Smart Warehouse: Beacon Inventory Management System is the Future

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Is warehouse management Tough? Say No More with Beacon Technology

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Can you pick out the underlying piece that can enhance the operations of logistics?

The IT solution for logistics and supply chain business is warehouse and inventory management system.

Warehouse management system is the handling of inventory operations that is inclusive of shipping, receiving, loading, and picking of goods. Different types of warehouses–climate-controlled, private, automated, and on-demand warehouses–are available to suffice the needs of inventory management systems. 

Usually, you would use the term–stock control as well as warehouse management–interchangeably. However, I beg to differ—stock control intends at optimizing profit with the right inventory in the warehouse. In stark contrast, the warehouse management process locates these stocks on the shelf for a speedy delivery.

These days with the advancement of the eCommerce channels, it is crucial that small and medium to even the large retailers have their warehouse checked for efficient management.

Chronicles of Exhaustive Processes in the Manual Warehouse Management System

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The current processes are inefficient, owing to the use of barcode for scanning of products and to track their location in the warehouse. Every time warehouse managers pick up products, they first have to identify the barcode and then their position.

Actually, there are five steps involved in the warehouse management process:

  • Receiving:

The warehouse owners receive notifications regarding the arrival of products. This helps them free up some space for the next lot. In the warehouse that is meant for the distribution, goods are required to be scanned and staged for the putaway. Besides this, there is another important activity that needs 100% attention of the warehouse operators–Inspection.

  • Putaway:

Products are brought to the warehouse, scanned and inspected for quality. The bigger task commences now. Certain locations are allotted for the product placement, which allows operators to get back to the product and get it ready for quick delivery. This stage also includes the collection of details regarding the size and weight of the product to find out how much weight the locations can bear.

  • Storage:

Three decisions to make: 

  1. How is the inventory being stored?
  2. What is the replenishment time for each of the products?
  3. Where should the product be stored?

If the first stage of receiving has been properly planned out, the third questions become redundant. However, during scenarios when multiple consignments are dropped into the warehouse, storing becomes a tad complicated.

  • Picking:

When an order for a product is placed, a warehouse manager runs an inspection to find out whether the products are available for customers or not. Post this, a guide with the list of the product locations helps pickers to identify the right products from the shelves.

This involves four types of picking: strict-order picking, wherein a picker accomplishes a tour to retrieve a single order for shipping, batch picking, wherein a picker accomplishes multiple packaging at a single time, zone picking, wherein several zones are assigned to different pickers and saves travel time, and wave picking, wherein all orders placed in a single one are collected at once.

  • Shipping:

Though there is no travelling time involved, shipping indeed is a labour and time-intensive activity. Every product must be labelled properly for delivery men to handle it carefully.

With these five steps, a warehouse appears no lesser than a maze in itself. As eCommerce arises as an influential channel, the warehouse management would get tangled and turn into an unmanageable mess.

“So you mean, you have predicted the problem, do you have a solution?”

Of course!

Existing Technologies Used for Warehouse Management Process

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Warehouse management processes are complicated. However, when we incorporate technologies, it should experience simplicity. If not, then either the technology is at flaw, or it needs another technology.

Numerous warehouse owners have shown a high reliance on barcode technology. As a result, demand for the best warehouse management software has increased. However, the stickers can easily get damaged even with a little friction. Besides this, it needs a direct line of sight for the detection. Hence, it could consume equal or even more time than required.

Another addition to the warehouse revolution has been in the form of RFID technology. Large warehouses are investing in RFID tracking technology to manage their products. However, they are also in for RFID guns for picking their products from their locations.

Ultimately, the very purpose of the technology to control the time and money turns redundant.

Is RFID right for your warehouse?

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Even After Years of Warehouse Management, are we still doing the Management Wrong?

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Yes, we are. Every technology that has been so far applied to bring in the required automation to the warehouses have failed at some point. As a result, we are still at the bleachers and not actually able to be in the game in the logistics and transportation industry.

Warehouses are increasing in size, which is good news for the customers and eCommerce companies. On the flip side, do you see how much more complex this additional space is going to create? The rising cost of per square feet area and the travel time are going to demand more working capital. And, do we see productivity over here?

The scenario is blinding!

According to stats, in 2000, the typical size of a warehouse was about 65,000 square feet, which has now increased to 181,370 square feet in 2017. It surely does offset the issue of receiving higher volumes of products. 

As the vertical and horizontal sizes of warehouses increase, the rent is also expected to rise. Between 2011 & 2015, warehouse renting rates went up as much by almost 29%. Add to that the increasing labour cost and the travelling equipment, and you are in for a big hole in your pocket.

The question is, can we afford the manual processes?

You cannot, and you should not.

Take inspiration from how the big fishes in the market are operating–Alibaba and Amazon remain heavily invested in the IoT in warehouses to optimize their warehouse and inventory management processes.

Should you follow the footsteps or take the road less travelled by with the latest beacon inventory management system?

Presenting…A Beacon Warehouse Management for Asset Tracking in Logistics

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Beacon?

Say Bluetooth-enabled technology or BLE-based IoT solutions.

Beacon inventory management system is a viable solution for receiving a better throughput in the warehouses where RFIDs and barcodes have reached their prime and peak.

Instead of investing in RFID guns and tags, a beacon is fiscally sound for enabling smart warehouse operations. Beacon inventory management system offers a balanced safety stock, efficient asset tracking, and constant flow of information for offering the utmost efficiency. 

Actually, BLE asset tags can function in a similar manner as a barcode system without actually requiring you to read a sticker. Warehouse operators do not need to point their scanner to the line of sight when it comes to Bluetooth tag systems. The wireless reader can extend a wireless network into a warehouse to collect the data.

Beacon warehouse management app is dependent on just three components:

  1. BLE asset tags for Bluetooth beacon tracking
  2. Mobile scanner to read signals
  3. Access point to a network

It is definitely not an exaggeration to say that BLE asset technology is highly evolved than the barcode and RFID technologies. If you are going to pass this technology on, I am sure your competitors will incorporate it, owing to low investment requirements.

How much does it cost to build a BLE beacon mobile app for inventory management system?

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What can you do with Beacon Inventory Management System?

The beacon-based mobile app has two-folds application–Use of beacons in warehouse management for operators and Admin.

Beacon Inventory Management System for Warehouse Managers and Operators:

Track Items:

Beacon asset tracking can assist warehouse operators in asset tracking using ble beacons and reading details of the assigned order.

Space Availability

Once you opt for Beacon app development, the beacons in the warehouse will help the store managers to determine the availability of various departments to help identify locations of new items in smart warehouses.

Location Marking

The Bluetooth inventory tracking system consists of location marking that quickens the process with which operators can pick orders, utilize space, and improve the accuracy of your stock.

Picking

Using beacons in the warehouse, the system automatically verifies the right item and quantity during picking of assets.

Dispatch

This asset tracking software using BLE beacons can help operators ensure that products and quantities are being delivered at the dispatch point through Portable Device.

Order Management

Warehouse managers can use beacon inventory management system to directly mark the status of order as completed or in-progress

Chat Module

Warehouse managers can chat with others directly using the beacon inventory management mobile app. They can also share media files through the warehouse management software.

Asset Performance

Warehouse operators can leverage the beacon warehouse management application to track the performance of the operational tools in the warehouse.

Notification

Using the Bluetooth inventory tracking system, warehouse managers will be notified for any new order that has been generated, order dispatched, returned order, and other new updates in the system.

Reporting

Inventory management using beacons can help warehouse operators to send a report about the order directly to the admin.

Scheduling

Beacon inventory management system can assist warehouse operators in scheduling their tasks according to the priority, and the admin will receive notifications regarding the same.

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Beacon-based Mobile App for Admin

Manage Beacons and Receivers

Admin can turn their warehouses into a smart warehouse by adding, editing or deleting beacons and receivers in the system through beacon inventory management system. Whenever a warehouse manager attaches a beacon with any item, the system will notify the admin about a new entry of the product.

Order Management

Admins can track assets in warehouses using BLE beacons. They can edit or delete orders from the system. They can also assign orders directly to specific users. They can also manage order history, return order and re-orders.

Beacon Inventory Management System

Using beacon inventory management system, admin can optimize physical space by inspecting inventory.

Rules & Regulation

Admin will have rights to set-up rules for the operation of Bluetooth inventory tracking system.

Real-time Tracking

Using beacon inventory management system, admin can track every asset of the warehouse from this section in real-time.

Warehouse Operators Management

Admins can use beacon inventory management systems to add or remove warehouse operators and managers from the system.

Scheduling

Admin can schedule tasks of any operation in the system and notify it to specific warehouse operators about it.

Performance Tracking

Performance of the warehouse operators, beacons, and tools can be inspected directly from the inventory management system.

Notification

Admin can use warehouse management software to send push notification to any warehouse manager or operator, anytime from the system.

Live Chat

Admin can have a live chat with warehouse managers and operators while also being able to share media files.

Report

Admin can optimize traffic in warehouse spaces to analyze performance by generating numerous reports. It will be easy to track all operations in the warehouse.

Develop a beacon mobile app

Or integrate advanced beacon features in your warehouse management system.

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Prep your Warehouse for Success with Beacon Inventory Management System

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Not all businesses running a warehouse need a beacon. Just like not every business needs to follow others blindly. However, there are certain tell-tale signs, which is indicative that your warehouse needs beacon technology: 

  • Size of the Business

When you think that the only step your business needs is forward, beacon technology is the propeller that you need. While incorporating beacon technology, you do not have to worry about the size of your business. If you want to upgrade your warehouse management system to leap forward and higher, you do need a platform to underpin your momentum.

In the future, the costs related to warehouse management are going to increase. As a result, you need to plan the financials. Beacon technology is that tool to help you reduce your overhead costs and optimize your internal processes for higher efficiency. 

  • Resources Required to Digitize:  

No longer do you need to invest in RFID guns or tags. Also, you do not need to take the efforts to check whether the barcode tags are undamaged. All you need is a Bluetooth tag, and you can scan it even using a smartphone.

Beacons have multifold benefits. They can be used in the supply chain, in the trailer, forklift, loading dock bay, shelf, and more. Besides this, beacons can also be used for transmitting information on numerous smart devices at once by tuning in the power output. The smartphone devices or scanners can hear these beacons and track the nearby products. This helps in analyzing the warehouse operations in real-time and even the check-in and check out time. 

  • Reduce your Overhead Costs:

Do away with your hiring process!

With beacon technology, most of your warehouse processes can be automated. As a result, your business will not rely on drudgery or manual processes. Having employee-based systems and processes also invites unwanted errors, which further includes more time and cost required for correcting the error.

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Get Onboard to Catch Up with the Digitized Process using Beacons in the Warehouse

Digitization might seem like a mammoth of a task. However, it is not. We just need to look into the three steps to migrate from your manual warehouse operations to digital warehouse operations: 

  • Beginning Stage:

In this stage, you need to fill in details about space, items, products, warehouse managers, and operators to manage your warehouse needs. Since admin will need to track each and every process and individual, name tags and details should be included in the beacon-based system.

This is because while walking away from the manual processes, you will need to attach your beacons to all the products. Your warehouse management software will consist of all details of your warehouse operators and managers. Such a system will help you get updates and initiate a chat with the workers. This is the first and extremely crucial step as it will influence all your warehouse processes. 

  • Data Migration Stage:

You might have started operating a warehouse a couple of years ago. However, the amount of data would be huge. By huge, we mean, it would include the details of products, locations, shipping details, order details, details of employees, and so on. This can be overwhelming. However, to make a shift to a more optimized process, you will need to migrate your data from your system to the new software.

This will help you to get details even from the previous years. The new mobile application can migrate data as per the software requirement. Partner with us, and you are in for seamless data migration. 

  • Attaching BLE to Products:

This is the final step of your process. You will need to attach BLE tracking devices in products, forklift, trailer, and shelves, to be able to make it readable and scannable for warehouse operators. For any new product that enters your warehouse, you need to attach BLE for your warehouse operators to locate them easily.

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Everything Aside! What is the Fiscal Aspect of the Beacon App for Warehouse Management?

Get your warehouse in action for your business process optimization with beacon-based warehouse management application. When beacons are attached and involved in warehouses, and related mobile app or software is developed, below are the benefits that you will enjoy by incorporating a beacon inventory management system:

  • Locate your products on different shelves to reduce your travel time.
  • Track your inventory in real-time and place orders to never run out of items.
  • Increase the productivity of your warehouse using a beacon-based application.
  • Automate your warehouse processes using a single click for efficient planning and reporting.
  • Reduce your dependency on a large number of warehouse workers.
  • Bring improvements in your business with sensing technology to reduce errors.

There’s more to it, and we, an expert among the other beacon technology companies, can make it specific to your warehouse. You can request for the development of beacon technology wearable device software or beacon technology web development.

Warehouse automation through beacon inventory management system is the time travel to a profitable spot.

More About Author

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Vishal Nakum

Vishal Nakum is a tech enthusiast with a passion for exploring the latest developments in the world of technology. He has a keen interest in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Blockchain, and enjoys keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in these fields. Vishal is an avid learner and is always on the lookout for new ways to expand his knowledge and skills. He is also a creative thinker and enjoys experimenting with new ideas and concepts. In his free time, Vishal enjoys playing video games and reading books on technology and science.