Good practices for warehouse management for cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency

A warehouse is a place for storing any tangible items that do not have an immediate use. The first thing you’ll need to know about warehouse management is its processes, which include receiving, stowing, storing, collecting, packing and shipping. By optimizing these processes through an integrated warehouse management system, businesses can effectively reduce production costs and minimize any inventory problems.

Warehouse management: planning and solutions

1. Warehouse setup
   When choosing the location of a warehouse, you must think about its scale and its scope of services. The scale of the warehouse includes the capacity of its storage area, the layout of various operating areas, as well as utilization of aisle space, etc. Additionally, you must choose the appropriate equipment and machinery according to your business needs, while learning how to use and manage the equipment properly.
   
   
2. Warehouse resources
   Warehouse resources, such as cash flow, handling of materials and information processing should be planned according to the different requirements of the operational processes. To meet the needs of your customers in the most efficient manner, businesses should manage inventory optimally by stocking goods based on the most accurate forecasts to minimize storage and carrying costs.
   
   
3. Warehouse operations
   Warehouse operations consist of two parts: business management and human resources. The growth of a business depends heavily on the dedication of its personnel. Through the proper selection and management of warehouse personnel, a business can seamlessly plan, organize, coordinate and control all business activities. More importantly, an enterprise should utilize technology to achieve effective warehouse management.

The importance of warehouse management

1. 1. Use market economy principles and organize warehouse logistics to obtain the largest possible allocation of warehouse resources to retain customer loyalty through high-quality services. 
   2. Use organizational and scientific management techniques to improve the skill level and internal resources of employees.

Different departments in warehouse management

Procurement
This department is responsible for choosing suitable suppliers, requesting quotations, handling price negotiations and sourcing new materials and/or suppliers based on the latest market conditions.

Warehouse
This department is responsible for carrying out the inspection, inventory-taking and management (including storage) of goods being accepted while also managing the dispatch of items and updating shipment statuses.

Inventory Control
This department is responsible for determining the demand for different goods based on customers’ needs, carrying out ABC analysis and inventory control while also investigating the causes of any damage to items.  

Principles of warehouse management

1. 1. Safety comes first
      Warehouse safety should be the first priority of warehouse management. Any damaged and/or dangerous items should be identified and labeled. Poorly designed warehouse floors or improper storage can affect the quality of stored items.
      
      
   2. Reduce inventory waste
      Incoming and outgoing shipments must be tracked and recorded to avoid storing excessive inventory items, causing potential loss. Warehouse officers should monitor the dispatch of inventory items, in accordance with the production plan, in order to prevent errors on the production line, leading to potentially serious consequences.
      
      
   3. Improve warehouse efficiency
      Warehouse officers should effectively check and record the storage and shipment of items and supervise the loading process on site.
      
      

Boxful Fulfillment: a corporate solution for integrated warehouse management

With an integrated inventory management system, Boxful Fulfillment can help businesses manage their inventory more effectively and flexibly to reduce carrying costs. Our warehousing and logistics services are flexible, convenient and cost-effective, which can help small and medium-sized businesses save up to 45% on their inventory costs!

How can Boxful Fulfillment help you increase the competitiveness of your business?

1. 1. Integrated and flexible warehouse processes
      Our professional fulfillment specialists can evaluate your business to provide the best warehousing solutions according to your needs. Additionally, we can help you effectively manage the volume of purchases depending on market dynamics, reducing production costs.
      
      
   2. Customized logistics services
      Our experienced logistics team can customize a non-traditional distribution plan according to your business needs, which offers more efficiency and flexibility.

An online management system

By integrating our logistics resources and operational processes into an online platform, we allow businesses to easily manage their inventory based on their warehouse service plan. This not only reduces labour costs but also improves efficiency.

 

Learn More about Boxful Fulfillment

——

Further readings：What is warehouse fulfillment and how can SMEs benefit from it?

Further readings：A Guide to Inventory Management and Resource Optimization operational efficiency

Learn more about Boxful Fulfillment, don’t forget to follow Blog and Linkedin with us today!