Barcode picking has been around for some years now to direct a warehouse picker and to integrate each picker with the materials handling system. The barcode scanners themselves have developed into an entire range to choose from.

The process is fairly simple, the system communicates with the scanner to direct the picker, this usually includes what to pick, where to pick from and the quantity to pick. As orders become more and more complex it has become essential to integrate accurately with the system. Customer requirements to submit complex orders, collating different kinds of products to minimise transportation and inventory costs means efficiently and accurately directing pickers through the system.

Following the development of our own video resource Keymas Ltd have launched a youtube channel. Currently the site holds 9 of our latest videos focusing on specific parts of an automated handling system including creative shots and descriptive information to describe what each part of the handling system accomplishes.

From Arm scanners to multiple floors, pick routing to document feeds each video presents a short 2-3 minute introduction to the automated system.

Visit the site here – http://www.youtube.com/keymassystems

Some videos you may be particularly interested in,
Arm Scanners for warehouse systems
Print and Apply
Dispatch

Managing a warehouse is about more than just organisation. With the pressure on the supply chain managing a warehouse is about enabling your operation to become efficient, streamline and nowadays, a little bit savvy.

The basic aim is simple, receive goods in, hold them for as long as the sales department needs you to (hopefully not long!) then pack them and send them to the customer. But things are rarely that simple. The process inside the warehouse enables the accurate, efficient, cost effective and fast delivery of goods to the customer and this is where managing the warehouse becomes an essential part of the supply chain. The warehouse process can be broken down into 5 broad sections.

Goods in

Receiving from suppliers where the product enters the warehouse. Date and time are usually logged as well as supplier details to enable supplier quality referencing. Products are usually quality checked depending on the consistency needed. Pairing up QC and supplier details enables supplier quality audit and checking. Quarantine defective or low quality goods at this point prevents wastage inside the warehouse. Stock checking and stock valuing also often take place.

Product put away

Next, the goods must be stored. This can range literally from piling boxes in the corner of the warehouse to an integrated automation system. However, the basic principle is the same, a location is found for each product. The location is logged. Put away can include priorities for fast moving product and quarantine locations for defective goods.

Stock control

Managing the stock within the warehouse depends largely on the track and traceability of stock. Traditionally warehouse managers would keep track of stock levels and locations either on paper or on an excel sheet, however with the increase in product number, complexity and efficiency warehouses now need to be able to automatically track and trace goods to enable stock movement and rotation, consignment and efficient locating.

Order Picking

Picking is one of the defining processes of a warehouse, and usually goes a long way towards making the warehouse an effective and efficient operation. At its most basic level a picker looks at an order on a printed sheet, finds the location of the products required, picks them and places them into a box or pallet to go to distribution. Often in many warehouses a picker will waste a lot of time trying to find out where an item is, or walking to a location, picking an item, walking back to the box, then realising the next item was on the next shelf, so s/he walks back to the location. Efficient pick routing offered by warehouse management software enables the pickers to be directed and creates an effective pick operation. Picking can also be performed automatically but this often depends upon the complexity / simplicity of the product.

Dispatch

Basically, the boxed or pallet is taped or strapped up and sent to the customer. This process can include weight checking to check the orders are correct. Automated wrapping and loading. Dispatch sortation to enable vans and lorries to be loaded most efficiently depending on their location. And customer order checking to minimise inaccurate deliveries.

So 5 basic processes, goods in, put away, stock control, picking, and dispatch. To see how K-store gives you the tools to manage your warehouse visit www.k-store.co.uk

Google joined the celebrations of the barcode’s 57th anniversary by using the humble barcode as its logo today. The barcode was birthed in 1952 when it was patented by Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver. The Barcode has grown over the years to become the leading optical machine-readable data representation finding its way onto the majority of products and goods both in the retail and shopping spheres and within the warehouse.

The benefits of barcodes in the warehouse

The barcode is used as a standard for automatic data capture and labeling identification. Using a barcode system allows for quick, accurate data processing which is reliable and low cost, allowing for boxes, totes, products etc to be quickly and accurately identified at any chosen point in the warehouse.

Track and traceability – identify and track your product through the warehouse. Know where stock is placed, where it needs to be picked from and when and where it exits the system.
Increase accuracy – barcode data entry minimises data inaccuracy by allowing the system to automatically identify each product. Human error is reduced and data trails are accurate.
Increase speed – scan and identify product in a second.
Managing inventory – have the tools to perform stock rotation, stock quarantine, quality checking and general stock management.
Picking – Direct pickers through barcode technology. Identify efficient pick routes and reduce human error.
Measuring and review – build a picture of your warehouse performance through barcode identification, identify bottle necks, low staff performance, efficiency etc
Integrated system – integrate barcode technology into your warehouse management, manage the warehouse more accurately by knowing where product is, your efficiencies, identifying needs and recognizing trends.

To find out more about google using a barcode visit -
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/06/new-google-logo-celebrates-the-barcode/

To find out more about using barcodes in your warehouse visit – http://www.keymas.co.uk/barcode_reading.htm

Leading mobile phone distributor completes successful project

Keymas complete project for a leading mobile phone distributor based in London. The company, who provide logistics and distribution for mobile phone handsets, approached Keymas to work with them on a consultancy basis after making contact via the Keymas website. As one of the fastest growing enterprises in Europe the company needed to address its existing manually operated warehouse to increase efficiency and meet their growing demand.

Developing the new system

Working together with the warehouse management team the new system was designed to reduce despatch overheads by automatically identifying different despatch routes for specific carriers distributing the mobile phone handsets.

The new system prevents sortation error by using a bar code routing system that automatically identifies the distribution route of the product through bar code recognition.

A successful Project

The project was successfully implemented on budget and on time. Working towards a fixed set of outcomes the warehouse has increased its despatch efficiency and reduced its operational costs.

Keymas Managing Director, John Barton reported, “The project utilized a simple bar code routing system which automatically routes product to its pre-set destination. This process utilizes space in the warehouse and reduces costs making the dispatch process more efficient.”