Major move towards integration and automation

There is a strong movement towards automating warehousing processes and ensuring the systems are fully integrated with the full logistics operation. “Many of the smaller companies who have historically managed their warehouse inventories on a manual basis are looking to implement comprehensive warehouse management systems (WMS),” said Samantha Drake project manager for logistics software provider, CompuClearing. She added that larger companies were implementing integrated WMS and transportation management systems (TMS) to manage their inventory and fleets under one umbrella. “By switching to fully integrated automated systems, logistics operators will not only see increased efficiency but improved cost management as well,” said Drake. Logistics operators are also implementing systems that allow the management of inventory through the use of radio frequency (RF) scanning guns, she added. “CompuClearing’s CargoWise One software solution offers capabilities that provide the functionality that enables integration of RF scanning with wider operations. “This enables warehouse operators to maximise efficiency and cut down on unnecessary risks associated with high-turnover storage,” she said, pointing out that scan packing was fast becoming a major requirement in warehousing. “It is an important quality-control mechanism which ensures that every order can be shipped with the correct product and in the correct quantity, and provides the customer with a manifest so inventory can be quickly located.” She pointed out that many major retailers were now insisting that inventory was scan packed into boxes and onto pallets with their specific labels and serial shipping container code (SSCC) numbers. “SSCC numbers are increasingly being used across the supply chain as a tracking mechanism. Being able to scan and generate these numbers and then label freight – as enabled by CargoWise One – is an essential function in today’s modern supply chain,” said Drake. CargoWise One has been developed to be configurable to specific needs and offers a comprehensive warehouse management system for 3PL and 4PL warehousing operations, said Drake. “The system’s multi-warehouse and multi-client warehouse management software delivers a full and clear audit trail of each inventory movement.” CAPTION An RF scanner is used to scan a shipment.