Regular maintenance and training
Proper order fulfilment relies on well-maintained shelving systems and well-trained staff members. Longspan shelving must be inspected continuously for damage, as any such indication is crucial to maintaining safety and efficiency. Tightening bolts, checking weight compliance and replacing damaged components can prevent accidents and downtime.
Staff training is equally important. The staff at the warehouse should be trained in best industry practices, including safe lifting techniques, efficient picking routes, and correct use of any integrated technology. Regular training sessions help maintain a high level of efficiency and safety.
