By indicating that an item being received into the warehouse or distribution center is a “Return”, all other stocking algorithms are ignored and FIFO logic is used. This will allow the warehouse control software to choose this item next when satisfying an order.

The induction process directs an operator to place the item in a forward pick location and then assigns that item to the next order requesting that item.

Many times orders are shipped short when there is stock located in the receiving area awaiting disposition and return to stock. PickPro WCS™ has cross dock capability which will send these returned items directly to pack and ship operations. This saves time and money by not having the items placed into stock, and then later picking it for an order.

The return management feature in PickPro WCS™ assists you in maintaining a sustainable supply chain by reducing the time and energy required to manage the inherently problematic returns business process.

Now what? The phone is starting to ring for you hopefully. Are you ready to ramp up quickly to meet the new demand? Do you have a warehouse control system in place? Is your inventory control really in control?

Automating your processes and investing in new technology will help to keep you ahead of your competition. A good choice for identifying what is possible for creating a sustainable business model would be hiring a systems integrator to assess your current system(s).

Now is a great time to have an automation systems expert review your business operations and suggest ways for you to meet your requirements without adding labor resources.

By automating your inventory and warehouse control processes you can keep your labor costs flat through the ebb and tide of your product demand.

Areas that are likely suspects in re-engineering your processes are:

• Inventory Storage
• Order Processing
• Kitting operations
• Order Picking
• Replenishment Processes

Most reputable companies will assess your needs for little or no cost. This effort would be a great investment for your company’s well being now, and into the future.

Sustainability is about addressing and balancing the economic, environmental and social aspects of businesses, their operations and outputs. Many businesses consider sustainability as one of their core strategic values but find it hard to implement in their existing business setting.

Sustainable management of businesses is the roadmap to achieving the present needs of society without compromising the opportunities of future generations (Bruntland, 1987).

A Green Sustainable Supply Chain can be defined as “the process of using environmentally friendly inputs and transforming these inputs through change agents – whose byproducts can improve or be recycled within the existing environment. This process develops outputs that can be reclaimed and re-used at the end of their life-cycle thus, creating a sustainable supply chain.”

YIKES!!!

The whole idea of a sustainable supply chain is to reduce costs while helping the environment.

1. Integrate material handling and warehouse management systems to move and touch products fewer times and reduce forklift usage.

2. Streamline warehouse processes for higher levels of cross docking and minimize inventory and increase product turns. More flow-through means smaller distribution centers.

3. Create a more efficient transportation network to reduce empty hauls and dead ends in the movement of goods.

4. Best-of-breed planning, forecasting and replenishment will drive more efficiency in manufacturing and distribution.

5. Using cartonization in warehouse management systems will let you allocate the right units to pick and then select the correct size and rigidity of the container to use, significantly reducing the use of cardboard.

6. RFID and voice-based technologies improve warehouse efficiency and reduce paper consumption.

Let’s take a brief look at why a WCS can assist in attaining a green, sustainable warehouse:

• Change is the only constant; a business model that works today may not work in the near future. The ability to be agile when it comes to modifying your systems will distance you from the competition.

• less returns = less packing material to dispose
• Time and energy resources are reduced having less items to re-stock

In summary, a warehouse control system will;
• Generate more inventory turns
• Increase the functional and operational capacity of your business
• Reduce total labor costs
• Consume less energy and resources
• Improve picking and shipping accuracy
• Quicken process cycle times
• Provide greater customer satisfaction

President Obama has taken a lead role in sustainable processes not only in government operations but also within the private sector. The guiding document is Executive Order 13423 which can be found at: http://www.ofee.gov/eo/eo13423_main.asp

Every business has a supply chain.  Simply stated; Input  –>  Transformation –> Output.

A sustainable supply chain is friendly as possible to the environment as it attempts to uses materials and processes that reduce waste.

All supply chains cost money; raw materials, energy, material handling, transportation, etc.  The movement towards a sustainable green supply chain will lead businesses to discovering new opportunities to decrease costs.

There generally are two methods to “greening” a supply chain;

• Move existing processes towards a green supply chain model
• Design and implement new processes under that model

Goals of a Green Sustainable Supply Chain

• Reduce Costs and Help the Environment
• Lower Energy Consumption
• Use less Natural Resources Consumption
• Less Environmentally Unfriendly Chemicals

Some excellent resources on this subject are Green Supply Chain Network and  Greenprofs.

A WCS utilizes very innovative technologies within the warehouse or distribution center that reduces the floor space needed and uses less human and/or natural resources.

One technology that is used is Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) such as horizontal or vertical carousels.

Below is a presentation from Remstar on Sustainable High Performance Storage & Retrieval Systems:

Companies must focus on three core areas when greening the supply chain: organization, process, and technology.

However, most companies do not have an organizational structure, or have processes in place that enable an “end-to-end” view of their carbon footprint or environmental impact of their supply chain.

Technology follows the organizational and procedural changes put in place. Taking on any technology investments without first understanding the alignment of the overall strategies is obviously not a good idea.