Technology is making its mark
on warehousing, as improved
track and trace systems along
with increased bar code
scanning implementation
become the latest trend.
According to Anthea van
Breemen of Macro 2000, track
and trace is now happening on
a variety of levels, ultimately
resulting in better service.
Macro provides software
solutions for warehouse
management, logistics,
container terminal
management, LCL and
shipping.
“Be it individual pallets,
drums or containers through to
production batches, container
numbers, expiry dates or
customer tracking numbers,
the ability to track and trace
within the warehouse system
has improved drastically along
with software development.”
At the same time, said
Van Breemen, there has
been an increase in bar code
scanning implementation with
interpretation of international
third party bar codes for quick
receiving within warehouses.
“We are also starting to
see a bigger focus on the
individual customer. For
example, for third party
warehouses the storage and
other charges to the customer
are being negotiated on an
individual basis more often,”
she told FTW. “That along
with the improved technology
is becoming the differentiating
factor when it comes to
warehousing. Being able
to give customers timeous
information on their stock
movements while at the same
time individualising their costs
can be beneficial.”
One of the big challenges,
however, remains the ability
to interpret the various
trends being picked up
and incorporate them into
application software that can
handle the detail required by
customers.
But ongoing research and
development into software
is proving worthwhile, said
Van Breemen, who recently
extended the Macro 2000
Container Management
Software from empty
containers to full import and
export container management.
“Ultimately, when it comes
to warehousing, it’s all about
customer satisfaction. Being
able to keep the customer
happy is the difference
between success and failure.”
CAPTION
Anthea van Breemen … ‘strong focus on the individual customer.’
