Doing things manually
Sometimes there is nothing wrong with doing things in the traditional way. Manual warehouse management might help you to feel more involved in the process. It can often be an ideal option if you have reliable staff and your company can keep up with your volume of orders.
A manual warehouse may be ideal if you have a complicated process that is personal and unique to your brand. Automated processes are much more effective for predictable, simple methods.
Manual logistics can help you and your staff feel like you play a large part in your efulfilment process. Being more hands-on and using the human eye is a valuable aspect of ecommerce fulfilment for many businesses.
Manual management will save the high investment cost. Not all of us are prepared to fork out a large amount of money on automated equipment, and sometimes a manual process works better for your budget.
It also doesn’t involve new training of current employees. New equipment means further staff training, and if you don’t have time for this, you might want to give new automated equipment a pass.
Does a manual process mean no automated equipment?
No. Just because a warehouse is referred to as manual, doesn’t mean it doesn’t incorporate some basic warehouse automation equipment, such as a forklift or a short-distance conveyor. Most manual warehouses have some kind of automation equipment. Automated warehouses, on the other hand, use extensive conveyors, automated storage, sortation equipment, retrieval systems and other material handling solutions.
Can a manual process cause issues?
Things are more likely to go wrong when there are too many changes for your staff to keep up with. For example, manual data entry in spreadsheets is time-consuming at the best of times. If your company suddenly has a rise in demand and order quantity, it can lead to serious data errors. Many warehouses go through changes that are hard for a manual warehouse to keep up with. Staff can become tired or overworked, and this may be letting down your ecommerce fulfilment process.
Speed it up with automated equipment
Why invest in fancy equipment when you already have warehouse staff? Though investing in automatic equipment may seem like a hassle, an automatic warehouse can provide numerous benefits.
It decreases overall labour costs and constraints. Using automated equipment means you don’t need to hire new staff when order demand rises, so you have more time to focus on that project you’ve been too busy to look at.
Inventory quantities can be instantly updated in real time to ensure accuracy of product availability and location.
Automation reduces order fulfilment inaccuracies cause by human error. If your staff tend to be prone to errors, it may be time to invest in automatic storage and technology.
Most importantly, an automated warehouse solution can improve productivity and efficiency. Getting things done more quickly is a sure way to keep your customers happy.
Will an automated warehouse be more expensive to run?
Automated equipment does mean a higher initial investment, but don’t let this put you off. An automated warehouse can mean fewer labour costs and constraints, so it will probably benefit you in the long run. Automated guided vehicles and an automated storage system will mean less money spent on hiring new staff when order volumes increase.
Could an automated warehouse be a mistake?
Investing in automated equipment can be a game-changer for your efulfilment process. But you should consider the following before hunting for automatic warehouse equipment:
- Ensure you are prepared for a high initial investment. Although an automatic warehouse can be more cost-effective in the long run, you still need to think about the high initial investment cost and whether this is ideal for your budget.
- Do you have time to train staff? Keep in mind that employees will need a certain level of training to safely operate new equipment.
- An automated warehouse is typically more suited for repetitive and predictable methods, so if you have complicated, specific warehouse methods, you may want to stick with a manual process.
So, which option is the best for my business?
Choosing the right option depends on your budget, the time you have spare for staff training and the nature of your warehouse process. You may even find that a partially automated warehouse design is an ideal solution for your company. Try and list the essential processes for your warehouse and pinpoint what the right combination is to ensure a smooth efulfilment process that will delight your customers.
At Linney, we understand that getting your products to your customers efficiently and without errors is a key part of maintaining loyal customers. We provide a variety of services to help your ecommerce fulfilment process go smoothly, from managed ecommerce services to order fulfilment services. To find out more about how we can help you provide your customers with the best service possible, contact us here.