How IoT Can Transform Warehouse Operations

With modern Internet of Things (IoT) business solutions, many industrial operations have transitioned from manual procedures to digital interactions. As the Internet, data storage, analytics, and sensors become more affordable, quicker, higher-quality, and better integrated, IoT devices are being worked into virtually every industry — including warehouse operations. Read on to learn about the numerous benefits of utilizing IoT solutions for warehouse management.

Warehouse Inventory Management — What Is It and Who Uses It?

The aim of effective warehouse inventory management is to efficiently coordinate and control the movement of products within a warehouse’s operations. Such operations include:

• Receipting inbound goods
• Tracking movement throughout the warehouse
• Maintaining the quality of products during storage
• Making sure the pallet racking or shelving is up to code

Warehouse management systems are tools that businesses purchase and use to satisfy demands from their distribution channels and supply chains when spreadsheet tracking just won’t cut it.

So, then, how exactly do you apply IoT in warehouse management? An IoT warehouse uses innovative technology to automate processes and reduce labor costs.

For instance, IoT- integrated RFID (radio frequency identification) tags are able to store huge data volumes — much more than standard barcodes. When a warehouse implements RFID readers, up to 200 tags can be scanned at once. The data gleaned from RFID tags is stored in a cloud-based platform and automatically processed and analyzed. Now, the manager can see condensed inventory data in a concise way through a visual dashboard. Expiration dates, serial numbers, sizes, manufacturers, and many more product characteristics can be added to the dashboard without any manual input.

Another way that IoT tech can be integrated into a warehouse is through wearables. Warehouse workers can use connected devices to improve operational effectiveness. One such example is voice picking systems. They allow your warehouse employees to work hands-free; these devices are able to reply to voice commands, giving directions and guiding workers through their order list. There are also wearables that track the accuracy of product picking and keep track of employees’ performance. These devices use speed, motion, and GPS detectors to flag operational inefficiencies.

Sensors are another form of IoT tech that can improve warehouse processes — they enable managers to keep better control over the warehouse’s merchandise. The warehouse’s humidity, temperature, vibrations, and light motion can be tracked, thus reducing the cost of spoiled goods.

Challenges of Traditional Warehouse Inventory Management — And How IoT System Management Can Help

There are several challenges inherent to traditional (aka: manual) warehouse inventory management. However, IoT solutions for warehouse management can drastically reduce these occurrences — or, at the very least, make it easier to handle them.

Challenge 1: Locating Inventory

It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact location of every product in a warehouse — especially one with multiple floors. IoT warehouse management allows for the tracking of products across all floors.

Challenge 2: Monitoring Changes in Inventory

Do you know what is coming in and out of your warehouse? Are you forecasting and managing demand accurately? If not, IoT solutions for warehouse management can not only track product movement but also use analytic models to predict future demand.

Challenge 3: Using Warehouse Space Efficiently

Is your inventory being stored efficiently and in a manner that allows it to be picked off the shelves quickly? Setting up the perfect storage system manually takes lots of trial and error. However, IoT-integrated systems can configure an ideal and efficient layout with little effort on your behalf.

Challenge 4: Maintaining Equipment

If your equipment fails, you will have to deal with downtime that will not please your distributors. Luckily, IoT solutions for warehouse management have the capabilities to track the performance and condition of your equipment.

Challenge 5: Storing Inventory Properly

Is your warehouse at an ideal temperature for upholding the quality of heat-sensitive products? An IoT warehouse system is able to monitor temperatures and other environmental parameters — therefore keeping you out of situations where food products lose their freshness.

Read the full article here>>