Warehouse Management Solutions

Warehouse space management and the ecommerce effect

Warehouse space management: lack of space is one of logistics managers’ main concerns — and even more so with the rise of ecommerce. High-density storage systems and digitization are two go-to solutions for overcoming space issues in a logistics facility.

Cold storage warehousing: challenges and solutions

Cold storage warehousing consists of managing products such as food and pharmaceuticals at a controlled temperature to ensure their proper preservation. Cold stores are equipped with storage systems that provide greater energy efficiency.

Maximum stock level in inventory management

The maximum stock level consists of the largest volume of goods a company can manage in its warehouse at the lowest possible cost. For businesses, managing a large number of items requires sufficient storage space, staff, and seamless coordination with suppliers.

EDI in logistics: technology for standardized communication

EDI in logistics ensures seamless, standardized communication between all links in the supply chain. In addition to streamlining and speeding up processes, this solution prevents errors that could be made by exchanging information in paper format.

Warehouse lighting: a question of productivity, safety, and savings

Warehouse lighting is an essential issue when it comes to facilitating the work of operators and ensuring their safety. The type of lights to install will depend on the characteristics of the logistics facility, the existence of natural light, and the operations performed.

5 reverse logistics examples for successful returns management

Reverse logistics examples: in this post, we examine five strategies for organizing returns received by companies from their customers. This operation encompasses practices and processes for managing product returns and returns from the point of sale to the manufacturer.

Seismic racking for pallets and their design

Seismic racking consists of structures specifically designed to resist earthquakes. In countries with a very high risk of earthquakes, warehouse racking must be reinforced to withstand ground motion.

First mile delivery: the start to a successful shipment

First-mile delivery begins when an order enters the system and ends when it is loaded onto the transport truck. Its optimization is key to ensuring that the rest of the supply chain operations, especially last-mile delivery, are competitive and profitable.

Takt time: what it is and how it's calculated

Takt time denotes the time that should be used to manufacture a product in order to meet customer demand. To calculate it, divide the time available for producing a good by the number of units ordered by the customer.

Physical inventory: real control of goods in the warehouse

Physical inventory comprises the manual counting of all the stock in a warehouse (raw materials, finished products, packaging, etc.). It serves to verify that the digital records in the warehouse management system (WMS) match the actual goods in the facility.

Supply chain flow: key for optimized logistics systems

Efficient supply chain flows ensure that a product is delivered to the customer without error, in the shortest time, and at the lowest cost. Automating both your facility’s operations and management is your best bet when it comes to a competitive supply chain flow.

Drone inventory management: the future of stock control?

The use of warehouse drones to carry out inventory management helps to ensure efficient stock control. Connected to the WMS, they reduce costs and time, optimize resources, and improve safety and efficiency in inventory management.

AIoT: digital transformation of the warehouse

AIoT: AI and the Internet of Things are technologies that will change Industry 4.0. But what effect do they have when used together? In this post, we analyze the AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things), its advantages, and its applications in the warehouse.

Product traceability: what is it and how is it implemented?

Product traceability: why is it so important? Poor control of inflows, outflows, and of the condition of the goods can lead to serious mistakes and cost overruns for the company. In this post, we underscore the need to provide real product quality control in each logistics phase.

Logistics staging area in a warehouse

In logistics, a warehouse staging area is a rack-free zone usually located in front of the loading docks where goods are placed temporarily on the floor, waiting to be transported to another location. In this post, we describe its main functions and the amount of space each installation needs for the staging area.

Types of inventory in logistics: classification and applications

Types of inventory: there are several ways of taking stock in a warehouse to meet each company’s needs and logistics resources. These inventory types can be classified by category.

Types of warehouses: a general overview

In this post, we summarize the various types of warehouses. By categorizing warehouses by function, we can classify them as distribution centers, transit warehouses, production warehouses, order picking warehouses, and consolidation centers.

Logistics issues: the 10 most common in warehouses

Figuring out which logistics issues your warehouse suffers from is crucial for increasing operational throughput. In this post, we run through the most common logistics problems and the measures to adopt to minimize their consequences.

Supply-chain procurement: a key role in logistics

In logistics, procurement manages the acquisition of products so as to ensure that the supply chain runs smoothly. Good supply-chain procurement practices enable you to increase productivity, reduce logistics costs, and boost company profitability.

Integrated logistics and supply chain coordination

Integrated logistics encompasses all activities from the supply of raw materials to the delivery of the final product to the customer. In addition to moving goods from one place to another, it manages information between suppliers, departments, and customers.

3PL: advantages to outsourcing logistics

3PL providers are responsible for carrying out a company’s goods storage and transportation activities in addition to organizing their logistics operations. Relying on a 3PL reduces storage costs and raises efficiency and productivity.

Warehouse slotting: amp up your productivity

Warehouse slotting has become essential for ensuring productivity in light of the difficulty of expanding storage space. A WMS is the perfect tool for automating inventory slotting in an installation and, thus, eliminating errors in this operation.

Logistics real estate and the scarcity of urban industrial land

Logistics real estate can be defined as the market segment of the real estate sector geared towards the rental and sale of storage installations. In this article, we’ll examine the concept of industrial real estate and the way it has adapted to new consumption trends such as same-day deliveries.

Bill of materials (BOM): your top supply chain ally

The bill of materials (BOM) is a hierarchical list of all the elements and required amounts of each used to manufacture a product. A detailed BOM helps to optimize the cost of materials, plan purchases of raw materials, and detect and minimize errors in the production chain.

Item coding in the warehouse

Coding items in the warehouse consists of assigning a specific, unique code to each product that defines its characteristics. As stock is properly identified upon receipt of the goods, it’s easier to control inventory in real time.

Packaging types in logistics: primary, secondary, and tertiary

What are the differences between primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging? What’s the role of each one? In our article, we’ll examine the main concepts that go into choosing product packaging from a logistics point of view.

Kanban system: what is it and how does it work in logistics?

The Kanban system is a methodology that involves organizing production and material replenishment orders in just-in-time supply chains. It is responsible for linking each production stage to prevent overstocking and unnecessary wait times between processes. We break down how it works in logistics.

Warehouse too small? What to do when the walls start closing in

After a while, it’s normal for your installation to seem too small for the company’s new needs. What’s the reason for this lack of working space? How can you maximize a small warehouse? We’ll give you some suggestions for expanding your warehouse capacity.

Pharma logistics: insights and challenges

Pharma logistics: what are some of the main factors currently impacting it? We’ll explain in depth the characteristics of this sector as well as the challenges affecting it, namely its warehouses and the transportation of pharmaceutical products.

Logistics providers: functions and challenges

Logistics providers: we take an in-depth look at the trends transforming this segment and review the most cutting-edge solutions. Find out about the different types of logistics operators and the challenges they face in their warehouses.

Intralogistics: what is it? Process optimization trends in internal logistics

Internal logistics encompasses the organization of material and information flows that take place within a company's four walls. Find out about the major intralogistics trends for process optimization in our article.

Lean logistics: leaning into efficiency

The Lean logistics methodology is a management and operations organization philosophy that originated in Japan. The Lean method focuses on eliminating waste that hampers a company’s logistics profitability. We’ll show you what it’s all about.

Safety stock: what is it and how can I optimize it?

Safety stock is extra inventory stored in the warehouse in order to cope with contingencies in the supply chain. The objective of safety stock is to prevent stockouts. How can you have just the right amount of safety stock without going overboard?

Supply chain: what is it? Definition and differences from logistics

The supply chain is the process generated from the time the customer places an order to the moment the product or service has been delivered and charged. What does the supply chain concept cover? What’s the difference between the supply chain and logistics? We'll show you in our post.

Supply chain benchmarking: a key strategy for continuous process improvement

Supply chain benchmarking consists of gathering information on good practices and sector leaders to adapt it to your company. In our article, we’ll give you tips on how to implement it successfully at your firm.

Last-mile delivery starts with the warehouse

Last-mile delivery refers to the final leg of the goods delivery process when the goods are moved to the destination specified by the customer. Learn how to manage it from an overall perspective to boost its efficiency.

Warehousing logistics: definition, objectives and areas of work

Warehousing logistics is charged with storing, protecting and conserving goods for the period of time required. In addition, this logistics discipline manages the transportation, location, handling and conditioning of goods in the installation from receipt to dispatch.

Hidden costs in returns management: what they are and how to control them

Returns management or reverse logistics generates hidden costs that are difficult to attribute to specific lines on your balance sheets. Learn how to identify these money drainers and set corrective measures in place to limit hidden costs.

Best-in-class logistics warehousing

Successfully managing a warehouse is a challenge for any logistics company looking to optimize its performance and improve its processes. Read Interlake Mecalux's advice and make timely decisions: management software, motivate workers and measure results to achieve success in your warehouse management.

Warehouse insights: logistics storage costs

Logistics storage costs are an indispensable part of supply chain optimization opportunities. Discover what this issue boils down to and the main variables that shape these costs.

What is a lead time in logistics? And how to optimize it…

The lead time refers to the time from when a purchase order is generated and sent to the vendor until the product is delivered to the customer. How can your warehouse help lower the lead time? Find out how to optimize it in our post.

Green logistics: definition, challenges and solutions

Green logistics refers to the set of sustainable policies that aim to reduce the environmental impact of these activities. What are the challenges facing green logistics today? What solutions are available to make business more sustainable? We'll show you in our post.

Improving warehouse productivity: a step-by-step guide

Warehouse productivity is marked by a necessary balance that must exist between inventory profitability and operability. There is nothing more effective for detecting inefficiencies than having your installation tested: just follow these steps to get it done.