Meeting the Challenges of Modern Warehouse Operations

Guest blog from MHI Member Levata

The challenges faced by today’s warehouses mean that modernization is a top priority to ensure survival in a competitive and dynamic environment. The 2023 Warehousing Vision Study from Zebra offers supply chain leaders and associates insights on the pressure points driving their modernization efforts and the solutions they plan to implement. The biggest focus for modern warehouse operations is reducing unnecessary tasks and giving workers the technology and tools they need to make their jobs easier. Here’s a closer look at some of these issues and how technology can solve them.

Factors Influencing Modern Warehouse Operations

One of the most significant factors impacting today’s warehouses is the rise of e-commerce. The shift in consumers’ preference for this purchase path has led to higher shipping volumes, a greater need for inventory visibility, and increased returns management. E-commerce has also raised customer expectations for fast delivery and accurate order fulfillment, putting pressure on warehouse operators to improve efficiency and stay ahead of competitors. These demands are also occurring amid ongoing labor shortages, emphasizing the need to create an attractive environment to retain workers and optimize the existing workforce by automating manual tasks traditionally handled by warehouse workers. Fortunately, supply chain leaders can turn to technology for solutions.

Automating Tasks: Print and Apply Technology

Amid ongoing labor shortages, automation is an increasing necessity so that workers can spend their time on the more mission-critical tasks. Solutions such as print and apply systems turn mundane tasks such as preparing and restacking boxes, printing, and inspecting labels over to AI-powered machines, enhancing accuracy and speed and allowing workers to focus on tasks that require closer human interaction.

Increasing Speed and Accuracy: Wearables and Vehicle-Mounted Computers

Significant increases in shipping volume and high consumer expectations for fast and accurate order fulfillment create a need for technology that streamlines warehouse operations. Solutions such as wearable computers and vehicle-mounted computers add mobility, flexibility, and speed to order-picking, sorting, packing, put-away, and other functions. Ergonomics is also an important consideration: tools that increase their comfort and productivity will increase worker satisfaction.

Providing the Best Tools: Rugged Tablets and Scanners

Equipping employees with technology that makes their jobs easier and improves performance is a great way to attract and retain workers. For example, rugged barcode scanners and tablets built specifically to withstand harsh warehouse environments and maintain performance will be the most useful for worker satisfaction and efficiency.

Streamlining Warehouse Operations is Key

Investing in the right technology is the key to navigating the complex factors influencing modern warehouse operations, from customer expectations to labor issues.

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