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Warehouse Management Software That Ensures Accuracy

18.02.12 12:49 PM By Randall Mauldin
Warehouse Management Software incorporates technological tools that by their very usage, implies accuracy. Tools like bar code scanners and radio frequency capabilities, by definition, increase efficiency, accuracy and quality control. Even given advancements in sophisticated online warehouse management software, however, attention and protocol needs to address how inventory accounting tools and mechanisms tie all the components together. Without understanding inventory ideology, need for accuracy philosophy and functionality, errors can still occur. Three basic strategies can aid any 3PL warehouse to ensure inventory accuracy. 1. Process: No matter how sophisticated of an online warehouse management software system your business uses, without general understanding and buy-in by all staff of the value of inventory accuracy, your results could be less than stellar. When employees understand the interconnected steps that each person plays in ensuring accurate inventory levels, they are more likely to comply with all processes. Pride in ownership of their individual roles in maintaining high standards not just for the companys benefit, but for their co-workers and themselves as well, goes a long way in ensuring inventory accuracy. To do this, management needs to clearly define all steps, rolls, and processes effectively through training and follow-up. In addition, offering opportunities for staff to further streamline any process that could improve accuracy should be encouraged and rewarded. Finally, it is best to communicate that speed can compromise accuracy during certain procedures so communicating accurate results have greater value over fast results is best. 2. Procedures: These are the nuts and bolts of any inventory management effectiveness. Documenting actual steps that staff undertakes to perform work tasks involving inventory needs to be clearly communicated and trained to ensure effective participation. This includes defining each specific job responsibility, how to fill out and process all online documentation using the warehouse management software and what to do should discrepancies occur. This also includes training staff on the importance of entering data into the system in a timely manner. In addition, setting accuracy and procedural standards is vital to ensure overall accuracy. Training, testing and monitoring is essential and should be conducted in tandem with providing a document that also details each role. Of course, training materials should be for reference and should not replace actual training itself. 3. Compliance: The greatest tool any well-run 3PL may utilize to ensure inventory accuracy is that of staff compliance. In should be noted that compliance works in combination with the warehouse management software itself. Still, even with reduced human interaction in the automated world of online inventory management that draws on ancillary technological tools, there needs to be policies in place that monitor input when input is required. Programs such as that offered by 3PL Centrals web-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provide the easiest, most accessible mechanism through online access. Staff, clients, customers and vendors need only have a computer to perform their assigned inventory-related function. a href=http://www.3plcentral.com/Warehouse Management Software/a That Ensures Accuracy. More Info At www.3PLCentral.com