K-store includes the following features:

Stock Control
Stock Location
Stock Consolidation
Stock movement
Stock rotation

For more information about using K-store for effective stock rotation please call 01384 401162

Also for more information:

http://www.k-store.co.uk/why-k-store/manage-your-warehouse.htm

K-store can run on networked PC’s meaning that no expensive IT integration is needed and that it has a low cost of maintenance.

One of the keys to the success of K-store is its simplicity. Whereas big Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) aim to integrate highly complex invoicing systems, customer management data, and time consuming accounting algorithms. K-store focuses on the essential functions of the warehouse. Goods in, Product put away, Stock control, Picking, Despatch.

Focusing on the essential functions in the warehouse K-store can efficiently provide a low cost and simple solution to Managing your warehouse or distribution centre.

So K-store is the 3^rd party warehouse management software of choice.

For more information please look at:

http://www.k-store.co.uk/why-k-store/manage-your-warehouse.htm

The Actual WMS Implementation

After choosing the WMS, it is important to realize that the implementation process is generally not an easy one. This can be a time of strain because not only is change coming, but the processes much continue. Shipping or product storage cannot stop because a new WMS is being implemented. To rectify and deal with these warehouses should have the needed personnel as well as a contingency plan during this time. Prevention is the best key, understand that there will be slight snafus and plan accordingly. Remember the implementation process is a short one, so the strain will only last a short time, however the benefit to the company is well worth it. The WMS reduces labor costs, increases productivity, improves accuracy and speeds ship times, meaning bigger profits!

Many companies fall prey to only looking at the big production picture and then failing miserably. What they soon learn is that success comes from managing and improving industry specifics. Sure the overall picture is important, however if those specifies are not controlled and improved they can prove detrimental. Those small areas can impact the supply chain meaning that companies should seek specific solutions to improve the overall functionality. While it might not seem important that every piece, part and product have a specific place, try turning sales without the ability to quickly locate what is needed! Customers want their orders quicker than ever and inefficiency prevents this, as well as slows down the time that those sales profits are deposited in the bank.

The Goal Of An Efficient Warehouse

Of course there are a number of goals for any warehouse, large or small. It would be foolish to assume that only one or two apply, however one of the most important stands true for any are of business in warehouse processes. All goals should point to the minimization of time that products remain in that warehouse. Regardless of whether it is inefficient storage or long picking times, they all need to be minimized through effective strategies. These strategies come from the mass power provided by warehouse managements systems. These systems make it possible to track processes such as inventory, back order percentages, labor costs and help pinpoint areas that can increase the conversion rate of orders to sales. These specifics improve inbound/outbound activity therefore leading to turning revenue quickly.

Flexibility Through Automation

Warehouse flexibility comes through automation. This automation is the work of the warehouse managements systems. Because processes, such as inventory, production and time lines are tracked it increases efficiency. Bin pickers have the ability to know every bin, located products and parts with ease as well as decrease lost time. Looking for and disorganization costs a warehouse dearly, meaning that the visibility and flexibility that a warehouse management systems brings is conducive to quicker revenue turnaround, as well as fewer headaches. Think of it this way, the quicker storage, picking and shipping turns a quicker profit rise. This efficiency comes with a price; however it quickly replenishes and increases profits tri-fold. Other specific solutions tracked and improved are accuracy, labor costs, product movement time as well as others that increase the logistics of the overall warehouse. Employees, workers and providers can also be made more efficient through the systems and implementation of a good warehouse management system.

Barcode picking has been around for some years now to direct a warehouse picker and to integrate each picker with the materials handling system. The barcode scanners themselves have developed into an entire range to choose from.

The process is fairly simple, the system communicates with the scanner to direct the picker, this usually includes what to pick, where to pick from and the quantity to pick. As orders become more and more complex it has become essential to integrate accurately with the system. Customer requirements to submit complex orders, collating different kinds of products to minimise transportation and inventory costs means efficiently and accurately directing pickers through the system. This is best done through arm mounted scanners.

These scanners communicate directly with the system to effectively direct the picker and minimise error. The fact that the scanners are arm mounted allows the picker to pick with both hands, and check each order directly against the system for accuracy. The system automatically directs the most cost effective route minimising time wastage for example when a picker visits an area to pick twice when they could have picked in one visit.

Arm mounted barcode scanners also allow for real time stock and picking control, giving greater efficiency and control. The system also gives an opportunity for reports on individual picker efficiencies.

For more information about arm scanners and to see them in action watch our ‘arm scanners for warehouse systems’ video -

For more information visit www.keymas.co.uk. Leading suppliers of integrated materials handling solutions. Providing conveyor systems, warehouse management systems, mezzanine floors within an integrated materials handling environment.
Also visit www.k-store.co.uk for a low cost warehouse management system.

The basic aim is simple, receive goods in, hold them for as long as the sales department needs you to (hopefully not long!) then pack them and send them to the customer. But things are rarely that simple. The process inside the warehouse enables the accurate, efficient, cost effective and fast delivery of goods to the customer and this is where managing the warehouse becomes an essential part of the supply chain. The warehouse process can be broken down into 5 broad sections.

Goods in

Receiving from suppliers where the product enters the warehouse. Date and time are usually logged as well as supplier details to enable supplier quality referencing. Products are usually quality checked depending on the consistency needed. Pairing up QC and supplier details enables supplier quality audit and checking. Quarantine defective or low quality goods at this point prevents wastage inside the warehouse. Stock checking and stock valuing also often take place.

Product put away

Next, the goods must be stored. This can range literally from piling boxes in the corner of the warehouse to an integrated automation system. However, the basic principle is the same, a location is found for each product. The location is logged. Put away can include priorities for fast moving product and quarantine locations for defective goods.

Stock control

Managing the stock within the warehouse depends largely on the track and traceability of stock. Traditionally warehouse managers would keep track of stock levels and locations either on paper or on an excel sheet, however with the increase in product number, complexity and efficiency warehouses now need to be able to automatically track and trace goods to enable stock movement and rotation, consignment and efficient locating.

Order Picking

Picking is one of the defining processes of a warehouse, and usually goes a long way towards making the warehouse an effective and efficient operation. At its most basic level a picker looks at an order on a printed sheet, finds the location of the products required, picks them and places them into a box or pallet to go to distribution. Often in many warehouses a picker will waste a lot of time trying to find out where an item is, or walking to a location, picking an item, walking back to the box, then realising the next item was on the next shelf, so s/he walks back to the location. Efficient pick routing offered by warehouse management software enables the pickers to be directed and creates an effective pick operation. Picking can also be performed automatically but this often depends upon the complexity / simplicity of the product.

Dispatch

Basically, the boxed or pallet is taped or strapped up and sent to the customer. This process can include weight checking to check the orders are correct. Automated wrapping and loading. Dispatch sortation to enable vans and lorries to be loaded most efficiently depending on their location. And customer order checking to minimise inaccurate deliveries.

So 5 basic processes, goods in, put away, stock control, picking, and dispatch. To see how K-store gives you the tools to manage your warehouse visit www.k-store.co.uk

Google joined the celebrations of the barcode’s 57th anniversary by using the humble barcode as its logo today. The barcode was birthed in 1952 when it was patented by Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver. The Barcode has grown over the years to become the leading optical machine-readable data representation finding its way onto the majority of products and goods both in the retail and shopping spheres and within the warehouse.

The benefits of barcodes in the warehouse

The barcode is used as a standard for automatic data capture and labeling identification. Using a barcode system allows for quick, accurate data processing which is reliable and low cost, allowing for boxes, totes, products etc to be quickly and accurately identified at any chosen point in the warehouse.

Track and traceability – identify and track your product through the warehouse. Know where stock is placed, where it needs to be picked from and when and where it exits the system.
Increase accuracy – barcode data entry minimises data inaccuracy by allowing the system to automatically identify each product. Human error is reduced and data trails are accurate.
Increase speed – scan and identify product in a second.
Managing inventory- have the tools to perform stock rotation, stock quarantine, quality checking and general stock management.
Picking – Direct pickers through barcode technology. Identify efficient pick routes and reduce human error.
Measuring and review – build a picture of your warehouse performance through barcode identification, identify bottle necks, low staff performance, efficiency etc
Integrated system – integrate barcode technology into your warehouse management, manage the warehouse more accurately by knowing where product is, your efficiencies, identifying needs and recognizing trends.

To find out more about google using a barcode visit -
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/06/new-google-logo-celebrates-the-barcode/

To find out more about using barcodes in your warehouse visit – http://www.keymas.co.uk/barcode_reading.htm

A warehouse management system, also referred to as WMS is often used to track any type of inventory. Now some might assume that it is only used for those large warehouses that hold thousands of parts, pieces or other products, but that is not quite true. While it is used to manage inventory, these WMS have a number of other abilities. They streamline everything from ordering, maintaining, moving and interacting with suppliers, distributors and even customers. They provide an efficient system that can track the production of a product, no matter how large or small, from the time that the parts are ordered to the final delivery to a consumer. Taking the time to understand a little more about the capabilities of a warehouse management system will allow a company to see just how much they can do with them!

Tracking – Stock – Logistics

The warehouse management system brings computerized technology to track any action in or out of the warehouse. Whether it is the ordering of inventory, returns or even the movement of products from one area to another, the WMS does it all. This is often referred to as the logistics of the warehouse. An Auto ID Capture is typically used in a management system to help track or keep up with any product or part from the time it arrives in the warehouse, until the time that it leaves. This is commonly completed through the scanning of a barcode, which includes a unique number identifying that particular product. Once this information is captured it is then stored or sent to a central database, which can be accessed to identify the location or status of that item in real time. That means that the part can be tracked as to where it is located or its current status from a computer, without having someone physically check.

Streamlining & Efficiency

Part of understanding what a warehouse management system consists of, is also understanding, what it can do for a company. Along with creating a manner of tracking inventory comes the ability to give detailed reports, therefore streamlining the entire warehouse operation. The organization allows a quick glance to determine what is on hand, being delivered, ready for completion as well as the status of shipped products. As most companies understand, their warehouse is one of the most important aspects of their business. Without the ability to maintain an effective production, storage and delivery it is impossible to have a well run operation. These systems also reduce error rates, such as over ordering, lost inventory and inefficient management.