Warehouse management systems (WMS) are essential for efficiently managing the operations of a warehouse. These systems can help streamline processes, optimise inventory levels, and improve accuracy. However, by ensuring your WMS can exploit hyper-automation, your WMS can be enhanced to deliver even more value while continuing to lower operational costs.

So, what do we mean by hyper-automation?

Hyper-automation can be defined as the combination of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics to automate and optimise tasks that were previously done manually. By leveraging these technologies, businesses can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of their operations while also reducing their labour costs.

One of the main benefits of hyper-automation is that it can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of warehouse operations. For example, by using robotics to automate the process of picking and packing, businesses can significantly reduce the time it takes to fulfil orders while also reducing the risk of errors. Similarly, by using artificial intelligence to analyse data and make decisions, businesses can make more accurate and informed decisions about inventory management, such as when to reorder stock and how much to order.

Furthermore, hyper-automation can also help businesses optimise their warehouse layouts and processes. By analysing data on the volumetrics, demand and movement of goods within the warehouse, artificial intelligence algorithms can identify inefficiencies and recommend changes to improve the flow of goods taking “slotting” as was and putting it on steroids. This can help businesses reduce the time it takes to move goods through the warehouse and double-handling, which can in turn increase the speed of order fulfilment and reduce the risk of errors.
 

The distribution industry has been around for quite a long time and can sometimes be slow to change. For those that may be resistant to change it is best to look at emerging technologies as tools you can use, like a forklift. You wouldn’t think of trying to move pallets around a warehouse without using forklifts, yet some in our industry remain skeptical about new technology. Emerging technologies in the distribution industry are transforming the way goods are transported and delivered. These innovations are making distribution processes more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable.

Getting products to market faster, improving design efficiency, and lowering the cost of new product introductions
are strategic goals that nearly all discrete manufacturers strive for. Infor PLM Discrete can help you accomplish these goals by providing you with a product lifecycle management (PLM) solution that can seamlessly integrate with your enterprise resource planning (ERP) and computer-aided design (CAD) systems.

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Process manufacturers like you get the tools to protect brand integrity, dramatically reduce regulatory risk, and bring high-quality, least-cost formulation-based products to market more quickly. Plus, you’ll be better able to meet regulations such as FDA, REACH, and Chemicals Compliance and drive new product innovation.
Infor Optiva is a cutting-edge technology that enhances the Product Lifecycle Management product suite for process manufacturers. This tool is for process manufacturers looking for a competitive edge that will make them more efficient and provide the much-needed advantage for getting their products to market faster and more cost-efficiently. It allows companies to become more agile and responsive to customers, and their product performance will increase.

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As a long-time professional in cloud solutions, I can sometimes be struck by how uniform the information, discussion and debate is about the differences in cloud in the IT industry, whether from journalists, analysts or industry colleagues. Usually speaking in sweeping terms about the cloud and making everything from inaccurate statements to generalizing conclusions based on the cloud description. In this blog post, I want to help you understand the differences in clouds in relation to ERP solutions. It's all about the level of responsibility, agility and security.

Many organizations tend to view warehouse operations as cost centers due to the labor, equipment, and physical inventory. However, with business models rapidly changing through e-commerce, omnichannel, curbside pickup, 3D printing, and more, warehouse operations empower a company to gain a competitive advantage by ensuring customer loyalty and brand excellence stay intact as products enter the last mile.

Common warehousing challenges

Warehouse directors understand the challenges most, if not all, distribution centers manage. These challenges cover a wide range of issues which include picking optimization, inventory management, operational strategy, employee management, returns, and much, much more.

Picking challenges

For example, a large amount of productivity is often lost due to insufficient item master data. Poor inventory placement across the warehouse can result in increased costs and reduced productivity without the correct item and location slotting for concepts such as seasonality, promotional activities, and sales projections.

Furthermore, many companies lack visibility into inventory quantity and location accuracy due to a heavy reliance on spreadsheets, pick sheets, the absence of cycle counts, capacity constraints, or a lack of digital monitoring together. No visibility into inventory quantities or throughput can result in declining fulfillment rates, stockouts & backorders, decreased service levels, and waning customer loyalty and sales opportunities.