ASN and retail markets

Working with these file formats and the systems used to send the notifications, the dispatched items are sent using the ASN to the company receiving them. The shipment notifications are used by most of the major UK retailers, meaning that suppliers have to supply this information to them in order to supply their goods into the UK retail market.

Replacing paper notifications with digital and automated ones makes the processes more efficient and more traceable. Making sure that your products or goods have not been dispatched and also received when delivery is complete.

On the EDI basics website there are listed some benefits of using these formats:

• The process takes seconds or minutes instead of days
• The PO goes from the buyer’s computer through a network to the vendor’s computer with no human intervention at all. There is no need to copy of transcribe the PO upon receipt, eliminating the possibility of data entry error
• The electronic document has not been handled by any mailroom staff, postal or delivery service or data entry staff. It will not wait in any in-basket waiting for collection and it won’t have to wait while staff are on the phone
• The buyer receives rapid confirmation of PO receipt

These facts can translate directly into cost savings resulting from reduced cycle times, reduced overheads and improved accuracy. In today’s business environment, companies cannot afford to ignore these benefits.

Also listed are the steps involved for integrating the systems in your company.

Step 1 – Develop the organisational structure for managing the EDI system

Step 2 – Undertake a strategic review of the business

Step 3 – Developing an EDI Solution to meet the needs of the business

Step 4 – Integrating with other business systems across the company

Step 5 – Undertake mapping / data analysis of internal business processes

Step 6 – Establishing a pilot project with selected trading partners

Step 7 – Deployment of the EDI system amongst trading partners

If you are looking to integrate the systems with your company’s warehouse or picking system then talk to us today and we can provide more information on integration and getting your warehouse automated.

For more information on EDI’s there is a helpful website http://www.edibasics.co.uk/

Also for more information on warehouse systems visit: http://www.keymas.co.uk/

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 on arm mounted scanners view the post on the Keymas website.

The scanners read the barcodes on the box and the items allowing real time stock picking and maximun control.

Warehouse management systems are developed to make managing warehouse’s easier. Our system was developed to help companies take control of their stock and track the picking processes.

Our system improves performance

• Improve your pick rates
• Eliminates time wastage and cuts excess inventory
• Accurate put-away and location of inventory
• Improves labour performance
• Improves performance in pick, put-away, stock control and despatch

Is simple and cost effective

• Simple, low cost solution to manage your warehouse
• K-store, a fraction of the cost
• Low cost solution with improved performance

Manage your warehouse

• Synchronise and control the movement of goods in your warehouse
• Full reporting and efficiency statistics on labour management
• Supports the managerial role
• Manage thousands of products each with traceability, location and functionality
• Move from paper or manual based systems to K-store

Accuracy and Control

• Gives you the control you need to efficiently operate your warehouse
• Accurate and real time reporting
• Gives you control and management of your warehouse
• Allows you to evaluate performance
• Provides full traceability and visibility of all inventory
• Improved data accuracy and reporting

For more information about our K-Store system then contact us today and learn about how our systems will improve your productivity.

There are several advantages of a Warehouse Management System and these are the reasons why companies employ them. WMS has been tried and tested to facilitate better operations and create a better business.

• WMS creates maximum efficiency for the use of warehouse space. By organizing the warehouse space to be able to create a consistent flow of all the processes such as receiving, assembly, packing and shipping, employees and management can prevent waste of time from locating items.
• WMS can help reduce paperwork generated from all the processes involved in the warehouse. With the advent of powerful technology available these days, reduced paperwork can help the environment greatly. All traditional paperwork can be converted to electronic data and can help a high level of timeliness and accuracy of all inventory and data.
• Creating a WMS that includes all processes and operations across the board creates an environment that will require less warehouse personnel. Standardizing all movements and just focusing on quality check will pave the way for decreased dependency on manual labor. This will mean lower expenses for the company on training and salary. This also creates a lower margin of human error in all operations.
• By restructuring and standardizing all operations, the company can focus on providing the customers a more accurate timeline on all milestones such as product availability and delivery. This is a great opportunity for the company to provide their customers an excellent customer service.

Setting up a Warehouse Management System will require extensive research and evaluation of all operations in the company. Categorization and identification of items, processes, locations, manual labor, equipment and quality check processes need to be considered to be able to create a system that works for the company and let the business achieve realistic financial and output goals. Warehouse Management System is about streamlining and directing all movement towards one goal.

If you would like to know more about warehouse management systems then please contact us.

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.