Warehouse Inventory Management: Maximizing Efficiency with WMS and Time Tracking Software for Improved Manufacturing Operations
- suepogatschnik
- February 21, 2023
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Advancements in technology have made it easier than ever for manufacturers to manage warehouse activities by adopting warehouse inventory management systems and time-tracking software. This software helps enhance staff productivity, optimize efficiency, maximize capacity, and ultimately boost their bottom line to thrive in today’s competitive market.
Read on to learn more about how warehouse inventory management systems and time-tracking software solutions from riteSOFT can help improve your manufacturing operations.
What Do Warehouse Inventory Management and Time-Tracking Software Do?
In the manufacturing and distribution industry, warehouses serve as the foundation of operations as they house both raw materials and finished products used in the manufacturing process. Many companies implement a warehouse inventory management system (WMS) to more effectively manage warehouse inventory levels and track inventory locations in real-time as it moves in and out of the warehouse.
WMS software not only helps validate that the correct materials were received but assists warehouse workers in locating inventory quickly and picking orders in the most accurate and efficient manner. By streamlining these processes, the system optimizes the movement of goods throughout the warehouse, which saves time and reduces errors. WMS software ranges from simple, plug-and-play solutions like riteSCAN Mobile Warehouse for SYSPRO to very sophisticated, fully customizable software.
In addition to warehouse inventory management, many companies also utilize time-tracking software to improve employee productivity. This software tracks the amount of time spent on various tasks and jobs to help management identify issues and more effectively manage capacity.
By identifying areas where time is being wasted, the software can help promote accountability and improve employee productivity. The software can also identify workflow discrepancies, allowing for necessary adjustments to improve efficiency and ultimately increase profitability.
Ways Warehouse Management and Time Tracking Software Maximize Efficiency
Here’s how warehouse management systems help improve manufacturing operations:
Automate Inventory Management
A warehouse management system (WMS) provides essential inventory management automation to support inventory processes such as receiving, automated picking, packing, and analytics-driven inventory movements. The most sophisticated WMS systems may also leverage artificial intelligence to provide foundational elements that further streamline warehouse operations.
One practical example of enhancing warehouse productivity is by integrating various technologies such as barcoding, sensors, pick-to-light, and automated carousels into a WMS. By using these technologies, companies can track picking and packing activities within the warehouse and significantly increase throughput, leading to a more efficient and cost-effective operation.
Provide Real-Time Insights
Warehouse inventory management systems are specifically designed to provide crucial information that is vital for businesses to operate efficiently. A WMS captures inventory data and updates it in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system right as the transactions and movements occur on the warehouse floor.
By using these systems, companies can obtain real-time information on their inventory, which can have a significant impact on their bottom line.
Accurate, real-time data provides businesses with valuable insights that can help increase revenue and reduce unnecessary expenses. By having up-to-date information on inventory levels and locations, companies can make informed decisions on ordering, stocking, and fulfillment, resulting in optimized operations and increased profitability.
Improve the Tracking and Management of Inventory
Effectively tracking the movement of stock into and out of the warehouse provides valuable insights into stock availability. This allows managers to determine the optimal time to restock and adjust manufacturing operations based on warehouse space.
In addition to tracking inventory movements, a WMS also enables the tracing of inventory materials using a lot, batch, and serial numbers. This functionality helps increase accuracy by ensuring that inventory management policies such as FEFO and FIFO are followed. This ultimately facilitates more precise inventory planning and allocation.
Furthermore, a WMS provides retrievable information that is useful in future recall situations or service maintenance. This information is critical for companies to remain compliant with regulations and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
Helps in Effective Labor Management
Since the control and supervision of warehouse operations involves a variable number of people, staff management is crucial. A warehouse inventory management system can monitor the performance of the warehouse staff, which can help in effective labor management.
The real-time data can help distribute tasks among employees according to their capabilities, thus eliminating burnout issues and enhancing productivity.
Reduce the Risk of Errors and Inaccuracies
Errors and inaccuracies in a warehouse can be extremely costly. Picking or shipping mistakes can result in significant financial losses. However, these make are often blamed on staff when, in reality, many are caused by faulty processes or inadequate materials.
Consequently, it becomes difficult to discover the real reasons for the mistakes and creates an atmosphere of mistrust within the company. An inventory management system is among the easiest ways to prevent warehouse errors. For example, barcode scanning can help eliminate the need for manual data entry and reduce the likelihood of human error.
Features to Consider When Choosing Warehouse Management Software
A company looking to implement warehouse inventory management and time-tracking software must consider several features and evaluate different options. Below are some features to consider when choosing a warehouse management system.
Mobile Scanners and Compatibility
Manufacturers use barcode scanners to perform transactions on the warehouse or manufacturing floor to receive raw materials into inventory and pick them up for use in the manufacturing process. Once finished goods are produced, they are scanned and received into inventory for sales order picking. Barcode scanners offer a fast and efficient way to perform transactions and validate large quantities of items which reduces inventory errors downstream. Barcode scanners can even be integrated with machines.
A warehouse management system should be compatible with today’s scanners. This is to ensure real-time inventory updates as raw materials and finished goods move into or out of the warehouse.
Improved Product Tracking and Monitoring
A robust warehouse management system should allow tracking and management of all resources. It should be possible to monitor how the product flows from arrival to the warehouse to delivery to the customer. This helps assess operations and allows one to see the areas of the organization that need reorganizing and revisiting.
Ability to Generate Reports on Demand
A good warehouse inventory management system has dashboards and analytics options to produce reports on demand whenever they are needed. This gives managers greater visibility into what is happening and helps facilitate smarter business decisions.
Ability to Configure
Manufacturing companies have unique operational procedures, including workflow policies, product handling, and labor management. To ensure that a warehouse inventory management system meets their specific needs, companies should seek a system that is configurable.
Configurable options enable companies to set up the software to fit their business processes. This can help eliminate the need to run multiple software programs or rely on manual processes for certain functions.
Seamless Management Systems for Manufacturers
The goal of any manufacturing company is to be more efficient and productive in its operations. Implementing a warehouse management system can help companies achieve seamless warehouse processes.
At riteSOFT, we offer smart and streamlined warehouse management and time-tracking software for manufacturers that seamlessly integrate with the SYSPRO ERP System. Contact us today to request a demo or free trial.
Have questions about the blog?
Our sales & implementation specialists are experts in the field and would love to help you. Contact us to learn more!
