2020 has been the year of reflection and many businesses saw automation as a means of survival and growth, even in dire economic circumstances. Working towards smarter business operations should be a priority for SMEs and thanks to advancements in technology, there are plenty of ways that businesses can streamline.
Looking at the role of the warehouse in a business’s operations, we’ll identify some of the ways it can run smarter and the benefits of doing so.
Why Your Business Needs to Be Smart
When you automate any of your business processes, you can benefit from speeding your operations up. You might need to invest in software for this, but it’ll be likely to move your business forward and increase your profits, so it’s well worth the investment. There multiple funding options to explore, so do your research and find the best option for you.
Not only that, there’s less room for human error when you decide to go automated, so it could save your business valuable time and money when you make the investment. This is especially important in a warehouse situation, for example when you’re counting stock and doing inventory.
The New Technology
Here are some of the new technologies that are being used to streamline warehouses all around the world:
Drones
As businesses look for higher levels of automation in their warehouses, drones are becoming more common within their operations. They’re vital in helping with tasks that require a large number of man hours, such as barcode scanning. Some warehouses might be stacked to the roof with inventory, and a drone will make the process much easier as they can scan tricky to reach items.
RFID
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) uses radio waves to feed information between tags attached to stock and readers that pick up the signal.
With RFID, your business will have greater stock visibility and transparency. Used alongside drones, your inventory could be catalogued at a faster pace, ensuring efficiency and it may even result in a reduction of theft.
EDI Communication
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) allows documents to be shared across two computer systems, whilst keeping the same format. They are a useful tool to help businesses collate documents like:
– Purchase orders
– Shipping orders
– Warehouse stock transfer receipts
This means that there’s a seamless flow of information between the two computer systems and a standard format, to make sure that there’s greater efficiency, visibility and collaboration between all parties.
Do Business the Smart Way
To give your business the best chance of success, make sure you have smart and efficient business. By embracing new technologies in your warehouse, like drones, RFID or EDI Communication, you can ensure greater collaboration and visibility whilst also saving time and money.
