Expert: Richard Soong Date: 11/15/2007 Subject: Warehousing
Question I am setting up a warehouse for the first time. Its a 10,000 sqft space. Where can i learn about the different types of systems people use to organize their warehouses? i want to learn the best way to store good in your warehouse and how to best use the space. Also my main problem is that good ill be storing will be made of glass to i want to minimize brakeage in the warehouse. Im hopping there is a full system in place that i can implement to make sure i keep trace to incoming and outgoing stock, dead stock, fast moving stock, different size of stocks and also finding the stock to despatch with in point accuracy. Im looking for manuals, books or mythologies in setting up a warehouse.
Regards,
Akshay
Answer Dear Akshay
Apologize for the delayed reply, having a 10,000 sqft space is a good start for someone who have least or no experience in the setup. Below is the answers to the couple of questions you have posted with breakdown.
Qn: Where can I learn about the different types of systems people use to organize their warehouses?
Ans: Before we look into the system used to organize the warehouse, let’s try to look at the average type of warehouse (within your industry) has to offer. That will give you a good planning of what are the equipment and setup needed. Try to find out more details or make visits to the vendors or same rivals of the same industry to check out how their warehouse is setup. It will give you some pretty ideas or a general rough guideline.
Qn: I want to learn the best way to store good in your warehouse and how to best use the space
Ans; having an ideal way of moving your inventory around required analysis of your operations and someone with a good experience will help. A warehouse setup is not just plainly an operation/logistics departments concern. It involved in the whole company structure and the boss vision. A couple of departments that might have some concern will be the Procurement, the IT (the system implementation), the Engineering and the Production.
Warehouse is mainly a service department in respective to the above mentioned department.
Have a good understand of the current operation will helps to plan the warehouse allocation. E.g. Inbound & outbound area, inspection & holding area, picking & scrap or RTV allocation.
And as it goes along, you might have considered a good pick face policy, for your bins, shelves and racking on basis of fast moving and slowing moving inventories.
Qn: Also my main problem is that good ill be storing will be made of glass to i want to minimize brakeage in the warehouse. Im hopping there is a full system in place that i can implement to make sure i keep trace to incoming and outgoing stock, dead stock, fast moving stock, different size of stocks and also finding the stock to despatch with in point accuracy.
Ans: With handling glass inventories, the consideration might be on the minimum inventory movement or having excellent packaging material for your inventory. A customize WMS software might be more appropriate as it will cater mainly to the operation and warehouse needs. Thus look for a good company to setup this unless current in-house IT is capable of dealing with this area. (If you need recommendation get back to me)
I don't have any available website that can give you good right access on warehouse setup as mainly these are professionals creating for a fee. I do have some guidelines for warehouse setup accumulated over the years which I setup the warehouses. (If you need those – e-mail me then)
