Sunday, May 14, 2017

Does Your Business Need A Barcode Warehouse Management System?

By Susan Bailey


Most retail stores currently use barcodes to maximize efficiency in the checkout process. But as the technology became widespread, businesses began to take it for granted, ignoring the numerous benefits it offers in other applications. This is especially the case in the back end of inventory handling, where barcode warehouse management systems are often overlooked as the best solution for saving time and cutting costs.

In most warehouses, you'll find barcode labels on almost all products. And this is something you could take advantage of; using the tags to track and monitor your shipments will ultimately enhance accountability within your supply chain. Furthermore, linking your database to a suitable online portal will allow you to extend your monitoring capabilities right down to the consumer. At the very least, barcodes could help you reduce overheads related to inventory.

Prior to the advent of barcoding technology, most businesses relied on clerks to record details about stock levels. In such cases, the likelihood of errors arising was considerably high. On the flip side, barcodes can read and translate encoded information quite easily, something that reduces the possibility of mistakes. Adopting this technology will also cut down your dependence on human labor, or allow you to re-deploy your manpower where it really matters.

With barcodes, scanning and registering shipments is made much simpler. Not only does the technology reduce processing time, but product movement across complex supply lines can also be tracked speedily and accurately. This could be a huge time-saver, especially for businesses that deal with large volumes of inventory. Incorporating such an advanced solution in your logistics department will ultimately allow you to focus your resources on other income-generating activities.

A barcoding system presents a cost-effective solution for your logistics operations. Designing and printing the labels won't cost you much, regardless of how or where you use them. But the cost of implementing the technology appears irrelevant when you consider how much it will be of help in your tax-related operations. Because your current inventory amounts affect your taxable income, the system will definitely make the reporting process much easier. And you'll no longer have to worry about the risk of attracting scrutiny from tax authorities, since the figures you provide will be highly accurate.

Although barcoding can rapidly improve inventory processing, choosing the right system and implementing it properly is crucial in ensuring you reap the benefits. So before you can start comparing your options, first define your company's requirements, and determine the kind of functionality you want your system to have. Figure out which areas will be affected by the new systems, and check whether your existing warehouse management tools can be integrated with the former.

Be sure to find out the level of service your hardware vendor will be providing in future. More specifically, ask about the availability of upgrades to keep up with new developments. With the latest equipment, your business will always be operating as efficiently as possible. Overall, your best bet when it comes to ensuring smooth barcode implementation would be to involve an expert during the whole process.

Your warehouse is one of the most critical components of your logistics network. With the right barcoding system, you could practically make it more accurate, efficient and agile. So don't take too much time trying to figure the details out; start looking for a platform that will fit the needs of your distribution center today.




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