A proper follow-up of warehouse materials is essential for ensuring an efficient logistics process. What materials are we referring to? We mean all materials used in the packaging process, such as boxes, tape, filling materials, and bubble wrap. Many businesses rely on warehouse materials, but almost none keep track of which materials are used for which order. This is a missed opportunity to optimize both your warehouse operations and costs!
Why Are Warehouse Materials Important?
Warehouse materials ensure that the products you sell through your webshop are delivered to customers in perfect condition. Their importance should not be underestimated. If you store and package products carelessly, they may arrive damaged. It goes without saying that customers receiving damaged goods will not be satisfied, increasing the likelihood of negative reviews—something you absolutely want to avoid! By storing and packaging your products correctly using the right materials, you minimize the risk of damage. A flawless delivery increases the chance of positive reviews, which are invaluable for your webshop’s reputation.
Warehouse Materials Cost Money!
Of course, warehouse materials are not free. However, they are a necessary investment. Many companies do make this investment, but only a few actually track how these materials are used. It’s time to wake up! If you invest in warehouse materials, you should also know how they are being utilized. Keeping track of which materials you use per sales order allows you to calculate the total cost of each order. These insights provide valuable data for optimizing your processes. Here are some key questions these numbers can help answer:
- Am I using the right boxes?
- Am I using too much filler material?
- Are certain orders generating excessive costs?
- Is there a recurring pattern in expensive orders (e.g., the same products)?
- Should I reconsider the packaging of some products?
Integration with a WMS System
Manually tracking all this data is practically impossible and extremely time-consuming. Instead of optimizing, you would be increasing your workload. The solution? Integrating warehouse materials with a WMS system. You are probably already using inventory management software to manage your stock and process orders. If not, now is the perfect time to switch to such a system to enhance your warehouse efficiency. A WMS system like Webship Online allows you to link warehouse materials. Why is this useful? You can easily check stock levels for packaging materials and reorder them in time to prevent shortages. This ensures that your orders are always processed with the most suitable materials.
The biggest advantage of linking warehouse materials comes at the order processing level. A smart system like Webship Online lets you easily record which materials are used during packing. Additionally, you can assign costs to these materials, giving you an instant overview of each order’s total costs. This is an invaluable tool for optimizing your warehouse and maximizing your profits! The fulfillment center Webship has developed Webship Online, an intelligent WMS that includes these features. Would you like to try Webship Online for free or learn more? Contact Webship Online at hallo@webship.online!