The consumer market has irreversibly shifted to an e-commerce focus, but more nimble and agile retailers are creating new-style businesses to fill the bricks-and-mortar vacuum – says SnapFulfil CEO, Tony Dobson.
‘Dark stores’ are essentially retail outlets– including grocery stores, clothing brands and home goods retailers–that have been converted to local fulfilment centres and warehouses for rapid deployment of goods to fulfil delivery and as collection points for orders.
Warehouse Management Software, WMS, Warehousing Software, Warehouse Systems
A critical element within the wider supply chain, a warehouse management system (WMS) helps to manage the storage and distribution of goods within a warehouse or distribution centre (DC). The software stores and provides information on goods transactions such as receiving, putaway and picking and shipping, often based on real-time information related to bin utilisation. A WMS system also often incorporates the use of Auto Identification & Data Capture (AIDC) devices or systems – including barcode scanners, mobile computers, wireless LANs or Radio-frequency identification (RFID) – to help to optimise the efficient stocking and distribution of goods.
Chink of light for redundant retail spaces...
Jul 06, 2021
Brandsafe delivers safety for pizza chain in Scotland
Jul 05, 2021
New impact protection equipment from Brandsafe is making a tasty addition to improved levels of operational safety at an international pizza chain’s supply chain hub in Scotland.
Prologis snaps up Park Royal site for last mile logistics hub
Jun 29, 2021
Prologis, the UK owner and developer of industrial logistics parks has acquired a 150,000 sq ft unit in Park Royal, London, in an off-market purchase and leaseback for approximately £70 million.
Brandsafe delivers safety for pizza chain in Scotland
Jun 29, 2021
New impact protection equipment from Brandsafe is making a tasty addition to improved levels of operational safety at an international pizza chain’s supply chain hub in Scotland.
Could Amazon be forced to sell its logistics arm and Facebook part ways with Instagram?
Jun 29, 2021
Controversial plans to break up ‘big tech’ monopolies, which could force e-commerce giants to sell off services such as Amazon Logistics, Google Maps, YouTube and WhatsApp, have been given the green light.
Human Digital Twin: The digital counterpart to the human worker
Jun 29, 2021
By Axel Schmidt, Senior Communications Manager, ProGlove.
Several organisations are familiar with making use of Digital Twin modelling to improve operations. This digitised model typically enables firms to map the physical characteristics of a production environment as well as its processes.
Körber future-proofs supply chain for Zalando Lounge in Polish logistics centre
Jun 21, 2021
The fashion and lifestyle online shopping club relies on software from Körber to control operations at its fulfilment centre in Olsztynek. Körber is supporting Zalando Lounge’s further growth with a high-performance, automated system for advanced material flow control.
Clare Bottle announced as new CEO for UK Warehousing Association
Jun 21, 2021
The UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) has announced at its Annual General Meeting today that Clare Bottle FCILT has been appointed as the organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective from 1 July 2021.
Jungheinrich UK cements commitment to sustainability with start of Northern Central Hub build
Jun 21, 2021
Jungheinrich UK has announced its Northern Central Hub build has started within the North West of England, further supporting its centralised ultra-efficient logistics processes in the North within a state-of-the-art facility to reflect its status as an industry leader in intralogistics and sustainability.
UK trend towards warehouses with larger footprint driving electric lift equipment demand, says Midland Pallet Trucks
Jun 15, 2021
New research has shown that the user profile of available space is changing with third-party logistics businesses now occupying 42% of all warehouses across the country with the demand for bigger floorspaces growing at a lightning pace.
Warehouse Management System
A warehouse is a commercial building used for the storage of goods and are usually cited in industrial areas. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, logistics companies, distributors, transport, freight forwarders, importers, exporters, wholesalers, etc. Warehouses usually have loading bays and docks and serve as a distribution centre for the loading and unloading of goods from trucks. Sometimes warehouses are designed for storage and despatch of goods directly from railways, airports or seaports.
A warehouse management system, or WMS, is a key part of the supply chain and primarily aims to control the movement and storage of materials within a warehouse and then organise and process all of the associated transactions such as shipping, receiving, put-away and picking. The systems also direct and optimise stock put-away based on real-time information about the status of bin utilisation. A WMS can be used by manufacturers in their own warehousing facilities or a logistics company (3Pl /4Pl) operating contracts for a number of clients and retailers.
Warehouses are an integral link in the modern supply chain, ensuring that the correct product is stored efficiently,delivered in the right quantity, in good condition, at the required time, and at minimal cost. It performs an integral role in managing goods movement and information exchange between manufacturers, distributors and retailers.
A good Warehouse Management System (WMS) manages all types of warehouse operations efficiently and effectively. It also enhances inventory management by increasing accuracy, improving order fulfilment and reducing order cycle time. Receiving and shipping are streamlined as well to facilitate cross-docking and expedite back-ordered products.
A WMS can automate picking, packing and shipping and it will minimise the number of moves per order. The WMS can improve the accuracy of every order, reduce safety stock, manage tasks and improve processes. An efficient WMS can consolidate orders to reduce transportation and shipping costs. Data is collected within the warehouse environment by data-capture technology such as barcode scanners, mobile computers, wireless LANs and Radio-frequency identification (RFID).
This information is then fed into a central WMS database to provide a real-time update on the overall inventory and specific SKU levels in the warehouse (stock keeping units). This information is then used to replenish the stock levels to ensure that there is sufficient flow of products. Once data has been collected, there is either a batch synchronization with, or a real-time wireless transmission to a central database. The database can then provide useful reports about the status of goods in the warehouse.
Bonded warehouses are specifically used as a secure holding or storage facility before duty is paid. Upon entry of goods into the warehouse, the importer and warehouse owner incur liability under a bond. Goods can be stored and held in a secure environment for a number of years before either being shipped on or released for distribution when the duty must then be paid.
