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Top 3 Benefits of Implementing Time-Tracking Software for Real-time Monitoring of Warehouse and Shop Floor Activities

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Top 3 Benefits of Implementing Time-Tracking Software for Real-time Monitoring of Warehouse and Shop Floor Activities

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Real-time monitoring of warehouse activities is crucial for ensuring optimal efficiency and productivity in the fast-paced world of manufacturing and warehouse management. One of the most effective tools for real-time monitoring is time-tracking software, which can provide valuable insights into various aspects of warehouse operations.

By implementing time-tracking software, warehouse managers can gain greater visibility into their operations, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), and make informed decisions to optimize workflows and reduce costs.

Some of those KPIs can be used to track various aspects of warehouse operations, such as picking times, receiving times, and production times. For example, a KPI such as “average time to pick an order” can be tracked using time-tracking software. By monitoring this metric, managers can identify areas for improvement and make changes to streamline operations and reduce picking times.

By using KPIs in conjunction with time-tracking software, warehouse managers can gain a comprehensive understanding of their operations and identify areas for improvement. They can also set benchmarks for performance and monitor progress toward specific goals. Overall, KPIs and automatic time tracking are essential tools for improving warehouse efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing customer satisfaction.

As discussed below, implementing warehouse inventory management systems and time-tracking software is the first step toward measuring those KPIs and reaching your goals. If you’re interested in inventory management systems, contact us to learn how riteSOFT’s time-tracking software can improve your warehouse operations.

1. Identifying Bottlenecks, Inefficiencies, and Areas of Improvement

For context, managers and team members use real-time tracking software to record hours worked for payroll, plus time spent on specific manufacturing and warehouse tasks. Production lapses, increased scrap, and reduced efficiency are key negative consequences of warehousing and manufacturing bottlenecks caused by an understaffed or improperly trained team.

Orders cannot be completed, and customers must wait when order processing teams cannot access inventory information or trust its accuracy. Bottlenecks are a significant source of broken links in warehouse processes. As a result, more downtime not only frustrates managers and warehouse floor team members but reduces their job satisfaction. With today’s labor supply gap, it is crucial to retain existing staff.

Unaddressed bottlenecks can result in lower sales and reduced profits and negatively impact customer satisfaction. Time-tracking software provides real-time data on how long it takes team members to complete specific warehouse and shop floor tasks. Management can use the data collected to identify inefficiencies and make the necessary improvements.

2. Timekeeping and Attendance Tracking

Boost Your Productivity with timekeeping and attendance tracking

Top-rated time-tracking systems provide useful automation features and integrate with your payroll service to assist warehouse managers in managing PTO, tracking, and reporting employee hours.

This core functionality records hours worked–down to the minute in real-time. The data is then used to calculate payroll accurately, manage attendance, and monitor labor costs.

It streamlines payroll processing by automating numerous administrative tasks, effectively eliminating manual time entries and related human errors. A few features every real-time time-tracking software should have to ensure warehouse leaders reap all these benefits include:

  • Full integration with existing HR systems for accurate reporting on employee attendance, hours worked, overtime, holiday pay, payroll, etc.
  • Employee performance dashboards to measure, monitor, and manage team members’ performance.
  • Streamlined functionality for employees to request time off, view hours worked, see task assignments and more.
  • Production supervisor dashboards for scheduling, assigning, and tracking jobs in progress.
  • Automate scheduling where warehouse teams can view assigned working hours and notify team leaders of any scheduling changes.
  • Notifications and alerts to send a reminder when team members fail to check in or out. Managers can also be informed when teams need to catch up on schedule.
  • Track and report hours and minutes spent on specific customer orders or jobs.

It may not be necessary to have all these features; all you need is a system that is a valuable asset to your operation. Provided your time-tracking software can integrate with existing systems, you have a winner to help you keep tabs on everything.

3. Manage Warehouse Production Activities

Benefits of Time-Tracking Software - Logistics, delivery and online order tracking concept

Managing a warehouse takes substantial work and effort. Warehouse inventory management systems and time-tracking software can simplify the job. However, while time tracking is used on the warehouse floor to monitor various activities, including receiving and shipping, a lot more time tracking is done on the shop floor where products are produced.

For example, in a manufacturing setting, the shop floor may be set up in work centers such as cutting, welding, and painting, and operators track their time on a task for a specific job. This information is then used to determine how long it takes to complete each task and identify opportunities for improvement.

By tracking time on the shop floor, managers can improve productivity, reduce waste, and ensure that the delivery of products to customers is on time.

Time-tracking software is an essential tool for managing warehouse and production activities. It helps managers to optimize workflow, maintain sight of the entire supply chain, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency. By identifying areas for improvement, managers can make changes that result in significant cost savings and improved customer satisfaction.

Increase Productivity and Streamline Time Capture With riteSOFT Time-Tracking Software

You have more important things to do other than entering manual timesheets for payroll, correcting errors, and walking around to see what’s happening on your shop floor. Our time-tracking software helps optimize how operators track their time for attendance and time spent on specific jobs or tasks. It reduces manual data entry errors, streamlines timecard approvals, and gives supervisors real-time visibility into the status of specific jobs or orders.

By implementing our warehouse inventory management and time tracking systems, manufacturers can effortlessly manage warehouse activities, optimize staff efficiency, and ultimately boost their bottom line. Contact us today if you’re looking for time-tracking software that puts your managers and team members in control.

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Five tips to improve inventory management: webinar

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Five tips to improve inventory management: webinar

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Five simple tips to improve inventory management

Need to improve inventory management? Ongoing supply chain challenges, labor shortages, and warehouse employee turnover mean that efficient inventory management is now more important than ever before. Watch this webinar hosted by SYSPRO and riteSOFT to get five simple tips you can implement now to optimize inventory management and help you “win” in your warehouse.

What you will learn

During the webinar you will learn quick tips on how to:

  • Maximize space for workflow efficiency
  • Boost order picking speed and accuracy
  • Improve inventory management with pallet license plating
  • Speed up barcode scanning with 2D barcodes
  • How to assess your hand-held hardware needs for barcode scanning

Watch the live webinar recording

Have questions about the webinar or how to optimize your inventory?

Our team of sales and implementation specialists are here to help answer your questions about inventory management and find solutions to help you streamline your warehouse operations today. 

Contact Us
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Warehouse Inventory Management: Maximizing Efficiency with WMS and Time Tracking Software for Improved Manufacturing Operations

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Warehouse Inventory Management: Maximizing Efficiency with WMS and Time Tracking Software for Improved Manufacturing Operations

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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

Warehouse Inventory Management software in computer for real time monitoring of goods package delivery .

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.

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riteSOFT joins SYSPRO Global ISV Program

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riteSOFT joins SYSPRO Global ISV Program

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riteSOFT announced today that they have joined SYSPRO’s Global ISV Program to augment mobile warehouse management and time tracking solutions across the world. riteSOFT, the developer of riteSCAN Mobile Warehouse for SYSPRO, has partnered with SYSPRO—a global Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software provider—to provide added value as customers go digital, streamline warehouse operations with barcode scans, and get real-time inventory visibility. 

“While riteSOFT has worked within the SYSPRO ecosystem for more than a decade, we are delighted to strengthen our relationship with SYSPRO to complement and augment warehouse management solutions and time tracking software to SYSPRO ERP customers across the world through SYSPRO’s new global ISV program,” said Bruce Hagberg, CEO of riteSOFT. “Digital transformation in the warehouse is critical as manufacturers and distributors continue to deal with supply chain disruption, rising prices, and gaps in the labor supply.”

SYSPRO recently launched their new global Independent Software Vendor (ISV) program. The program is structured to provide customers with choice and flexibility through a suite of certified and vertically integrated ISV solutions that complement, extend, and augment SYSPRO in specific enterprise business processes. riteSCAN is one of those solutions. “The SYSPRO ERP and riteSOFT partnership gives manufacturers and distributors across the globe access to riteSCAN—a plug and play mobile warehouse solution that seamlessly integrates to SYSPRO to help automate warehouse management and time tracking with simple barcode scans,” said Sanjay Ejantkar, Vice President of Global Alliances, SYSPRO. “riteSCAN’s tight integration lets customers streamline operations and get access to inventory information faster.”

riteSOFT joins SYSPRO Global ISV Program

About riteSCAN Mobile Warehouse for SYSPRO

riteSCAN, built specifically for SYSPRO ERP users, provides simple functionality designed for use on the warehouse and shop floor. It leverages industry best practices, smart scanning, data validation, and pallet tracking (license plating) to streamline order picking and other inventory processes to reduce inventory errors downstream. riteSCAN’s certified integration to SYSPRO means inventory is updated in SYSPRO in real-time to provide instant inventory visibility for the warehouse and front office. 

Learn more about riteSCAN & SYSPRO

About SYSPRO

SYSPRO is a leading, global Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software provider specializing in key manufacturing and distribution industries. For over 40 years, SYSPRO’s team of specialists have continued to address unique industry needs and enable customers to easily adapt and grow. The solution is scalable and can be deployed in the cloud, on-premises, or both, and accessed via the web on any device to provide customers with choice and flexibility.

SYSPRO remains focused on the success of partners and customers. SYSPRO’s evolving solutions are aligned with industry trends to leverage emerging technology that will enable partners and customers to secure a digital future. With more than 15,000 licensed companies in over 60 countries across six continents, SYSPRO offers guidance and support every step of the way as a trusted adviser. 

For more information about SYSPRO, visit http://www.syspro.com.

About riteSOFT

Founded in 2006 in St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA, riteSOFT’s mission is to help manufacturers and distributors streamline warehouse and shop floor operations the “rite” way with reliable, seamlessly integrated, simple plug and play software that drives efficiency.

riteSOFT’s flagship product—riteSCAN Mobile Warehouse for SYSPRO—is used by more than 3,000 end-users at manufacturers and distributors in 12 countries including the US, Canada, Australia, China, Ireland, Kenya, Philippines, Poland, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

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riteSOFT Golfs for a Cause

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riteSOFT Golfs for a Cause

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As Minnesotans, we love to enjoy the summer weather and give back to our community. And riteSOFT had the opportunity to do just that on June 14, 2022. riteSOFT helped sponsor the Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association’s 10th Annual Golf Social. This event helped to raise more than $15,000 to support youth programs and scholarships.

More than 150 people from local manufacturers and businesses participated in the golf social at Wapicada Golf Club. riteSOFT CEO, Bruce Hagberg, and other golfers had fun while networking. At each hole, golfers also learned about sponsors’ products—such as riteTIME Time Tracking software designed for manufacturers.

Since robotics are so important to the future of manufacturing, part of the funds raised benefit youth robotics programs. Students involved in local robotics programs were on-site the day of the golf social to display their latest robotics projects. These programs help promote interest in robotics and the manufacturing industry. More than 60% of today’s manufacturers use robots. And according to Gartner Research, investment in robotics is expected to grow 37.6% annually between 2022 and 2030. To support this growth, it is important for the industry to drive interest in robotics with the next generation of workers.

Thank you to all the event organizers, golfers, and sponsors for helping make this a successful CMMA event.

riteSOFT golfs for a cause

Bruce Hagberg and Larry Kvas from riteSOFT at hole 14.

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riteSOFT Participates in Annual Adopt a Highway Program

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riteSOFT Participates in Annual Adopt a Highway Program

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The riteSOFT team spent the afternoon cleaning up trash on a two-mile strip of Highway 23 in Waite Park, Minnesota last week. Since 2015, riteSOFT has participated in the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Adopt a Highway program. In total, the team collected 51 bags of garbage from the roadway ditches. Moreover, the riteSOFT team had a chance to bond with colleagues outside of the traditional office setting during this time.

ritesoft team has participated in the Adopt a Highway program since 2015

riteSOFT is proud to be located in central Minnesota. Therefore, it is our goal to continue to reduce our ecological footprint in the community. We know that each individual action can make a difference because our actions not only impact us, but they also impact others. We received several honks, thumbs up, and even a sweet surprise from The Cookie Lady for our efforts! We hope our actions will inspire others to do the same.

ritesoft is proud to help make our community beautiful

riteSOFT encourages its employees to get involved in the community by providing team members with monthly paid volunteer time off at the organization of their choice. Our employees spend hundreds of hours each year at local food shelves, libraries, respite foster care, and churches.

At riteSOFT, we know that our time spent volunteering not only benefits the community, but it also benefits the company. It helps build stronger teams and enhances leadership and problem-solving skills—all of which transcend into the workplace. There is no time like the present to get involved. Whether it’s picking up trash or volunteering for a local organization, we encourage your organization to do the same.

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Five Questions to Ask Before Adopting a Time-Clock App

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Five Questions to Ask Before Adopting a Time-Clock App

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Transparency is important. Not only does it often translate to highly productive and effective organizations, but it also builds trust with supervisors and employees. Creating a transparent work environment may be harder for some organizations depending on the industry and the nature of the work. What if your employees work off-site or in multiple locations? Is transparency and visibility between supervisors and employees still possible? If you are asking yourself these questions, a mobile time-clock solution may be the answer. Is it time for your organization to adopt a time-clock app? Here is a list of five questions to consider when deciding if this is the best solution for your company.

Mobile-time clocks create transparency with off-site employees

1. Do you have off-site employees?

If your employees work off-site, mobility is key to gaining transparency in your organization. This is because employees can perform the following functions wherever they are on their own mobile devices:

  • Clock in for day
  • Start a Job
  • Clock out for break
  • See what Job/Task to work on next
  • View their timecard
  • View their PTO
  • Clock out for day

In turn, mobile time-clock apps allow supervisors to gain visibility as well. As a supervisor, you can see what Jobs are being worked on—plus when and where they are happening. With transactional geotracking, supervisors can pull up a map on their mobile device to ensure employees are where they should be when clocked in. Some employees may worry about being tracked when off the clock. It is important to note that with most time-clock apps, geotracking must be activated to function and is only enabled when performing the punch and using the system. Thus, GPS capabilities are no longer active when employees clock out for the day.

2. Are your worksites in multiple locations?

If you have employees all over the city, state, or even country, mobile time-clock apps allow you—as a supervisor—to gain visibility in every location. You can keep track of each employee—no matter where they are located and when they are performing transactions within the system. There’s no need to spend time traveling to each job site or playing phone tag with other supervisors. Easily pull out your mobile device and open the map to be sure everyone is where they need to be.

See where your employees are while they are working off-site

3. Do your employees need access to documentation while working off-site?

Whether it’s blueprints, job travelers, or images, the ability to access documentation while on the job is crucial. Several mobile time-tracking apps allow supervisors and employees to attach any type of documentation they need while off-site. While it’s possible to have paper copies of these materials, they can easily get lost or damaged. Plus, when all documentation is in one system, it creates a more structured organization. This results in increased transparency between employers and employees; everyone is on the same page with the same information needed to complete the Job.

Employees can easily upload documentation with time-tracking apps

4. Do you keep track of employees’ time spent on Jobs?

Compare employee performance based on productivity levels

Many supervisors get job visibility by monitoring employee performance. When employees are working off-site, this gets a bit complicated. When supervisors track time on Jobs, they see exactly how much time employees spend working on Jobs compared to the amount of time they have been clocked in. With mobile time-tracking solutions, like riteTIME, supervisors can even compare employee performance based on productivity levels to better understand where time is being spent. Moreover, mobile time-tracking apps help your front office save time and get more visibility. Once supervisors review, edit, and approve employee time cards, that data can be quickly shared with the front office for payroll processing. There’s no need to spend time tracking down timecards to submit to payroll. This creates more seamless collaboration between off-site and front-office employees.

5. Do you want to improve your employee productivity and keep them accountable?

Mobile time clocks with transaction geotracking not only hold employees accountable but also help increase employee productivity. Maybe your off-site employees are spending too much time on a Task. This can affect your bottom line. Instead of assuming what could be happening, mobile time-clock apps allow supervisors to truly identify potential issues and brainstorm how they can be resolved. Plus, employees will most likely be more motivated to put in great work when they know their time is being tracked.

If you answered ‘yes’ to at least half of these questions, you may want to explore mobile time-clock apps even further. While this option may not be for every organization, it can surely help some gain the transparency they need to increase productivity and efficiency when working off-site. After all, trust between employers and employees is crucial for a successful organization. If you would like to learn how to track time for your off-site team, we’re here to help.

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riteSOFT Attends the IPPA Spring Summit in the City of Lights

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riteSOFT Attends the IPPA Spring Summit in the City of Lights

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Last week, Bruce Hagberg, CEO of riteSOFT, attended the 2022 Independent Payroll Providers Association (IPPA) Spring Summit in Las Vegas. This was the first IPPA in-person conference in two years. With over 400 members in attended, it was a record-breaking number!

riteTIME attends the IPPA Spring Summit

riteSOFT sponsored a booth and showcased their time tracking and job scheduling software, riteTIME. Payroll providers had the opportunity to not only learn more about riteTIME’s capabilities but also try out the software themselves on a tablet. One lucky visitor even won an Amazon gift card as a token of appreciation for visiting the riteTIME table.

riteSOFT booth at IPPA Spring Summit

To top it all off, the IPPA hosted general sessions which included topics such as turning the “great resignation” into a great reengagement, leading progress in a world of change, and valuing time. riteSOFT was honored to network and have meaningful conversations with new faces in the payroll industry. Thank you to the IPPA and all the attendees for a successful event! If you are a payroll company and get asked about being able to track and schedule time on jobs, riteSOFT would love to be a resource for you!

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How to Barcode Your Warehouse: A How-To Guide

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How to Barcode Your Warehouse: A How-To Guide

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Significant challenges for manufacturers—including supply chain disruption, staffing shortages, and rising prices for raw materials—have been rapidly growing over the past couple of years, but the COVID-19 pandemic has kicked them into overdrive. What’s more, changes in consumer behavior such as an increase in-ecommerce sales have heavily affected warehouses everywhere. Now, more than ever, it is vital to improve efficiency, increase accuracy, and gain visibility in your warehouse. So, how can your warehouse remain competitive in this ever-changing business environment?

To be competitive, many organizations are modernizing their warehouses through barcode scanning. In the webinar, “How to improve efficiency by modernizing your warehouse”—hosted by SYSPRO Canada and presented by riteSOFT—attendees were presented with a poll question and the results were surprising. Forty seven percent of attendees answered, “less than 10%” when asked, “What percentage of your inventory is barcoded?” If this is similar to your warehouse, there is no need to worry because we have created a step-by-step guide on how to implement barcodes in your warehouse.

What percentage of your inventory is barcoded poll

What Are The Steps?

Step 1: Assess the Needs of Your Organization
Step 2: Determine a Labeling Plan
Step 3: Define Your Label Data and Format
Step 4: Create Your Labels with a Label Design Platform
Step 5: Automate the Use of Your Barcodes
Step 6: Set Up a Label Process

Why Are Barcodes Important in Your Warehouse?

Improved Accuracy

While there are many reasons organizations barcode their warehouses, one of the most important is that it improves inventory accuracy. Manual data entry often results in incorrect inventory information which causes frustration on the part of customers and employees alike. On average, humans make one error for every 300 characters. This leads to inaccurate inventory levels, unnecessary reorders, and potential stockouts.

Standardized Workflows for Validation and Label Printing

Data validation begins with the use of barcodes and label printing automation throughout warehouse operations. Barcodes help validate stock codes, location, lot numbers, serial numbers, and much more. This improves operator performance and picking accuracy. Barcoding your warehouse and using warehouse software like riteSCAN allows transactions to be validated right at the point where the physical movement or the picking process occurs. This means that if you scan a stock code that is not on the order, the system will prevent you from picking that item.

Increased Time and Visibility

When you manually receive or pick items, the lack of real-time information can add up to a lot of wasted time. You can’t see what’s truly available or happening in the warehouse. Barcode scans help reduce these types of bottlenecks especially during stock takes. One of the fastest ways to eliminate wasted time—and achieve a return on investment on your software—is the time and disruption you can save on your stock takes.

How Do You Get Started?

Step 1: Assess the Needs of Your Organization

First, it is important to take a step back and assess the needs and challenges within your organization. This assessment not only includes your warehouse processes and goals but also the needs of your operations and and production departments. Each of these departments will play different roles within this project, so it is vital that everyone is on the same page. Does your organization want to…

  • Improve inventory accuracy? Prevent mispicks?
  • Find inventory quicker?
  • Reduce training time for new hires?
  • Ensure the right raw materials are issued?
  • Use automation to enforce standard operating procedures?

Step 2: Determine a Labeling Plan

Next, come up with an organized plan to implement barcode labels in your warehouse. When choosing what to barcode in your warehouse, this does not necessarily mean you have to drive all your processes from a completely paperless workflow. Instead of doing it all at once, start with baby steps. To begin, move away from using paper to record the physical transactions that get entered later into the ERP. Instead, have your warehouse operators use a mobile device to record warehouse transactions, at the point they happen, with simple barcode scans. Then, inventory will be updated in the ERP system as the transactions occur.

Start the process by using barcodes on your physical locations, key products, and documents. Consider the following:

  • Physical Locations (e.g., racking and bins)
  • Key Products (eg., highest volume)
  • Pick Slips
  • Purchase Orders
  • Work Travelers

When creating a plan, be sure to get feedback from your team members. After all, they are on the warehouse floor daily and understand the current processes best. Review your current procedures together to identify which steps would be best to replace with barcodes first. It is vital that everyone provides input and buys into new processes during this project.

Step 3: Define Your Label Data and Format

At this point, you should define the data required for your labels. What information do you need to collect or display internally or externally as products are shipped to customers? For example, your labels could include the following:

  • Stock Code
  • Stock Code Description
  • Lot Number
  • Quantity
  • Expiry Date 

It is also important to choose the type of barcode and format that are best for your organization based on what type and amount of data you need to encode. What type or size label are you planning to use? Which pieces of data need to be barcoded versus just displayed? Are you planning on using 1D barcodes or 2D barcodes (e.g., QR codes)? In a 1D barcode, there is a barcode for stock code and a separate barcode for Lot Number. In this situation, an operator would have to scan both barcodes to perform a transaction. Common examples of 1D barcodes include Code 39 and Code 128.

A 2D barcode can contain multiple pieces of information in one barcode for the operator to scan. For example, it could include the stock code, lot number, and quantity. Since a 2D barcode can store more amounts of information in a smaller amount of space, this simplifies and expedites the scanning process. Common examples of 2D barcodes are Data Matrix and QR Codes.

An example of a 1D barcode
An example of a 2D barcode

Step 4: Create Your Labels with a Label Design Platform

Now that you have defined your label format, it is time to create your barcodes. There are several ways to make labels.

Online Barcode Generator

Barcode generators are generally simple to use, as you only have to add your product code and select your barcode type. Since barcode generator software can be expensive, some organizations prefer using a free online barcode generator. Barcodes Inc provides a free barcode creator that generates both printable and scannable barcodes.

Barcode Label Software

With greater efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility in the label design and printing process, barcode label software may be the best option for you depending on the size and budget of your organization. Purchasing a barcode label software has various benefits.

  • Reduced label errors
  • Standardized label formats
  • Ability to adapt to data changes
  • Scalable when your organization grows

BarTender by Seagull Scientific and NiceLabel are examples of barcode label software.

Once you have created labels, be sure to consider the material and attachment method before printing those labels. Think about the environment of your facility. Are your products exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures? Do your products undergo frequent cleaning? Are your products located outdoors? If so, you may want to use waterproof or aluminum labels to ensure added durability.

Step 5: Automate the Use of Your Barcodes

After you have established labels in your warehouse, you will want to simplify the scanning process with an automated software solution that transfers your barcoded transactions into your business system such as riteSCAN Mobile Warehouse for SYSPRO. A warehouse management software solution allows you to have access and visibility to real-time information. Moreover, it reduces paperwork floating around the warehouse waiting to be entered into the ERP system later. All these improvements help streamline your warehouse operations and, ultimately, improve inventory accuracy.

When you migrate from a paper-based process to a mobile-warehouse solution with the goal of going paperless, there are several benefits.

  • You gain a 90% increase in visibility with access to real-time information from a single source of truth.
  • You achieve greater inventory accuracy, which avoids those truly troubling inventory discrepancies.
  • You gain improved workflows, which creates more efficient transactions.

At this time, it is beneficial to determine which hardware you will use based on your barcode scanning needs. Some factors to consider are the wireless connection capabilities, battery life, scanning distance, and durability. The latest scanners are more powerful, lightweight, and scan more accurately and efficiently at longer distances, such as the Zebra MC3300, MC9300, TC52, and TC8000—all of which are available from companies like Barcodes Inc and AbeTech.

How to barcode your warehouse guide

Step 6: Set Up a Label Process

Develop a plan on how to barcode label your warehouse

Finally, it is essential to develop a standard process of how and when to label your inventory. Ask yourself how you will label items when they are received and how you will label existing inventory within your warehouse. Do you want to approach it from a batch perspective or relabel all your inventory at once? One way some of our customers have relabeled their inventory was during a stock take. That way they only had to relabel their inventory items once.

Remember to review your process regularly to check gaps in your processes and identify problems on the warehouse floor. Make sure that your standard process includes how to keep products labeled accurately and consistently such as how and when to relabel products or reprint damaged labels. Also don’t forget to label your locations and bins!

If you plan ahead and communicate effectively to your team, you will be able to successfully implement barcodes in your warehouse. One of the most important elements of businesses today is having access and visibility to real-time information. Barcode labeling your warehouse and moving to an automated solution helps provide more accurate real-time inventory information, which can lead to a significant return on investment. Want to learn more about barcoding and automating your warehouse? Contact us today!

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Our sales & implementation specialists are experts in the field and would love to help you. Contact us to learn more!

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Want to save time on Job scheduling?

Posted by on in Time Tracking

Want to save time on Job scheduling?
Learn the pros and cons of three common scheduling methods.

  • Maree Smith

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Job scheduling—whether you like it or not—is one of the most important business functions. It should be a simple process for everyone involved; however, supervisors often waste hours and hours of time on it. That’s because the coordination of people and jobs is just the tip of the iceberg. Customer order changes, priority shifts, machine breakdowns, and rework are other important factors to consider when it comes to scheduling jobs in the manufacturing world. So, how can you stop wasting time telling people what to work on and make time for the work that matters? Let’s break down three common scheduling methods.

When thinking about a scheduling method, consider your organization’s needs. Some factors to consider are the size of your business, the number of employees, the complexity of your scheduling needs, the training required, and your budget.

Spreadsheets

Pros

  • Low cost
  • Minimal training
  • Transportable work order

Cons

  • Manual process
  • Time consuming
  • Error prone
  • Slow response times
  • Easy to misplace or lose
  • Requires constant updating and administration 

 

Pros

Spreadsheets may be the best option if your organization is small with rather simple scheduling needs, as they can provide a basic way to schedule employees’ Jobs and Tasks. Microsoft Excel has downloadable free or paid templates to help streamline your scheduling process. Additionally, Microsoft Excel even has forecasting templates with the capability to list the planned finished date and time plus the expected time to complete each Job and Task. You can also import employee and Job data into Excel instead of doing it manually.

Cons

While spreadsheets may be the right option for some organizations, they have quite a few shortcomings. Scheduling Jobs through Excel is a static process without the ability to adjust in real time. What if there is a change in Job priorities, supply chain shortages, or a part doesn’t arrive? These factors greatly affect what the team works on, and supervisors must constantly be editing schedules and sending team members updated versions.

Paper Work Orders

Paper work orders can be a timely and manual process when scheduling employees

Pros

  • Low cost
  • Minimal training
  • Easily transportable
  • Don’t need internet access

Cons

  • Easily lost or damaged
  • Prone to human error
  • Manual process
  • Time consuming

Pros

Paper work orders are commonly used in the maintenance, construction, and manufacturing industries. Supervisors distribute paper work orders and team members rely on their verbal or written instructions to tell them when to work on jobs. This process can be beneficial for organizations with employees working off-site since they are easily transportable. Employees can attach them to a clipboard, tuck them in a folder, or even fold them in their pocket. In addition, paper work orders are great for employees who work off-site in rough environments with limited connection to the internet.

Cons

Paper work orders also have limitations that must be taken into account. To begin, they can be easily lost, damaged, or misfiled. If this happens, employees waste even more time trying to locate them if there are no back-up copies. Next, information can be difficult to interpret. Whether it’s misspellings, poor penmanship, or mislabeling, this greatly affects the accuracy of the Job being performed. Last, paper work orders are often a slow manual process, resulting in hours and hours of wasted time.

Job Scheduling Software

Job scheduling software allows you to easily schedule employees

Pros

  • Easy to use and update
  • Accessible on any device with a browser
  • Automatic work order generation and history log
  • Access to real-time information
  • Capability to adjust Job priorities and assignments

Cons

  • Higher initial cost
  • Training required

Cons

Organizations that have more complex scheduling needs often find that Job scheduling software or a mobile app is the solution for them. While a software solution may have a higher initial cost and requires more initial training compared to the two former options, the return on investment makes it easily justifiable.

Pros

Many job scheduling software solutions—such as riteTIME—allow you to easily schedule employees through drag and drop functionality. With just a click of a mouse, you can schedule—and prioritize—Jobs or Tasks by days, users, or departments. This allows for easy schedule set up, saving you loads of time.

There is no doubt that supervisors must be flexible when production changes arise. Job scheduling software allows you to assign or reassign team members in real time. In turn, you won’t have to waste time editing and resending spreadsheets or paper work orders in order to communicate to your team what to work on and when.

Many scheduling software solutions run on any mobile device with an internet browser. Therefore, team members can see the jobs they’re scheduled for on their mobile devices if there is access to the internet.

When it comes to choosing the best Job scheduling solution for you, think about your distinct business needs. Do your research and keep your organization’s goals in mind. If transitioning to an automated solution and going paperless seems daunting, consider taking baby steps to reach your end goal. One option is to continue to use paper work orders to communicate necessary Job information but use software to schedule and track time on Jobs and tasks. 

Ready to stop wasting time? Consider Job scheduling and time tracking software.

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!

Want to read more? Check out our latest blog posts!