Wireless technology has transformed the way the world works. Land lines have been replaced with cell phones. Ethernet cords have been replaced with Wi-Fi boxes. There are endless possibilities to come from wireless features, and many of those are evident in the logistics industry. In the discussion below, we will explore the role of wireless technology in warehousing so you can see just how much of an impact this revolution has had distribution centers.
Real-Time Inventory Management
Perhaps the biggest impact that wireless technology has in warehousing is in the ability to manage and track inventory levels in real time. This allows retailers to keep track of their stock so they do not end up with excess inventory of certain products. Product information is uploaded into the system as soon as merchandise arrives at the warehouse, and that same information is used to track the products as they go out of the warehouse. All of the communication is completed through wireless technology, and retailers can access the information at any time.
Cloud-Based Data Storage
As we indicated above, most inventory management systems are wireless now. Instead of seeing workers with clipboards running around the warehouse, you see people with scanners entering information into a virtual system. That virtual system can be backed up the cloud, a secure online storage center for data. By utilizing cloud-based data storage, distribution centers can communicate with their customers all throughout the day – providing them with live feedback about their inventory levels. This information can be accessed through any device that connects to the internet, as long as the person has the login credentials to get to it. The more convenient the communication is, the better each party can track and monitor their goods.
Wireless Communication Devices
Wireless communication is nothing new. Walkie-talkies have been around since World War II, and they have been used in the warehousing industry for quite some time. However, these dated devices have been upgraded over the years, allowing for a wider signal range and much clearer communication for everyone working in the warehouse. Many wireless communication devices are simple headsets and microphones that are no bigger than a hearing aid attached to a shoe string. Some warehouses still use bulky-looking communicators to speak with one another, but no matter the size, they all operate wireless technology.
24 Hour Warehouse-to-Client Communication
Wireless communication doesn’t stop in the distribution center. It also expands to the way warehouses talk to their clients. Rather than meeting in person once a week or calling the client the phone, a warehouse staff member can simply email the client and wait for a response. This lets the client react at a time that is most convenient for him or her. If the client and the warehouse are operating in different time zones, email communication can bridge the gap between operating hours so everyone stays up to date with the inventory.
Wireless technology continues to transform the way warehouses and distribution centers operate across the country, and there is no sign of those changes stopping any time soon. Researchers will continue to develop new ways to improve the efficiency and productivity levels in warehouses so customers and retailers alike can keep their satisfaction at an all-time high.