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Unleashing the Power of WMS for 3PLs: A Gateway to Competitive Advantage

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Warehousing

Unleashing the Power of WMS for 3PLs: A Gateway to Competitive Advantage

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In the fiercely competitive world of third-party logistics (3PL), success hinges on the ability to swiftly onboard new customers, optimize operations, and drive revenue growth. With the market constantly evolving, 3PL providers are increasingly turning to advanced technological solutions to gain a competitive edge. Among these solutions, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) emerge as a cornerstone in empowering 3PLs to excel in today’s fast-paced environment while strategically positioning themselves for future success. 

For 3PLs, the journey begins with their sales teams actively pursuing new customers to fuel revenue growth. However, the real challenge lies in efficiently onboarding these customers and seamlessly integrating them into the logistics ecosystem. A robust WMS serves as a linchpin in this process, enabling 3PLs to optimize their operational model and rapidly onboard new clients in as little as 30 days. By providing setup wizards and copy/paste capabilities, a 3PL-focused WMS simplifies and accelerates the onboarding process, enabling 3PLs to scale their operations more efficiently. In addition, by tactically managing the pick, pack, and ship processes, WMS streamlines product flow both into and out of warehouse facilities, laying the groundwork for further enhanced efficiency and customer satisfaction. By automating and optimizing these critical tasks, WMS helps 3PLs streamline their operations while reducing errors. This leads to increased revenue generation by enabling 3PLs to process orders more quickly and accurately while enhancing operations.

Moreover, the agility and flexibility inherent in modern WMS solutions play a pivotal role in accommodating the diverse needs and process requirements of individual customers with multiple levels of configuration and ability to support multiple individual rule sets and workflows in a single facility. With the ability to adapt to unique capabilities and preferences, WMS empowers 3PLs to deliver tailored solutions that meet the evolving demands of their clients. Whether it’s managing multiple business units within a single facility or catering to customers across various regions, WMS provides the scalability and versatility needed to meet business goals and drive success. 

The transition to a cloud-based WMS architecture brings unparalleled advantages for 3PLs, particularly in terms of scalability and technological agility. In an industry characterized by seasonal peaks and fluctuations in demand, cloud-based WMS solutions offer the flexibility to scale resources dynamically, ensuring optimal performance during peak periods. By offloading concerns about technology infrastructure and scalability, 3PLs can focus on maximizing labor efficiency and delivering exceptional service to their customers.

Advanced features such as flexible billing engines also help 3PLs adapt to evolving customer needs and services, eliminating revenue leakage and maximizing profitability. Experienced 3PLs know it’s important to partner with a WMS provider that has extensive billing knowledge and capabilities. Highly granular, configurable capabilities that capture all billable activities as well as supporting broad contract terms is crucial. 

Furthermore, WMS solutions provide invaluable insights and visibility into warehouse operations, allowing 3PL providers to make data-driven decisions and continuously improve performance. By offering real-time visibility into inventory levels, order statuses, and operational metrics, WMS enables 3PLs to identify inefficiencies, streamline processes, and enhance overall productivity. When combining a Distributed Order Management (DOM) approach to intelligent sourcing, this proactive approach not only drives cost savings but also ensures that 3PL providers can deliver superior service and value to their clients.

The strategic adoption of WMS empowers 3PLs to thrive in an increasingly competitive market landscape. WMS represents more than just a tool for operational optimization – it’s a gateway to competitive advantage for 3PLs. As the logistics landscape continues to evolve, the adoption of advanced WMS solutions will be instrumental in shaping the success and sustainability of 3PL operations, enabling them to stay ahead of the curve by achieving sustainable growth and profitability. 

Author Bio

Jack O’Malley is Vice President of Account Management for Softeon, a WMS provider focused exclusively on optimizing warehouse and fulfillment operations. For over two decades now, we have been helping our customers succeed. Investing in R&D enables us to develop software to solve the most complex warehouse challenges. Softeon is laser-focused on customer results, with a 100% track record of deployment success. We believe warehouse leaders shouldn’t have to settle for a one size fits all approach to technology. For more information, please visit www.Softeon.com.

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, News, Warehousing

Softeon Unveils Cutting-Edge Warehousing Solutions at MODEX 2024

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Softeon, a premier provider of tier-1 warehouse management system (WMS) solutions, is set to showcase its latest innovations in warehouse optimization and material handling at MODEX 2024 in Atlanta. With a focus on WMS implementations, automated warehousing, and material handling, Softeon will host two informative sessions alongside live demonstrations and expert networking opportunities at Booth #C7466 during the event held at the Georgia World Congress Center from March 11-14.

Attendees at MODEX will have the chance to engage with Softeon’s industry experts during two insightful sessions:

1. “Ensuring the ROI from WMS Implementations” featuring Brian Pier, Vice President of Solution Delivery
– Date: Tuesday, March 12
– Time: 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. ET
– Location: Theater A

2. “Successfully Navigating the Great Material Handling Integration Challenge” led by Mark Fralick, Chief Technology Officer
– Date: Wednesday, March 13
– Time: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. ET
– Location: Theater I

Mark Fralick, Chief Technology Officer at Softeon, highlighted the significance of automation in addressing labor challenges while acknowledging the operational complexities it introduces. Fralick’s session will delve into strategies for accelerating WMS deployment and the pivotal role of warehouse execution systems (WES) in orchestrating fulfillment processes across automated and non-automated operations.

Fralick will also discuss the increasing importance of mobile robot platforms for managing diverse robot types and vendors within a unified environment, aligning with industry projections indicating a rise in multiagent orchestration platforms by 2026, as per a Gartner report.

Brian Pier, Vice President of Solution Delivery at Softeon, will shed light on optimizing microflows and the benefits of a composable WMS, emphasizing its role in enhancing flexibility and agility for improved adaptability and long-term return on investment (ROI).

In addition to attending Softeon’s warehouse-related sessions, MODEX attendees can join in a hole-in-one putting contest at the company’s booth #C7466.

Global supply chain leaders are encouraged to register to meet with Softeon’s team during MODEX by visiting https://info.softeon.com/modex

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Warehousing

The Future of Warehouse Safety: Harnessing Technology to Protect Workers in Automated Facilities 

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Warehouses can be hazardous, but they’re getting safer. Much of that improvement stems from new technologies, with automation leading the charge. 

Automated facilities are far safer than conventional operations in many ways. At the same time, robots introduce unique hazards that warehouses must contend with. In both cases, technological innovation is the answer to better safety.

Automation as a Safety Measure

Warehouse automation has historically trailed behind other heavy industries like manufacturing, but that’s starting to change. Over 70% of logistics businesses use some form of mobile robot today. This shift improves safety along two major lines — automating dangerous tasks and minimizing errors.

Automating Dangerous Tasks

Automation’s most significant safety advantage is that it removes workers from the most hazardous parts of the job. When human employees don’t need to carry the heaviest loads or reach the highest shelves, it has the same impact as if these hazards didn’t exist.

Automation can’t perform every job a human can, but the most dangerous work is often easily automated. Carrying heavy loads or picking items from high shelves are straightforward, predictable tasks — just the kind automation excels at.

Automated tasks don’t have to be dangerous to improve workplace safety. Overexertion accounts for 23% of all workplace injuries and often stems from repetitive motion. Warehouses that automate material-handling workflows minimize this motion, preventing one of the most common causes of injury.

Error Reduction

Automated warehouses are also safer because they minimize human error-related risks. Mistakes play a role in almost all workplace safety incidents, so companies that reduce errors will also reduce injuries.

Autonomous alternatives to manually operated machines make some of the biggest impacts in this area. For example, conventional forklifts pose severe threats because driver errors are likely, as humans are easily distracted. Robot forklifts, by contrast, don’t get preoccupied or bored, so they’re less likely to make errors that endanger nearby workers.

It’s also worth noting that automation reduces the workload in labor-strained warehouses. Workers can feel less stressed when there’s less to do, letting them focus on what they’re doing, further preventing dangerous errors.

Keeping Workers Safe From Robots

Of course, automation itself can introduce new workplace hazards. The answer to these risks is not to avoid automation but to implement new technologies that make it safer.

Reliable Navigation

One of the most important steps in improving robot-related safety is ensuring they can navigate reliably. Moving equipment like forklifts is responsible for many injuries and OSHA violations, and mobile robots pose several of the same risks. An automated guided vehicle (AGV) that can’t identify obstacles and pedestrians quickly and accurately could cause harmful collisions.

Cameras and machine vision software are improving, which makes mobile robots safer by default. Besides these improvements, warehouses can capitalize on the Internet of Things (IoT) to enable better navigation. Robots that communicate with real-time sensors throughout the facility can move through it more effectively.

Edge computing takes these benefits further, as it spreads complex compute tasks between nearby devices, enabling faster responses. 5G networks can also provide more bandwidth and higher speeds to support these processes.

Adaptable Cobots

Collaborative robots (cobots) are another important technology that makes automated warehouses safer. These robots are designed to work alongside humans instead of replacing them. As such, they’re less likely to run into workers or cause disruptions that may lead to injury.

Adaptability is a key feature here. Cobots can respond to real-time data, often through IoT connectivity. As a result, they can adjust their workflow as necessary as conditions change to prevent mistakes that may endanger workers or keep out of people’s way even when they don’t follow predictable paths.

Amazon has implemented cobots extensively to impressive results. One of its solutions, Sequoia, combines multiple robotic systems to organize and move inventory throughout the warehouse. Combining separate systems lets it adapt as needed, and the design emphasizes making things easier for human workers. As a result, recordable incident rates dropped by 15% between 2021 and 2022.

Artificial Intelligence

It’s impossible to talk about disruptive technologies and not mention artificial intelligence (AI). AI can improve robot safety in warehouses in several ways, and its potential will likely grow as this technology advances.

AI-guided robots are more adaptable than classical alternatives, making them safer. Machine learning models can identify and respond to hazards in a fraction of a second, making them ideal for guided mobile robots to prevent collisions. Similarly, AI can help robots interpret situations to determine the best course of action to remain productive and keep human co-workers safe.

AI can also analyze data from across a warehouse to identify where the most accidents happen. Some models can go further and suggest possible improvements, making it easier to effectively reduce workplace injuries over time.

New Tech Is Transforming Warehouse Safety

Technology is one of warehouses’ greatest assets when addressing worker safety. The logistics and supply chain industries will become safer as more facilities embrace automation and complementary technologies.

Tech adoption isn’t a panacea to all workplace safety issues, but it offers substantial improvements. Warehouse managers must integrate these solutions into existing safety programs and combine them with other steps to become as safe as possible.

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Warehousing

How Modern Warehouse Management Systems Transform Storage Efficiency

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When managing a warehouse for a budding business, space is a valuable resource. However, if warehouse space isn’t optimized and managed well, the storage of products can turn into an expensive and inefficient ordeal.

This has made Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) the go-to choice for businesses that want to revolutionize the supply chain and streamline operations. 

What is a Warehouse Management System (WMS)?

A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a software that can optimize 3PL warehousing operations and facilitate smart decision-making. WMS streamlines and automates processes, creating an efficient goods flow.

By opting for a Warehouse Management System, you can monitor and control warehouse operations in real-time as well. Using a WMS also offers a lower chance of human error and improves last-mile productivity with deliveries and pickups.

8 Ways WMS Can Improve Storage Efficiency

Using a Warehouse Management System can revolutionize warehouse operations and light the way to greater storage efficiency. Here are 8 benefits of using a WMS for your business.

  • Real-Time Inventory Tracking

One of the most popular benefits of Warehouse Management Systems is the function of real-time tracking of inventory. A lack of real time inventory visibility can seriously impede warehouse operations. It’s also an important factor that enables warehouse managers to allocate optimal storage space according to existing stocks. 

WMS makes it possible to receive data on inventory levels, location, and movement of products. This prevents potential overstocking that could lead to crowded warehouses, or the converse due to understocking. 

  • Accurate Demand Forecasting

With real-time inventory visibility, Warehouse Management Systems make it easier to accurately forecast demand for stocks. This can help optimize inventory levels since warehouse managers can ensure that the right amounts of stock are maintained at any given time. 

Being able to predict demand allows better planning of storage space, ensuring that each square inch of warehouses can be optimized and used well.

  • Consolidated Shipping

WMS is a great tool for consolidating orders by optimizing shipping routes. This is a great way to ensure that your warehouse sees a steady flow of fresh inventory since orders are picked up and shipped out at a more rapid pace. 

With quicker goods flow, your inventory won’t stagnate inside the warehouse space and take up valuable storage space for long.

  • Optimized Slotting and Warehouse Layout 

With a Warehouse Management System, you can set up an optimized layout for your warehouse based on automatically estimated product demand and storage requirements. Aligning with this layout can increase space optimization, leading to more streamlined warehouse operations and organized storage.

Most systems also use an algorithm to determine the most viable slotting sequence for your products. This is calculated based on factors such as size, demand, and much more. Through WMS-driven warehouse layouts and dynamic slotting, you can ensure that fast-moving items are easily accessible in storage.

  • Data-driven Insights

One of the key benefits of using a WMS is the ability to improve operations through the data that’s generated. By providing dynamic reporting and in-depth data across various parameters, Warehouse Management Systems make it possible for warehouse managers to identify regularly occurring problems and bottlenecks. 

By tracking trends, and recognizing areas of improvement, warehouse managers can use these data-driven insights to optimize storage.

  • Simplified Cross-Docking

Cross-docking is another great function made possible through Warehouse Management Systems. Automated warehouse cross-decking involves tracking shipments and directly transferring products to the outbound shipping chain without lengthy storage periods. 

This makes it possible for products to directly enter delivery routes and proceed towards order fulfillment without needing to be stored for long periods of time. Cross-docking can save businesses time and greatly reduce storage costs while freeing up valuable warehouse space for other products. 

  • Order Prioritization

Another function of Warehouse Management Systems is to prioritize various warehouse operations based on factors like deadlines and customer demand. This makes it possible for businesses to process high-priority orders quicker and more efficiently. 

By automatically having orders prioritized through a WMS, business owners can deliver a smoother customer experience with minimal effort.

  • Reduced Need for Safety Stock

Warehouse Management Systems are often used with Barcode and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. This makes it possible to accurately keep track of inventory and prevent shipping errors or misplacement of stocks. 

When inventory is less likely to be lost, this considerably reduces the need for maintaining safety stocks in your warehouse, where space is akin to gold. This is a great way to optimize storage and make the most of your warehouse space. 

WMS: The Future of Storage Optimization

Warehouse Management Systems are making it possible to optimize and streamline storage to the tee. Everyday operations are simplified through real-time inventory updates, in-depth data analytics, and automated functions. This leaves business owners and warehouse managers free to focus on more value-added tasks. It’s safe to say that WMS offers just a small glimpse into the future of storage optimization. 

 

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Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Warehousing

Scallog, the French logistics Robotics Specialist, Sets Sail to Conquer the USA in Agreement with Bastian Solutions.

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Under its strategy of international development, Scallog has signed a major commercial agreement with Bastian Solutions, an integrator and one of the world’s top 20 logistics automation solutions providers, to market the Scallog goods-to-person robots for warehouses on the other side of the Atlantic.

Scallog, one of the leading suppliers of logistics robots in France, has
signed an integrator agreement with Bastian Solutions, a Toyota Advanced Logistics company, and a long-established intralogistics expert in the USA. The purpose of the agreement is to launch and market Scallog’s goods-to-person robotics solutions in the US. These solutions are designed to meet logistics challenges in a wide range of industries including food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, publishing and spare parts.

The American warehouse in the age of agility and flexibility!

The acceleration of eCommerce (up by over 32% according to eMarketer) and the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the supply chain mean that warehouses in the USA are speeding up the automation of their operations to gain agility, shorten delivery times and increase service quality. The North American market has great potential for Scallog as only 5% of warehouses are fully automated and 15%, semi-automated (according to DHL). The Scallog robotic solutions – which compete with Amazon’s Kiva robotic solutions – meet the challenges currently facing logistics operators of automating their order picking process rapidly and flexibly at the lowest possible cost and without affecting their current systems.

The French innovation backed by a recognized intralogistics expert in the USA.

Bastian Solutions has added Scallog’s robotized order picking solutions to its offering in order to meet the growing need for agility and resilience among its logistics operator customers. The benefits of the Scallog solution include an ROI of under two years and flexibility, scalability and upgradability. These were determining factors in Bastian Solutions’ choice of Scallog as its collaborator in the supply of robots to transport shelf units to operators. With Scallog, American logistics operators can now embark on, and grow, their warehouse automation to meet their evolving requirements, spreading their investment and continuing their operations and/or production uninterrupted.

The agreement with Bastian Solutions is part of Scallog’s strategy of phased international development. Joining forces with a well respected local player such as Bastian Solutions gives Scallog more rapid access to the US market due to its partner’s understanding of local conditions and ability to provide local support and high-quality services. Bastian Solutions, an integrator ranked among the world’s top 20 suppliers of logistics automation solutions, employs 1,000
people in 20 national offices and its subsidiaries in Canada, Brazil, Mexico and India. Over 30 of Bastian Solutions’ employees have already been trained in Scallog solutions as part of a skills transfer, and co-marketing activities will begin in the first quarter of 2021.

“This collaboration illustrates a change in scale in our strategy of international expansion, in line with our ambitions for deployment and commercial presence in key markets. The United States represents a new Eldorado for logistics robotics, where our value proposition for the automation of order picking has everything required to meet the growing demand for efficiency, agility and resilience in American warehouses”, says Olivier Rochet, CEO of Scallog.

Olivier adds: “We are delighted to be associated with a recognized intralogistics expert such as Bastian Solutions, which represents the ideal American partner inasmuch as our offerings, expertise, services and values complement each other so well. Bastian Solutions’ position, experience and in-depth knowledge of automation will accelerate the bringing to market, adoption and development of our vertical robotics solutions for the warehouses of the future in the USA – connected, digitalized and robotized”.

“We must continuously add technologies that address the growing demand and changing landscape order fulfillment providers face. Scallog’s technology will help us continue providing our customers with the competitive advantage they need to stay ahead in today’s market. We’re looking forward to introducing Scallog to our global network of clients”, enthuses Marvin Logan, Vice President of Consulting and Integration at Bastian Solutions.

The companies anticipate the first installations of Scallog solutions in the first half of 2021.

___________________________________________________________________

About Bastian Solutions:
Bastian Solutions, a Toyota Advanced Logistics company, is a trusted supply chain integration partner committed to providing clients a competitive advantage by designing and delivering world-class distribution and production solutions. By combining data-driven designs, scalable material handling systems, and innovative software, the company helps clients across a broad spectrum of markets become leaders in their industries. For more information, visit www.bastiansolutions.com.

About Scallog:
Founded in 2013, Scallog is a French company that designs, manufactures and markets robotics solutions for the logistics sector to boost warehouse agility and productivity for 3PL, e-commerce, distribution and manufacturing companies. In light of changes in B2C and B2B consumer demand patterns, particularly in terms of product availability and delivery, the Scallog solution helps companies accelerate order picking and absorb peaks in activity, whilst reducing arduous working conditions for employees and helping to phase investment. Its goodsto-person range includes the best “intelligent” decision-making and execution software and mobile robotics, meeting the need of logistics operators to increase order picking flexibility and integrate automation more widely in their warehouses. With over 30 different customers to its name and substantial funds raised, Scallog – the pioneer of scalable, flexible logistics robotics – is now aiming to boost its growth across Europe. www.scallog.com

Archives, Global Trade Daily, Warehousing

How Warehousing has Evolved Over the Years

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In the last ten to twenty years, warehouses have evolved massively. The industry has come a long way just in the last decade and has evolved to adapt to a faster pace. Driven by the evolution of various factors that influence the global market, warehousing continues to rise and change to remain one of the vital components in many industries.

The rule in business nowadays is simple: either you adapt or you break. The warehousing sector can confidently say that it has successfully adapted to the trends set by consumers and competition. From retail to manufacturing, every business that involves logistics has managed to or has to manage by making planned changes through the use of recent developments, which has so far produced positive results.

As warehousing experts and pros continue to tread the path driven by trends and change, they have to educate themselves. An important part of the adaptation process and preparing to move forward is looking back at what put you in your current position – a review of sorts.

To help you see the direction warehouse management is headed, this article will highlight how warehousing has evolved over the years.

More Strategic and Complex

Warehousing management has become more strategic and complex over the years. The simple warehouse which was once a small portion of the supply chain is not what it used to be. The primary concept of which warehouses were derived is still there: storage; however, the warehouse is now being called on to handle more complexity than it ever had.

There are many different types of warehouses that exist now that could play an important role in the near future. Warehouses such as high ceiling facilities and pop-up warehouses were developed throughout time to meet different requirements. Still focusing on adapting, it’s critical that current warehouses are agile and can adapt to changing conditions.

Accessibility

Historically, warehouses were only available to large businesses with a large-scale budget. Now, warehouses are more accessible even to small and medium businesses. This is driven by everyone wanting to manage their own operations and taking matters into their own hands.

The demand for industrial real estate has risen and continues to do so since the boom of ecommerce and the customer’s expectations of faster and more affordable shipping. For instance, there is accessible industrial real estate in many locations such as the warehouse in Kansas City that a business can either lease or purchase for different purposes. This all caters to businesses of all sizes.

Shift to Ecommerce Drives Automation

As aforementioned, the ecommerce industry is one of the main driving forces of the warehousing evolution. Ecommerce pros are facing the challenge of meeting customer expectations of cheaper and faster delivery and shipping. One of the strategies to address this demand is to automate.

Automated systems effectively reduce overstock and shortages and will boost profits in the long run. Automation cannot do it alone though, as it has to be partnered with quality warehouse storage systems to help an operation run smoothly.

Conclusion

Warehousing evolved in the past years by becoming more strategic and complex, accessible, and pushing for automation. It will continue to evolve in the next decade or so, as it depends on variables that can disrupt the majority of workplaces in many industries. Warehousing will continue to be pushed to adapt by the ever-changing fast-paced world.

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Angelo Castelda works as a contributor for a news magazine in Asia. On his free days, he likes to read books about the logistics industry and warehouse management. He also gets frequently invited to schools and universities to hold talks about the supply chain system and warehouse operations.