IoT, Internet of Things. This is a term that is floated around loosely in tech and business industries. But how can it help your business? If you’re asking this question as a warehouse manager or a business owner, you’re not alone.
The internet of things helps with transmittal of data, streamlining data, and making sure things are where they’re supposed to be (when they’re supposed to be there).
Regardless of the manner in which you operate, or what kind of warehouse your company manages, there are a few reasons to consider IoT and other technologies, to help streamline your production processes as a business.
How can IoT help in the workplace? These are a few of the many ways it will help to improve warehouse systems and operations internally, to ensure you’re delivering the best product or service to your clients (and building a list of repeat clients) externally.
1) Automate Processes
The use of IoT software and technology will help automate processes, orders, and inventory within your warehouse. If an item is out of stock, the right technology will tell a customer before they order it online.
This eliminates the need for you to personally have to call/email the customer, to later inform them there is going to be a delay in delivery, or you can’t deliver a promised item.
Robotics units are also a great way to automate processes within a warehouse setting. They’re used for order picking, assembly, and are capable of collecting a great deal of data for your organization. Some data these robotics can gather includes
- The layout of your warehouse floor plan
- Inventory of items (what’s in and out of stock)
- Potential conflicts with delivery dates
- Maintenance and repair needs
The right data goes a long way in being able to deliver on promises to customers and keeping them happy. This is one of the ways in which implementing IoT within a warehouse, will significantly benefit your organization.
2) Inventory Management
This is a big one for any warehouse manager. If you don’t know what’s in stock, your website is not going to update itself on time. This can result in many unhappy customers, who believe they’re ordering something that’s in stock, only to find out it isn’t shortly after.
This also leads to delays in orders and shipments. IoT devices collect and transmit up to the minute, real-time information, about what’s in (and what’s out) of stock.
Suppliers and managers will know what to order and can utilize the data for automated ordering in the future, to better streamline processes.
This also allows managers to send orders directly to suppliers and shippers, so they can cut out the middleman, and better keep up to date inventory of items in the warehouse.
Warehouse workers and managers need to be able to move around the floor space more efficiently in order to better take stock of goods in the building as well as retrieve them for shipping quicker – the use of something like rolling folding ladders could enable people to get to the intended items far faster. Ladders also lend themselves to the use of a shelving system which could free up space on the floor.
3) Maintenance and Repairs
IoT in the warehouse can keep track of equipment and machines in the warehouse. The right IoT devices can
- Inform you when routine maintenance dates are needed
- Track previous repairs or damages to specific hardware or tools
- Track performance of various units over time (this allows businesses to determine when they need to update equipment or tools)
- Streamline repairs or maintenance dates (to ensure efficiency in the process, rather than random times being set up)
- Maintain track of costs, repairs, and other issues, to help minimize downtime, and ensure the smoothest operations within the warehouse setting.
No business owner or manager can do everything on their own. Furthermore, there are some issues that arise last minute or items you simply can’t stay on top of, no matter how responsible you are.
This is where having the right equipment, and IoT devices can simplify your life and help improve overall efficiency in the warehouse. With the right tools in place, you can reduce stress, overhead, operational costs, and create a more efficient warehouse, all guaranteeing that you will deliver on the promises you make to your end consumer each time they place an order.JD Edwards Managed Services can help with your IoT needs and warehouse operations. Don’t leave things to chance or get orders lost in transition. Make sure you have the best systems in place to ensure your warehouse operates efficiently, and customers are receiving their orders in a timely fashion today.