How Tech And IoT Is Improving Warehouse Operations
With warehousing space at a premium, it’s essential for warehouse managers to run an efficient warehouse operation. This article from TechBullion discusses some of the technologies being used to improve warehouse management.
In 2022, experts expect the IoT industry to grow by 18%, and we can expect to see around 14.4 billion IoT connections. But how can the internet of things help you to improve warehousing operations? Keep reading as we discuss why warehousing companies need to prioritize innovation and the best IoT applications in the warehousing industry.
Why is it essential to prioritize improving warehouse operations in the current climate?
Since the beginning of the pandemic, consumer interest in the eCommerce sector has drastically skyrocketed. During lockdowns, people were forced to explore online options to get the products they love and use daily. ECommerce businesses need to use warehousing facilities to store, package and ship their products to the consumer. With the rise in eCommerce, the warehousing industry is thriving – and has become more competitive.
For a low price, warehousing companies now need to focus on improving daily warehouse operations to provide better service and faster processes. This post will discuss how warehouse businesses leverage IoT to improve warehouse operations.
Tech and IoT: improving the warehousing industry
Here, we will discuss the emerging and trending IoT technologies that are helping the warehousing industry thrive in the eCommerce boom.
Cloud-based security
Inventory shrinkage is a significant problem in the warehousing industry, and warehousing businesses must prioritize agile and automated security to prevent inventory shrinkage. Inventory shrinkage happens due to employee theft, external party theft, or property damage. To provide a security system that prevents these security incidents, warehousing facilities are turning to these cloud-based IoT security technologies:
- Cloud-based access control: Regular locks are easily picked, and an access control system is a requirement for any warehousing facility. Cloud-based access control allows system administrators to remotely lock and unlock doors and view access logs using mobile devices. They can even trigger a remote door lockdown if their warehouse is in any impending danger. Administrators can revoke access credentials using their mobile devices, allowing them to act quickly, and preventing keycard theft from leading to a security breach.
- Cloud-based security camera systems: Security staff has many duties that render them unable to monitor security feed to detect a potential threat. With a cloud-based surveillance system, they can view the security camera feed from anywhere. Cloud-based security also offers open API integrations, allowing security staff to integrate video analytics – providing them with alerts when a potential security threat is detected.
Inventory management software
Inventory management software has benefits for both warehousing facilities and eCommerce sellers. It allows sellers to gain accurate real-time insight into their inventory levels. For warehousing facilities, it offers the following benefits:
- RFID barcode scanning: Inventory management software operates based on RFID barcode scanning for inventory counts. Performing inventory counts manually leaves a significant margin for human error, which can lead to inventory shrinkage or overstocking. It also ensures that all inventory management data is digitized for more accessible warehousing operations.
- Purchase order forecasting: Inventory management software helps to inform warehousing facilities of future demand using forecasting. The forecasting is based on current market conditions and previous purchase order trends. More insight into future direction allows warehousing facilities to avoid stockouts due to sudden spikes in demand.
- Automated reordering: To reduce the manual effort required to manage inventory levels, inventory management software automatically reorders stock when it reaches the reorder point in line with sales figures.
Implementing inventory management software is highly beneficial for warehousing facilities, as it reduces the manual effort required in daily operations and the margin for human error, which can be conducive to stockouts or overstocking.
IoT For Smart Building Management
Warehousing costs are influenced by many things, from labor costs to energy bills. To reduce monthly overhead costs and increase profit margins, warehousing facilities are implementing IoT for smart building management. By integrating smart heating, lighting, and devices with access control, warehousing facilities can reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint. The heating, lighting, and appliances will activate when a user enters a warehousing area. When they leave, the devices will deactivate.
Operating HVAC systems, heating, and lighting when a space is unoccupied can significantly increase a warehouse’s energy consumption. Switching to smart building management improves cost efficiency for daily business operations.
Summing up
If you’re looking for ways to implement tech and IoT and improve warehouse operations, you should consider the tools and technologies listed above. These technologies can help provide more agile security, a more efficient inventory management process, and even reduce monthly energy bills. IoT is revolutionizing the way warehousing facilities operate, providing more convenience and efficiency for daily operations.
This article was written by Luke Fitzpatrick from TechBullion and was legally licensed through the Industry Dive Content Marketplace. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
