The 2019 Warehousing Trends And How They Affect Businesses

In the past, most of the warehouse operations have been done manually and have always proven to be very costly to many business owners. Not mention additional inconveniencies like shipping delays and sometimes dispatching of the incorrect products. Many industries in the world have benefited from the ever-growing inventions and discoveries in the technology sectors, warehousing has also managed to enjoy the wave of advancements in technology. Well, known Technology inventions like artificial intelligence, drones, robotics, big data and internet of things have not only made the world a global village but a more efficient business hub in terms of service delivery and accessibility. Improved warehouse operations can also be achieved by advancements like inventory management software.

Warehouse operations are expected to go through a massive transformation and move from the traditional manual operations and embrace a more machine operations system. Many businesses have already started adapting the latest inventions used in warehouse operations. However, those who haven’t might be wondering how these new and more efficient systems will affect their overall business operations. If you have a warehousing business or your business has a warehouse then it’s important that you are updated and fully understand the latest trends in the warehousing sectors. With this knowledge, you will be able to fully understand the different trends and use them in your warehousing operations efficiently.

Below are the latest trends in 2019 that are set to change the warehousing sector:

Warehouse Robotics

 For the past few years, people have been talking about robotics will change the daily business operations of many companies. This form of automatic machinery has already been adopted by several companies in the world but only limited to warehousing facilities that have very advanced types of machinery. However, robotics have the power to change the warehousing systems. Business owners hope to have achieved an operating system where robotics can offer fast picking and delivering of goods through conventional racking. In 2019 it’s expected that a robot will be built that will be able to master the art of performing efficient and fast warehouse shelving. Several companies are working had towards coming up with this robotics before year end. Many companies anticipate that using robotics will increase the speed of operations in their warehouses and hence ability to manage more orders from their clients.  The other well-known benefits of using robotics are minimal human errors during the daily business operations in the warehouse and reduced labor costs in the long run.

Blockchain

This is one of the most talked about topics in the technology industry and one of the most misunderstood topics by many people. Many discussions about Blockchain take place in the financial sector, however, we cannot ignore the power that technology has over the economy and any sector. Any change in technology has the power to change the operations of many industries if not dealt with accordingly. Blockchain offers a ledger where new transactions are linked between several systems and with no record of the transaction.  Businesses have always faced the big challenge of having a reputable warehousing system that is also reliable and can take note of all the steps involved in the inventory management of any business. Using Blockchain technology will improve inventory processing and making sure that the system has a reliable register which is not only distributed among several users but also cannot be changed easily.

IoT (Internet of Things)

Every business in the 21st century depends on data for its daily operations. Even the warehouse depends on data collection, analyzing the data and coming up with solutions based on that. The main challenge faced by many businesses is having the capabilities to collect the data. Warehousing operations have utilized tools like RFID scanners and barcode scanners in an effort to improve their data collection processes. Big companies like Amazon are now using big data to monitor and keep track of every product in their inventory system. It’s obvious that adopting better technology enhances the data collection process in terms of speed and accuracy. The use of big data in warehousing operation gives the warehouse managers an opportunity to make decisions that are faster and more proactive. Never the less when using big data in your warehousing operations there are some very important considerations that need to be taken care of: data security and data governance. Failure to address these two crucial issues can prove to be very costly in the long run. Pick a data collection system that will not only offer you the best service but also guarantee your data security at all times.

Workforce Change

One of the exciting things when it comes to the workforce is the new generation of millennials who will be taking over the different professions in the next few years. As the baby boomers retire and leave the millennials to take over, there have been several concerns, especially in the job market with regards to the capability and competencies of the new workforce. Just like any other futuristic industry, warehouse needs to come up with work strategies that will not only attract the young workforce but also be able to retain them for a long time.  Unlike the previous generation, the millennials have grown up with a lot of technology advancements and inventions in their time, meaning they will be more productive in working environments that are more technologically advanced. The shift in using technology in warehousing is very promising and more preparation needs to be done in order to make the workplace more productive for the new workforce that will be taking over in a few years.

Risk Management

 The role of the warehouse in inventory management has improved, the warehouse is no longer seen as just simple storage facilities.  Many businesses depend so much on the warehouse operations when it comes to supply management.  Internet advancement has also played an important role in increased warehouse responsibilities. Warehouse managers are now focusing more on supply chain resiliency and risk management as a measure to improve warehouse operations. Use of the latest warehousing technology has enabled efficient risk management in warehousing and data security. Risk management in warehouses can be improved if the following measures are implemented: supply chain visibility, cooperation from key stakeholders and distributors, and response plan to deal with any emergencies.

2019 is set to be a revolutionary year for the warehousing sector with more adaptation and integration of technology by many companies taking place, warehouses will enjoy increased efficiency, transparency, and reduced costs in inventory management.