Retail Distribution Warehousing: Optimising, Stock Picking, Purchase Order Matching, Yard Bay Management and More

 

 
Retail Distribution Warehouse operators strive for increased profit margins and reduced operating costs via process improvement, stock picking and location efficiencies. Success also requires maintaining the highest levels of partner and customer satisfaction in order to keep ahead of the competition. Additionally, Warehouse Management Software must deliver functionality such as Cross Docking, Yard Bay Management, hand-held device integration, Bulk Packing and Task Scheduling – to name a few.

Warehouse management teams demand robust and flexible Warehouse Management Software to keep their operations optimised. A constant success metric is improved service levels – both internally and via partner operations – in order to reduce OpEx and drive increased revenue growth.
 
 
Retail Distribution Warehouse Operator Challenges
 

• • • Optimising Warehouse Layout & Space Allocation: Every metre of Warehouse space able to take stock represents a potential revenue opportunity so racking and storage systems must be continuously optimised. Goods In areas also need to be designed for smooth running with well-designed pick paths.
   
  • • Stock Tracking & Accuracy: Purchase order data should be trusted and easily accessible, and any manual data must be verified before it enters your WMS Warehouse Management and ERP systems. Anything less than 100% accuracy translates into poor customer service – with a negative affect sometimes experienced in minutes.
   
  • • Seamless Compatibility: An optimised Retail Distribution Warehouse operation runs best when all its systems – legacy or otherwise – work as one. Most importantly, the WMS and ERP systems must integrate perfectly.
   
  • • Multiple Locations: Often multiple warehouse locations exist and when more stock is in transit the need for inventory tracking increases exponentially. Warehouse managers need to rely on real-time and accurate data – so they know where the inventory is at all times, whether in a warehouse or in transit.
   
  • Partner & Customer Satisfaction: Last but by no means least. Today, ‘the customer is king’ and demands fast delivery, order accuracy and 24-7-365 accessible customer service. Anything less risks losing them to a competitor – and, it is said to cost five times as much to attract a new customer than to keep an existing one.

 
 
Warehouse Management Software must be robust and flexible so it can capture stock location and movement data accurately. The WMS must operate in real-time and be deployed with individual business rules applied, aligning with customer and partner policies. Efficient stock routing and control from inbound pallet scanning to put away, then pick and despatch, are key requirements as are faster goods inwards processes – from reduced paperwork to administration time overhead. And, a drive to increase warehouse operator consistency and efficiency remains a constant challenge.

In-DEX WMS Warehouse Management Software provides a solid management platform and optimises Retail Distribution Warehouse operations by enabling a unique set of value-added functionalities.
 
 

Functionality Available to Retail Distribution Warehousing: In-DEX WMS Warehouse Management Software

• • Full Real Time Stock Traceability, Visibility & Control
  • Live Interfaces to ERP Systems (e.g.: MS Dynamics, SAP, Oracle)
  • Comprehensive Purchase Order Matching – Back Order Management
  • File Interfacing to Older or Legacy ERP & EPOS Systems
  • BRC Accredited Processes on Hand Held Units
  • Supplier & Other External Paperwork can be Removed from Process
  • Yard Bay Management with Slot Management & KPI’s
  • Wireless Image Capture on Hand Held Devices for Damage Capture
  • Cubiscan Scanner Interfacing
  • Management of Multi-temperature Products – Ambient, Chill, Frozen
  • Dynamic Field Capture Based on Product Record
  • Minimum BBD Goods In Date Checking – Prevents Receipting of Short Shelf Life Stock
  • Sales Orders Automatically Received
  • Auto Selection of Stock to Pre-defined Picking/Rotational Rules
  • Allocation of Available Stock Across Stores
  • Interfaces to Routing & Transport Systems
  • Confirm Stock Picked & Shipped Time & Details Including Loading
  • Task Scheduling – Automatically Alerts Products Close to Short Shelf Life
  • Interface ASNs with Retailers (e.g.: Tesco TIMS, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Iceland)
  • Product Configuration Management

READ MORE IN OUR WAREHOUSE OPTIMISATION CASE STUDIES

 
 
Our customers rely on our robust, modular and patented In-DEX WMS Warehouse Management Software suite to run efficient and revenue enhancing operations. They have direct access to an industry and technology expert pool spanning over 25 years’ operating across the Retail Distribution Warehouse business sector.
 
 

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