Inventory control is an enormous and extremely important job for any warehouse team. After all, the whole point of a warehouse or distribution center is to store supplies, so it's crucial to know exactly what is on the premises at all times. Inventory control guidelines follow the same basic principles regardless of the type of goods the distribution center is storing. Automation systems, including print and apply labeling, will streamline the entire process and make everyone's job easier. Step One: Acquisition And Identification With Print And Apply Labeling A storage facility may be affiliated directly with a specific manufacturer to store its goods, or it may be more of a distribution center, meaning that goods are ordered from various manufacturers and then sent to other locations. In either scenario, everything coming into the warehouse or distribution center must be logged before it is put away, most likely in a computerized inventory management system. Of course, it is also important to be able to identify the products after they've been put away so that they can be retrieved later on! Marking each container upon arrival with a print and apply labeling system makes it quick and easy to recognize each product when it's time to ship it out to its final destination. This method automates the labeling process and can accurately mark as many as 25 cartons per minute, increasing efficiency exponentially. Step Two: Valuation In addition to keeping track of what goods are stored in the facility, the inventory control system should also know what they are worth. Not only is it just good business sense, but a proper valuation of the company as a whole depends in large part on the total value of the goods on hand. In addition, when applying for a business loan or line of credit, the bank will need to know the current inventory and its value. The warehouse staff should also keep careful track of any charitable donations of goods and supplies. Not only is this important for accurate accounting, but the donation value will be needed in order to apply for any relevant tax credits. Step Three: Retrieval And Shipping Since the storage facility is really just a temporary resting place, all of those goods that have been so carefully marked and stored need to be shipped out! As long as everything has been identified using a print and apply labeling system, this is a straightforward process. With the help of an automated picking system, such as pick to light or voice-directed picking, the warehouse staff can go straight to the designated product to retrieve it and get it to the docks to be packed up and shipped out. In addition to telling the pickers where to go, the automated logistics system can also designate a staging area for every shipment in order to keep each order from being mixed up with the others. From each staging area, the products can be loaded onto trucks to be transported to their final destinations. Inventory Control: The Heart Of The Warehouse No warehouse can operate without knowing precisely what goods are on hand and where they are located. Modern automated inventory control systems, including print and apply labeling, keep any warehouse or distribution center running smoothly. The Numina Group is a renowned expert in warehouse automation systems, including print and apply labeling, providing innovative solutions to warehouses and distribution centers. To find out what the Numina Group can do for you, please visit www.numinagroup.com.
Related Articles -
print, and, apply, labeling,
|