Warehousing and Distribution Centers Essay

Introduction

As a utilitarian facility, Richards (2017) suggests that warehouse designers need to focus on making the available space functional, safe and comfortable for workers. On the same note, the warehouse needs to maintain the corporate image as this is an essential issue in the competitive real estate market. Perhaps, the first thing that a client will look at is whether their goods are handled well as per the latest developments. Similarly, their concerns can include packaging and labeling. This report will present two subsections, Future developments and Packaging and labeling concerns. Issues relevant to each subsection will be discoursed accordingly.

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Future Developments

In a few decades or so, warehouse management has advanced considerably. Today's warehouse requires fewer operatives consequently reducing the number of line managers. By this, most warehouses have evolved to be places where activities are performed faster and efficiently. Something that has been of great concern to clients is whether the warehouse can function efficiently and faster. The more efficient and smooth a warehouse goes through its activities the more clients they will receive. Warehouse designers need to ensure that they are at par with the latest developments and make sure they are checking for any in the future. Good or bad, you will be lagging behind if there are no investments in most recent technology.

There are some critical areas of future developments that require attention. In the first place is the impact of IT in modern warehouses. Some companies might view this as expensive to invest in though it benefits harmonizes the cost. There is some software available that can result in quicker returns to investments and solutions. Such software as inventory management helps in functions such as optimization of stock levels. Moreover, future requirements for the paperless office which is where business is moving towards is achievable by using the software. It is difficult to disregard the direct impact the technology has on warehousing (Lerher, et al., 2010). The nature of goods that are handled by this warehouse will necessitate for partially or fully automated warehouse. It is clear that with automation, the frequency of accidents reduces significantly. Dealing with electronics requires a lot of care to minimize damages. This design of warehouse is relatively advanced in terms of automation but is not correct to claim that it reaches cutting edge technology. So, with future development of robotics, it is recommended that the technique should be extensively applied in this warehouse.

Packaging and Labelling Concerns

Packaging is crucial in a warehouse since size, shape, and type of packaging directly influences operations (Myerson, 2012). The size of packaging determines the ability of a warehouse to use shelves or other material handling equipment. Besides this, the goods stored in a warehouse need to be sorted in a manner that identification can happen efficiently and properly. In regards to packaging, the design considered the sizes of the products to be handled in this warehouse. Electronics are relatively small meaning that it is possible to have shelves installed in the warehouse. Equally, to avoid the destruction of some of the appliances the shelves can help protect against water or dumpiness.

Labeling is equally important to avoid the mess in the warehouse. The warehouse can be a messy place with piles of unpacked and packed products occupying space. In such a case, it can be hard to determine which of the product needs to be out. To eliminate this situation, the labeling system virtually makes things manageable. Warehouse labeling is of different types depending on the purpose of the business and each of the models can be used in streamlining the organization of warehouse (Atieh, et al., 2016). The approach to labeling that was applicable in this design was influenced mainly by the nature of products that will be handled here. A few things are put into consideration including the durability of the labels, color for visibility, ability to change them quickly and should not interfere with warehouse activities. Subsequently, two types of labeling seemed favorable. The first one is floor labeling which Wiyaratn (2013) recommends is usually ideal for a large warehouse like this one. This label is made to survive ware and tear and moisture. Another labeling is rack labels. These types of labs are made to streamline workflow by making it easy for employees to identify the right products. All this intends to make it easy for goods to move in and our efficiently.

Conclusion

To sum up, a warehouse design should focus on making the available space functional. Also, the design should ensure that the smooth running of activities in the warehouse. Henceforth, a model will focus on the latest advancement that can make this possible. The impact of technology on warehousing should not be ignored. On the other hand, packaging and labeling should be in a manner that there will be no confusions in the products that should be leaving the warehouse. Size of packaging plays influences the type of packaging and labeling applicable in a design. As a result, the efficiency of the business will significantly rely on the above-discussed aspects.

References List

Atieh, A. et al., 2016. Performance improvement of inventory management system processes by an automated warehouse management system. Procedia Cirp, 41, pp. 568-572.

Lerher, T., Potrc, I., Sraml, M. & Tollazzi, T., 2010. Travel time models for automated warehouses with aisle transferring storage and retrieval machine. European Journal of Operational Research, 205(3), pp. 571-583.

Myerson, P., 2012. Lean supply chain and logistics management. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Richards, G., 2017. Warehouse management: a complete guide to improving efficiency and minimizing costs in the modern warehouse. s.l.:Kogan Page Publishers.

Wiyaratn, W., Watanapa, A. & Kajondecha, P., 2013. Improvement plant layout based on systematic layout planning. International Journal of Engineering and technology, 5(1), p. 76.