When you store goods, the warehouse is the beating heart of the business. A warehouse is a place where a lot of labor is done by people and/or machines. By making the right adjustments, the capacity and efficiency can increase significantly. Optimizing the warehouse requires careful attention but brings a high ROI. You can optimize the warehouse in various ways, such as through reports and statistics. In this blog, we will look at the possibilities for tools in a warehouse, such as using machines efficiently or scanning products.
The Main Tool: Inventory Management System
An inventory management system is intangible, which is why it is often overlooked as a tool. However, for us, it is still the biggest tool! Webship Online is an inventory management system that keeps our warehouse under control. Before purchasing other tools, you need to choose an inventory management system.
Hardware
Webship recommends providing the necessary hardware in a warehouse. Everything starts with the presence of a device connected to the internet. Not only do you need an internet connection to use Webship Online, but also to connect certain hardware devices. Here are the hardware devices we consider tools and that are compatible with Webship Online:
- Barcode scanner: With a barcode scanner, you can save time by replacing text input with scanning a barcode.
- Scale: A digital scale helps you quickly and efficiently determine the weight of a shipment or one of your products.
- Dimensioners: A dimensioner measures the dimensions of your products at a glance. Optimize your warehouse and shipments this way. To learn more, check out our blog on dimensioners!
- Label printer: With a label printer, you can quickly and eco-friendly print shipping labels (via thermal transfer).
- Barcode printer: A barcode printer is suitable for printing small labels to attach a barcode to products.
- Laser printer: With a black-and-white laser printer, you can quickly print multiple packing and picking slips one after another.
Tools to Transport or Stack Products
A warehouse consists of many pallet spaces, shelves, and stackable bins. To move pallets and such, you need to use a pallet truck. Placing a pallet, for example, 3 meters high is not possible with a pallet truck. For this, you need a stacker or forklift. These tools are indispensable in a warehouse!
Packing Tables
A packing table is a must in a warehouse! Imagine having to pack all orders in an unprofessional workspace. A packing table ensures that you have the necessary materials and tools immediately at hand. These include items like boxes, tape, a cutter, a ruler, and hardware.
If you have multiple packing tables, a conveyor belt might be interesting. This way, the packing tables are connected. Once you finish packing an order, you place it on the conveyor belt, and it automatically arrives at the place where the packages are collected. Which conveyor belt you choose depends on what fits best in your warehouse. So take into account the weight, size, goal, etc.
Tools for Picking
An intelligent inventory management system ensures an efficient route through the warehouse. You will pick multiple orders at the same time, which requires a cart. Always ensure your aisles are wide enough to maneuver. Do you want to sort orders immediately? Then you need bins that fit on the cart. You can assign each order to a bin. During picking, you will also use the barcode scanner.
Order and Cleanliness!
Are a broom, dustpan, sweeper, or cleaning machine a tool? Of course! Such tools ensure the warehouse stays clean, increasing the productivity of the warehouse staff. Everyone prefers to work in a clean environment. To create a clean environment, you also need to think about waste streams. Map your warehouse waste and provide the right trash bins (e.g., a rolling container) to sort! So don’t hesitate to invest in these tools. A small investment with positive effects on employee motivation.
Webship & Tools?
We can conclude that tools can take the warehouse to the next level. But which tools are suitable for your warehouse? Choosing the right tools is not an easy task. There are several players in the market, and the supply is quite large. There are many more specialized tools not mentioned in this blog, such as electro-hydraulic lifting tables, vacuum stretchers, or machines to seal products. You can order the necessary hardware through our website. For purchasing the other tools, we gladly offer our advice. Thanks to our years of experience in warehouse management, we can perfectly assess your situation and recommend the right tools. Need our advice? Contact Webship Online via hallo@webship.be.
