The days of wired technology are slipping away, making room for the latest mobile advances. As consumers, we’ve benefited from the freedom of cellphones and tablets; we are no longer chained to a home phone or a desktop computer. But the cord-cutting trend stems beyond consumers, impacting the supply chain in the form of warehouse mobility.
In and out of the four walls of the warehouse, managers are searching for tools that can make employees more efficient and get a leg up on the competition. The pressure to reduce costs across the board has shippers turning to technology and automation. Manual data entry is a thing of the past, and the decreasing cost of mobile technology has enabled even small operations to benefit from warehouse mobility.
Barcoding and RFID enable warehouses to manage assets electronically. Enterprise management systems are automatically updated with real-time information on assets. Products are scanned as they enter the facility, are put away, and are picked and shipped. This improved inventory visibility has improved efficiency, empowered managers to maintain ideal stock levels, and increased business’s market responsiveness. Warehouse mobility is facilitating this process with the use of mobile computers, scanners and printers.
Multi-purpose mobile devices enable workers to improve efficiency. These mobile computers are gaining more and more features, which, in turn, simplify day-to-day tasks. They can be used to scan barcodes and RFID tags at close and long ranges, capture images, and can even offer voice functionality. Mobile computers are being combined with wireless printers, letting employees take the process to the product.
Wearable and voice powered devices are becoming more and more popular, boasting a hands-free way for employees to complete tasks. As employees no longer have to fumble between devices, they can quickly switch between assignments efficiently.
Smartphones are also having an impact on warehouse mobility. Consumer devices are becoming more durable, with longer battery life, barcode scanning, and powerful digital cameras. Applications can connect them to the enterprise management system, providing real-time information right at employees’ fingertips. The ubiquitous nature of smart devices makes them cheap and easy to implement. Although they may not last as long as ruggedized devices, the future of mobile devices is moving towards a more durable solution.
The biggest impact smartphones have provided has been connecting the warehouse to the world outside. Connecting workers using cellphones has empowered more nimble communication and opened up a more visible supply chain. Dispatchers can easily determine where drivers are located, tracking assets en route. On-board computers can also allow drivers to access real-time traffic information and find alternate routes, avoiding delays and improving delivery times.
Warehouse and logistics managers are faced with the task of controlling myriad moving parts. Keeping track of the ins and outs can be challenging, but warehouse mobility is simplifying the process. Workers are able to access and update information instantly for greater visibility and improved efficiency. Communication lines are opening up as well, making logistics more reactive to unexpected developments. Mobile technology is constantly improving, and the capabilities it offers to warehouses are insurmountable.
