Warehouse signage has proven to be a great way to improve the efficiency and overall organization of a warehouse facility. Properly labeling sections, aisles, and products is important for warehouses of any size or type, but the benefits of signage go beyond the purpose of being glorified nametags. Signs, labels, and kits can be used for rack, aisle, and row identification; warehouse and inventory management; and process or product identification. Warehouse workers often leverage long range barcode scanners to take full advantage of these signs. Proper utilization of warehouse signage creates a basic inventory framework, simplifying navigation. Let’s take a look at the ways warehouse signage can boost productivity, accuracy, and efficiency:
Improve visibility
Warehouse signs and labels come in a few different forms, all of which make it much easier to locate specific products and scan from long distances:
- Warehouse aisle signs typically have polyester or retro-reflective labels and are perfect for simplifying navigation and presenting a professional, organized appearance.
- Bent warehouse signs provide ultimate visibility for narrow pathways, high ceilings, and poor lighting conditions.
- Flat warehouse signs are quick, inexpensive options that can be printed with long-range barcodes for easy scanning.
- Floor signs/labels are durable signs affixed to warehouse floors, which are often an overlooked location for barcodes or information.
- Warehouse rack labels enable staff to quickly and accurately determine which items are in a shelf’s racks.
Each type of warehouse sign has specific advantages that maximize visibility in different types of warehouses, and these signs can be customized to fit wherever they are needed. Signs can often feature custom graphics or colors that increase their visibility. With improved visibility, employees can leverage long range barcode scanners, like Intermec’s SR61XR rugged handheld scanner, which makes it easy to scan anywhere from 6 inches to 50 feet away. The SR61XR’s laser spot aimer with omni-directional scanning makes sure they’ll get an accurate scan of both 1D and 2D barcodes. When warehouse staff is able to locate signs from larger distances, the amount of time spent looking for the correct items is greatly reduced.
In addition, greater visibility allows workers to employ long-range scanning solutions. Being able to scan items from a forklift is much more efficient than having to move close enough to scan every aisle. A powerful, yet compact vehicle mounted computer, like the Thor CV31 from Honeywell, has an ergonomic footprint and easy-to-read screen that facilitate easy scanning for drivers. Visible signs might only save a second or a fraction of a second for each scan, but, over time, these seconds add up.
Streamline the supply chain
Maintaining visibility throughout the warehouse makes scanning and organizing inventory much easier, but the benefits of warehouse signage don’t stop there. Signs reduce the time spent locating products set for shipment and simplify the sorting process for incoming inventory. Sending and receiving shipments in an efficient manner impacts the supply chain at all levels. If shipments are even a little bit delayed, each stage of the supply chain is going to be impacted.
Businesses that constantly have problems meeting deadlines in the warehouse are sure to experience drops in customer satisfaction and brand reputation. Warehouse signage eliminates most errors, improves supply chain productivity, and produces better margins. With these signs in place, long range scanning with devices like Intermec’s CK71 mobile computer really streamlines operations.
Although many manufacturing and supply chain processes are becoming automated, inventory transportation is still largely done manually – whether by foot or vehicle. In order to make each step as deliberate as possible and to eliminate any sort of traffic jam, warehouses should utilize identifiable colors and graphics on their signage. These colors and graphics can provide direction for workers, further showing the value and versatility of warehouse signage.
Warehouse signage comes in a variety of forms – even more than those listed above. The warehouse is the hub of the supply chain, and any slip ups or mistakes will have a ripple effect throughout a business’ operations. The uses for signs and labels are almost endless, and any business that utilizes them properly can greatly improve productivity and profitability.
