Industry Resources

The pressure to effectively support fluctuating supply and demand without increasing staff or warehouse space is driving supply chain professionals to make the warehouse an agile and flexible part of their supply chain that can respond quickly to business changes.

In this Aberdeen Group report, learn how Best in-Class companies:

• Pick 99% of orders accurately reducing errors and avoiding additional labor costs
• Ship 99% of orders complete and on-time improving customer satisfaction and reducing transportation costs for split shipments
• Experience an average 1% decrease in labor costs

This report by the Aberdeen Group reveals the nine high-performance capabilities that have the biggest affect on operational profitability. Top companies are improving performance and gaining an edge through practices like slotting, labor management, cartonization, and speech-based warehousing. Learn which specific features and functionality have made the difference between success and failure when it comes to implementation.

In this FORTE Focus paper, learn how to successfully develop a new distribution facility or retrofit/expansion project that is aligned with your overarching supply chain goals.

When faced with complex distribution challenges, a third-party fulfillment provider may appear to be an easy solution. Nonetheless, don't sign a contract with a 3PL before properly evaluating your situation. This FORTE Focus paper highlights ways to look at your business, operations, goals and expectations and how they coincide with your distribution alternatives so you get the right resolution for your distribution challenges.

The Aberdeen Group recently took a comprehensive look at automated warehouse solutions and found they are driving dramatic results. In their report, learn which automated solution(s) most appropriately address warehouse executives' operational requirements while providing tangible ROI.

This FORTE Focus paper offers considerations for small but growing operations. You'll learn the top two areas to check first, along with ideas for short-term fixes and longer-term solutions. From processes to systems to shipping, we hope you'll find an idea or two you can use.

This FORTE Focus paper higlights some picking methods and technologies along with considerations for each. Typically, for the warehouses of small, accelerating companies, the root of getting volume out the door at the required rates stems from inefficient methodologies and technologies utilized in each functional area. Learn how you can reduce traffic and increase productivity within your DC to better handle growth.

Holding inventory, moving it, counting it, picking it, and sometimes losing it costs money. This FORTE Focus paper takes a look at cross docking, which can reduce inventory carrying costs, transportation costs and costs associated with order fulfillment and material handling. With the proper systems and processes in place, cross docking can lead to significant benefits.

This FORTE Focus paper covers the ten steps to SKU profiling that must be made in order to store product in the right type of storage and picking media while also having enough locations dedicated to each SKU.

One tactic used to reduce the costs of system modification is to substitute new material handling equipment with used equipment. Whether you are expanding your current system or designing a system from scratch, there are limitations to employing used equipment. It can be a way to save money up front; however, it can actually cost you more in the long run.

Distribution centers must work to relieve congestion through cost-effectively optimizing the space utilized within the four walls of the facility. Through implementing both innovative and long-standing tactics for space utilization, companies can advance their operations to distribute on demand.

Approaching a WMS implementation focusing on the software technology will only create problems in the warehouse, not solve them.

Today, companies with significant distribution operations are finding very attractive opportunities for cost savings through distribution network consolidation. In addition, lowering or cutting costs in their distribution networks is driving executives to look at redesigning the business practices, processes and operation of their supply chains.

Researching, selecting, implementing and supporting your warehouse management system is no small task. With everything that is involved, it's easy to skip a step or make a wrong choice. Take a look at these 5 ways to help your WMS implementation be a success.

While working harder and smarter can sometimes get some of the job done, today's logistics systems depend on automated data collection (ADC)-based technology to realize breakthrough gains in productivity. Total labor savings are gained through the cumulative impact of a variety of improvements possible through the implementation of warehouse management systems (WMS) and ADC systems.

Have you noticed an area where the bar coding process bogs down? Equipment that can both print and apply bar code labels is becoming popular. It gets the job done quicker, cheaper, and more accurately, while helping your operation run even more smoothly.

Optimizing the configuration of your supply chain can deliver efficiency improvements and higher levels of customer service while minimizing transportation and handling costs. Here's how to optimize your network for greater flexibility in the future.

Featuring AMR Research Director Greg Aimi

Outsourcing logistics can be a winning strategy. However, determining if outsourcing is right for you and creating a 3PL provider relationship that meets your needs can be a complicated endeavor. Learn best practices from AMR Research analyst Greg Aimi on provider selection and creating the most value from your 3PL relationship.

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