Warehouse Management Software: Accurate And Reliable

Warehouse Shipments

Why Do Products Get Lost?

Warehouse Management Software that is accurate, reliable and visible to all users is probably the best insurance against product loss from a warehouse.  All too often, customers can experience inventory inaccuracies, lost products or shipment errors due to ineffective or poor warehouse management.  One of the great advantages of outsourcing your product storage and fulfillment is the specialization that a 3PL can provide.  And those 3PL’s who use sophisticated web-based warehouse management wms software definitely improve reliability and efficiency for your business.

Why do products get lost in the first place?

The reasons for this can be multiple.  We’ve provided a quick accounting of a few of the reasons customers may experience product loss.

• Lack of automation: Barcode scanning of all inbound and outbound logistics functions is critical to maintaining warehouse accuracy.  Warehouse operations that do not incorporate either mobile barcode scans or radio frequency technology can lose track of product accountability and compromise accuracy.
• Poor order allocation management: Some warehouse management wms software programs are more effective than others in notifying customers of key events.  Web-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) that provides visibility to all users and notifies customers of key events is far less likely to encounter shipment loss or products being sent to the wrong location.  Plus, if errors should occur, they can be remedied quickly.
• Pick management procedures: 3PL’s that receive, store, pick and provide accurate reporting by pallet ID number are far less likely to incur shipment errors.  3PL’s who incorporate all levels of automated fulfillment, including picking, are less likely to ship the wrong products or lose them altogether.

• Human error: The greater the automation, the less likely for human error to occur in shipments leaving the warehouse.   Some warehouses are only partially automated.  They may rely on a person to manually enter data, for example, that leaves the warehouse.  Warehouses who do not have a fully automated inventory and fulfillment process and instead rely on people to perform this function are far more likely to have mistakes.
• Training: Warehouses who train and supervise staff performing all functions of operations typically experience fewer errors in either inbound or outbound logistics functions.  In addition, staff who are periodically acknowledged or rewarded for successful performance are less likely to make mistakes as well.
• Poor warehouse organization: Keeping your warehouse well-organized, clean and properly labeled through both electronic systems and physical layout strategies reduce the probability of either picking or outbound error.

Maximizing accuracy

Web-based inventory management systems like that of 3PL Central’s offers the most accurate, visible information in real-time.  In addition, 3PL Central’s warehouse management software provides EDI capabilities that reduces or eliminates common data entry errors.  At the same time, it increases order fulfillment accuracy with automated communication of all inbound shipment requests and outbound product details. If your customers are experiencing lost shipments, we encourage you to visit www.3PLCentral.com.  Their wms software offers cost-effective scalable options that increase accuracy in all your operations and help you increase profitability in the process.

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