Technical wholesale: These simple measures will save you a lot of work in the warehouse.

A diverse range of articles from small parts to large-volume goods to cable drums requires maximum flexibility in warehousing and picking. Of course, the requirements of every wholesaler and the conditions of every warehouse are different, but let's take a look at three typical processes that our wholesale customers particularly appreciate in our warehouse management software SuPCIS-L8. 1. the integration possibilities of different picking strategies like cross-docking or special picking. 2. the configurable process of drum management and cable cutting in our warehouse management software. 3. the option of an integrated dashboard for route departure.

‍Easierand more efficient flow of goods in the warehouse

Use the right software module for every application. The right picking strategy will make the flow of materials in your warehouse easier and more efficient. For example, individual orders with large-volume items can be picked and made ready for dispatch by warehouse employees directly at the warehouse shelf. As a rule, it makes sense to support this process with the use of mobile data capture devices (MDE device) and to provide the warehouse employees with the necessary information in this way.

In contrast, a route-optimized collection aisle is ideal for picking small parts. In this context, a multi-order picking process integrated in our warehouse management system using the pick-pack method makes sense. Here, our warehouse management system optimizes the processes with intelligent logic. The shipping volume is calculated by SuPCIS-L8 before the picking process and the picking cart is equipped with the appropriate shipping containers. Suitable orders are selected so that distances are short. The employee picks directly into the shipping containers. This means that nothing has to be repacked at the packing stations.

In addition to handling large-volume items and small parts, wholesalers also have to deal with a large number of incoming and outgoing goods. The challenge lies in managing the daily handling of large quantities of goods. After all, the high proportion of goods on order should be handled quickly and efficiently. But often the storage volume is not sufficient, not to mention the additional costs incurred by short term storage and subsequent retrieval. Thanks to the cross-docking process, which can be individually configured in our warehouse management software, the goods in question can be further processed directly after acceptance at goods receipt. In practice, this means that this stock is not even put into the warehouse. It is immediately packaged again in line with the order via cross-docking at goods receipt, transported to the tour location and dispatched to the customer.

There is also a configurable solution for special cases with special picking areas, as is the case with wholesalers in the project business. It may well happen that a customer orders a certain contingent of goods, for example 200 lamps to equip a construction site. However, he does not yet know exactly when and to what extent he will have to call off the ordered goods. It is therefore possible to mark goods for the respective customer project as call-off goods in the system and to buffer them. When the customer calls off the goods, the required items are then made available. Depending on the company and its warehouse structures, these goods can either be stored in a special picking area or specially marked (digitally) in the general warehouse. In both cases, the retrieved goods are made ready for dispatch directly in the storage area. This special picking process is applicable with the help of SuPCIS-L8 for goods in stock as well as for non-stock goods.

‍Drum managementand cable cutting‍

The management of the cable drums or cable logistics can be handled stress-free and with little effort with the help of the software. The drums are mirrored in our warehouse management system via an interface to the ERP system. Both length and drum type are known to the system. The Warehouse Management System receives the information on the individual picking orders for the cables via the ERP. In this way, the warehouse employees are always informed about the type, length and, if necessary, the exact reel number of the required cables. This enables them to cut the required cable length to length and prepare it directly for shipping.

For employees, this means maximum control at the cable cut. If required, the warehouse management system can support with automatic replenishment logic. If a cable drum on the pallet on the shelf becomes empty, this is acknowledged, a replenishment order is initiated and another drum is moved to the front position. The warehouse management software can also be used to control various cable cutting machines - including, incidentally, conveyor-integrated automatic cut-to-length equipment. In this way, the warehouse management software ensures short-term and automated stock availability at the cutting station.

Tour departure dashboard for a transparent overview

‍Wholesalerswho drive a large number of tours with their own fleet of vehicles should be supported by the software in terms of both control and visualization. The dashboards provide a precise overview of the respective status of the tour. In this way, it can be seen in real time to what extent the individual orders have already been completely processed and booked on a tour.

There are even two different configuration options for the status display. In the "standard view", the view is set to 100% - if the bar is completely green, the tour volume for the respective tour has been reached and the truck can start its tour. Alternatively, it is possible to display the status with stacked bars. The advantage of this view is that the employees can recognize the planned orders and the status of the individual tour on the basis of colored shares. Again, if the green bar is the same size as the blue bar, the truck can start its tour.

‍Theuse of our software provides many savings for (technical) wholesalers . Lower throughput times of the goods, a reduced need for storage locations, lower warehousing costs and a reduced inventory in the warehouse. Overall, the additional effort due to manual processes is reduced many times over and ensures an increased level of efficiency in the warehouse.

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Are you also still missing the right warehouse management software for these processes? Please feel free to contact us.