10 Technology Essentials to Make Your Warehouse eCommerce Ready

 
The global pandemic changed how the business world operates almost overnight, highlighting the significance of accelerated digital transformation. This disruption also caused a disturbance in the worldwide supply chain and logistics industry, with consumers shifting to more online purchases and physical retails taking a backseat due to convenience and safety.
 
With the market dynamics changing fast, leading to a paradigm shift in consumer demand and expectations, you need to focus on your core business, making it tough to manage your warehouse and supply chain operations. Apart from that, eCommerce retail is also creating significant changes in the warehouse industry, which mandates you to update your warehouse for efficient management. It becomes easier with the help of digital solutions powered by technology.
 

 
Storage of your products in good condition before getting sold online is eCommerce warehousing. It is not about only storing your products securely and safely. It also requires efficient management of tracking each item, their locations, the time they arrive, adding in stock, and maintaining the quantity at any given time.
 
ALSO READ: Simplified Returns Process
 
Efficient eCommerce warehouse management includes but is certainly not limited to the following daily warehouse operations:

• Train and manage the staff
• Manage inventory and equipment while maintaining safety
• Build and maintain relationships with shipping carriers
• Keep products secure
• Forecast shipping volume and the demands of labor
• Obtain the required certificates and licenses
• Scale operations per business requirement
• Follow proper safety regulations
• Record daily inbound and outbound shipments

Efficient eCommerce warehouse management is a task in itself and requires a lot of time and effort.
 

 
Technology is at the core of the efficient functioning of smooth operations across diverse domains in the current fast-paced world. In the excitement of running a successful eCommerce business, you should be careful of preparing for eCommerce warehouse management efficiently, without which it can affect order delivery and this customer satisfaction.
 
ALSO READ: Why & How the Apparel Industry Needs a 3PL?
 
Here are ten essential technologies to manage your warehouse efficiently without many hiccups:
 

1. Warehouse Management System. Your booming eCommerce business is good. However, it can become challenging if not backed up with efficient warehouse management. It would be best if you had a warehouse management solution linked with your online store to update your store as per items in stock and notify you.
2. Barcodes and Scanners. The logistics and distribution industry regularly utilize handheld devices such as barcodes and scanners for efficient warehouse operations and inventory management. Digital inventories with handheld devices enabled with RFID scanners and GPS help you function efficiently and reduce theft and inventory loss.
3. Automated Guided Vehicles [AGVs]. These vehicles follow digital paths through the warehouse network when they load and unload pallets, boxes, or other product containers. AVGs navigate through radio waves, vision cameras, magnets, wires, floor stickers, and lasers while using GPS to precisely pick or drop consignments. To implement this system, you can integrate them seamlessly into your system and expand the fleet per your growing business needs.
4. Robotics and Automation. Automation is your best friend for efficiently managing the supply chain and logistics. Robotics deal with implementing robotic solutions to perform manual tasks, while automation helps you take care of your operations by automating tasks with minimum human intervention.
5. Implementing Cloud Technology. Modern warehouses empowered by technology embrace cloud technology for easy accessibility and convenient operations. You can store all your business data, be it inventory or sales records, in the cloud instead of managing physical servers at your warehouse that are liable to damage.
6. Packaging System. You can improve the efficiency of your packaging department by implementing a packaging system instead of the age-old practice of using humans for the job. It eliminates the chances of labeling or printing errors and makes the process more efficient and faster.
7. Order Tracking. The warehouse is the most active part of your supply chain operations. So highly efficient order-tracking system powered by technology is a must-have for you. Implement a system that tracks your order management and keeps on notifying you regularly. It also helps in updating your customers if there’s any probable delay.
8. BI and Analytics. Business intelligence aided by predictive analytics equips you to make smart business decisions. Efficient BI tools pick your business data, analyze it and provide accurate insights in the form of reports, charts, or other visual presentations.
9. IoT for Warehousing. The Internet of Things [IoT] is an amazing digital technology that connects devices helping businesses to stay hyper-connected. It connects devices, sensors, barcode scanners, mobiles, wearable gadgets, and other digital devices over the internet. This connected system empowers a constantly moving supply chain and logistics industry to cope with the increasing demand.
10. Smart Warehouse Design. Design and organize the warehouse systematically so that order processing becomes easy and saves time. Space efficiency is crucial in managing a warehouse effectively. Technology can help you create the ideal layout of your warehouse, factoring in types of product storage along with inbound and outbound operations.

 
ALSO READ: 2023 Trends for eCommerce Brands
 
So, handling all the complicated functions of warehouse management currently would be practically impossible without the help of technology. Hiring a Third-Party Logistics [3PL] provider with industry experience and expertise is wise and smart to help you manage order delivery while you focus on your business.
 

 
XPDEL is a leading fulfillment and logistics service provider that can take care of your complete fulfillment functions so that you can focus on your business and its marketing. Our tech-empowered fulfillment and logistics services are designed to help you scale your business. We have an efficient Order Management System [OMS], an advanced Warehouse Management System [WMS], an advanced automated TMS platform to determine shipping rates with methods and provide dashboards with business insights.
 

 
In the current dynamic world of cut-throat competition, it is hard for eCommerce businesses to grow rapidly without help in order fulfillment. Sometimes, a single error in fulfillment can cause significant damage to sales and customer satisfaction, thus impacting your brand reputation.
 
So, hire the right 3PL and see your business soar!
 

 
XPDEL is a leading hi-tech provider of Fulfillment and Logistics Services on a mission to enable growth for eCommerce companies.We are futuristic in our vision and constantly work on creating technology that helps us meet customer expectations for today and tomorrow. We have a wide network of Fulfillment centers that enables us to efficiently handle nationwide delivery in the US – same day, next day, and 2-day delivery. Being closer to the end consumer, we deliver much faster than others.