Why Tech-Driven Warehousing is the Future
We live in a tech driven world. The average American spends over 7 hours a day looking at a screen. Technology plays a big role in how we do almost everything.
Today’s logistic challenges also call for tech solutions. With rising demand, labor shortages, and fast fulfilment expectations, technology is a vital part of a successful warehouse.
Integrating technology early sets up a warehouse for smarter, scalable operations. Using a technology + people strategy is key.
Core Warehouse Technologies
Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
A warehouse management system or WMS is a software solution for daily warehouse operations. WMS does inventory tracking, order accuracy, and more with real time visibility.
The benefits of a WMS are reduced human error, faster order picking, and better space utilization. To implement in a warehouse, choose a scalable system that can grow with your warehouse.
Automation Tools & Robotics
Automation is becoming heavily invested in by major warehouses. Use of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), robotic arms, conveyor systems, and AI powered picking and packing systems is expanding rapidly.
However mid to small warehouses can start with affordable automation like conveyor systems and AI powered picking and packing systems. To get the most out of automation and robotics warehouses still need human warehouse workers. Automation simply means fewer repetitive tasks for human labor, which results in better use of warehouse temp staffing.
IoT (Internet of Things) and Data Tracking
Having smart sensors for inventory levels, equipment maintenance, and location tracking helps reduce manual processes. Using data analytics to forecast demand can reduce bottlenecks and help reduce turnaround time.
Staffing and Gig Apps
Warehouse job apps are a tech driven way for managers to find warehouse staff and hire picking and packing workers.
Integrating Staffing Apps Into Your Warehouse Operations
Staffing is part of a technology strategy, not just operational strategy. Warehouse job apps allow managers to find temporary warehouse workers and allow workers to pick up warehouse shifts.
On staffing apps managers post the shifts they need for when they need them. Managers can find pickers and packers or find warehouse workers for any general labor position.
Features such as the Bacon Score, backup workers and favorites list make it simple for managers to staff warehouse shifts.
While historically warehouses have sourced temp labor from traditional temp agencies near them. But staffing apps are faster, more transparent, and more accountable than temp agencies.
Building a Tech + People Hybrid Model
Combining tech with people creates a full proof warehouse strategy. With technology warehouses can streamline and optimize operations. People are always going to be vital to an efficient and successful warehouse.
With a mix of both tech and people warehouses can build a strategy that is scalable and reliable, especially in busy seasons.
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Some common pitfalls of using tech are overinvesting, temp agencies, no staff training, and lack of data integrations.
Overinvesting in automation without proper planning is a pitfall of warehouses. Be sure to plan ahead and do research before investing in automation.
Relying only on temp agencies instead of flexible job apps can create more problems than it solves. Temp agencies aren’t flexible enough to scale up or down with demand. Staffing apps offer the flexibility to adjust staff numbers.
Training is a vital part for an efficient warehouse. Creating standardized training will ensure all workers, full time or temporary, know what they are doing.
Data integration is an essential part of warehouse technology. The more a system can integrate with processes and other systems the more valuable it is.
Start Smart, Scale Smarter
Tech doesn’t replace people, it empowers them. Warehouse managers and owners should test scalable WMS and staffing apps now to help propel their warehouse forward.
Explore warehouse job apps like Bacon to hire faster, smarter, and more reliably than traditional temp agencies near you.
